1982 Eddie Lawson Replica I found in storage

[eddie21]

Hey eddie21 thanks for the tip on kz1000r.com. I have been on the site quite a bit but have not registered the bike yet. My bike is not in the registry yet so I will be sure to do that. As far as the ride on my ELR it is nice and firm but very compliant and tolerable. I like a firmer ride on my bikes & they are generally set up on the firmer side. I would like to say that the HYPE surrounding the Lawson is all true and warranted. In 1982 it was truly a factory race bike right off the show room floor available to average mortals. Pretty amazing really that it came jetted and with that pipe. Could never happen in todays world.

So how many miles do you put on your 84 1100R?

I'm a sucker for the fire breathing old Superbikes too. My 84 1100R has around 65,000 km's on it, all by me. I used to do touring on it back in the 80's, went to Kansas and back from Vancouver Island once. I put fewer km's on it now as I also have a 79 GS1000S and a 2011 Concours. But you are correct, there is nothing like winding the old girl up to the higher rpm's and listen to the music that Kerker makes... always puts a smile on my face!

My 1100 was BOM in July 2010 on the 1000r site. There's some interesting bikes and stories on that section of the site.

[jbird7262]

Thats a sweet lil' monster you've found yourself, nice collection.

[GSX1000E]

Check one thing off of your bucket list.

[eddie21]

Here is a spreadsheet regarding the R models. I believe the number of units per year is fairly accurate. So far in the registry the vin #'s for the 1100R are still below 1200. There were 900 1982 R-1's, 1200 1983 R-2's, and 1300 1984 KZ1100R-1's. So, although there are fewer 82's, in general I'd say there aren't that many of these guys out there, hence the larger price tags on them. Similarly, the 79 and 80 GS1000S's have a bigger price because of the smaller number of offerings Suzuki released.

[amxsteve]

It is a beautiful bike and will be treated as such I am sure, not hung on a wall for display but ridden for enjoyment. I paid a **** load more than that for my 36 ford but drive it every weekend and have great fun showing, driving and do believe if it is maintained as I am sure it will, will only go up in value. Great investment you can truly enjoy.

[rudeman]

Hey thanks Chuck, I can tell you are really looking out for me! I rode the bike for 30 miles since I have had it. I put the tank bag on it for a 10 mile ride near my home. The bag is padded and I have ran it for years on all my bikes with no issues. I believe the tank is arguably more protected with the bag coverage from anything dropping on top than if it were bare and exposed. The tail pack does not touch the tail paint anywhere, only the seat bar. I must admit however, that I am conflicted about riding it much and will be limiting my milage on this bike to occasional Sunday only status.

Don't hide it; ride it! That's what it's made for.

[1980GS1000E]

He's not going to tell how much he spent on it.

[viperg]

Here is a spreadsheet regarding the R models. I believe the number of units per year is fairly accurate. So far in the registry the vin #'s for the 1100R are still below 1200. There were 900 1982 R-1's, 1200 1983 R-2's, and 1300 1984 KZ1100R-1's. So, although there are fewer 82's, in general I'd say there aren't that many of these guys out there, hence the larger price tags on them. Similarly, the 79 and 80 GS1000S's have a bigger price because of the smaller number of offerings Suzuki released.

Looks like a total of 5500 worldwide units for the 1983 Super Bike Replica with 1200 delivered to North America. Do you know if the 84 1100R was sold in the states? I see a lot of references to 1100R's in Canada but cannot confirm the U.S.

[suzuki_dog]

Very nice...... Now you need to ride down my way so I can see it in person....

[Rob S.]

Here is a spreadsheet regarding the R models. I believe the number of units per year is fairly accurate. So far in the registry the vin #'s for the 1100R are still below 1200. There were 900 1982 R-1's, 1200 1983 R-2's, and 1300 1984 KZ1100R-1's. So, although there are fewer 82's, in general I'd say there aren't that many of these guys out there, hence the larger price tags on them. Similarly, the 79 and 80 GS1000S's have a bigger price because of the smaller number of offerings Suzuki released.

I've been trying to discover the "sale quantity" of the Suzukis (specifically 1100e's), but no one on this forum knows or seems overly interested.

Can you point me in the right direction for some research?

[eddie21]

Looks like a total of 5500 worldwide units for the 1983 Super Bike Replica with 1200 delivered to North America. Do you know if the 84 1100R was sold in the states? I see a lot of references to 1100R's in Canada but cannot confirm the U.S.

There are very very few 1100R's in the States. Kawasaki didn't release it in the USA. Because of this, it is a relatively unknown model in the States. It is becoming more popular among collectors because of the non fuel injected GPz engine.

With the Euro R-2's, I'm pretty sure the frames were different from the models that came to North America, slight rake and trail differences, this makes the North American units more desirable.

[viperg]

So what does a Lawson Replica with 5,000 miles need to get going after 18 years in storage...

1) Battery
2) Fuel lines
3) Carb cleaning/Jet boil
4) Oil & filter
5) Rear brake lever (frozen) pivot degrease, clean, regrease
6) Add brake fluid/bleed
7) Tires
8) Carb intake air boots
9) Wash, buff & wax

My ELR as it came out of dry storage:




Missing 3 windscreen screws


Tires aired up and ready to roll out








The Lawson was fortunate to have a Z1R Storage mate for the last 18 years so as not to be lonely. I tried to buy the Z1R also but it was already spoken for. 13,000 miles with Supertrapp & OE exhaust prepped well for storage.

[tatu]

Excellent score there, lovely bike.

[Frank Z.]

Quite possibly one of the finest factory issues of the era, IMO. Very nice score.

[eddie21]

After 18 years, I think that is a very small list of relatively minor issues to do in order to get the bike up to snuff! Again, congratulations, it is a real pleasure for me to see this bike return to the living. It is certainly up to you, but my hope is that you'll ride it. I guess I'm like a lot of people and love to see these bikes in use... that's what they were made for.