Katman. This is for you.

[madbikeboy]

1234567890


https://youtu.be/KURyAh_Z8kA

[Katman]

Still better looking than anything else on two wheels.

[madbikeboy]

Still better looking than anything else on two wheels.

You have seen a CBX, right?

It's a good looking bike, the proportions are still so good. I like how clean the bike is.

[sidecar bob]

That's Michael Neeves. He rode my GSX1100 at Philip Island, at the Island Classic in January this year.
You couldn't wish to meet a nicer bloke.
And yeah, it's not an 8 valve Jamie.

[Katman]

You have seen a CBX, right?

Not even close.

<img src="http://www.motorbikespecs.net/images/Honda/CBX_250_RSE_84-86/CBX_250_RSE_84-86_2.jpg"/>

[madbikeboy]

Not even close.



What. The. Fuck. Show someone kindness, and it'll fuck up somehow.

I meant a CBX1000.

[Berries]

Still better looking than anything else on two wheels.
You talking about the OP or the bike?




:love:

[AllanB]

That blue one is sweet - they have done something to the rear end/seat - bit less that the original, possibly the nicest treatment in that area I've seen on a Katana.

[madbikeboy]

You talking about the OP or the bike?




:love:

1234567890


https://youtu.be/P5mtclwloEQ

[jellywrestler]

possibly the nicest treatment in that area I've seen on a Katana.

Except for a match and a quarter a gallon of gas.....

[Crasherfromwayback]

Still better looking than anything else on two wheels.

Certainly timeless. You'll hate mine though.

[jasonu]

Still better looking than anything else on two wheels.

Don't think so.
https://www.google.com/search?q=mick+doohan+nsr500&tbm=isch&imgil=AZXTtyYkQtu33M%253A%253BzNXLjFr8nV_B-M%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.asphaltandrubbe r.com%25252Fmotogp%25252Fhonda-grand-prix-motorcycle-pictures%25252F&source=iu&pf=m&fir=AZXTtyYkQtu33M%253A%252CzNXLjFr8nV_B-M%252C_&usg=__lwn8oA7lC7sjrpSyzT7YwL2iXdk%3D&biw=1365&bih=921&ved=0ahUKEwiwhrqz6NPTAhVH-GMKHb4wA5AQyjcIMg&ei=MtkJWbClLcfwjwO-4YyACQ#imgrc=AZXTtyYkQtu33M:

[Katman]

Don't think so.
https://www.google.com/search?q=mick+doohan+nsr500&tbm=isch&imgil=AZXTtyYkQtu33M%253A%253BzNXLjFr8nV_B-M%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.asphaltandrubbe r.com%25252Fmotogp%25252Fhonda-grand-prix-motorcycle-pictures%25252F&source=iu&pf=m&fir=AZXTtyYkQtu33M%253A%252CzNXLjFr8nV_B-M%252C_&usg=__lwn8oA7lC7sjrpSyzT7YwL2iXdk%3D&biw=1365&bih=921&ved=0ahUKEwiwhrqz6NPTAhVH-GMKHb4wA5AQyjcIMg&ei=MtkJWbClLcfwjwO-4YyACQ#imgrc=AZXTtyYkQtu33M:


Remove the decals and paint it black and 99% of motorcyclists wouldn't even be able to tell you what brand it is.

[Bass]

Remove the decals and paint it black and 99% of motorcyclists wouldn't even be able to tell you what brand it is.

But distinctive and good looking are 2 different things.
Quasimodo was distinctive

[madbikeboy]

But distinctive and good looking are 2 different things.
Quasimodo was distinctive

So, you've met Katman then?

[Bass]

So, you've met Katman then?

:lol::clap: No, not as yet.

Actually, I feel much the same about the Katana as I do about my GS: -

1. A Landmark in the development of the motorcycle
2. There's no mistaking one - striking looks
3. A performer in their own field
4. Butt ugly
5. I like them.

