A Katana

GSX1100SXZ.JP

GSX1100SXZ.JP

Hi all.
maxresdefault.jpg

This ia a Katana(1100cc) in Japan. The Kat I often see on the Internet. The owner of the Kat seems to think that it is specification of New Zealand. But it must be probably not correct. But I don't know of which countries' specification this Kat is. Does anyone know about it? Cheers Takahiro
 
GSX1100SXZ.JP said:
Hi all.
View attachment 6536

This ia a Katana(1100cc) in Japan. The Kat I often see on the Internet. The owner of the Kat seems to think that it is specification of New Zealand. But it must be probably not correct. But I don't know of which countries' specification this Kat is. Does anyone know about it? Cheers Takahiro
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Hhhhmmmmm, interesting. W.W. SZ shocks, Pipe swingarm,Sz bodywork and seat, SZ frame with down tube external engine mount bolts. Apart from the carbs it has all the looks of a South African SXZ? After 37 years it isn't too much to think that at some stage a P.O. swapped the VM 32 carbs for a set of CV 34mm carbs. VM 32 carbs are not really designed for congested city street riding and this Kat is in Japan so perhaps to make riding a bit easier the carbs were swapped. I have seen two 1000 cc Katana here in Brisbane where the owners have swapped the VM 32 carbs for CV 34 mm so it's not unrealistic to think of it being done to this Kat. My thoughts are there is more here that hints toward an African SXZ with the wrong carbs at first inspection via the photo. Takahiro San, are you able to check the V.I.N. decal on the steering head somehow, that will tell us if it's a South African SXZ or not.

If this could be confirmed as a genuine S.A. SXZ that would be three confirmed of the 10 sent to Japan in 1985.

Cheers.
 
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Thank you for your replies. My wondering is about the pipe swing arm. If the Kat has a standard alloy swingarm, it may be standard E24 SXZ. But this W.W.kat has BS34 + pipe swingarm. There are some such W.W.kats in Japan. Of course they are not for JDM. Unfortunately I am not able to check the V.I.N. decal. I also think basically like Glen. But I think a low probability what a pre owner had the carbs swapped for easier to ride. Is there not this specification as a unremodeled state, if they are SXZ or not? Cheers.
 
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GSX1100SXZ.JP said:
Thank you for your replies. My wondering is about the pipe swing arm. If the Kat has a standard alloy swingarm, it may be standard E24 SXZ. But this W.W.kat has BS34 + pipe swingarm. There are some such W.W.kats in Japan. Of course they are not for JDM. Unfortunately I am not able to check the V.I.N. decal. I also think basically like Glen. But I think a low probability what a pre owner had the carbs swapped for easier to ride. Is there not this specification as a unremodeled state, if they are SXZ or not? Cheers.
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Another explaination is that is a standard SZ fitted with wire wheels. The front hub was common to a lot of twin disk models and the rear hub was fitted to the GS750B.
 
Could well be Darryl, what would be the odds of it being an S.A. SXZ? The one standout feature is that swingarm, and the colour. The S.A. pipe swingarm was silver and yes, it could be a painted GS1000S swinger and someone wanted to create a S.A. SXZ tribute Kat? Thing is very few people would be aware of the pipe swinger or the fact they were silver. Looks like I will just have to fly over to Japan and check it out, then buy it of course.

Cheers.
 
Thanks for your sacrifice Glen. Of course you're right. The most likely is that it is one of the 15 re-imports with BS carbs fitted for whatever reason. Although why you'd lose one of the rarest Katana components is hard to comprehend
 
Maybe he has the carbs rapped and stashed in his roof?
And doesnt care that its rare and just wants to ride a true classic the way they should be.
Just a thought.

Nige
 
Kiwialfa said:
Thanks for your sacrifice Glen. Of course you're right. The most likely is that it is one of the 15 re-imports with BS carbs fitted for whatever reason. Although why you'd lose one of the rarest Katana components is hard to comprehend
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I agree with you about the carbs Darryl however, the owners of those two SD 1000 Kats I mentioned ditched the VM carbs for CV units so ya never know what you'll find sometimes?

