80-81 Suzuki GSX1100T-ET-EX wire wheel racing history. Does anyone actually know?

[tubehead]

I have restored 2 of these and have owned 6 other mag wheel models over the past 5 years.I currently have 2 an 80 ET(to be restored as soon as it arrives from Qld) and 81 EX mag wheels .
When I first restored the 79 T model I new it was a genuine wire wheel model because I bought it off the original owner and the VIN:GS110X100214 showed it to be in the first 300 bikes to be produced according the haynes manual.The current 1980 ET has wire wheels but I have no way of proving it came with factory wire wheels.

Here are my actual questions:

1.Did the First Castrol 6 hour wire wheel models come that way special order from the factory or where they a general sale option ?

2.When did the wire wheel option finish?

I have a article from Two Wheels September 1981 showing Neville Hiscock and Allan Hale sitting on 81 EX Models both with wire wheels.When I rang Mick Hone here in Melbourne and asked about EX wire wheel models I was told there was never any such model as wire wheel EXs in Australia.

Any accurate information would be appreciated as there is all sorts of myths and BS floating around about "BATHURST SPECIALS " and anything with wire wheels is an ex factory racer>

[FJRider]

Katman will be along to explain. If he doesn't ... leave a message on his profile page.

[Jantar]

Katman now owns my old one. I believe it was one of the first 12 ever made. However Katman can check on that.

[Grumph]

Try posing the question on the GS resources site. There are a few aussies on there who were around at the time...

[jellywrestler]

Katman now owns my old one. I believe it was one of the first 12 ever made. However Katman can check on that.

are you talking GSX or Katana GSX?

[jellywrestler]

Neville Hiscock and Allan Hale sitting on 81 EX Models both with wire wheels.

one of alan hales six hour bikes is currently on ebay auusie for sale
our GSX's were called black pipers (not to be confused with the Katanas which were also GSX...) and they had black painted centre headers and mufflers.

[FJRider]

Actually ... in 1980, in the Australian Castrol 6-hour the pair that achieved ninth place, Dave Hiscock and Alan Hales on a Suzuki GSX1100; 313 laps completed.

In the 1981 Australian Castrol 6-hour, the pair that achieved fourth place was Dave Hiscock and Neil Chivas, on a Suzuki GSX1100; 310 laps completed.

[FJRider]

Here are my actual questions:

1.Did the First Castrol 6 hour wire wheel models come that way special order from the factory or where they a general sale option ?

2.When did the wire wheel option finish?



A few answers in this thread.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/18296-More-of-Dad-s-racing-pics-%281982%29?highlight=Dad%27s+racing+pics+%281982%2 9

[Katman]

Katman will be along to explain. If he doesn't ... leave a message on his profile page.

Different bike to mine and I'm assuming the OP is talking about the Aussie Castrol 6 Hour.

I know a fair bit about the NZ Black Pipers but nothing of the Australian ones.

[FJRider]

Different bike to mine and I'm assuming the OP is talking about the Aussie Castrol 6 Hour.

I know a fair bit about the NZ Black Pipers but nothing of the Australian ones.

I posted a link to a KB thread .... it seems they pretty much ordered bikes from Japan (ex factory) with the specs/parts they wanted them fitted with. Wire wheels it would seem were parts they wanted fitted.

[roogazza]

Different bike to mine and I'm assuming the OP is talking about the Aussie Castrol 6 Hour.

I know a fair bit about the NZ Black Pipers but nothing of the Australian ones.

As far as the NZ Black pipers, I thought they were a NZ thingy. Australians may have sourced wire wheels though.

Aussies were into their Hondas and it wasn't until Dave Hissy went across to Bathurst and kicked their arses that they thought "hey these things are great". ( I don't even think he was on a black piper either ?) His exact words to me after that race was, "It's just like the Tukas mate, easy !)

I hope to catch up with him at Xmas. I'll ask.

