Suzuki GSX-R750 Project Bike

Professional-grade speed and an attitude to match, Executive Editor Steve Atlas is the new blood at MotoUSA. Atlas has racing creds and a moto-journalism career that are even more extensive than his driving record.

Project Suzuki GSX-R750 Stage 1

Ultimate Street-Legal Sportbike: Stage 1

The plan was simple: Make a full-on, race-ready Heavyweight Superbike, but make it docile enough to be an everyday street bike. Okay, maybe not so simple. Typically a race bike is finicky, idles high, runs hot when not at speed, etc.; not very conducive to street use. But what sportbike, street or trackday rider doesn’t dream of owning a superbike that can be ridden to the coffee shop every Sunday? That’s just plain cool. So, we did it anyway! Well, Grant Matsushima at MPT Racing did it for us. In our recent do-it-all sportbike shootout the Suzuki GSX-R750 came out on top by virtue of its incredible all-around capabilities both on the street and racetrack. But we all would have liked some additional
power. This is where Matsushima first came into the equation. Originally consulted to build a “street-able superbike engine,” he quickly jumped at the task of building the entire motorcycle, leaving us to simply gather the parts needed. Thanks, Grant!

KR Tuned exhaust and an MPT Racing engine highlight some of the upgrades.

Engine-wise, Matsushima went to town on the 749cc powerplant, changing out to ’07 GSX-R cams and decking the head; plus a host of other black-magic engine-builder secret stuff, with the end result being horsepower numbers well above 150 at the rear wheel. Exhaust gasses are now spent via a one-off, handmade MPT system that features an interchangeable muffler design. Option One, the MotoGP option: Straight, slash-cut end pipe, and while extremely loud, it sounds amazing – straight up GP bike for the street. Option two: Simply remove one clamp and bolt up a KR Tuned muffler, which takes it back down to normal street-legal sounds, even featuring a quiet-baffle insert to bring it to nearly stock dB levels. All this from a reliable, street-able motorcycle!

Brembo monobloc calipers and radial master cylinder make for some of the best brakes we have ever tested.

As for the bolt-on parts, for Stage One a full set of Brembo Superbike-spec brakes were mounted, featuring uber-trick monobloc front calipers mated to a radial master cylinder, adjustable between 18mm and 20mm piston sizes for tunable feel and feedback. We used Kevlar-coated steel-braided brake lines. Suspension is handled via full Ohlins
cartridge drop-in fork internals up front, while out back sits an Ohlins TTX shock.

Vortex rear-sets make for a fully adjustable, easy-to-change riding position, so as to accommodate both street and track use. Vortex also threw in a trick shorty clutch lever, as well as shorter gearing making for additional acceleration at the twist of the wrist. Grant eliminates one of the throttle cables for the same purpose. GPR’s V4 stabilizer keeps the front wheel in line over the bumpy stuff, while Dunlop 209 GP “A” rubber front and back glues her to the pavement.

Color Zone did the paint work, which pays homage to Barry Sheere and his 70s-era Grand Prix bikes.

Rounding out Stage One was a fully custom look by owner/artist Matt Polosky of Color Zone Designs, a Huntington Beach-based do-it-all paint shop. We went for a Barry Sheene retro-meets-new look, modeled after the Suzuki GP bike Chris Vermeulen rode at Phillip Island last year, complete with Vermeulen’s old number 71 on the side. Quality of the
paint work is top notch, as was the turnaround time.

For the maiden voyage we took her out to Laguna Seca recently for a Track Crafters trackday and performance was incredible. Handling was on par with that of any supersport bike I have raced, plus an engine that could run with every 1000cc machine I encountered all day, and off-the-charts, onefinger brakes. Truly amazing considering I then used
the bike in its exact same state to commute to and from work the following week. An incredible combination, no doubt.

Stay tuned for Stage Two. We’ll be adding lightweight wheels, traction control and a host of other parts to really take this GSX-R to the max!

Supershow expands off-road segment

Racers, motorcycles and clubs featured at 2009 show

Canadian Motorcross fans can meet some of their favorite racers at the North American International Motorcycle Supershow, Jan. 2-4 in Toronto, Ontario. Show organizers have expanded the off-road segment for the 2009 event to include a large number of racers, motorcycles and clubs.

