The origin of the Katana design

[jellywrestler]

this is the original Katana concept which eventually Suzuiki picked up and put a milder form into production

[Kickaha]

Someone gave that the hell beating with an ugly stick

[zahria]

this is the original Katana concept which eventually Suzuiki picked up and put a milder form into production

well, it does have 2 wheels...

[ajturbo]

that is one good looking bike...

[Kickaha]

that is one good looking bike...

Well compared to what you own you'd be right

[Armitage Shanks]

this is the original Katana concept which eventually Suzuiki picked up and put a milder form into production

Jellyman...looks to me like an MV Agusta motor in the frame ?

[Sensei]

http://www.katanacentral.co.uk/history/katanatimeline.asp

[AllanB]

Memory lane there ........

from wicki
The same generalized design "forms" had already been used early in 1979 for a one-off MV Agusta from the same design team, which never saw production

[F5 Dave]

Yeah? I struggle with that being designed in '79. Mudguard, Red plugcap leads. Just doesn't add up.

As a considerably younger yoof I did a mockup sketch; if Hans Muth or whoever had knocked up a Katana prototype for BMW with a boxer engine imposed in it. It wasn't very good, I'm crap, but it was a bit funny.

Found my Katana T-shirt in the rags pile in the garage the other day. Kept it some while longer than the bike it appears.

[EgliHonda]

Oohh, want that front drum...

[BMWST?]

Oohh, want that front drum...

twin leading shoe(or will it be four) ftw

[vifferman]

Jellyman...looks to me like an MV Agusta motor in the frame ?
It is an MV alright. Not just the motor gives it away - the MVs used to always have suede seats.
Then there's the small matter of MV logos on the tank and rocker covers...:whistle: