Nice article overall, and useful info.
But independent importers ?, before the grey import boom of the early 90's the official importers had a very tight grip on the market, the grey boom started out of dissatisfaction at this aswell as the prices and the official importers put up a strong fight to stop it but failed. very few people imported bikes from other countries, and were individual cases, ie bringing in a bike from the usa for personal use.
All the popups before the grey import thing were bought in by Heron Suzuki including the GR71D's. Mine was supplied new from Aero's Suzuki, at the time the biggest Suzuki main dealer in the London area.
I know I've posted it before but I'll say it again, when I bought mine form Aero's back in 1987 (I am 2nd owner) I met a guy from Heron Suzuki there and as the model was so rare I asked him about it. He told me the a batch of 25 missed the boat to where ever they were meant to be going, Suzuki Japan asked if any other importers wanted them and Heron took up the offer. He told me that 75 had come over. and that they had asked for more than originally offered. From this I can only surmise that the ones that missed the boat were the GR71D model, as the rest were Japanese home market models.
There's an article on KatanaCentral that states 100 came in officially, but I don't know where this information was gathered, I'm not saying it's wrong. I can only go by what I was told at the time. wish I knew the name of the Suzuki man, all I know is he was from Heron Suzuki and was paying a visit to Aero's at the time I met him.
Pop up article discussion
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fossie
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Re: GSX 750 SE/SF/SG/ (S3) New Katana *Pop-up*
Mine is a UK market GR71D but the log book says "declared new by independant importer." As do a couple of others we have/had in club.
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Pop-Kat
Re: Pop up article discussion
I believe that's just the way it's worded on the document.
My big one which is a GR71D (full power) states "declared new at first registration in great Britain by manufacturer/sole import concessionaire" and was registered on 19/3/1986.
Interesting wording backing up about sole import concessionaire, implying there were not independent importers, the cost to import independently would have been prohibitive, Suzuki Japan would not have sold direct to anyone other than the official importer (Heron).
It seems all the GR71D's had the wrong prefix on the log book, stating GR72A, this I'm convinced was an oversight/mistake by the importer when completing the initial paperwork to be sent to DVLA when registering, this paperwork would have been completed by one person at Heron when the bikes arrived on the container, I can't see an independent importer making exactly the same mistake.
My Jap spec GR72 states just "declared new at first registration" and was registered on 20/8/1985.
I can't comment on the other full power one I have as I've still not got the reg docs back from dvla.
One other thing, the GR71D power was claimed at 90bhp. 84bhp was the GSX750es, the later GSX750ef had the same 90bhp as the popup. Also as I recall the GR72 was claimed at 77bhp. when my big one was all standard I can say it was noticeably faster than a friends GSX750es.
My big one which is a GR71D (full power) states "declared new at first registration in great Britain by manufacturer/sole import concessionaire" and was registered on 19/3/1986.
Interesting wording backing up about sole import concessionaire, implying there were not independent importers, the cost to import independently would have been prohibitive, Suzuki Japan would not have sold direct to anyone other than the official importer (Heron).
It seems all the GR71D's had the wrong prefix on the log book, stating GR72A, this I'm convinced was an oversight/mistake by the importer when completing the initial paperwork to be sent to DVLA when registering, this paperwork would have been completed by one person at Heron when the bikes arrived on the container, I can't see an independent importer making exactly the same mistake.
My Jap spec GR72 states just "declared new at first registration" and was registered on 20/8/1985.
I can't comment on the other full power one I have as I've still not got the reg docs back from dvla.
One other thing, the GR71D power was claimed at 90bhp. 84bhp was the GSX750es, the later GSX750ef had the same 90bhp as the popup. Also as I recall the GR72 was claimed at 77bhp. when my big one was all standard I can say it was noticeably faster than a friends GSX750es.
Re: Pop up article discussion
My GR72A says "Was registered/used overseas. Declared manufactured 1984"
One of the bike mags back in the day said 200 were originally imported.
PB dyno'd it & reckoned "it made the same power upto 7500, then makes 3 or 4 bhp less between 8000 and 9500 but holds better at 10,000 and above where the earlier engine (ES) took a dive.
Whatever tho' I love them & I'm NEVER parting with my one
One of the bike mags back in the day said 200 were originally imported.
PB dyno'd it & reckoned "it made the same power upto 7500, then makes 3 or 4 bhp less between 8000 and 9500 but holds better at 10,000 and above where the earlier engine (ES) took a dive.
Whatever tho' I love them & I'm NEVER parting with my one
KOCUK 046 Jez
I'm not a complete idiot...................... some parts are missing!!!!!!!!
_____________________________________________________________________
GSX750S3 ANATAK, GSX400SSN, GSX400 MK2 Impulse frame & an almost complete pile of 400 Kat parts to build a hybrid!! GS650G x 1 3/4...........
to be continued
My Gallery
I'm not a complete idiot...................... some parts are missing!!!!!!!!
