Castrol 6-hour Katanas ex-Aussie?

**orangeback** · 20th January 2009, 19:16

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** · 20th January 2009, 20:38

Originally Posted by orangeback

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** · 20th January 2009, 20:57

you be wright there Warrick i be a year out

**Katman** · 20th January 2009, 21:09

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** · 20th January 2009, 21:14

Originally Posted by Katman

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** · 20th January 2009, 21:15

Originally Posted by Katman

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** · 20th January 2009, 21:27

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** · 20th January 2009, 21:31

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** · 20th January 2009, 21:45

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

The 1100 and the 650 came out in '81.

**cs363** · 20th January 2009, 21:53

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

**Katman** · 20th January 2009, 21:55

Originally Posted by cs363

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

(I stand corrected).

Classic photo!

Got any more???????

**cs363** · 20th January 2009, 22:00

Originally Posted by Katman

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** · 20th January 2009, 22:04

Originally Posted by cs363

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).