Team Classic Suzuki creates stunning GSX-R1000 Katana
A lockdown project like no other, Team Classic Suzuki creates GSX-R1000 Katana out of a 2008 World Superbike!
THE devil makes work for idle hands, so the adage goes, and the good people at Team Classic Suzuki took to heart during the last year, as they have created a lockdown project genuinely like no other.
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Based around the engine of a 2008 Alstare GSX-R1000 race bike, the powerplant has been fully refreshed by Team Classic Suzuki’s Nathan Colombi, and now produces around 200bhp.
The engine features Alstare world superbike headers, that are paired with a Racefit link pipe and end can. Cooling comes from a factory radiator and oil cooler, with aluminium water and oil pipes. To keep things manageable, electronics comes as a Yoshimura EM Pro kit ECU and loom.
The package is housed in an Alstare world superbike frame, though dimensions are the same as the road-going GSX-R1000 K8. There’s a custom, oversized swingarm and bespoke subframe from Alpha Performance Fabrications, both designed to facilitate a twin shock set-up that pays homage to the original Katana. The suspension comes courtesy of Öhlins.
Dymag CH3 wheels also maintain a classic look and are the same wheels found in Team Classic Suzuki’s XR69 replica machines. Mounted to them are Brembo discs, with calipers and pads also from the Italian firm. The rear caliper slots discreetly in between the swingarm and wheel for a cleaner look to the rear end. New aluminium rear sets were designed in-house.
Rounding out the build is a new seat from Italian supplier Race Seats that is finished with a Katana logo. The traditional red Suzuki logo of original Katanas still adorns the tank, while a Team Classic Suzuki logo completes the seat unit, again in the traditional red.
Simon (AKA Toad) has been working within the motorcycle industry for more than twelve years, and a member of the motorcyclist family since birth. Growing up around British-built single and twins, it was inevitable that a life on two wheels was on the cards, from a very early age!
