Newsletter - Classic Katana Owners of North America

Newsletter
www.classickatanaownersna.com
Classic Katana Owners of North America
Issue #32
May 2014
. Some interesting news on the XN85 front as I will try to give this bike some
more exposure. We are still on the hunt to find all the pop-up Ltds, as well
as trying to build up the interest in the Katanas in general by displaying our
bikes at various motorcycle shows. Bad weather made it difficult to display
at the big shows here in Toronto, but Jennifer Peltier #100 came through
with a great display celebrating the 40 years of the 1984 GS750SE Limited
Canadian Edition. We also profile new member Dean Campbell #275.
One of the most amazing
customs I have ever seen.
Does anyone know the owner?
Joey Huang #120 let us know that Unicorn Katana parts will now be
available through Windbell Motorcycles. Ken Edgar #20 opens the crate
to see his new/old Katana. Something only dealers would have likely
experienced in 1982. Wayne Yaskew #280 shows us how he salvaged an
old seat. We have 14 new members and growing.
1
PROFILE Dean Campbell # 275
Prince Edward Island, Canada
As a kid I grew up in a motorcycle environment with both parents owning
and riding as well as being active members in the local touring club,
going to rallies and riding. I am currently in the construction field in
Alberta. The Katana was one of my earliest memories as a young kid,
and when I first saw one I knew one day I would have one!! .
In 1991 my older
brother and a
friend of his
landed home with
a 1983 1100 that
had been strutted
stretched raked
and wheelie
barred and I was
speechless! As the
years passed we
went from broken
parts to newer
nicer ones and
eventually with black fixer tips from countless hours of
polishing and helping big bro turn a few wrenches. We
had a bike that won countless awards at car shows, and
ran down the track weekend after weekend across the Atlantic Provinces with consistency in the 8.90 range at
145 mph to a best of 8.813 et with a 151.73mph all motor. After a handful of championships and a ton of fun
and good times and a few crankshaft/misc torn up parts my brother sold it to my cousin who continued on with
it with for a few more years.
I just recently helped him my
cousin take it out of his basement
into the garage and put another
heart in her and shipped her to
Alberta (sold it to a friend) to
continue doing what she done for
us for so many years!!
I had a chance to get mine
(brother bought one several years
prior, for the engine cases, we
blew up!) he rebuilt a motor and
was going to sell it, and I was all
over it, other than some wiring
gremlins and a few tweaks, my 82
was a reality and I love it !! I have
never seen so many people from
every age, seem to have a
connection with these bikes are like eye and conversation magnets!!
Now I want to create my very own (resto-mod) with my little twists on it! off to a good start! looking forward to
seeing the look of shock on the faces of some of the younger plastic cookie cutter guys, when this old Kat
hooks her claws in. Dean Campbell #275
2
Several 1984 Ltds Found Ted Cymbaly
#01
Working on a tip from a fellow motorcycle rider I located a
1984 LTD at a small motorcycle shop where the bike along
with a dozen or more older Japanese bikes lay languishing
at the back of the shop. A quick phone call and a deal was
made unseen for the bike.
It was as described as a “a project”. It needs a full
restoration however the plastic is good as well as the gas
tank. Unfortunately, one of the hardest parts to find - the
“instrument pod” was not there. As well as the side-panels
and the panel at the top of the pop-up headlight. The frame
has plenty of surface rust and the exhaust system is rusted
out. The LTD # is not there as the front fairing appears to
be a correct factory replacement. Another LTD Katana
saved from the scrap heap.
LTD #104 found!
I have word that Paul Aguiar #137 has just
found #104 and will take delivery in July.
Good to see we are saving these bikes
from the salvage yards.
3
Another LTD #?? Saved
My most recent acquisition was just
saved in the nick of time from being
parted out. You can see it was already
being disassembled when I made the
deal. Most parts were there including
the instrumentation and all the fairing
pieces. Gas tank was not dented,
always a good sign. It has a running
engine, and the pop-up mechanism is
in working condition.