Looks are a matter of taste and so we can debate it forever.

[Banditbandit]

Still better looking than anything else on two wheels.

matter of opinion

I used to think the Kats were fucking ugly - now I think they are just ugly ... can't ciompete with the aesthetics of this

http://motorcycles-for-sale.biz/img/motorcyclephotos/full/motorbike140402.jpg

[Katman]

can't ciompete with the aesthetics of this

Looks like the bike in post #12 - with a different paint job.

[Katman]

Be still, my beating heart.

330651

[Katman]

Phwoar.

330653

[jasonu]

Remove the decals and paint it black and 99% of motorcyclists wouldn't even be able to tell you what brand it is.

That makes 99% of motorcyclists uninformed.

[Katman]

That makes 99% of motorcyclists uninformed.

Like I said, paint them both black and you'd barely know the difference.

<img src="http://bikereview.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Bike-Review-YZR500-Rainey20150810_0129.jpg"/>

[trufflebutter]

Motorbikes are a product of human imagination and undoubtedly, mistakes have been made along the way. In same cases, it's the age old argument that it has a face that only the owner can love. Not sure (on a personal level) where a Katana fits into all this, but suffice to say that they had something of an eye brow raising jaw dropping effect when they were first introduced.

[madbikeboy]

Motorbikes are a product of human imagination and undoubtedly, mistakes have been made along the way. In same cases, it's the age old argument that it has a face that only the owner can love. Not sure (on a personal level) where a Katana fits into all this, but suffice to say that they had something of an eye brow raising jaw dropping effect when they were first introduced.

Steve, I can translate this for you. She just called your bike ugly, and you blind.

You're welcome.

[Katman]

Steve, I can translate this for you. She just called your bike ugly, and you blind.

Yeah, but what would Maha know?

[madbikeboy]

matter of opinion

I used to think the Kats were fucking ugly - now I think they are just ugly ... can't ciompete with the aesthetics of this

http://motorcycles-for-sale.biz/img/motorcyclephotos/full/motorbike140402.jpg

The 916 - 996 is stunning. Iconic even. But, they're skinny, slow, unreliable, expensive to maintain, and prone to weirdness. I've seen more 916's on their sides than hookers (stand design isn't great), and if you wheel stand them long enough, they run out of oil.

But, I still want one.

[madbikeboy]

Yeah, but what would Maha know?

Maha?

Fuck, 123456789.

[pritch]

The 916 - 996 is stunning. Iconic even. But, they're skinny, slow, unreliable, expensive to maintain, and prone to weirdness. .

True. My S4R had a 996 engine and it didn't give me any trouble, but there was still chatter on the Net about chrome peeling off the cam followers which was just one of the many problems that afflicted the 916. I used to lust after a 916 but I'm cured. Maybe back in the day I could have been tempted by a big Kat, but not now.

That NSR looks tasty. I have it on good authority that the mechanics used to make bottle openers out of the conrods. Mechanics never even see the conrods now.

[trufflebutter]

Steve, I can translate this for you. She just called your bike ugly, and you blind.

You're welcome.

An analogy could be that, the mid 70's Corvette was a sight to behold at one time, not so much now.
Katmin states that ''99% of motorcyclists wouldn't even be able to tell'' a particular brand of Honda from their elbow if it was painted black. :facepalm:

[madbikeboy]

An analogy could be that, the mid 70's Corvette was a sight to behold at one time, not so much now.
Katmin states that 99% of motorcyclists wouldn't even be able to tell a particular brand of Honda from their elbow if it was painted black. :facepalm:

Oh no. You didn't. Say it ain't so.

Mid 70's were awful. Terrible. Wheezing, smogged out.

53 to 62 were stunning. 1963, the Split Window. 64 - 67, still gorgeous. Then, 1968, the first year of the C3 and the only real year of the L88. After that, like herpes - we shall not speak of it.

