Found an 82 Katana?

[Guest]

I found an 82 1100 Katana I guy is selling and it has what appears to be nickel coated frame. I'm assuming it is, because the bike has been sitting outside for several years and it is not oxidized or rusted. Havn't done any research so maybe a silly question.. were they ever stock this way? or is it just someones attempt at bling?

[Tarbash 27]

82 katana is a 1000, 83 katana is an 1100. So something has been mixed up here or the motor has ben swapped. Someone probably did some customizing to it, frames are painted silver from the factory. Try to get a picture up.

[Smokinapankake]

If it is nickel plated that would be sooo cool!

[mottyl]

I agree with Tarbash. My 82 and 83 750's are both silver painted frames.

Chris

[gs scott]

I found an 82 1100 Katana I guy is selling and it has what appears to be nickel coated frame. I'm assuming it is, because the bike has been sitting outside for several years and it is not oxidized or rusted. Havn't done any research so maybe a silly question.. were they ever stock this way? or is it just someones attempt at bling?

82 1100 Kats were produced - lots of them, but each receiving country only got a limited supply. But they weren't imported in to the US. Check the VIN on the steering head, that will tell you the year and original destination. If the VIN is 82 and North America (see below), it would be a Canadian model and there would be other telltale signs (such as body paint, engine paint, footpegs, wheels, exhaust, speedo...) Could be a legitimate 82 1100 imported by an individual.

For North America,
An 82 1000SZ VIN would look like JS1GT72A_C_ _ _ _ _ _ _
An 82 1100SZ VIN would look like JS1GU72A_C_ _ _ _ _ _ _
An 83 1100SD VIN would look like JS1GU72A_D_ _ _ _ _ _ _

In the mid-80's, a very few Kats left the factory with red painted frames, again not for the US market. (This was also copied by individuals so be careful if you see a red framed Kat) However, as noted previously, none came from the factory nickel/chrome plated.

Suzuki made 1100 Katanas up to 2000 - in pretty much the exact same configuration as the original 82, with minor teaks here and there. A few years ago, a guy had a 1999 model 1100 Kat on ebay, about 1.2 miles showing on the clocks, for $10,000. If I recall, he bought the bike for $6k, and paid $4k to ship it back to the states. A year or so ago, a guy had an 82 red framed 1100 for sale - asking $3500. From the VIN, it was a European model, 82 1100, but the red was a personal modification.. It's pretty rare to find a legitimate 82 1100 in the states. PM me if you want more details.

[jwhelan65]

Thanks Scott,

I am going to go have another look at it this weekend and maybe shoot the guy another offer. Great informationl, I'll update as soon as I know.

[hampshirehog]

Nickel plating was a fairly popular owner mod back in the day - I did a few bikes and it was cheap too (not so nowadays).

[Shin-Ken 1074]

Some markets received the 1100cc Katanas before the 1000cc models, the first shipment of GSX1100SZ Kats were on sale in Australia from Sep/Oct 1981. These were the all silver version that ran through until the 1983 model with two tone paint bodies and black engines arrived. And just to confirm what has already been stated here, all model Katana frames were painted, none were ever nickel, they should have been!!!!! For info on the US model Kats, Scott is one of the best informed members here, cheers.

[jwhelan65]

Thanks for all the response, I'll see if I can snap a pic and post it up.

[Bad Kaw]

-kr