Paint on the frame was not rusted but
the rest will still need a complete
repaint and some plastic welding to get
it up to a good condition. Exhaust was
not original. Do not under-estimate
the cost of paint and plastic
welding, decals, and seat
upholstery, exhaust etc. to get it to
original condition!! This includes
the 85-86 pop-ups.
The LTD Number is unknown as the
owner picked this up in an auction.
Also many old bikes like this have no
paperwork and require extra effort and
time to get ownership papers.
One can see how over the years these
bikes were not considered anything
special and treated badly. Everyone
has a different idea of what a “project”
is.
4
THE XN85 TURBO - production 1053 (unconfirmed)
A few members have XN85 Turbos and it is really a cousin of the ED-1 and ED-2 Katana, but like the
pop-up was not designed by Target Design. It remains however a very rare sport bike in the Suzuki
stable from 1983-1986. As far as I am aware, there is no difference between them from year to year.
The US/Canada versions might differ at the speedometer and possibly have some French decals. In
reproducing the decals we have found variations in the decal design. Decals sets are available from
Bdesign. Word had it that the USA got 300 bikes and Canada got 30. It was also reported that some
unsold Australian bikes were sent back to Japan to be crushed or for parts? Who knows how many
were actually sold.
An early-release as a 1983 model, the XN85 was quite different from its two turbo predecessors, the
Honda CX500TC Turbo and the Yamaha XJ650LJ Turbo. Whereas they filled a rather vague sporttouring niche, the XN was a full-out sport bike. It featured one of the first factory 16-inch front wheels
(previously seen only on race bikes), low clip-on handlebars, rear-set foot pegs and a single-shock rear
suspension, Suzuki's first Full Floater – unique for the early '80s and a 4/1 exhaust system.
For a Turbo, the engine was not spectacular with boost kicking in around the 5,000 rpm mark. It pulled
strongly from that point but always seemed a little too civilized for a bike with ‘TURBO’ shouting so
boldly on its fairing. The XN85's strength was handling - there were simply few bikes better at the time.
If pushed to its limits the headers would scrape, but few riders were capable of that level of driving. Sold
in Canada in 1983 and 1984 and very expensive – retailing for $5749 in both years!! Very few
interchangeable parts with the rest of the Suzuki line especially key pieces like, exhaust, tank,
instruments, plastic and many engine parts. The 85 represented the horsepower.
5
Restoring a Turbo
Restoring a Turbo largely depends on the condition one finds the bike. Virtually all major parts have been
discontinued and difficult to obtain used because of the limited number of these bikes being sold.
I have obtained several from a mint one to a virtual basket case and not running. Major bonus if the bike runs.
The best part of the cosmetics is that most plastic and gas tanks are repairable and paint and decals can be
duplicated. In rough condition these bikes do not command large $$$ and will achieve their optimum value in
good stock condition. I will suggest some values in future issues – once I see how much it costs to bring a
bike up to excellent/mint condition. My first Turbo had a crushed gas tank.
Below are 3 bikes I picked up - from a rough bike which has been crashed on its side, to what was purported
to be a parts bike – but was all there. Instrument cluster would need replacing on the blue one. Are you
restoring a Turbo? Or have some technical or mechanic issues which you have solved? Send me in an article
and pictures.
.
6
My #2 Turbo is mint.
7
Turbo Paint
Left – are newly painted gas
tank and rear tailpiece. All
broken tabs have been
replaced with plastic welding.
And new decals correctly
applied. Below is an original
faring with minor stone chips.
Turbo Paint and Decals
There is nothing like a beautiful paint job on a restoration and especially if the decals are applied correctly.
A comparison of a quite clean front fairing with minor scratches and stone chips illustrates how much a 30
year paint job deteriorates. This is especially visible in the clear portions of the decals which turn yellowish
with age. In these pictures – the painter followed the instructions and measurements provided by Brian
which are included with each decal set. Brian used many of these bikes to confirm and adjust the decal
patterns he had – but these were the first ones he had seen in the flesh, Like most bikes, the challenge is
to reproduce the colour as decals fade including OEM ones that have not been stored properly.
8
Turbo Paint
The above 2 pictures show a relatively clean fairing
which has not been dropped or crashed. (L) We can
see a freshly painted fairing with Bdesign’s decals
applied according to instructions. The main side
panels and front side panels were also repainted.