[jellywrestler]

Phwoar.

330653

where is this photo taken?

[Katman]

where is this photo taken?

I think it's the railway bridge at Wanganui.

[jellywrestler]

I think it's the railway bridge at Wanganui.

as you know i'm a bit of a fan of wanganui and it isn't the bridge, those are give way stripes and no crowd behind so that rules out a lot of the circuit, was thinking onekawa or maybe gracefield, also could have been sydneham chch?

[Crasherfromwayback]

as you know i'm a bit of a fan of wanganui and it isn't the bridge,

Not coming out of The Rose Garden?

[Katman]

as you know i'm a bit of a fan of wanganui and it isn't the bridge, those are give way stripes and no crowd behind so that rules out a lot of the circuit, was thinking onekawa or maybe gracefield, also could have been sydneham chch?

Check out some of the footage from back in the day Spyda.

There were indeed give way stripes on either side of the bridge.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5zbgd_NlK1w" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Banditbandit]

Looks like the bike in post #12 - with a different paint job.

A motorcycle mechanic who can't see the difference between a beautiful Ducati 916 and a ringningning Honda?



The 916 - 996 is stunning. Iconic even. But, they're skinny, slow, unreliable, expensive to maintain, and prone to weirdness. I've seen more 916's on their sides than hookers (stand design isn't great), and if you wheel stand them long enough, they run out of oil.

But, I still want one.

yeah - I love the aesthetics - I think they are one of the most beautiful bikes ever built - and I did lust after one - but I've never had one - for all the reasons you outline.

[Banditbandit]

Check out some of the footage from back in the day Spyda.

There were indeed give way stripes on either side of the bridge.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5zbgd_NlK1w" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


I was there .. probably like a lot of other here

[Katman]

yeah - I love the aesthetics - I think they are one of the most beautiful bikes ever built - and I did lust after one - but I've never had one - for all the reasons you outline.

I certainly don't deny that the 916 is an iconic example of motorcycle design.

I just happen to prefer the looks of the Katana - and having ridden a few 916/996's, I certainly prefer riding the Katana also.


I was there ..

Yeah, me too.

[Banditbandit]

I certainly don't deny that the 916 is an iconic example of motorcycle design.

I just happen to prefer the looks of the Katana - and having ridden a few 916/996's, I certainly prefer riding the Katana also.



Yeah, me too.


It's also true that the katana had a major influence on road motorcycle design.

[pritch]

It's also true that the katana had a major influence on road motorcycle design.

It did????

[Banditbandit]

It did????








Yeah - look at the early Katanas and their shapes compared to the bikes of the day - and compared to the contemporary bikes.

[jasonu]

Not coming out of The Rose Garden?

Is Rose Garden NZ code for closet?

[jellywrestler]

Not coming out of The Rose Garden?

nah no hay bales on the inside and no trees just out of the corner, just a load of graves and people on the piss, that's why it's called Swill Hill.

[jellywrestler]

It's also true that the katana had a major influence on road motorcycle design.

yeah that front guard has been on thousands of bikes since, or in thousands of rubbish bins...

[jellywrestler]

Check out some of the footage from back in the day Spyda.

There were indeed give way stripes on either side of the bridge.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5zbgd_NlK1w" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

yeah I think you're right, the building behind is down a level or two and the stripes were there for the old bus depot, there used to be a 150 bus movements in and out of there each day and everyone dropped a few drops of oil and deisel, that and an off camber corner and rain would make it lethal.
the only year i raced a solo there i got third and it felt like the borrowed bike was twisted there, it was just stepping out at the back all the time.
this piccie had me confused as most giveway stripes would be barely a few feet from the apex of a corner, not enough to sit up and pull a wheelie.
great trainspotting Steve

[Grumph]

nah no hay bales on the inside and no trees just out of the corner, just a load of graves and people on the piss, that's why it's called Swill Hill.

