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The 34: Jean Damien’s 1988 GSX-R1100 Kevin Schwantz Tribute…
The unique GSX-R was nothing in need of a motorcycling revolution, a road-legal rocket that blew away outdated notions of what a street-going sportbike could possibly be. Each each different producer was left scrambling to catch up.
On the observe, in the meantime, the Yoshimura Suzuki Superbike group had signed a younger rising star out of Texas, Kevin Schwantz — a former motocross and dirt-track racer whose mother and father owned a bike store. The younger Texan almost set a brand new lap report throughout his Willow Springs tryout, and Yoshimura manager Suehiro Watanabe supplied him a contract on the spot.
“The largest choice we needed to make was who was going to name my mother and break the information to her. She nonetheless wasn’t actually enthused about me racing at that time.” -Kevin Schwantz, AMA Corridor of Fame
In 1986, Schwantz took dwelling second within the Daytona 200 on the brand new GSX-R, however growth issues, a damaged collarbone, and missed races precipitated him to complete seventh within the championship for the second yr in a row. Nevertheless, 1987 can be a unique story fully.
“The 1987 season will go down as one of the vital memorable within the historical past of AMA Superbike racing due to Schwantz and Wayne Rainey. The duo’s battle was fiercer than something ever seen earlier than in Superbike racing. It was not unusual for Schwantz and Rainey to bang into each other at triple-digit speeds.” –AMA Bike Corridor of Fame
On the road, the GSX-R 750 and 1100 “Slabbies” had been extra like racetrack refugees than road-going machines, constructed as sharp-edged implements of pace. Cycle journal laid out the GSX-R ethos like this:
“It’s greatest understood as a road-legal racer — a ‘road bike’ that’s as far faraway from the road as Laguna’s Corkscrew is from Sundown Boulevard. Suzuki moto took the GSXR to the brink of what’s acceptable efficiency for an on a regular basis bike. However, as Sadayuki Inobe, Suzuki’s present government basic supervisor, says: ‘The GSXR has at all times been about born on the observe.” –Cycle
The gorgeous machine featured right here is the 1988 GSX-R1100 of France’s Jean Damien (@jd11r), a 53-year-old superbiker who’s been driving Gixxers since he obtained his license on the age of 18. Though he’s had a number of GSX-R’s over time — in addition to different fashions — Jean says nothing beats his 1100:
“The GSX-R1100 from ’88 has at all times remained my favourite, and in 2017 I made a decision to construct my bike — a singular bike in my eyes, which on the identical time pays tribute to the GSX-R and an important rider.”
Over the following 5 years, figuring out of his small storage and enlisting the assistance of a number of pals and specialists alongside the best way, Jean created this wonderful GSX-R1100 restomod — a tribute to none aside from Kevin Schwantz. His pal Grégory Marcellin (@alltracksmechanic) constructed the engine, whereas Rusty Motors helped with the customized machining and Julien Henry of The Shade Store knocked out the paint.
In inventory trim, the ’88 GSX-R1100 made 125 bhp, weighed 434 lbs, and clocked a quarter-mile time of 10.7 seconds. Jean’s Gixxer has been outfitted with a 2017 GSX-R1000 entrance finish, braced swingarm, customized EMC rear shock, and a rebuilt engine bored to 1109cc with some “mechanic’s little secrets and techniques” — it now makes 148 whp.
Not solely does “the 34” look the enterprise, however Jean says it’s a demon on the observe:
“It took a very long time however I feel I succeeded and I very often handle to overhaul extra trendy bikes on the circuit.”
Beneath, Jean provides us the total story on the construct, together with movies so we will see and listen to the 34 in motion.
GSX-R1100 Restomod: Within the Builder’s Phrases…
I’m Jean Damien and I’m from Vaucluse, France. I’m 53 years outdated and motorcycling has at all times been an important ardour. As quickly as I obtained my license after I was 18, I rode a 750 GSX-R 1985 then 750 ’88 and ’90. I switched to the 1100 afterwards, and I clearly had different bikes of a unique model.
However the GSX-R1100 from ’88 has at all times remained my favourite, and in 2017 I made a decision to make my bike — a singular bike in my eyes, which on the identical time pays tribute to the GSX-R and an important rider. That is how the development of the bike began in my small storage.
I’m only a easy newbie; I did quite a lot of the work on the bike, and there have been just a few folks concerned who helped with issues resembling portray, machining sure components, and above all a pal who took care of the engine preparation.
It took me 5 years to create and refine my magnificence. Principally, it’s a 1100 from ’88 with a 2017 GSX-R1000 entrance finish, authentic strengthened swingarm, and customized EMC sportshock3 shock absorber.
As for the engine, it has been fully redone and rebored to 1109cc with ready cylinder head, stage 2 camshaft, and my mechanic’s little secrets and techniques. Programmable CDI, do-it-yourself exhaust, and to complete a Mikuni TMR rail in 38mm. The bike develops 148 hp on the wheel.
As for the paint, I used the colours of the primary 750 endurance racer, and naturally the quantity 34 in homage to Kévin Schwantz.
I needed it to be highly effective when it comes to the chassis — highly effective and with a soul. It took a very long time however I feel I succeeded and I very often handle to overhaul extra trendy bikes on the circuit. Whether or not on the circuit or on the street, it’s at all times a pure pleasure to journey “the 34” (everybody calls it that).
Proprietor Thanks
Grégory Marcellin who ready the engine: @alltracksmechanic
Stéphane from Rusty Motors for machining: @RustyMotors84
Julien Henry from The Shade Store for the paint: @thecolorshop.internet
Le Membership 11R
Jean is a member of Le Membership 11R, whose members have fairly a formidable stables of early Gixxers!
Observe the Proprietor
Instagram: @jd11r
Membership: @CLUB11R
YouTube Channel: @jeandamien9829
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