The rubber strip between the screen and fairing is
now difficult to obtain new. Below we can also see
the clear tape as it is cut between the letters, and
these have been cut exactly as the originals. Owners
should take a picture of the rear ‘Turbo’ decal on the
tailpiece as we have found two variations of how
they are cut. Both are available. Brian is shown
taking a tracing from an original tank to replicate the
decal.
9
TURBO DECAL
With Bdesign decals, one gets a full set of instructions for the correct placement of your decals this is of
immense importance to your painter. There is always the issue of whether the decals are clear-coated
or put on top of the paint. The following is a portion of the instructions for the XN85 Turbo from Bdesign
but are available for most Katana models.
1983-85 XN85 Turbo Decal Location Guidelines
BDESIGNS has no control over your decal application and therefore takes no responsibility for any
losses or personal injury of any kind, incurred by you or any other party. If you are not experienced in
decal application and finishing processes we recommend you have your local body shop (preferably
motorcycle) apply the decals and paint.
General Guidelines




All the decals were clear coated over on this model, except for any informational decals.
All dimensions are measured along the surface and are in millimeters. It is recommended to
use a cloth measuring tape that will conform along the curves and not scratch the paint.
Decal location dimensions shown are to the edges of the backing vinyl on multicoloured
decals, not the edge of the coloured lettering, etc. Solid colour decals are measured to the
edge of the decals.
Decal backing/transfer material will need to be trimmed closer to the decal before applying.
Again, a professional should do this installation.
10
Do you have these decals? Under the seat of a 1983 GS1100SD. Available from Bdesign. If you have
something different – let us know. Check out Bdesign’s website for the latest Katana and XN85 Turbo
decals additions including some price reductions due to changing suppliers and updated cutting machines.
KATANA
KATANA WATCH
While scanning E-bay one day, I came
across a Katana watch for $10. It was
located in Asia somewhere and I decided
to order the watch. Shipping was $10 so I
would not be out a lot of money if it proved
to be total junk or did not arrive. I was
pleasantly surprised when I received it as
it was better than expected.
The head was great but the bracelet as
expected was a lightweight aluminum. It
still looked great and after 6 months – it is
still functioning. Grab one if you see them
on the internet worth the few bucks.
11
JANUARY SUPERSHOW 2014
In the dead of our worst winter in 20 years, I decided that it was too onerous to put up a full Club display. I was
asked to contribute a bike to the Motorcycling through the Ages display and agreed to provide a 1982 GS1100 SZ.
A great display area was set aside for me and I had the benefit of enjoying the show without risking leaving a booth
unattended. Unfortunately – I had no mint original seat to put on as the replacement seat is actually a different
colour. Two seats are now out for dye jobs as noted elsewhere in this issue. Unfortunately I do not have a mint (old
colour) seat so I put on my current replacement seat. I am getting several seats re-dyed to rectify this problem.
12
TORONTO SPRING MOTORCYCLE SHOW March 2014
The Toronto Spring Motorcycle show was held on March 15 and 16. Jeniffer Peltier #100 and her
husband Tony worked hard to set up a magnificent booth commemorating the 30th anniversary of the 1984
Canadian LTD pop-up. Jennifer has been a LTD rider for many years and currently owns #121 and another
TT
unknown #. Special banners were made up and they also displayed Alexandre Godard’s #141 pop-up
poster.
A special banner was made up
celebrating the 1984 Limited
Edition GS750SE.
Jennifer’s bikes also won second
and third prize in the Vintage
Asian category.
13
The OEM Suzuki Seat -Wayne Yaskew #280
The OEM seat that Suzuki still sells is not at all the color of
the original. They went from that light whitey-grey to almost
a battleship grey. As well, they changed the texture of the
seat from a suede-like material to a smooth vinyl. If you
were looking for an original look to make things worse the
OEM grab strap they sell IS indeed the original color.
I took the new seat
and strap to my seat
expert here in
Winnipeg and asked
him if he could give the new strap with the original color a dyejob to match the new seat. I then had a brainstorm and asked
him if he could clean up and re-dye the old seat & strap back to
the original light grey.