_____________________________________________________________________
GSX750S3 ANATAK, GSX400SSN, GSX400 MK2 Impulse frame & an almost complete pile of 400 Kat parts to build a hybrid!! GS650G x 1 3/4...........
to be continued
My Gallery
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Pop-Kat
Re: Pop up article discussion
Yours is a grey import then Jez, as i'm sure you know
The redline is at 9750, a standard bikes not going to be making power after that anyway, and you don't want to be pushing it much beyond 10k I know the results of that
The redline is at 9750, a standard bikes not going to be making power after that anyway, and you don't want to be pushing it much beyond 10k I know the results of that
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Pop-Kat
Re: Pop up article discussion
I Am being ignored !!
The pdf article is a good idea for the different models of Katana, but the information has to be factual. If not then it needs to clearly state that it's not and that it is hearsay as well as where this information is gathered from, if it's one persons personal opinion then it's not valid !
This popup article states that there were independent imports and that all the AUS/NZ/SA full power models were independently imported. there is NO evidence of this, I have disproved this by stating what mine says on the log book, also backed up from my conversation many years ago with the Suzuki man. You can choose to believe this or not but it is valid as opposed to what the article states (I'm not in the habit of making things up). I've had a popup since 1987, I know a thing or two about them and their history, I have always made a point of knowing my Bikes and their finer details. I feel like my knowledge is not appreciated and If different from anyone else's then pushed aside and ignored !!
The articles Should have been compiled for each model after discussions and agreement between people with in depth knowledge of each model.
Why is this important to me ?, well as the bikes get older and (hopefully) increase in value the information offered up on forums/clubs like this will become a invaluable source of knowledge, it NEEDS to be as accurate as possible and based on fact wherever possible, if no fact or founded knowledge is available for certain aspects then they should not be mentioned or included. Also if i'm aware that something is not right It needs to be corrected, I can't let it go if it isn't correct it's important to me and for information for others.
Other parts of the article:
"It's known that at least 100 machines came here" ? where's that from then ??.
katanacentral article states that about 100 were bought in. My info says 75 (25 full power, 50 jap spec). So it's not Known, it's guessed that at least 100 came in, there no evidence to back this up !.
Better to state that "75 to 100 bikes came in, maybe be a few more but there's no way of knowing for sure" that would be more accurate from information gathered.
SE was the designation given to the AUS/NZ/SA models, later models were SF/SG.
S3 was the Japan only model code
Heat in summer wears out 17" tyres, eh ???, many other bikes of the time had 17" including the GSX750 and 1100. And surely Japan is as hot as most of Aus.
The 18" wheel was to allow a better tyre choice at the time for racing, the popup was raced at least in Australia. Hence most probably the bike having more power for the Aussie market (NZ and SA often got the same as Australia as the requirements were same, lights/clocks etc)
The mix up ?, The uk had warmed to the Katana 2-3 years after they stopped making the 1100 so thought they'd bring a few 750's over ?? that makes no sense at all !! I've never heard that before and don't believe it.
There was a mix up where they didn't go where intended, most probably at the docks in Japan, they were originally destined for AUS or NZ or SA.
The indicators on stalks was because of the Aussie laws, Japan had different rules so the indicators were next to the rear light.
Speedo overlay, Heron did add the overlay to the Japan market models, this overlay wouldn't have worked on the 240kph clock. Bikes are subject to certain rules when bought into the uk unless they are below a certain number, from what I was told the smaller number of full power models allowed them to be sold without an overlay, but as there were more Jap market bikes they had to comply with the laws of the time and show mph.
SE = 90bhp
Bat Motorcycles were Pioneers of the "grey" import, they started importing in around 1988 so it is possible that they bought some popup's in as early as that.
Avon also offer the road rider tyres to suit the model.
Article states Imported in October 1985 and it also states mid 1985. 2 different dates, so which one ?, if you don't know then just say sometime from mid 1985.
Have I missed anything, well probably but that's enough for now..
The pdf article is a good idea for the different models of Katana, but the information has to be factual. If not then it needs to clearly state that it's not and that it is hearsay as well as where this information is gathered from, if it's one persons personal opinion then it's not valid !
This popup article states that there were independent imports and that all the AUS/NZ/SA full power models were independently imported. there is NO evidence of this, I have disproved this by stating what mine says on the log book, also backed up from my conversation many years ago with the Suzuki man. You can choose to believe this or not but it is valid as opposed to what the article states (I'm not in the habit of making things up). I've had a popup since 1987, I know a thing or two about them and their history, I have always made a point of knowing my Bikes and their finer details. I feel like my knowledge is not appreciated and If different from anyone else's then pushed aside and ignored !!
The articles Should have been compiled for each model after discussions and agreement between people with in depth knowledge of each model.
Why is this important to me ?, well as the bikes get older and (hopefully) increase in value the information offered up on forums/clubs like this will become a invaluable source of knowledge, it NEEDS to be as accurate as possible and based on fact wherever possible, if no fact or founded knowledge is available for certain aspects then they should not be mentioned or included. Also if i'm aware that something is not right It needs to be corrected, I can't let it go if it isn't correct it's important to me and for information for others.
