Kat model numbers

F

Felixthekat

Is there somewhere here on this site where there is information about 1100 Katana model codes?

I have 3 Katanas that I was wanting to find out a bit more about. Just general info really, model runs etc.

Or can I just post up here the frame and engine numbers so people can have a think about what these represent.
 
Hi Rob, the Australian 1100 Kat model codes are:

GSX1100SZ

GSX1100SXZ

GSX1100SD

GSX1100SE.

The first models here were the SZ going through to the last 1100 Kat model for Australia being the SE. If you would like to post up your Kat VIN details including the date stamped on the VIN plate all will be revealed. As for model runs/production numbers for Australian 1100 Kats, there are none. All attempts from Katana clubs/groups/ and owners over the last 30 years to find Kat 1100 production numbers for the model range from Suzuki Australia and also Japan have failed and it would seem not even Indiana Jones would be able to find the numbers. Sorry we can't help with the production numbers but we'll keep up the search.

Cheers.
 
Hi Glen,
Once again its Japans attitude of its not directed to us and these bikes are off to our franchise dealers so they DO NOT CARE which is a big SHAME!!
 
Hi Glen,
I have 2 x 1100 SZ Katanas that share a build date of 8/81.
One is a wire wheel bike with frame number GS110X-100494. Engine number GS110X-137236. This bike I bought from a guy in Sydney in late 2009. It had apparently been a relative's bike, involved in an accident, repaired and pretty much left in a shed until I bought it with 34,000km on it.

The other 8/81 bike has frame number GS110X-526139 (compliance plate is same as frame number) but its engine number is N916554P. That's a bit odd for an engine number isn't it? It has the cast wheels.

The other 1100 Kat has build date 4/83, has a black motor so is an SD with frame number QC2005649C (???). I thought the frame number and the affixed compliance plate should have the same numbers? This one's compliance plate number is GS110X-540581. Its engine number is GS110X-171220. I bought this one from Western Australia in 2012.

So what does all this mean??
 
I'd say that the engine number N916554P is probably a motor built with new cases that have no numbers stamped, has been checked with police and given those numbers to stamp, probably NSW Police, put the wire wheels on the cast wheel kat (swap them over), should be good then, rivet counters will be happier.......

Glen will be along soon when he sobers up.... a bit.....
 
Forgot to ask earlier, I've heard of the earlier SZ, the later SD and the last of the line up, the SE models, what is an SXZ1100 Kat and why the extra letter?
 
My 1100 SZ Kat.jpgHi Rob, the SXZ is the Australian 1100 Kat fitted with factory W.W. and have VIN/frame prefix GS110X followed by six numbers starting with a numeral 1 as per your W.W. Kat - GS110X 100494, so you have a genuine Australian model GSX1100SXZ in the stable, well done! Australian 1100 Kats with factory cast wheels have a 6 figure VIN/frame number starting with the numeral 5. The only difference between the two models are the W.W. and the VIN/frame number.

The Australian SXZ is a stock animal except for the W.W. unlike the very rare and sexy 20 SXZ 1100 Kats made for N.Z. and the 25 SXZ 1100 Kats made for South Africa. These 45 SXZ Kats were a batch of "Production" (read not stock) bikes built for Proddie Racing before the class were restricted to 1000cc.


Click on the image to enlarge the stock Australian delivered SXZ photo.

View attachment 4411

Cheers.
 
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Felixthekat said:
Hi Glen,
I have 2 x 1100 SZ Katanas that share a build date of 8/81.
One is a wire wheel bike with frame number GS110X-100494. Engine number GS110X-137236. This bike I bought from a guy in Sydney in late 2009. It had apparently been a relative's bike, involved in an accident, repaired and pretty much left in a shed until I bought it with 34,000km on it.

The other 8/81 bike has frame number GS110X-526139 (compliance plate is same as frame number) but its engine number is N916554P. That's a bit odd for an engine number isn't it? It has the cast wheels.

The other 1100 Kat has build date 4/83, has a black motor so is an SD with frame number QC2005649C (???). I thought the frame number and the affixed compliance plate should have the same numbers? This one's compliance plate number is GS110X-540581. Its engine number is GS110X-171220. I bought this one from Western Australia in 2012.

So what does all this mean??
Click to expand...

Hi Rob, yes Australian 1100 Kats that have not been molested will have engine and frame numbers with the prefix: GS110X ------. You are correct about the frame and VIN numbers matching however, Suzuki never built Australian 1100 Kats with matching engine and frame numbers so that is one headache less when restoring a Kat. As for the numbers you have perhaps Reg (Scrapeit) is correct and some fettling has been done at some stage in the past to put them back on the road because no Australian 1100 Kat engine or frame ex-factory has a "QC" or "N" prefix out of the crate.

Your Kat engine number GS110X 137236 married to frame GS110X 100494 and Date Stamped 8/81 is as you now are aware an SXZ Kat and the numbers line up just fine so no dramas there.

A machine from W.A.! Say no more, sorry Rusty but it had to be said.

Cheers.
 
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Hi Reg and Glen,
Thank you for your expertise in this area, much appreciated.
I thought the 2 Kats with the unusual engine number (N916554P) and the SD with the weird frame number QC2005649C were bikes that had probably had an engine swap or frame swap done on them at some stage to rectify a major prang or some such.
Thanks again and enjoy the rest of the holiday season.
 
No prob Rob, we all learn something sometime, just don't ask me a difficult question like "what did I do yesterday?"

Cheers.
 
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