It was quite a tall order when you see
how dingy and ugly my seat was. If
had known how nice a job it would turn
out to be I probably would not have
shelled out almost $550 for a new seat
and strap. My guy said it was a lot of
work as he has to smooth out the
rough material with a variety of sanding
blocks and then using over 10 coats of
dye. He said the dye he used will not
run of be affected by water and there is
little likelihood of any "wear-thru". He
also said the masking off of the strap
hardware the dark front section of the
old seat added to the job.
His name is Lyle and he has a small
one-man shop called Instant Vinyl
Repair in Winnipeg. He has done
some great work for me in repairing
cracks and splits in vinyl seats and his
dye skills are awesome too as these
pics will attest. It is not perfect – but
compared to the original very close.
(ed. Note: I am shipping two seats to
be redone and will report back)
14
BACK IN THE DAY
Paul Aguiar #137
. Paul Aguiar #137 sent in this picture of him on his
first bike in1988, a 1984 GS750SE LTD #024. He
currently owns #020 and will be taking delivery of
another one soon.
Have you got any old pictures of you and your
Katana “back in the day”? Find those pictures or
slides from a bygone era, scan them and send them
in and share your memories
Cash Call $$
The Club has no dues but does incur some minor costs
which I have borne including display material for shows
promoting the Club and Katana, as well as some costs to
maintain the Web site. Our webmaster does not charge
us a fee for updates and maintenance. Any small
donations will be appreciated. Thanks again to those
who have contributed in the past.
New Members
Welcome aboard
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
Tom Miller
Mike Hurley
Dean Campbell
Andy Myles
Martin Harper
Johannes Rupprecht
Michael Yang
Wayne Yaskew
Mark Isaacs
M. Brent
Cesar Rego
Steve Hutchison
Steve Bemister
Frazer Love
Pinon Hills
Larkspur
Longcreek
Sunnyvale
Boise
Munich
Fremont
Winnipeg
Johannesburg
Mississauga
Bolton
Cochrane
Kinburn
Yorba Linda
California
Colorado
PEI
California
Idaho
Germany
California
Manitoba
S. Africa
Ontario
Ontario
Alberta
Ontario
California
Miscellaneous Ramblings Ted C #01
My! how time flies. Producing these newsletters becomes more difficult when I don’t have any copy from other
members or contributors. I urge everyone who may have a long history with their Katana to send me in a bio
or a pic of you and your bike back in the day. Many have promised but few delivered. New members keep
joining and believe it or not I am still finding people with Katanas who have not heard about us.
Just recently while coming back from a long trip with my new “project” a guy came over to look at the bike while
I was getting gas. Turns out he has a highly modified GS1100 and has never heard of our group. Will likely be
another member added to the group. We have had a terrible winter here in Canada and it is now only starting
to warm up in the first week of May, other parts of Canada and the US may still have snow.
15
Michal Yang #279 recently framed a
full set of the Katana posters – contact
me for availability. Contact Alexandre
Godard #141 of France if you are in
Europe or elsewhere.
16
UNICORN Now in North America
. Canadian and American Katana owners may find it easier now to order specialized parts from Windbell
Motorcycle in North Vancouver who is authorized to carry these parts. For those wishing to customize their
Kats – this is a great opportunity.
L to R
Takashi Ikeda (President Unicorn),
Joey Huang #120, and Yasu
Kanatani (Windbell Motorcycle)
WINDBELL MOTORCYCLE
1424 Crown St.
North Vancouver BC
V7J1G5 Canada
Tel & Fax: 604-990-9876
Open: Mon 10-6 Tue-Sat 9-7
17
!!Ken Edgar’s ‘Crate’ Katana Opened
Ken Edgar #20 opened his crated 1982 GS1000SZ to see what condition it was in. We are happy to report
that it was still in new condition. It was then resealed and the crate put back together. This must be the
finest ED2 in existence outside of the factory. Ken may also have the finest Katana collection in the world.
Check out the yellow decal on the shock, in its original colour. Bdesign now has this sticker for the
restoration fanatic.
18