Castrol 6-hour Katanas ex-Aussie?

[orangeback]

Questions about these Castrol 6 hour Katana's

I have an '81 750 wire wheeled version. In a similar way to the famous proddy racer 1100 versions, Suzuki Aus sold 200 750s with wire wheels to compete in the Castrol 6 hour race. Rule was there had to be 200 examples sold to homologate them which meant that the first 200 examples sold through dealers were fitted with wire wheels. The wheels are actually from previous GS1000s. Reason for the fitting was that they were lighter than the mags at the time and improved turn in at speed. Mine has done some track time too having the safety wire drilling in the appropriate places. So she's a bit rattly,

is this correct? , dose anybody know much about them from over the ditch as im up to the play on the ones here, but austrailai ones not to sure, hence the questions
I know they race it in the 83 6 hour and it came 3rd overall and got absolutely fryed by the RZ500 that came out that year.

[Kickaha]

I know they race it in the 83 6 hour and it came 3rd overall and got absolutely fryed by the RZ500 that came out that year.

I can't find the site that I originally saw the info on the 750 wire wheel but here's the results for 1983

Place Nr. Laps
1 2 Malcolm Campbell Rod Cox Honda VF750F 372
2 11 Rob Phillis G. French Honda VF1000 372
3 Neil Chivas Robert Holden Suzuki Katana 1000 372

The RZ500 didn't race and Win until 1984 and the 750 Katana didn't even feature in the top 19 in 1983

1984 is the year you're thinking of

Place Nr. Laps
1 7 R. Scottl M. Dowson Yamaha RZ500 260
2 3 W. Gardner J. Pace Honda VF1000R 260
3 11 N. Chivas R. Holden Suzuki Katana 750 256

[orangeback]

you be wright there Warrick i be a year out

[Katman]

:blink:

I have never heard of a production 750 wire wheel.

(I know Suzuki Australia brought in 200 of the 1100s as WWs).

By 1984, were Katanas even still competing in the 6 Hour?

[Kickaha]

:blink:

I have never heard of a production 750 wire wheel.

(I know Suzuki Australia brought in 200 of the 1100s as WWs).

By 1984, were Katanas even still competing in the 6 Hour?

The 750 Wire wheel was an Australian only bike

1984 was the last year a Katana competed in the Oz 6 hour (not sure about NZ)

[orangeback]

:blink:

I have never heard of a production 750 wire wheel.

(I know Suzuki Australia brought in 200 of the 1100s as WWs).

By 1984, were Katanas even still competing in the 6 Hour?

http://www.castrol6hour.com.au/1984.html

[Howie]

I'm pretty sure you would find the Katana 750's being raced in 84 were the pop up headlight ones from memory, and by 85 the GSXR750F was being used.

[Katman]

I'm more inclined to think that the Suzuki 750s being raced in 1984 were the ESDs (probably erroneously still being called Katanas).

(I don't recall anyone seriously campaigning a Pop Up 750).

[Katman]

And besides, I didn't think the 750 Katana came out until 1982.

The 1100 and the 650 came out in '81.

[cs363]

It was a pop-up, picture attached of Robert aboard the bike

[Katman]

It was a pop-up, picture attached of Robert aboard the bike
(I stand corrected).

Classic photo!

Got any more???????

[cs363]

Classic photo! (I stand corrected).

Got any more???????


Sadly, that's it - I actually got this pic from the Aussie 6 hour site a while back and there was a few more of classic race bikes from different years of the 6 hour, they should be there under a link for 'gallery' or 'pictures'

[Katman]

Sadly, that's it - I actually got this pic from the Aussie 6 hour site a while back and there was a few more of classic race bikes from different years of the 6 hour, they should be there under a link for 'gallery' or 'pictures'

I have a number of photos taken in 1982 at Baypark and Pukekohe.

Must get round to scanning them and sticking them up one day.