[bistard]

I have restored 2 of these and have owned 6 other mag wheel models over the past 5 years.I currently have 2 an 80 ET(to be restored as soon as it arrives from Qld) and 81 EX mag wheels .
When I first restored the 79 T model I new it was a genuine wire wheel model because I bought it off the original owner and the VIN:GS110X100214 showed it to be in the first 300 bikes to be produced according the haynes manual.The current 1980 ET has wire wheels but I have no way of proving it came with factory wire wheels.

Here are my actual questions:

1.Did the First Castrol 6 hour wire wheel models come that way special order from the factory or where they a general sale option ?

2.When did the wire wheel option finish?

I have a article from Two Wheels September 1981 showing Neville Hiscock and Allan Hale sitting on 81 EX Models both with wire wheels.When I rang Mick Hone here in Melbourne and asked about EX wire wheel models I was told there was never any such model as wire wheel EXs in Australia.

Any accurate information would be appreciated as there is all sorts of myths and BS floating around about "BATHURST SPECIALS " and anything with wire wheels is an ex factory racer>

I have a 1981 GSX1100 black pipe wire wheel (replica)in my garage,it has the correct wire wheels, black pipes,carbs cams, modified petrol tank etc from an original,if you want correct information on the NZ bikes, you need to get a hold of Carl Coleman, who lives in Taupo
He being a Coleman, was working for Suzuki back then
Spyda, the outer exhaust pipes were black, as there are a larger diameter outlet than the standard NZ chrome ones, but they retained the two chrome centre pipes, as they were no different in size

[roogazza]

I have a 1981 GSX1100 black pipe wire wheel (replica)in my garage,it has the correct wire wheels, black pipes,carbs cams, modified petrol tank etc from an original,if you want correct information on the NZ bikes, you need to get a hold of Carl Coleman, who lives in Taupo
He being a Coleman, was working for Suzuki back then
Spyda, the outer exhaust pipes were black, as there are a larger diameter outlet than the standard NZ chrome ones, but they retained the two chrome centre pipes, as they were no different in size

Ahh Bazza, should of thought ? You should know about them. They weren't in Aus were they ?

[bistard]

Ahh Bazza, should of thought ? You should know about them. They weren't in Aus were they ?

No I dont think so,even looking at that photo in the first post, they look like just standard bikes with wire wheels
I thought the NZ bikes were built in Wanganui, but that was never confirmned, even from the man who built them
Speaking with Dave Hiscock about the Wire wheelers, he never rreally liked racing them, the standrard bikes were easier to ride
But the man to speak to is Carl, i understand he still has alot of the info, chassis numbers etc

[sidecar bob]

I have Carls number if required.
I also have a bit of stuff for GSX1100's mainly road parts that were not needed in the building of a couple of race bikes.

[Crasherfromwayback]

I think you'll find they're simply GSX's built here in NZ to skirt around the production racing rules of the time.

[gammaguy]

I think you'll find they're simply GSX's built here in NZ to skirt around the production racing rules of the time.

you might know the right person to ask about that one then

[Crasherfromwayback]

you might know the right person to ask about that one then

As Barry etc has mentioned. The Coleman boys be the ones to ask I would imagine. I can only tell you about the bikes we built for the same purposes.

[bistard]

I have Carls number if required.
I also have a bit of stuff for GSX1100's mainly road parts that were not needed in the building of a couple of race bikes.

Mmm so what bits have you got, I am always looking

[bistard]

you might know the right person to ask about that one then

Funny, the carbs I have on my bike were off a hotrod Katana Robert raced & was set up for methanol,what a mission getting them back for petrol use,manufacturing slides & needles, they had been sitting around at Wellington motorcycles for over 25 years & yes I spoke in some detail with the man you are talking about

[sidecar bob]

Mmm so what bits have you got, I am always looking

Two of most things like guards, instruments, headlght surrounds, lights, regulator rectifier, blinkers, alloy wheels, footpegs.
Ive done one Katana 1100 race bike too, but have a road one also that I bought in '84, so what im not keeping for that one, Carl C has first dibs on.
Nothing that a race bike uses that could get broken in a tumble is for sale.

[Rcktfsh]

As far as the NZ Black pipers, I thought they were a NZ thingy. Australians may have sourced wire wheels though.