Cheers.

P.S. Remember it was 10 SXZ sent to Japan from S.A. that left 15 in S.A. Just me counting rivets.
 
nige501 said:
Maybe he has the carbs rapped and stashed in his roof?
And doesnt care that its rare and just wants to ride a true classic the way they should be.
Just a thought.

Nige
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Hi Nige, at least his roof would be safe from collapse with just the carbs up there. Unlike other structural disasters in the making from excessive loading of roof spaces!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Are you still wearing your stack hat inside, just in case?
 
When I was in Tokyo a bit ago I was fortunate to find a little bike shop that had some Kats (7 fiddies )
And the owner says its hard to have a bike shop these days as the young kids arent into bikes like back in the day.
It is all old guys like us keeping it alive.
That may change down the line but not at the moment.
Does this sound about right Takahiro?

Nige
 
Thank you for your replies.

Hi Darryl,
if so, what was the pipe swing arm fitted for?
Japanese Kat owners do not recognize that the pipe swingarm is higher rigid than the standard alloy swingarm. I think that this vehicle is a unremodeled state except for exhaust pipe and oil cooler.

Hi Glen,
yes, the SXZs are rarely known in Japan. I think this specification exists, if they are SXZ or not.

And I think also that this vehicle isn't one of 10 from South Africa, because the 10 SXZ all had VM32 and pipe swingarm. The Kats with BS34 + pipeswingarm are known to some extent in Japan. But we do not know why the specification exists.

Hi Nige,
it is a fact what the young kids aren't into bikes.
Moreover, the population of young people is small now in Japan.It is due to the long recession in Japan.

Cheers　Takahiro.
 
Wow that is interesting about the recession having an impact on future children.
We have a lot of people over here making babies whether they can afford it or not!!

Nige
 
Kill switch ? S.a. Sxz

GSX1100SXZ.JP said:
Hi all.
View attachment 6536

This ia a Katana(1100cc) in Japan. The Kat I often see on the Internet. The owner of the Kat seems to think that it is specification of New Zealand. But it must be probably not correct. But I don't know of which countries' specification this Kat is. Does anyone know about it? Cheers Takahiro
Click to expand...

There maybe another TELL tail sign that no one has mention with these S.A. Kats and it's to do with the right hand switch, I came across a description while looking these SXZ's up and it's the kill switch is different to stock, can you confirm this Takahiro by comparing your machines., cheers Pat.castrol 6 hr #2 pic.jpg
 
Hi Patrick, thank you for your reply and a picture.
There are additional pictures which I found on Internet. k1.jpgk2.jpgk3.jpg
I have never actually seen this vehicle whose right hand switch is different to my SXZ. But the switch looks like for the standard SZ.
Cheers Takahiro.
 
GSX1100SXZ.JP said:
Hi Patrick, thank you for your reply and a picture.
There are additional pictures which I found on Internet. View attachment 6538View attachment 6539View attachment 6540
I have never actually seen this vehicle whose right hand switch is different to my SXZ. But the switch looks like for the standard SZ.
Cheers Takahiro.
Click to expand...

Hi Takahiro,

Please try for a photo of the throttle handlebar cluster. Patrick has a point - with slide carbs you need a push/pull setup and this was a Suzuki factory option on 1000cc at least.

Same cluster as normal (lights, starter, kill switch) but two cables out the bottom this the pic below.

Push pull by derek collinge, on Flickr
 
Hi drillit,
are you telling me to take a picture of my SXZ's handle switch? But why? This thread is not about my SXZ. All right. I have taken a picture of it. 　PT360149.JPG
Or maybe I do not understand? I saw your flickr site. Are you interested in Zundapp750? Now one vehicle is sold at a Japanese motorcycle shop.

http://www.timt.co.jp/time02/150127/08_sub.html

Cheers Takahiro.
 
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