(Don't get too excited though - my mate wasn't a great photographer).

[cs363]

That would be cool - be a few familiar faces in there! :)

I'm sure I've got a few tucked away somewhere too, especially Bay Park

[Kickaha]

And besides, I didn't think the 750 Katana came out until 1982.

The 1100 and the 650 came out in '81.

The 750 was released in 1981 in Japan

[Katman]

Having just pawed through my collection of 1981 and 82 Australian Two Wheels magazines it turns out that no Katanas (750 or 1100) raced in the 1981 Castrol 6 Hour. The race was held in October and in that months magazine is an article on the first available road test of the 1100 demonstrator.

In none of the magazines is there any mention of spoked wheel 750 Katanas.

[cs363]

Having just pawed through my collection of 1981 and 82 Australian Two Wheels magazines it turns out that no Katanas (750 or 1100) raced in the 1981 Castrol 6 Hour. The race was held in October and in that months magazine is an article on the first available road test of the 1100 demonstrator.

In none of the magazines is there any mention of spoked wheel 750 Katanas.

I remember Bob Toomey racing a GSX750 in the '81 6 hour along with a few others, the only other Suzuki's I'm aware of that year were GSX1100's. Katana's didn't make an appearance until '82 and they were a mix of 750 & 1100's and then the following year the Katana 1000 was introduced because of the capacity limit. '84 saw a couple or 3 Katana 750 pop-ups in the race and then that was the end as '85 saw the first GSX-R750's compete.

Sounds to me like someone is having a stitch up, 750 Katana's being turned into 1100 clones was common place back then (mainly just a seat change) and it wasn't unusual for people to fit wire wheels to 1100's and 750's especially as the donor hubs etc were readily available then.

[Kickaha]

Sounds to me like someone is having a stitch up, 750 Katana's being turned into 1100 clones was common place back then (mainly just a seat change) and it wasn't unusual for people to fit wire wheels to 1100's and 750's especially as the donor hubs etc were readily available then.

I've seen a website where they went into a bit more detail about the wire wheel 750, they did build then as a homologation special for racing

I didn't bookmark it though and now I can't find it

[Katman]

Sounds to me like someone is having a stitch up, 750 Katana's being turned into 1100 clones was common place back then (mainly just a seat change) and it wasn't unusual for people to fit wire wheels to 1100's and 750's especially as the donor hubs etc were readily available then.

Can you recall what production endurance race was held at Baypark in 1982?

The photos I have show the bikes and riders lined up for a Le Mans start with two or three spoked wheel Katanas with 750 seats. I'd be surprised though if the Hiscocks, Robert and Bob were actually on 750s considering there's CB1100Rs in there as well.

(Only a week to go before my infraction points reduce sufficently to allow me to post photos as attachments).

[98tls]

Worth a look.http://www.castrol6hour.com.au/media.html

[cs363]

Worth a look.http://www.castrol6hour.com.au/media.html

Yeah, that's where I got all the above pics a while back (looking for CBX pics, lol) :)

[cs363]

Can you recall what production endurance race was held at Baypark in 1982?

The photos I have show the bikes and riders lined up for a Le Mans start with two or three spoked wheel Katanas with 750 seats. I'd be surprised though if the Hiscocks, Robert and Bob were actually on 750s considering there's CB1100Rs in there as well.

(Only a week to go before my infraction points reduce sufficently to allow me to post photos as attachments).

I'm pretty sure that was the Dunlop 2 hour, because I raced my 550 Katana in that race though can't remember the year - I think they ran it for 2 or 3 years but not sure, too many cold ones dulling the memory tonight!

[98tls]

Yeah, that's where I got all the above pics a while back (looking for CBX pics, lol) :) Lol,if its CBX pics your after ive a mate in Auckland with one (amongst other very nice older stuff) who may well have some links etc,try pming Les (TLDV8) Fwiw.

[BMWST?]