Aussies were into their Hondas and it wasn't until Dave Hissy went across to Bathurst and kicked their arses that they thought "hey these things are great". ( I don't even think he was on a black piper either ?) His exact words to me after that race was, "It's just like the Tukas mate, easy !)

I hope to catch up with him at Xmas. I'll ask.

Surfing youtube the other night I came across Hissy winning in 81. Whole doco's well worth a watch, but heres a link to the unlimited race part.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIbovqY_71c

[Grumph]

Funny, the carbs I have on my bike were off a hotrod Katana Robert raced & was set up for methanol,what a mission getting them back for petrol use,manufacturing slides & needles, they had been sitting around at Wellington motorcycles for over 25 years & yes I spoke in some detail with the man you are talking about

I've got the 18 X 4 Dymag that was swapped in with a slick to convert the GSX's and Katanas from Senior Production to F1.

Bought off Robert personally.

[roogazza]

Surfing youtube the other night I came across Hissy winning in 81. Whole doco's well worth a watch, but heres a link to the unlimited race part.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIbovqY_71c

Thanks Rcktfsh, must say I quite enjoy the stock sounds of that era. Looked like the Suzuki had good legs on the CB900s down conrod.
What about the commentary in laid back style ? Hard to believe it's over 30years ago.

[roadracingoldfart]

Hard to believe it's over 30years ago.


30 years ago is a lifetime for us young fellas , it must be just a blurry memory for old blokes like yaself mate.:rolleyes: :spanking:

[Rcktfsh]

Thanks Rcktfsh, must say I quite enjoy the stock sounds of that era. Looked like the Suzuki had good legs on the CB900s down conrod.
What about the commentary in laid back style ? Hard to believe it's over 30years ago.

Think the commentary is a result of the Aussie version of the old NZ Broadcasting School style of journalism, even the Aussies could be taught to speak proper like. Stretching the bounds of the topic but heres another goody I stumbled across Scotty (pretty sure he must have ridden a wire wheeler though it may have been a Katana) on a VFR in British Superstock.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGwH9mAh9ws

[tubehead]

Great videos on you tube.
Seems that Aussie wire wheel models were just standard bikes and wire wheels for supposedly for better tire choice less unsprung weight for better turn in etc ....They were available as an option so I guess they just bought in a certain amount with wire wheels and the buying public had what was left over from the various race teams that choose them.Every one of them are called a "6 hour specials" or "Bathurst specials" here in OZ regardless of actual race use and if they have wire wheels they are more desirable and pricey than mag wheel models.Suit's me as I own 2 wire wheel models but reality is plenty of standard mag wheel bikes were raced in the same races so the specialness of the wire wheels model is not really justified. The NZ "black pipe" bikes are really special because they have go fast parts as well as wire wheels.



Here is the full article .

[Brian d marge]

30 years ago is a lifetime for us young fellas , it must be just a blurry memory for old blokes like yaself mate.:rolleyes: :spanking:
I may have even been there, ..but all of those names
And Burnett and hewen now on BBC
While i never met Trevor nation I did meet Steve spray later at Oxford products. Ducati
Oh boy that bid bought back memories ,,,,I still have a few photos somewhere
Stephen

[roogazza]

30 years ago is a lifetime for us young fellas , it must be just a blurry memory for old blokes like yaself mate.:rolleyes: :spanking:

Thanks Paul,do you recall your mum mentioning an 'Uncle Gaz' when you were young ? LOL.

[Katman]

Here is the full article .

"Australia's top riders.....Neville and Dave Hitchcock need no further introduction".

The author probably should have rethunk that one.

[tubehead]

"Australia's top riders.....Neville and Dave Hitchcock need no further introduction".

The author probably should have rethunk that one.

S.O.P
If a kiwi is talented and good at anything in regard to motorsport or music then they are automatically Australians all other Kiwis remain Kiwis regardless of the time spent living in Australia or citizenship status.
The only exception to this rule is if the talented and instantly adopted Australians do something dodgy then they immediately revert to being just Kiwis again.
This is a long standing tradition.

This makes good sense when considered on a per head of population ratio Talented Australians are very rare.