It's not Sydenham. Sydenham was run once - in the 1135 era. Robert rode the plastic in F1 and probably an 1135 in prod.

Looking at that pic, didn't they run the Kat in both F1 and prod - and change the pipe between races ?
That's got a 4:1 on it - but it looks like the mounting bolts for the stock pipes are still in place.

[jellywrestler]

It's not Sydenham. Sydenham was run once - in the 1135 era. Robert rode the plastic in F1 and probably an 1135 in prod.


was just throwing sydneyham, was reasonably sure that was the once in 84 or 5, robert broke his leg there on the plastic fantastic, at his funeral they said he asked his mum of he could race, she replied once he gets his cast off, a while later she found the cast in the garden shed, i think they were reffering to this time he broke his leg....

[Katman]

Looking at that pic, didn't they run the Kat in both F1 and prod - and change the pipe between races ?
That's got a 4:1 on it - but it looks like the mounting bolts for the stock pipes are still in place.

The following year Robbie Phillis raced a 16 inch front end 1100 Katana there in the F1 class.

[jellywrestler]

The following year Robbie Phillis raced a 16 inch front end 1100 Katana there in the F1 class.

and got beaten by a home made bike from wanganui...
first time i looked a Kat then and actually liked it, something to do with a bit of colour on it rather than just plain silver.

[Katman]

and got beaten by a home made bike from wanganui...
first time i looked a Kat then and actually liked it, something to do with a bit of colour on it rather than just plain silver.

I think it was also the year a totally unknown local won one of the F2 races in the wet on a motocross bike shod with Cheng Shin tyres.

[jellywrestler]

I think it was also the year a totally unknown local won one of the F2 races in the rain on a motocross bike shod with Cheng Shin tyres.

nah that was the year when the Asuuie team come over on TZ's etc, we were a bit surprised as they didn't eat anything on raceday in case they needed surgery.
Geoff McNaughton won most that meeting, a two dayer

[Crasherfromwayback]

nah no hay bales on the inside and no trees just out of the corner, just a load of graves and people on the piss, that's why it's called Swill Hill.

Lol. I see!

[jellywrestler]

I think it was also the year a totally unknown local won one of the F2 races in the wet on a motocross bike shod with Cheng Shin tyres.

who ya talking about?

[Katman]

who ya talking about?

I have no idea what his name was.

I was hoping you'd be able to rustle up some race results.

[jellywrestler]

i have no idea what his name was.

I was hoping you'd be able to rustle up some race results.

1983 cemetery circuit results
day one
formula one
stu avant suzuki
rodger freeth mcintosh suzuki
dave hiscock suzuki

race two
robert holden suzuki
robbie phillis suzuki
norris farrow suzuki




1983 cont…
race three
dave hiscock suzuki
robbie phillis suzuki
rodger freeth mcintosh suzuki

bryan scobie memorial leg one
robbie phillis suzuki
dave hiscock suzuki
rodger freeth mcintosh suzuki

formula two
geoff mcnaughton yamaha
robert holden suzuki
neil smith yamaha

race two
robert holden suzuki
geoff mcnaughton yamaha
neil smith yamaha

race three
geoff mcnaughton yamaha
robert holden suzuki
neil smith yamaha

junior production
alan delatour honda
rod harris yamaha
dave martin honda

senior production
glen williams kawasaki
robert holden suzuki
robbie dean suzuki

classics
bruce williamson norton
ernie williams ajs torbay
alistair bell norton morrinsville

sidecars
dick leppard jim goodin suzuki
howard gregory tony price yamaha
darryl dowman john thompson honda

race two nztt
dick leppard jim goodin suzuki
kevin wendt charlie dolph suzuki
howard gregory tony price yamaha