Royal Distributing will bring in members of its KTM dirt bike and ATV race teams, including Canadian Motorsports Racing Club Women’s Division champion Jacqueline Ross. The CMRC will also be at the Supershow to promote its national Motorcross and ATV Racing series, and to host the Ontario Championship banquet. Dirt track racing announcer Frank Wood will be interviewing racers throughout the weekend on the Racing and Performance stage in Hall 4.

Race fans can also meet some future champions as the MX Stars of Tomorrow will make an appearance. Other special guests scheduled for attendance include author and adventure rider Jeremy Kroeker and Dakar racer Lawrence Hacking.

Canadian motorcycle enthusiasts can start the new year with the North American International Motorcycle Supershow.

After meeting the racers, Supershow attendees can get a look at their rides. New model off-road bikes and ATVs from major manufacturers and importers will be on display in the Industry Showcase in Hall 3. Dealers will be on hand to answer any questions about the new models. The Auto Trader Used Bike market in Hall 3A will also have several used machines for purchase. Visitors will also have a chance to win a Kawasaki Monster Energy 250F at the MXP Magazine display.

Local off-road riding associations will be represented at the Supershow. The Ontario Federation of Trail Riders, Ontario Dual Sport Club and Ontario Adventure Riders are some of the organizations who will be available to answer questions.

The North American International Motorcycle Supershow takes place at the International Centre in Toronto. For more information about Supershow, visit http://www.supershowevents.com/.

December 2008 recall notices

Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Kawasaki, and Triumph issued recall notices through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in December 2008.

Ducati is recalling 2007-2008 models of the 1098, and the 2008-2009 versions of the 848 sportbikes due to a problem with the charging system. Engine heat may cause damage to the voltage regulator of the affected bikes, leading to battery discharge.

The recall affects 7,130 bikes including the 1098S, 1098R and 1098 Tricolore. Dealers will replace the voltage regulator and install a heat guard between it and the engine exhaust system. Dealers will also install a modified battery support. Motorcycles produced after May 2008 already feature these revisions.

Harley-Davidson is recalling 2009 Dyna motorcycles, including the Super Glide, Super Glide Custom, Street Bob, Fat Bob and Low Rider. The affected motorcycles, produced July 24 through August 28, may have faulty welds on the jiffy stand’s spring anchor. The defect may prevent the stands from properly retracting. Harley-Davidson says 3,285 motorcycles may be affected by this problem.

Harley-Davidson also issued a second recall notice for 2009 Super Glide Custom, Street Bob, Fat Bob and Low Rider motorcycles because of a fault with the fuel tank vent tube assembly. An ultrasonic weld on the anti-slosh valve of the assembly may be defective. A fuel leak may occur if the valve separates and the affected motorcycle is tipped over. Harley-Davidson says 349 motorcycles, built July 22-25, are included in the recall notice.

Dealers will replace the jiffy stand spring anchors on the 3,285 motorcycles affected by the jiffy stand defect. Dealers will also inspect the fuel vent tube assembly on bikes included in the second recall notice.

Kawasaki is recalling 2008 Concours 14 motorcycles due to a problem with the rear brakes. Road debris may get trapped between the rear brake pedal and the rear master cylinder actuating arm, preventing the pedal from fully releasing. This could cause the rear brake to overheat and may leading to rear brake lock-up or failure.

Kawasaki has yet to provide a remedy for this problem, but will reimburse customers who experience this problem if the failure was not already covered by warranty. Kawasaki says 4,628 motorcycles are affected by this problem.

Triumph is recalling 2008-2009 Thruxton motorcycles due to a problem with the front brake. Bolts installed on the front brake caliper bracket may be too short. When undoing the bolts for service, the mating threads on the caliper mounting may become damaged, potentially causing the brake caliper to come loose. Riders may notice a “clunk” noise when applying the front brake if they have this problem.

Triumph will replace the bolts on the 87 Thruxtons covered by the recall notice.

Triumph also issued a recall notice on 2008 Rocket III Touring motorcycles due to a problem with the saddlebag assembly. The affected bikes may be missing a weld on the back of the pannier rail supporting the bags. After time, the pannier rail may weaken and fracture, causing the saddlebags to fall off. The recall notice affects eight motorcycles,

Dealers will replace the pannier rail on the affected motorcycles.