Quote Robert Muldoon:
"Every time a kiwi leaves NZ to reside permanently in Australia the average IQ of both countries are raised"

[merv]

Thanks Paul,do you recall your mum mentioning an 'Uncle Gaz' when you were young ? LOL.

Oh, so that's why Paul turned out to be a racer too!

[roadracingoldfart]

Thanks Paul,do you recall your mum mentioning an 'Uncle Gaz' when you were young ? LOL.


Hahahaha there was this one time ..... at band camp. :bleh::eek: Hi Uncle Gazza.

[hookim]

do you have any seats for gsx 1100 year 1981?

[Timbok]

As I know it there was wire wheel models in both NZ and Australia 1982 - I have seen one in Cairns where I live and will make him an offer if I see it again.
In new Zealand it was called a black piper and came with a few modifications. This version was a production racer as they had to make so many models (don't know how many 200-300 perhaps)
The NZ version was called a black piper - It had a 19 litre tank not 21 litre because the carbies were bigger and in a different place, also a metal swingarm like the 750 not the aluminium swingarm like the rest of the 1100's, wire wheels, stage 2 cams, and black pipes. I owned one that had allegedly been raced in south africa and brought back to NZ. I bought it as a wreck and rebuilt it ground up like new.
Thats about as much as I remember except it was fast, in 1985 I wound it out to over 245k and that was enough for me.


I have restored 2 of these and have owned 6 other mag wheel models over the past 5 years.I currently have 2 an 80 ET(to be restored as soon as it arrives from Qld) and 81 EX mag wheels .
When I first restored the 79 T model I new it was a genuine wire wheel model because I bought it off the original owner and the VIN:GS110X100214 showed it to be in the first 300 bikes to be produced according the haynes manual.The current 1980 ET has wire wheels but I have no way of proving it came with factory wire wheels.

Here are my actual questions:

1.Did the First Castrol 6 hour wire wheel models come that way special order from the factory or where they a general sale option ?

2.When did the wire wheel option finish?

I have a article from Two Wheels September 1981 showing Neville Hiscock and Allan Hale sitting on 81 EX Models both with wire wheels.When I rang Mick Hone here in Melbourne and asked about EX wire wheel models I was told there was never any such model as wire wheel EXs in Australia.

Any accurate information would be appreciated as there is all sorts of myths and BS floating around about "BATHURST SPECIALS " and anything with wire wheels is an ex factory racer>

[Timbok]

The black piper also had the steel swingarm like the gsx750 not the normal Aluminium the other GSX1100 had
Tank was 19 litre
TimK




I have a 1981 GSX1100 black pipe wire wheel (replica)in my garage,it has the correct wire wheels, black pipes,carbs cams, modified petrol tank etc from an original,if you want correct information on the NZ
bikes, you need to get a hold of Carl Coleman, who lives in Taupo
He being a Coleman, was working for Suzuki back then
Spyda, the outer exhaust pipes were black, as there are a larger diameter outlet than the standard NZ chrome ones, but they retained the two chrome centre pipes, as they were no different in size

[bistard]

The black piper also had the steel swingarm like the gsx750 not the normal Aluminium the other GSX1100 had
Tank was 19 litre
TimK

Hey Tim, my understanding was that not all of them had the steel 750 swing arm!!
Regards
Barry

[jasonu]

Among other things the Black Piper head had longer cooling fins. The vertical ones on top of the head around the spark plug holes.

[Dadpole]

My X model blackie had the steel swingarm. Never looked at what others had though - never saw many of the around except on the track.
The longer head fins I never heard of before. No surprise really. Hard facts on them seemed non-existent.

[jasonu]

The longer head fins I never heard of before. No surprise really. Hard facts on them seemed non-existent.

You really need to see the Piper head and non Piper head side by side to see that difference and if it wasn't pointed out it is easily missed.

[sidecar bob]

You really need to see the Piper head and non Piper head side by side to see that difference and if it wasn't pointed out it is easily missed.

There is 18 & 19 bolt cylinder heads (tappett cover bolts), I understand the 19 bolt has the longer fins. Not peculiar to black piper. Is that correct?