It was a pop-up, picture attached of Robert aboard the bike
and lookit the leathers he is wearing(right shoulder)

[cs363]

Here's some pics for you, the aforementioned 550 Katana at Bay Park (not sure if this was that event though Katman), my 750 and first 1100 Katana

[cs363]

And a couple of pics of the Wellington Motorcycles team having fun at what I think is Ruapuna though might be Teretonga. Pretty sure I remember one of these bikes (possibly Toomey's) having a 750 seat on it at one stage, possibly as the result of crash damage?

Talking of crashing, Pete (Crasherfromwayback) is probably the guy to solve the 750 wire wheel question, he could check with Steve Dundon who is bound to know.

Also a pic of Hiscock's McIntosh Suzuki (at Bay Park) I found in one pile of pics :)

[98tls]

Here's some pics for you, the aforementioned 550 Katana at Bay Park (not sure if this was that event though Katman), my 750 and first 1100 Katana My old man bought a brand new 1100 in the day,i was pretty young and still remember my first sighting of it,before that thing it was all Nortons and bevel drive SS Ducs,though he must have passed many comments on it the only one i remember was "its the only bike ive ridden 2 up at 120mph that actually did something when i twist the loud peddle".

[cs363]

Lol,if its CBX pics your after ive a mate in Auckland with one (amongst other very nice older stuff) who may well have some links etc,try pming Les (TLDV8) Fwiw.


I've got plenty of CBX pics (and parts etc, lol) but I'm trying to find some racing pics from that era, doesn't seem to be much about. But I might give Les a try, thanks :)

[cs363]

My old man bought a brand new 1100 in the day,i was pretty young and still remember my first sighting of it,before that thing it was all Nortons and bevel drive SS Ducs,though he must have passed many comments on it the only one i remember was "its the only bike ive ridden 2 up at 120mph that actually did something when i twist the loud peddle".

Yeah they certainly were impressive in their day, as were the early GSX's - never seemed to make much difference whether you were 1 or 2 up!

[98tls]

I've got plenty of CBX pics (and parts etc, lol) but I'm trying to find some racing pics from that era, doesn't seem to be much about. But I might give Les a try, thanks :) I know for a fact he does have a few,hes over in Aus building a bridge at the mo but checks in when he can,am sure he will get ya sorted.Very clever bloke.

[cs363]

I know for a fact he does have a few,hes over in Aus building a bridge at the mo but checks in when he can,am sure he will get ya sorted.Very clever bloke.


Sweeet! :niceone:

[Katman]

Here's some pics for you, the aforementioned 550 Katana at Bay Park (not sure if this was that event though Katman), my 750 and first 1100 Katana

Just dug out my programme for the 1982 Dunlop 3 Hour race which was for up to 750cc machines (no 550 Katanas in the riders list though).

That race can't be the one I have the photos of though, as along with the CB1100Rs it included Glen Williams on the 1000J. Robert and Bob's 1100s have 1100 seats while Dave and Neville's have 750 seats.

[cs363]

Just dug out my programme for the 1982 Dunlop 3 Hour race which was for up to 750cc machines (no 550 Katanas in the riders list though).

That race can't be the one I have the photos of though, as along with the CB1100Rs it included Glen Williams on the 1000J. Robert and Bob's 1100s have 1100 seats while Dave and Neville's have 750 seats.

Hmmm, wonder if it was '83 that I did it then (or was it even on that bike? lol.....geez it's sad getting old and having ya memory fade!)
Mind you I could be confusing it with something else at Bay Park as it was a bloody long time ago! lol
Any GS550's listed in the entries? What were the Katana's...GS550M wasn't it?

My brain hurts...

[nudemetalz]

Robert and Bob's 1100s have 1100 seats while Dave and Neville's have 750 seats.

Hmm,...those nice foam seats on the 1100 that retain water, and wet ya butt still, even after the rest of the kat has dried out !!

