From Vision to Reality: SUZUKI GSX1100S KATANA Custom by MATSUDA SPL.

• GSX1100S
• Katana

• Share:

• 
• 
• 

MATSUDA SPL.'s GSX1100S KATANA

"I first laid eyes on this Katana 12 or 13 years ago, and it was in the middle of being customized. Since I was planning to customize it myself as well, I decided to get it,” said the owner, Mr. Matsuda. "The base is a 1986 model and the frame has been reinforced in 10 places. The front suspension is a GSF1200 and the rear uses a GSX-R1100 swingarm. The engine is 1135cc with a YOSHIMURA TMR carburetor for the GSX-R. A round oil cooler is also installed,” continued Matsuda.

It's a solid full custom. Mr. Matsuda rides long distances and also uses it on a daily basis. He even rode it several hundred kilometers one way to go to a Katana meet-up organized by SUZUKI. So, how did he go about customizing this machine?

"Basically, I just leave it to the pros,” says Matsuda. Even so, some kind of direction seems necessary. "I have an original idea of what I want to do, such as making it 17-inch, and when I tell the shop they say, 'Ok, let's do it this way'. I just give them ideas, but I also give them money,” jokes Matsuda.

When he showed people his original idea of adding a yellow line to the exterior, he received many comments that it wouldn't go well with the bike. Nevertheless, he decided to go ahead with the project and asked a friend who does professional paint work to do it. That friend agreed that it would work, and the result is as you can see. It's a color scheme that you don't often see on a Katana (the only one that comes to mind is the HB color model exhibited at the Cologne Motorcycle Show in '82) and the yellow headlight base also accents the look well. The tail cowl has a gradation of black at the bottom while leaving the carbon fiber base on the top, which further brings the look together.

Matsuda's ideas have a charm that makes you want to see them brought to fruition. A rider who goes everywhere with his Katana, puts in the necessary work and comes up with ideas to make the ride better and more enjoyable. Of course the professionals on the receiving end of those ideas will want to turn them into reality. This bike is the result of that ideal turn of events.

Handle

The upper bracket is by N PROJECT, the clip-on handlebars are DAYTONA, the front master cylinder is a GALE SPEED VRC, and the Acewell CA080-502 Meter was a replacement for the stock meter whose needle broke and was installed while waiting for it to be repaired. The meter panel was then made and a YOSHIMURA PRO-GRESS2 and DAYTONA Moto GPS Radar were added. The stock meter has since been repaired and can be reinstalled at any time.

Bodyworks

The fuel tank is a Beater Aluminum Tank and has an original paintjob to go along with the rest of the exterior. The yellow line is flanked by two stripes of different widths and spacing, and the SUZUKI logo is finished in black. You can see that these small details enhance the overall look.

The seat has also been reupholstered and the front and rear are both black. The upholstery material is different for the rider and pillion areas. The front and rear cowls and fender eliminator kit are made by OHNO-SPEED, and the tail cowl has a gradation finish, with the carbon based exposed on the top blending into black at the bottom.

Engine

The engine is from the original '86 model and has been converted to 1135cc. A YOSHIMURA ST-1 Camshaft and Advantage Clutch Kit are equipped and a round oil cooler has been added. The frame is reinforced in 10 places.

Intake & Exhaust

The carburetor is a YOSHIMURA TMR φ41mm for the GSX-R1100, and the exhaust system is a combination of Asahina Racing titanium pipes and an original silencer.

Chassis

The steps are made by ISA and the drive chain has been converted to EK's 520ZVX3.

The φ43mm front forks and Nissin 4-piston calipers are stock GSF1200. OHLINS fork inner springs and MOTO MASTER front discs are installed.

The swingarm and rear caliper are stock GSX-R1100, and the rear disc is also by MOTO MASTER.

The rear Legend Twin Shocks are OHLINS. The bronze-colored wheels are GALE SPEED TYPE-C in 3.50-17/5.50-17 sizes. The tires are Michelin ROAD 6 with sizes 120/70ZR17 and 180/55ZR17.

Gallery

Specifications

Part	Details
Engine	YOSHIMURA ST-1 Camshaft ADVANTAGE F.C.C. Traction Control Clutch Kit
Carb / Intake	YOSHIMURA MIKUNI TMR41 Carburetor
Frame	OHNO-SPEED Power Slider
Brake	GALE SPEED Full Spec Brake Master Cylinder [VRC Series] MOTO MASTER Halo Discs
Wheels	GALE SPEED TYPE-C 3.50-17 Front GALE SPEED TYPE-C 5.50-17 Rear
Suspension	OHLINS Rear Suspension Legend-Twin
Steps	ISA Step Kit
Drive System	EK 520ZVX3 Drive Chain
Handle / Steering	N PROJECT Top Bridge DAYTONA Machined Straight Bar for Clip-on Handlebars DAYTONA Machined Clamp for Clip-on Handlebars ACEWELL CA080-502 Meter YOSHIMURA PRO-GRESS2 Multi-temp Meter DAYTONA Moto GPS Radar
Oil Cooler	EARL'S Oil Cooler Core, Round #6 (11-inch 13-row)
Bodyworks	OHNO-SPEED FRP Upper Cowl Beater Aluminum Tank OHNO-SPEED BIG Fender Eliminator Kit, Black

Original Source of this Article

Heritage & Legends