[jasonu]

There is 18 & 19 bolt cylinder heads (tappett cover bolts), I understand the 19 bolt has the longer fins. Not peculiar to black piper. Is that correct?

Sorry I cannot confirm or deny that one. It is a bloody long time since I looked at one. Is it possible the fins I am thinking of are part of the head casting around each of the spark plug holes and not part of the tappet covers.

[sidecar bob]

Sorry I cannot confirm or deny that one. It is a bloody long time since I looked at one. Is it possible the fins I am thinking of are part of the head casting around each of the spark plug holes and not part of the tappet covers.

Yes, I'm referring to the heads.
I have a 19 hole currently off the bike that has huge long fins by the plugs, but the 18 hole on the race bike has stubby little ones. Neither are off anything that started life with black pipes or wire wheels, but one may be off a Katana.

[jellywrestler]

Sorry I cannot confirm or deny that one. It is a bloody long time since I looked at one. Is it possible the fins I am thinking of are part of the head casting around each of the spark plug holes and not part of the tappet covers.

sidecar bob is right, it's one is an earlier model than the other.The GSX and Katana engine weren't any differnt for the base models, same donk in both models at he same time

[jasonu]

sidecar bob is right, it's one is an earlier model than the other.The GSX and Katana engine weren't any differnt for the base models, same donk in both models at he same time

Well that ruined that (my) theory...

[rorym]

dragging up an old thread.....but I am sure someone will be interested..

[rorym]

History...I was National Sales Manager for Matichs in the 70s...I appointed Colemans as the Pirelli/AGV distributors for NZ...Then I spent 79/80 running around in a Kombi with one Dave Hiscock and a GSX1100E while we won every production race in Australia..save for the 6 Hour.......well today...reading all this stuff...I found in a shed..believe it or not..Number 274...Silver in colour...wire wheels..Black pipes..steel swingarm..etc...so I guess I better buy it...then shuffle it down to Newcastle to get Dave to tune it like he did all his proddy bikes....
328384

[rorym]

I will let you know about the 18/19 stud cover and longer fins...the owner has paperwork from day 1 of ownership and deliver.
R

[bistard]

Nice find, looking at the photo, which is a bit blurry, it looks like it has the wrong carbs on it!!, they look like the standard CVs??

[jellywrestler]

I will let you know about the 18/19 stud cover and longer fins...the owner has paperwork from day 1 of ownership and deliver.
R

the early gsx's had less bolts holding down the rocker cover than the later, wellington motorcycles asked the factory to put a rubber gasket in like the hondas as they were prone to sucking their gaskets into the engine, their response was an extra four bolts. finning was longer, but this was nout to do with the black pipers, just the evolution of the gsx

[jellywrestler]

History...I was National Sales Manager for Matichs in the 70s...I appointed Colemans as the Pirelli/AGV distributors for NZ...Then I spent 79/80 running around in a Kombi with one Dave Hiscock and a GSX1100E while we won every production race in Australia..save for the 6 Hour...the Dave and Ror Show...as we were known....well today...reading all this stuff...I found in a shed..believe it or not..Number 274...Silver in colour...wire wheels..Black pipes..steel swingarm..etc...so I guess I better buy it...then shuffle it down to Newcastle to get Dave to tune it like he did all his proddy bikes....Did I just win Lotto?..You bet your arse I did...never selling this one.
R
328384

really, you're a hemet rep yet do one of the no-no's and leave it on the mirror, or is that the previous owner?

[rorym]

Previous owner...
R

[rorym]

Bistard....I will have to check...tho I am not sure the Aussie ones got the same carbs as the NZ hotrods...lots of black magic done at Wanganui and Wellington M/Cs..what carbs were fitted to yours?
R

[rorym]

https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fscontent-syd2-1.xx.fbcdn.net%2Fv%2Ft1.0-9%2F1797365_610174232370849_1715155030_n.jpg%3Foh% 3D1d4271433c43107e997a02f061d26fbe%26oe%3D590DD11E&h=ATOtWmBgDROGoST10xm1VSq-iHA2OPhl1RDVf5-lFNd2V6Wl-mgU4Zx3M6jtOqzDyK2jzItC-rVm_cSj0G0vqMNRWGAJHsR2xxAaqnTz2xMpslmuVmoeFrnM-maCbIu-SKv1AnEkeJgHdWJH9Hy7iQo

Appears the Aussie bikes all ran CV carbs...our scrutineer was pretty savage ..and not all of them used/wanted the steel swingarm...the alloy one did look beefier..
R

[Crasherfromwayback]

R
328384

Nice find mate!

