Some fans believe that that the only way to design an attractive motorcycle is to maintain a perfectly horizontal baseline. But German designer Hans Muth had to stick his nose in this conference, when he wrote the Suzuki Katana. He believed in the importance of a good “flying track” — but on the katana, he deliberately made it angular and dramatic.
His design raised more than a few eyebrows, but it also became iconic. Today, it presents customizers with an interesting puzzle: to rely on Katana’s inherent quirks, or try to smooth its lines? Maurizio Carraro has done a bit here, with compelling results.
Maurizio runs the Imbarcadero 14 Venice studio, where he has built a portfolio that includes a wide range of brands and styles. “The bike was ordered as a gift for an old friend of mine for the 50th birthday,” he told us, “who is a motorcycle and automobile enthusiast. So the bike should be fast and safe, meeting the expectations of an experienced rider. “
Sponsor is the Suzuki GSX 1100 Katana 1986 edition, and a brief call for a cafe racer build. But Maurizio also brings in the nuances of classic sports cars – and a little bit of the original Katana.
To achieve this, one had to craft a complete new outfit for the Katana 1100. Maurizio first fabricated the design in Photoshop, then brought it to life in aluminum.
Using 3D printing to create metal forming molds quickly became the norm, but Maurizio didn’t go that route. Instead, he shapes each piece freely with the help of his frequent collaborator, Ronnie Biasibetti. Their work included the fenders and front fenders, the fuel tank, the tail section and belly, tweaking the subframe, and the one-time rack that holds the crankcase.
To add a modern touch, Maurizio has fitted a pair of LED projector lamps at the front and LED taillights at the rear. The cockpit retains the original Katana nuts and clamps, but has a new grip and digital Acewell speedometer.
Below is a new set of Tarozzi turn signals. The rear end is adorned with thin racing seat cushions, while the hand-made license plate mounts make things street-legal.
The bodywork may be the biggest change, but the rest of the car also gets a lot of attention. The front fork has been reworked with a new interior, while the rear shock has been replaced with a longer set of shackles. The wheels and brakes are also original, but everything has been refurbished and repainted.
Maurizio also stripped the engine to clean and refit it, inside and out. It looks like new now, with a contrasting black color and metallic finish. Even the logos have been polished back, giving the car a period-accurate feel.
A row of shell filters is hidden beneath the bodywork, with a pair of Virex silencers on duty at the rear.
Race fans may recognize the new color scheme of the Katana 1100. It draws inspiration from Barry Sheene’s 1976 Suzuki XR14, although it’s a reinterpretation rather than a copy. It is complemented by a gold patch on the wheels, with the frame refinished in black.
It’s an unusual look for Katana, but we’re enjoying it. Think of it as a katana from an alternate universe where Herr Muth is obsessed with vintage racing bikes and doesn’t own a protractor.
Imbarcadero 14 Venice | Instagram | Photo of Giovanni Federici
