Page last modified: 09/03/08

This bike sure turned heads when it hit the streets in 1983. The more things change, the more they stay the same. This bike, a 1983 Suzuki GS-1100SD Katana, has been years in the making. There are many modifications to this bike, I'm not sure I can list them all. First, we'll address the engine upgrades.

The stock 1100cc engine has been bored over to 1168cc. The oversize mill  features a Star Cycle cylinder head, lock up clutch, bearing support, custom  ground Web camshafts, high volume oil pump internals, a manual cam chain  tensioner, Dyna coils, and an MSD ignition all assembled by the top notch  guys at Power by Sauer. All that work to the engine meant the bike needed  more fuel. So I added a set of 38mm flatslide carbs.

The engine exhales through a custom Star Cycle 4 into 1 exhaust system. All of that extra power meant we would need some chassis upgrades. So I installed the 3" over swing  arm, wheel and brake system from a 1986 GSXR, a Superbrace fork brace and  Kevlar brake lines. All of the modifications added up to the first 9-second  street bike in Columbus, Ohio nearly 15 years ago. She went down the track  at 9.96 at 140mph. The next step of the project was to make it look as nice  as it runs. Chrome, chrome, candy powder coat, and some more chrome mixed in  for good measure, and viola.  Notice the chrome and color detail on the wheels. There are so many trick  parts on this bike you'd think it was a factory effort.

Al Milford
Columbus, Ohio 43232.