[rorym]

https://scontent-syd2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/16473394_1243575269030739_4459072036367277934_n.jp g?oh=504e496b4ca8515cd725b5640703af1e&oe=5910785D

[jellywrestler]

https://scontent-syd2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/16473394_1243575269030739_4459072036367277934_n.jp g?oh=504e496b4ca8515cd725b5640703af1e&oe=5910785D

so what's different to stock ones, the wire wheels and.....

[rorym]

328395....Here tis....

[rorym]

wheels...swingarm...pipes..not sure about engine bits ..was an airbox mod and clutch springs..so I am told...by some Kiwis in OZ..who were mechanics on them..
R

[rorym]

Now I am thinking...if the first 300 were ET models......this one has 80/81 EX graphics..?..yes?..can someone confirm?..Dont want to throw my hard earned away..tho if the VIN is correct I should be OK...It comes with all original paperwork..

R

[jellywrestler]

.Dont want to throw my hard earned away..


Oops, thought you were interested in motorcycles; didn't realise you're only interested in the money side of it...

[Paul in NZ]

Oops, thought you were interested in motorcycles; didn't realise you're only interested in the money side of it...

Dude - be fair - it matters... You can 'justify' a bigger spend if you think the bikes a bit special.... (unless of course you are me and have simply lost your heart to an old nail)

[jellywrestler]

Dude - be fair - it matters... You can 'justify' a bigger spend if you think the bikes a bit special.... (unless of course you are me and have simply lost your heart to an old nail)

yip, just fishing, he did explain his background and while it was his job back then it's great to see he's still maintains an interest

[rorym]

Much research and talking to other owners shows the 300 units stamped 100xxx batch have VINs dated from Sept 79 to May 81.. over 2 model runs... so they was indeed EX models with wire wheels... I assumed they were all done in one batch over 2 months like the CB1100Rs...the comment at the top of the page doesnt warrant a reply.

[bistard]

It sounds like the Ozzie ones were quite different, Kiwi ones had cams, carbs, heavy duty clutch, fuel tank was modified as new carbs were taller, the centre header section was still chrome, the outer headers & mufflers were black & had a 32 mil outlet, standard chrome pipes were 28 mil

[rorym]

Yeah your supp regs for Proddy racing had a requirement for 20 identical bikes..ours was 200...

[Crasherfromwayback]

Yeah your supp regs for Proddy racing had a requirement for 20 identical bikes..ours was 200...

Ended up being only ten needed too.

[rorym]

Hence the statement at the 6 Hour rider briefing....If this lasts any longer Suzuki will release a new model?...Lol..

[jellywrestler]

Ended up being only ten needed too.

pretty sure it was more than that Pete in that era, hence them making 25 black pipers, remembering that in about 81/2 was the biggest m/c sales in nz history

[Katman]

I believe there were 6 of the ET model and 20 of the following year's EX model.

(Followed by 20 of the next year's SXZ Katana).

[Crasherfromwayback]

pretty sure it was more than that Pete in that era, hence them making 25 black pipers, remembering that in about 81/2 was the biggest m/c sales in nz history

You missed what I was saying Spyda. When I said it ended up being only ten needed, I was referring to when we made the KR1SP's. We only had to build ten of them to homologate them.

[jellywrestler]

You missed what I was saying Spyda. When I said it ended up being only ten needed, I was referring to when we made the KR1SP's. We only had to build ten of them to homologate them.

i was pretty sure you were refering those kawis, and that era, but that was bit later when things had slowed down a lot sales wise and homologation numbers were lower, about that time simon crafar won the 600 proddie class only to find out his bike hadn't been homologated....

in later years it's become less than ten too Pete

[Crasherfromwayback]

in later years it's become less than ten too Pete

Lol. Pretty sure you've only ever need one at times anyway. If you know what I mean!

