I know this has been discussed at length before but I came across this and I thought it would be of interest:
Several variants of the 1982 (Z model year) Katana 1100SZ were produced by Suzuki to support racing. The GSX1000SZ (circa 1981) was a 998cc variant of the GSX1100SZ produced in sufficient numbers to homologate the type as production machine that was eligible for modification for racing under the then current international superbike racing rules which included a 1000cc capacity limit. The GSX1000SZ had frame serial numbers beginning with GS10X-500001~,and were fitted by the factory with a performance inlet camshaft (part 12711-49201) paired with the same exhaust camshaft as the standard GSX1100SZ (part 12700-45820). The 1000SZ also sported round-slide VM32SS Mikuni carburetors and were often fitted with optional wire-wheels which were lighter and with an 18" rear allowed tire choices more suitable for track.
The GSX1100SXZ "Wire-Wheeler" was an even rarer factory-built, and peculiarly southern hemisphere variant of the standard Katana 1100SZ. Faced with the single-seat Honda CB1100R, which on paper looked likely to be the dominant machine in the upcoming local production racing series. The New Zealand Suzuki distributor at the time asked Suzuki for a new upgraded machine to beat the Honda. Suzuki Japan responded by building 20 units of the New Zealand E27 spec GSX1100SXZ. During this period Suzuki sales were at an all-time high in New Zealand (around 42% market share) due in large part to Suzuki's race track successes. In 1981 Kiwi Suzuki rider Graeme Crosby had finished fifth in the World 500cc championship and successfully defended his TT Formula One title. The E27 SXZ was fitted with wire-wheels, more powerful GS1100GZ front brakes, Mikuni round-slide oval-bore VM36SS carburettors, larger 33mm bore mufflers (same as fitted to the previous Castrol 6 Hour special the GSX1100T), performance camshafts (thought most likely to be Yoshimura profiles as Pops Yoshimura was building Suzuki Superbikes and TT machines for competition during this period), braided brake lines, and an extra set of clutch plates.
Twenty units of the E27 where delivered to South Pacific Suzuki Distributors (Colemans) as 20 units were the minimum required to homologate the machines as production motorcycles rather than racing specials under the rules of the New Zealand Autocycle Union -then the governing body for motorcycle sport in New Zealand. The GSX1100SXZ was crowned the overall 1981/1982 NZ National Production Champion (riders Dave Hiscock, Neville Hiscock and Robert Holden), but failed to win the 1981 Castrol 6-Hour, Suzuki's only Castrol 6-Hour loss for 5 years. 25 more units of the same E27 spec SXZ machines were built by Suzuki and exported to South Africa.
Australia also received its own E24 (Australian market) SXZ which were also fitted with wire-wheels. However, the Australian E24 SXZ were NOT fitted with any of the other performance parts as per the New Zealand and South African machines. The Australian machines were fitted with standard unmodified SZ engines. The 1100s were raced with mixed success in Australia in 1981, but rule changes for the 1982 Australian Castrol 6-Hour production race saw teams scrambling to find 1000cc versions. In New Zealand the wire wheeled bike won the 1981 National Production Championship and numerous club and National races.
The number of SXZ machines built across New Zealand and South Africa markets was a total of 45 units.
Clive Strugnell here in South Africa is lucky enough to still have the SXZ bike Suzuki SA gave him to race in 1981, and is also so fortunate to be able to still ride it in the annual "South African Classic TT Revival Series"
Several variants of the 1982 (Z model year) Katana 1100SZ were produced by Suzuki to support racing. The GSX1000SZ (circa 1981) was a 998cc variant of the GSX1100SZ produced in sufficient numbers to homologate the type as production machine that was eligible for modification for racing under the then current international superbike racing rules which included a 1000cc capacity limit. The GSX1000SZ had frame serial numbers beginning with GS10X-500001~,and were fitted by the factory with a performance inlet camshaft (part 12711-49201) paired with the same exhaust camshaft as the standard GSX1100SZ (part 12700-45820). The 1000SZ also sported round-slide VM32SS Mikuni carburetors and were often fitted with optional wire-wheels which were lighter and with an 18" rear allowed tire choices more suitable for track.
The GSX1100SXZ "Wire-Wheeler" was an even rarer factory-built, and peculiarly southern hemisphere variant of the standard Katana 1100SZ. Faced with the single-seat Honda CB1100R, which on paper looked likely to be the dominant machine in the upcoming local production racing series. The New Zealand Suzuki distributor at the time asked Suzuki for a new upgraded machine to beat the Honda. Suzuki Japan responded by building 20 units of the New Zealand E27 spec GSX1100SXZ. During this period Suzuki sales were at an all-time high in New Zealand (around 42% market share) due in large part to Suzuki's race track successes. In 1981 Kiwi Suzuki rider Graeme Crosby had finished fifth in the World 500cc championship and successfully defended his TT Formula One title. The E27 SXZ was fitted with wire-wheels, more powerful GS1100GZ front brakes, Mikuni round-slide oval-bore VM36SS carburettors, larger 33mm bore mufflers (same as fitted to the previous Castrol 6 Hour special the GSX1100T), performance camshafts (thought most likely to be Yoshimura profiles as Pops Yoshimura was building Suzuki Superbikes and TT machines for competition during this period), braided brake lines, and an extra set of clutch plates.
Twenty units of the E27 where delivered to South Pacific Suzuki Distributors (Colemans) as 20 units were the minimum required to homologate the machines as production motorcycles rather than racing specials under the rules of the New Zealand Autocycle Union -then the governing body for motorcycle sport in New Zealand. The GSX1100SXZ was crowned the overall 1981/1982 NZ National Production Champion (riders Dave Hiscock, Neville Hiscock and Robert Holden), but failed to win the 1981 Castrol 6-Hour, Suzuki's only Castrol 6-Hour loss for 5 years. 25 more units of the same E27 spec SXZ machines were built by Suzuki and exported to South Africa.
Australia also received its own E24 (Australian market) SXZ which were also fitted with wire-wheels. However, the Australian E24 SXZ were NOT fitted with any of the other performance parts as per the New Zealand and South African machines. The Australian machines were fitted with standard unmodified SZ engines. The 1100s were raced with mixed success in Australia in 1981, but rule changes for the 1982 Australian Castrol 6-Hour production race saw teams scrambling to find 1000cc versions. In New Zealand the wire wheeled bike won the 1981 National Production Championship and numerous club and National races.
The number of SXZ machines built across New Zealand and South Africa markets was a total of 45 units.
Clive Strugnell here in South Africa is lucky enough to still have the SXZ bike Suzuki SA gave him to race in 1981, and is also so fortunate to be able to still ride it in the annual "South African Classic TT Revival Series"
..Melwain, In a "job lot" I've just had delivered is "Frame number GS10X 500184 and Engine number GS10X 100575" with the correct slide carbs etc . Cheers Ian
