Suzuki GSX750S Katana model history
19811985
I have tried to tell the Suzuki GSX 750 S Katana model history
on this page as I know it.
I would be grateful of any contributions sales brochures, magazine ads,
magazine articles, pictures, specs, facts, corrections etc. Please scan the material
in JPEG format (large enough that all the details are visible) and send
them to me. Please tell me the source and the publication date if possible.
If you send me pictures of your own bike, please follow these
instructions.
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1981 GSX750S Katana. The model with a windshield was
called GSX750SS Katana. |
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1981 Suzuki year
code: X |

Late in 1981, after the introduction of the exciting GSX1000S,
Suzuki released an almost identical 750 cc version of the Katana
(meaning Sword in English). The engine was taken from the GSX750E.

The 1981 GSX750SX and 1982 GSX750SD were identical exept for the
colors. For domestic market in Japan, the model without the windscreen
(see the picture above) was called GSX750S and the one with a
screen was called SS. At first the Katana was only available for
the home market in Japan, 1982 it came in Europe. The Japanese
model had 69 hp/ 8.500 rpm, 6,2 kg-m/ 7.000 rpm.

I have given the European unrestricted power figures for all of
the models on this page. The Japanese models had first 69 bhp,
the 1983 model had 72 bhp and the later models
77 bhp.
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GSX
750 S Katana 1981
Overall Length: 2 250 mm (88.6 in)
Overall Width: 810 mm (31.9 in)
Overall Height: 1 215 mm (47.8 in)
Seat Height: 770 mm (30.3 in)
Ground Clearance: 165 mm (6.5 in)
Wheelbase: 1 515 mm (59.6 in)
Weight: 223 kg (490 lbs)
Engine type: Air-cooled 747 cc inline-4, DOHC, 16 valves. 79
hp (59 kW)/ 9,200 rpm, 63 Nm/ 8,400 rpm.
Click on the image for larger format.
Click here for a GSX750S
Katana sales brochure.
|
GSX
750 S Katana 1981
Overall Length: 2 250 mm (88.6 in)
Overall Width: 810 mm (31.9 in)
Overall Height: 1 215 mm (47.8 in)
Seat Height: 770 mm (30.3 in)
Ground Clearance: 165 mm (6.5 in)
Wheelbase: 1 515 mm (59.6 in)
Weight: 223 kg (490 lbs)
Engine type: Air-cooled 747 cc inline-4, DOHC, 16 valves. 79 hp
(59 kW)/ 9,200 rpm, 63 Nm/ 8,400 rpm.
Click on the image for larger format. |
 
1982 Suzuki year
code: Z |

The 1982 GSX750SZ had the same technical specifications as the
first year's model. 1982 was the first year GSX750S Katana was
exported from Japan. For domestic market in Japan, the model codes
were GSX750S-2 and GSX750S-2C.
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GSX
750 S Katana 1982
Overall Length: 2 250 mm (88.6 in)
Overall Width: 810 mm (31.9 in)
Overall Height: 1 215 mm (47.8 in)
Seat Height: 770 mm (30.3 in)
Ground Clearance: 165 mm (6.5 in)
Wheelbase: 1 515 mm (59.6 in)
Weight: 223 kg (490 lbs)
Engine type: Air-cooled 747 cc inline-4, DOHC, 16 valves. 79 hp
(59 kW)/ 9,200 rpm, 63 Nm/ 8,400 rpm.
Click on the image for larger format. |

1983 Suzuki year
code: D |

GSX750S Katana Mark 2 was released in 1983. The updated model
had 16- inch front and-17 inch rear tyres and the engine delivered
now 72 hp. The wheelbase was the same but the second edition of
the Katana was longer, wider and higher than its forerunner. For
domestic market in Japan, the model code was GSX750S-3, GSX750SD
in Europe. The Japanese model had 72 hp/ 9.000 rpm, 6,3 kg-m/
7.000 rpm.
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GSX
750 S Katana 1983
Overall Length: 2 210 mm (87.0 in)
Overall Width: 830 mm (32.7 in)
Overall Height: 1 160 mm (45.7 in)
Seat Height: 770 mm (30.3 in)
Ground Clearance: 165 mm (6.5 in)
Wheelbase: 1 515 mm (59.6 in)
Weight: 222 kg (488 lbs)
Engine type: Air-cooled 747 cc inline-4, DOHC, 16 valves. 79 hp
(59 kW)/ 9,200 rpm, 63 Nm/ 8,400 rpm.
Click on the image for larger format. |
 