[Brian d marge]

Just dug out my programme for the 1982 Dunlop 3 Hour race which was for up to 750cc machines (no 550 Katanas in the riders list though).

That race can't be the one I have the photos of though, as along with the CB1100Rs it included Glen Williams on the 1000J. Robert and Bob's 1100s have 1100 seats while Dave and Neville's have 750 seats.

you kept that??? I remember them at Ruapuna , but I mere child of 16 ... and had a CB360or was it a Xl250 s motorsport fancy shocks .....

dem the days

Stephen

[orangeback]

thanks for all the info but as the title said (QQQ on Castrol 6 hour Katana's ex Aussie )the bike is and Australian import that i had bought,
from the castrol site in 1982
B. Toomey R. Holden Suzuki Katana 750 would have to be a sz 750 kat no pop up

[igor]

owned a few

1980 GS1000EN 40FXX ?
1982 GSX1100EX
1982 GSX1100X
1983 GSX1100SXZ 54LCE
1986 GSXR1100G

1983 GSX1100 5MGL

OH WHAT FUN AND GOOD TIMES THEY WERE

[slowpoke]

Great thread, I'm lovin' the pic's of the ol' beasts. The katana's had a certain charisma at the time and it certainly hasn't dulled with age.

It was something to see the Britten turning a wheel at Wanga's but I was equally enamoured with the Steve Roberts built bikes. I could have spent hours drooling over his ali-monococque creation.

[TLDV8]

... it included Glen Williams on the 1000J.

Unless he had more than one here it is afterward on a trip to the South Island.

<img src=http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c345/manurewa/38Small.jpg>

[Katman]

Now that I'm out of Purgatory - here's the photos.

117617 117618 117619 117620

[Katman]

Full marks to anyone who can name the meeting.

117621 117622 117623 117624

[orangeback]

ive found out the race history of the bike i have from Oze, it belonged to warren walker, the previous owner of the helmet warehouse in yagoona in sydney. they were 750s. that they fitted the gs1000s wheels to for racing.

No bikes were ever built as "Bathurst Specials" by the factory. They used to get a new bike for every endurance race (Calder 2 hr, Hub 300 km, Castrol 6hr, Arai 500km etc) and after one meeting they would put it back to standard, sell it off and get a new one. (they used to get to run them in...about 6 a year). If they did any local racing or tyre testing they used whatever bike was in there possession at the time.

Everything on the wire and mag wheel bikes was the same. (except, of course, the wheels and tyres). (this is for Oze)

so ive nothing to special , so in going to butcher it like my last few

[flyingcrocodile46]

No bikes were ever built as "Bathurst Specials" by the factory. .

Everything on the wire and mag wheel bikes was the same. (except, of course, the wheels and tyres). (this is for Oze)

Maybe not for the 750's but 20 of the 1100's were released in NZ as bathhurst specials with 32mm slide carbs, special race cams, wire wheels and brake callipers. Good for 120 hp as std. A bit of history in the pdf at the link below

http://members.home.nl/marijke-bert/...ukiEnglish.pdf

[Steve Broadbent]

In 1981 Suzuki's dominance was eclipsed by Honda with 1st two places going to Australian teams campaigng then new CBR1100's. First open-class Suzuki home was pedalled by Steve Broadbent and John Woodley,coming in 4th on the specially homologated Katana 1100 SXZ (wire wheel) version. We completed 274 laps on 5 tanks of fuel but same tyres. While our pit crew led by Stacey Hoggard had fastest fuel stops at ~13 secs, no tyre change was planned and this turned out to be the main advantage played by the Oz Hondas. They changed rears with ~ 1/3 of the race to go, trouncing us with lap times 4-5 secs better than we could manage. If I recall correctly a new class lap record was set at 75 secs - in closing stages of the six-hour event! Mal Campbell was truly in the groove that afternoon, awesome to have been part of it ;)

Can't help with other years, sorry. Steve