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The phrase ‘iconic’ will get thrown round too simply generally, however there’s no disputing the Suzuki Katana’s declare to it. Its radical appears to be like may not have gained everybody over when it first hit the scene in 1981, but it surely went on to construct a real cult following. So in the event you’re going to construct a Katana restomod, you’d higher do it justice.
Darren Begg positive is aware of learn how to deal with the Katana proper. He runs dB Customs out of Ottawa, Canada, and has a knack for constructing jaw-dropping 80s restomods and race bikes. Not one to sacrifice operate for type, he additionally tends to drown his bikes in well-judged efficiency updates.
Constructed for a shopper, this sinister Suzuki Katana is positively dripping with model. Darren’s introduced it updated with main modifications to the bodywork, engine and chassis—but it surely hasn’t misplaced any of its retro allure.
The challenge began out with a 1982-model Suzuki GSX1100S Katana, however little or no of the unique bike stays. For starters, the engine’s had a full overhaul. It’s now working 1,216 cc Wiseco pistons, with Ray Mancini at Xtreme Motorsports accountable for remodeling the top.
Different upgrades embrace outsized stainless-steel valves, Webcams camshafts, and Hayabusa rods with {custom} spacer plates. There’s additionally a brand new ECU from NWT Electronics, and a Dynatek Dyna 2000 ignition with new coils, all made to work with Accel wires. Take a peek behind the entrance wheel, and also you’ll additionally spot a brand new Setrab oil cooler.
The Katana inhales by a row of Yoshimura TMR-MJN carbs, and out by a Racefit titanium exhaust system. (You may get an earful of it right here [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oj_nEq0H8pI].)
Darren gave equal consideration to the body. It’s been braced in all the appropriate locations, and mated to a strengthened Suzuki Bandit 1200 swingarm. It’s additionally working a full complement of Öhlins suspension components; upside-down forks for the entrance, and burly piggyback shocks for the rear.
For the wheels, Darren settled on a pair of light-weight aluminum hoops from Dymag, with Avon Spirit ST tires. Twin Brembo brake calipers sit up entrance, with a single Brembo unit sitting on a custom-made bracket on the again. Each side run with new braided stainless-steel hoses.
All the Katana’s bodywork appears to be like kind of unique, however a lot of it has been swapped out. Darren saved the unique gas tank—however modified it to accommodate a brand new filler cap from Newton Gear.
The entrance fairing and facet covers are new-old-stock components, fitted with a titanium coated windshield from Ohno-Pace in Japan. A pair of carbon fiber fins sit just under the headlight nacelle—these are from Magical Racing, additionally in Japan. A carbon fiber fender finishes off the entrance.
Darren sourced the bike’s new tail cowl, plus its headlight and taillight, from Unicorn Japan. The seat is a bolt-on half from Daytona and AC Sanctuary—two of the most effective names within the basic Japanese sportbike scene. A tail tidy from Ohno-Pace retains the again finish of the bike clear, whereas providing a discreet place to mount the license plate.
Darren went all-out on the rider cockpit too, beginning with a set of custom-machined yokes. The clip-ons are ABM touring bike objects, sitting a little bit larger than the standard race bike fare for added consolation. They’re fitted with a Yoshi throttle, Pushed Racing grips, Brembo levers, and switches from NWT Electronics.
A Koso RX-2 gauge cluster sits entrance and heart, whereas Rizoma bar-end mirrors flank the bike. Darren completed the bike off with slim Koso LED flip alerts and Sato Racing rear-sets.
A menacing black paint scheme drives the purpose house, punctuated solely by a handful of crimson and white accents. These interval right Suzuki and Katana logos aren’t stickers both—Darren’s go-to paint store, Sketch’s Ink, laid your entire livery down by hand.
Kitted to the nines with a flawless stance, this icon appears to be like even higher than the day it rolled off the manufacturing unit flooring. Lengthy reside the Katana!
dB Customs | Fb | Instagram | Photos by Darren Begg
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