[Grumph]

I believe there were 6 of the ET model and 20 of the following year's EX model.

(Followed by 20 of the next year's SXZ Katana).

It's damm difficult to be sure about the numbers as there were also kits offered. I understand that some "authorities" deny this but the two guys down here racing 1100's at the time have both confirmed to me that they were offered "upgrade kits" consisting of pipes,cams and carbs.

[jellywrestler]

I believe there were 6 of the ET model and 20 of the following year's EX model.

(Followed by 20 of the next year's SXZ Katana).

from the often changeable ramblings of your friend coleman

3) Your GSX1100 with frame number GS110X-100290. I assume the bike was
previously owned by Dan in Christchurch. Whilst the frame number is low, I
cannot confirm it as one of the 5 units GSX1100T produced for the 1980
Castrol 6-Hour. The frame number is not on the list of numbers I hold for
any of the Castrol 6-Hour models. As evidenced, the frame number 100290 is
much higher than the bike (Fr:100228) you purchased in 1980.


but, word has it that one was written off from Robbie Dean motorcycles and they hastily had to produce another....

you going to the NZSBK meet at Taupo in a couple of weeks Steve? if so pop in and have a chat, you'll know where to find me.

[Katman]

Just re-read the article I have by Terry Stevenson about the Black Pipers and according to him it was 5 of the T models that were specially air-freighted in for the 1980 6 Hour.

[Katman]

The 1980 race winner.

328567

[jellywrestler]

Just re-read the article I have by Terry Stevenson about the Black Pipers and according to him it was 5 of the T models that were specially air-freighted in for the 1980 6 Hour.

yip with engines built by pops yoshimura. Mike Esdaile quoted him last week as saying "production racing, very good business"

[gsx1100t]

I have restored 2 of these and have owned 6 other mag wheel models over the past 5 years.I currently have 2 an 80 ET(to be restored as soon as it arrives from Qld) and 81 EX mag wheels .
When I first restored the 79 T model I new it was a genuine wire wheel model because I bought it off the original owner and the VIN:GS110X100214 showed it to be in the first 300 bikes to be produced according the haynes manual.The current 1980 ET has wire wheels but I have no way of proving it came with factory wire wheels.

Here are my actual questions:

1.Did the First Castrol 6 hour wire wheel models come that way special order from the factory or where they a general sale option ?

2.When did the wire wheel option finish?

I have a article from Two Wheels September 1981 showing Neville Hiscock and Allan Hale sitting on 81 EX Models both with wire wheels.When I rang Mick Hone here in Melbourne and asked about EX wire wheel models I was told there was never any such model as wire wheel EXs in Australia.

Any accurate information would be appreciated as there is all sorts of myths and BS floating around about "BATHURST SPECIALS " and anything with wire wheels is an ex factory racer>

I have early gsx1100 8/80 gsx1100 frame 100227 it has wire wheels .have got 4 gsxs

[sidecar bob]

Anyone needing any parts for these can contact me.
I have several GSX1100 parts bikes that I used to support my race bike & am now moving on to other things.
The Race Bike is also for sale. It won Period 5 overall at The Barry Sheene meeting at Eastern Creek in March against a field of mega buck XR69's, Katana's & McIntosh's & is currently in Australia.
PM me or post in this thread if interested.

[gsx1100t]

Hi I have a gsx11 frame gs110x100227
Made 8/80 also has 8/80 on wheels just wondering if any one knows much about this bike
Thanks dan

[jellywrestler]

There is 18 & 19 bolt cylinder heads (tappett cover bolts), I understand the 19 bolt has the longer fins. Not peculiar to black piper. Is that correct?

Steve Dundon told me they had issues with the rocker cover gaskets leaking and suggested to suzuki to use the honda stye of gasket of the day , basically a big rubber o ring , the factory added extra bolts to secure the rocker cover and still used the cardboard gaskets. no doubt they decided to add some to their cooling fins in the upgrade too