Looks like the Kat insurance policy is in need of an update!
https://online.doningtonauctions.com.au/m/lot-details/index/catalog/67/lot/9469
https://online.doningtonauctions.com.au/m/lot-details/index/catalog/67/lot/9469
$27,000 Kat Sale
- Thread starter Shin-Ken 1074
- Start date
This SXZ has a red zone starting at 9500 rpm. I would like to ask the owners of E24SXZ. Are your SXZs at the same red zone as this SXZ?
Hello Takahiro San, you have an eagle eye! My 1982 1100SXZ redline is 9,000 RPM and every other E24 GSX1100SXZ I have seen has a redline of of 9,000 RPM. It seems very odd this example has the 9,500 RPM redline tacho that were fitted to the GSX750S Katana.
Thank you 真剣 San. The matter of a tugboat strike in this SXZ commentary is interesting.
Yes, a union strike was taking place and the entire consignment of Katana bikes were stranded onboard the ship and had their delivery delayed. Suzuki could not meet the rule of the minimum number of Katana bike sales to qualify for the planned Production Race debut of the Katana in Australia.
When the ship was finally unloaded one Katana 1100 was sent to the race track and placed on display.
I was just browsing and noticed this chat topic. Sale price for that Kat is not surprising as my current insurance through Shannons lists my 1982 SXZ Kat as being valued at, for insurance purposes of $28, 940. Up from $27, 562 from last year. An appreciating asset!
I noted also with interest that this just sold Kat has a compliance plate same as mine, i.e. 8/81.
Also my engine number is 137236, only 11 more than this bike which is 137225, yet the frame no of my bike is 100494 which is less than this bike (which is 100569).
I don't quite understand how at the point on the production line frames and engines were put together, were the engine and frame lines going backwards relative to each other so earlier frames got later number motors?
Maybe I'm trying to be too logical, mmm. Any thoughts.
Cheers shivering on locked down Phillip Island,
Rob
I noted also with interest that this just sold Kat has a compliance plate same as mine, i.e. 8/81.
Also my engine number is 137236, only 11 more than this bike which is 137225, yet the frame no of my bike is 100494 which is less than this bike (which is 100569).
I don't quite understand how at the point on the production line frames and engines were put together, were the engine and frame lines going backwards relative to each other so earlier frames got later number motors?
Maybe I'm trying to be too logical, mmm. Any thoughts.
Cheers shivering on locked down Phillip Island,
Rob
It's not uncommon in country towns for business to wear multiple hats. The newsagent was also the dry cleaner, the post office also a bank, ladies dress shop has videos out the back.
In the same context the hire shop would get you a motorcycle.
Also a dealer would buy from Suzuki, and usually have shop and stock, an authorised agent mostly likely brought it from a large dealer (wholesale) and would order it in after you did.
Usually the end price would be the same (rec retail) and you didn't have to go to the big smoke and deal with those slick city types...
Just how things work in the bush.
Cheers John
In the same context the hire shop would get you a motorcycle.
Also a dealer would buy from Suzuki, and usually have shop and stock, an authorised agent mostly likely brought it from a large dealer (wholesale) and would order it in after you did.
Usually the end price would be the same (rec retail) and you didn't have to go to the big smoke and deal with those slick city types...
Just how things work in the bush.
Cheers John
Hi Rob,
Suzuki certainly did not employ any logic when they married Kat engines and frames. My 8/81 Kat is similar with the engine number and VIN being out of logical sequence when compared to others from August 81 and for every year of Kat production for that matter. There are a few cases where the numbers seem to be close to being in order but it is the exception rather than the rule.
Cheers,
Glen.
Hi Glen,
You are certainly right about the lack of numerical logic in putting engines in frames. Makes you wonder what was the process. Some worker just goes into the engine room and chooses one that is nearest the door and wheels it onto the frame production line! Probably a bunch of workers just grabbing a motor and whacking it in the frame that is in front of them. I always had a picture of things a little more streamlined and logical as in F.W. Taylor's Scientific Management theory as translated into production line practices worldwide, (sorry, something from my studies of organisational behaviour).
Thanks heaps,
Rob
You are certainly right about the lack of numerical logic in putting engines in frames. Makes you wonder what was the process. Some worker just goes into the engine room and chooses one that is nearest the door and wheels it onto the frame production line! Probably a bunch of workers just grabbing a motor and whacking it in the frame that is in front of them. I always had a picture of things a little more streamlined and logical as in F.W. Taylor's Scientific Management theory as translated into production line practices worldwide, (sorry, something from my studies of organisational behaviour).
Thanks heaps,
Rob
Hi Rob, yes our vision of Japanese production practice of the day is totally not in-line with Taylor's theory. As it turns out, (from sources in Japan) the Kat line was exactly as you guessed, an engine taken at random and installed in the next frame on the line, no science or method needed. Another reason I like Suzuki perhaps, no square bears!
Cheers.
.The discussion of frame and engine combinations is very interesting. But I am hard to believe that with such sloppy combinations had been carried out. However, the evidence seems to show that.
As I recalled from the combination of frame and engine, do you guys recognize the existence of SD of SZ frame?
Hi Takahiro san, yes, the SZ and SD have different frame number sequence and the front engine mount bolt design was changed from bolts through the tube for the SZ to captive internal bolt for the SD frame.
Cheers,
Glen.
Hi 真剣 san.
It seems that my English was bad. What I wanted to say is that there are also SDs with SZ frames as Suzuki factory genuine vehicles.
Takahiro
Hi Takahiro San,
thank you for your reply, interesting to hear you are aware there are some SD models using SZ frames ex-factory?
Cheers,
Glen.
Yes, I wanted to ask it.
Hi Takahiro San, I have not checked any SD here in Australia to see if any left over SZ frames were used to construct early SD models. Perhaps some other members here may be aware of such an example?
Cheers,
Glen.
Cheers,
Glen.