1983 day two
formula one scobie memorial race two
dave hiscock suzuki
kevin mcgee ducati australia
robert holden suzuki

scobie memorial race three
dave hiscock suzuki
robert holden suzuki
stu avant suzuki

junior production
robert holden suzuki
alan delatour honda
paul pavletich honda

senior production
alan delatour honda
robbie dean suzuki
dennis newton kawasaki wellington

250 racing
geoff mcnaughton yamaha
robert holden
kevin maxwell rotax

125 racing
simon turner suzuki
steve clegg yamaha
chris smith honda ohakea

up to 350 racing
neil smith yamaha
bruce woodley yamaha
robert holden

classics
bruce williamson norton
ernie williams ajs
graham ward triton auckland

race two
ernie williams ajs
graham ward triton auckland
paul greet ajs 7r auckland

battle of the twins
kevin mcgee ducati
dave martin ducati
phil payne motoguzzi

sidecars
dick leppard jim goodin suzuki
kevin wendt charlie dolph suzuki
darryl dowman john thompson honda

1983 day two
race two
dick leppard jim goodin suzuki
kevin wendt charlie dolph suzuki
howard gregory tony price yamaha

locals race
grant tunbridge honda
wayne marshall kawasaki
michael lovell honda

race two
grant tunbridge honda
wayne marshall kawasaki
mike marshall yamaha

[Katman]

Maybe I'm thinking of a different year.

[TheDemonLord]

To each, there own.

The Suzuki Katana does nothing for me.








But then I like the looks of a Hayabusa, so what do I know....

[Katman]

The Suzuki Katana does nothing for me.

Your stomach would probably prevent you reaching the bars anyway.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Black Kat....

330726

[Katman]

Black Kat....

330726

That empty space under the seat always bugs me. I think it's that the corners of the side panels look odd in that space.

It's not so noticeable if a mono shock sits in there though.

[Crasherfromwayback]

That empty space under the seat always bugs me. I think it's that the corners of the side panels look odd in that space.

It's not so noticeable if a mono shock sits in there though.

Yeah I agree with that. But I won't be doing a mono shock conversion on mine, thank you very much! I'll find another way to make it look bettera.

[Katman]

Yeah I agree with that. But I won't be doing a mono shock conversion on mine, thank you very much! I'll find another way to make it look bettera.

Are you planning on keeping the CVs?

[jellywrestler]

I'll find another way to make it look bettera.
that's dead easy, sell it and buy a honda from that year...

[Crasherfromwayback]

Are you planning on keeping the CVs?

Nah. Already sold them.


that's dead easy, sell it and buy a honda from that year...

Rather eat cat shit with a knitting needle.

[thehovel]

locals race
grant tunbridge honda
wayne marshall kawasaki
michael lovell honda

race two
grant tunbridge honda
wayne marshall kawasaki
mike marshall yamaha

Grant Tunbridge is still riding on a regularly.

[Jeff Sichoe]

For some reason I actually dreamed about this bike last night

https://fb-s-a-a.akamaihd.net/h-ak-fbx/v/t1.0-0/p180x540/18222230_1900676840204454_818560887316923993_n.jpg ?oh=f8348befe40fdd00cc5d846f06ad2771&oe=59BAADD3&__gda__=1504853059_2e432e7a915d97c459811a3763b3171 f

something about the pop up headlight, a babe with awesome hair and a shotgun?

[Crasherfromwayback]

something about the pop up headlight, a babe with awesome hair and a shotgun?

Arrrgh. My eyes!!!!

[AllanB]

I'd rather eat cat shit with knitting needles than look at that skull Kat (even though I don't consider the pop-ups a Kat...)

[Jeff Sichoe]

I think of a Kat sorta like I think of Peggy from Married with Children

http://www.bundyology.com/lost21.jpg

You hate her but you still come in 2 seconds

[jellywrestler]

Arrrgh. My eyes!!!!

bit too much like a mirror Pete?

[Crasherfromwayback]

bit too much like a mirror Pete?

Hahahaha. I'm ugly...but I'd rather have sex with myself than that bike.