Other parts of the article:
"It's known that at least 100 machines came here" ? where's that from then ??.
katanacentral article states that about 100 were bought in. My info says 75 (25 full power, 50 jap spec). So it's not Known, it's guessed that at least 100 came in, there no evidence to back this up !.
Better to state that "75 to 100 bikes came in, maybe be a few more but there's no way of knowing for sure" that would be more accurate from information gathered.
SE was the designation given to the AUS/NZ/SA models, later models were SF/SG.
S3 was the Japan only model code
Heat in summer wears out 17" tyres, eh ???, many other bikes of the time had 17" including the GSX750 and 1100. And surely Japan is as hot as most of Aus.
The 18" wheel was to allow a better tyre choice at the time for racing, the popup was raced at least in Australia. Hence most probably the bike having more power for the Aussie market (NZ and SA often got the same as Australia as the requirements were same, lights/clocks etc)
The mix up ?, The uk had warmed to the Katana 2-3 years after they stopped making the 1100 so thought they'd bring a few 750's over ?? that makes no sense at all !! I've never heard that before and don't believe it.
There was a mix up where they didn't go where intended, most probably at the docks in Japan, they were originally destined for AUS or NZ or SA.
The indicators on stalks was because of the Aussie laws, Japan had different rules so the indicators were next to the rear light.
Speedo overlay, Heron did add the overlay to the Japan market models, this overlay wouldn't have worked on the 240kph clock. Bikes are subject to certain rules when bought into the uk unless they are below a certain number, from what I was told the smaller number of full power models allowed them to be sold without an overlay, but as there were more Jap market bikes they had to comply with the laws of the time and show mph.
SE = 90bhp
Bat Motorcycles were Pioneers of the "grey" import, they started importing in around 1988 so it is possible that they bought some popup's in as early as that.
Avon also offer the road rider tyres to suit the model.
Article states Imported in October 1985 and it also states mid 1985. 2 different dates, so which one ?, if you don't know then just say sometime from mid 1985.
Have I missed anything, well probably but that's enough for now..
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fossie
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Re: Pop up article discussion
Okay ......
No you are not being ignored we just thought that it was better that and intrductory thread set out as a quick read precis . It was just that any comments would be in the thread we are now reading.
Clearly the article is thrash and needs re -writing . I agree something written on a web site should be as accurate and factual as possible.
Though these facts are hard to find or confirm because Suzuki have NO record and meeting a man from Suzuki who expressed an opinion is basically hear say . Which is ,as you suggest the article was.
Just for information independant importers were operating in in those days and have since time imemorial. How did we get spices
For the above reasons the article has been pulled awiating someone more qualified to write a better far more accurate feature.
No you are not being ignored we just thought that it was better that and intrductory thread set out as a quick read precis . It was just that any comments would be in the thread we are now reading.
Clearly the article is thrash and needs re -writing . I agree something written on a web site should be as accurate and factual as possible.
Though these facts are hard to find or confirm because Suzuki have NO record and meeting a man from Suzuki who expressed an opinion is basically hear say . Which is ,as you suggest the article was.
Just for information independant importers were operating in in those days and have since time imemorial. How did we get spices
For the above reasons the article has been pulled awiating someone more qualified to write a better far more accurate feature.
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Pop-Kat
Re: Pop up article discussion
The article wasn't trash, well not completely 
there was some interesting stuff in it. I think it just needs to be rewritten and more accurate where needed, as in the points I made in my last post.
As you say talking to a man from Heron Suzuki is hearsay, by the fact there are no firm facts. But it was in 1987, he was a Heron Suzuki employee and the information would have been still fresh then, he was very knowledgeable about the model. But with no hard facts it can't be proved, which is why I have never said it was absolute truth, I've always relayed the story as I have now
I don't know everything about the model but Between the two of us we know more about the popup than most, With all the information available the article could be rewritten carefully so as anyone who reads it understands the information, fact or hearsay with no doubt. Then it would be a really informative piece that in time could well become the accepted knowledge base throughout the internet...
.
Have you been able to get those jet sizes yet ?
there was some interesting stuff in it. I think it just needs to be rewritten and more accurate where needed, as in the points I made in my last post.As you say talking to a man from Heron Suzuki is hearsay, by the fact there are no firm facts. But it was in 1987, he was a Heron Suzuki employee and the information would have been still fresh then, he was very knowledgeable about the model. But with no hard facts it can't be proved, which is why I have never said it was absolute truth, I've always relayed the story as I have now
I don't know everything about the model but Between the two of us we know more about the popup than most, With all the information available the article could be rewritten carefully so as anyone who reads it understands the information, fact or hearsay with no doubt. Then it would be a really informative piece that in time could well become the accepted knowledge base throughout the internet...
.
Have you been able to get those jet sizes yet ?
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sparki
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Re: Pop up article discussion
sounds to me like you need to start off a draft of that article to me then Mal
when done forward it onto Fossie to take a look over and make and comments or changes and take it from there!.... well done that man
when done forward it onto Fossie to take a look over and make and comments or changes and take it from there!.... well done that man