1984 Suzuki year
code: E |

The 1984 year's GSX750SE was a completely new model, not just
a facelift. It was designed by Suzuki engineers in Japan but it
still kept the original Hans Muth lines. The engine had been replaced
by the new oil-cooled 16-valve unit from the GSX750E/ES/EF, and
developed 90 unrestricted bhp. It had the Suzuki Full Floater
suspension rear end and Positive Damping Forks at the front. Probably
the most noticeable of all however was the new fairing which now
had a retractable (pop-up) headlight which helped give it an even
sharper front end than the previous models.

The frame and parts of the wheels were colored gold and the black
painted engine had also gold paint on the cam end covers and engine
sides. For domestic market in Japan, the model code was GSX750S-3.
The Japanese model had 77 hp/ 9.000 rpm, 63 Nm (6,4 kg-m)/
7.500 rpm.
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GSX
750 S Katana 1984
Overall Length: 2 190 mm (86.2 in)
Overall Width: 760 mm (29.9 in)
Overall Height: 1 160 mm (45.7 in)
Seat Height: 770 mm (30.3 in)
Ground Clearance: 150 mm (5.9 in)
Wheelbase: 1 510 mm (59.4 in)
Dry Weight: 212 kg (470 lbs)
Engine type: Air/oil-cooled 747 cc inline-4, DOHC, TSCC, 16 valves.
90 hp (66 kW)/ 9,500 rpm, 67,5 Nm/ 8,500 rpm.
Click on the image for larger format. |

1985 Suzuki year
code: F |

1985 was the last year of the GSX750S. Only cosmetic changes were
made, the gold paint had been used only for the wheels. The model
was very short-lived. For domestic market in Japan, the model
code was GSX750S-4, GSX750SF in Europe.

The model was available in some parts of the world under the model
name Shark but I need more information about it before I can tell
you more. I'm guessing the specs are the same for the Katana and
the Shark.
|
GSX
750 S Katana 1985
Overall Length: 2 190 mm (86.2 in)
Overall Width: 760 mm (29.9 in)
Overall Height: 1 160 mm (45.7 in)
Seat Height: 770 mm (30.3 in)
Ground Clearance: 150 mm (5.9 in)
Wheelbase: 1 510 mm (59.4 in)
Dry Weight: 212 kg (470 lbs)
Engine type: Air/oil-cooled 747 cc inline-4, DOHC, TSCC, 16 valves.
90 hp (66 kW)/ 9,500 rpm, 67,5 Nm/ 8,500 rpm.
Click on the image for larger format. |
GSX
750 S Katana 1985
Overall Length: 2 190 mm (86.2 in)
Overall Width: 760 mm (29.9 in)
Overall Height: 1 160 mm (45.7 in)
Seat Height: 770 mm (30.3 in)
Ground Clearance: 150 mm (5.9 in)
Wheelbase: 1 510 mm (59.4 in)
Dry Weight: 212 kg (470 lbs)
Engine type: Air/oil-cooled 747 cc inline-4, DOHC, TSCC, 16 valves.
90 hp (66 kW)/ 9,500 rpm, 67,5 Nm/ 8,500 rpm.
Click on the image for larger format. |
GSX
750 S Shark 1985
Overall Length: 2 190 mm (86.2 in)
Overall Width: 760 mm (29.9 in)
Overall Height: 1 160 mm (45.7 in)
Seat Height: 770 mm (30.3 in)
Ground Clearance: 150 mm (5.9 in)
Wheelbase: 1 510 mm (59.4 in)
Dry Weight: 212 kg (470 lbs)
Engine type: Air/oil-cooled 747 cc inline-4, DOHC, TSCC, 16 valves.
90 hp (66 kW)/ 9,500 rpm, 67,5 Nm/ 8,500 rpm.
Click on the image for larger format. |

More: GSX750S Katana
brochures and adverts
More: GSX1000S
and GSX1100S Katanas
More: More GSX750
models
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