It’s not unusual for creative types for their clients to weigh in on design decisions. That includes custom motorcycle builders – which is why some of them prefer to work without briefs, and an elite few even refuse to take commissions.
HB-Custom’s Holger Breuer is usually happy to do some orientation, but he has his limits. And the owner of this 1983 Suzuki Katana 750 Katana had a very specific direction in mind when he put it in Holger’s workshop in Husum, Germany. But right in the face of difficulties, Holger realized that the customer’s concept would not be able to translate into reality.
“I feel so wrong,” he told us. “But any discussions with him to change the design failed. As a result, he got his bike, deposit and design back.”
When the project stalled, the owner of the GSX750S looked to another custom shop to fulfill his vision. But after two weeks, he began to doubt the quality of the new shop’s workmanship. He unplugged, and Holger got another call.
“I got the bike and the first payment back, but no design briefs this time,” he told us. “Hooray! The client trusted me completely and I was free to interpret the design my way.”
We’re glad the project is on the right track because Holger has been so successful with it. He managed to massage some cafe racer style for the sports bike designed by Hans Muth, while preserving just enough of its ’80s whimsy.
With less than 12,500 miles on the dial, there’s no need to rip off the Katana’s engine. So the engine’s job was limited to a thorough cleaning and polishing, and new digital ignition. The airbox has been removed to replace it with a K&N pod filter, while the burly four-in-one exhaust system comes from Cobra.
Holger also rewound the Suzuki, using a control box from Axel Joost Elektronik and a Lithium-ion battery from Acewell.
Switching to running gear, Holger slimmed down the front fork a few inches and fitted a new YSS shock at the rear. The OEM wheels are still in use, but they’ve been stripped down to the classic two-tone for a brand new black finish and wrapped in an all-weather Continental ContiGO! tire.
Those tweaks gave the Katana a perfect pose, amplified by skillfully reworking the bodywork. Holger removed the Katana’s signature crank and bench seat, but kept its heavily contoured fuel tank. He then built an aluminum tail section to complement it, and modified the subframe underneath — freeing it from its passenger mounts in the process.
Up front are new clamps and grips, Domino throttle, Magura brake master cylinder and V-Trec clutch lever. The minimalist LED headlights and switches are from Gazzini, while the speed comes from Motogadget. Other highlights include a new set of rear turn signals and a unique front fender.
Look closely, and you’ll spot a stealthy set of LED turn signals mounted to the fork, just above the bottom latch. A removable license plate holder (not pictured) serves as the rear light and rear turn signals.
This Suzuki may not have the flat bones that purists crave in cafe racers, but we welcome its cohesive feel. And it has a delicious livery to match its slim new form; dark gray, with red accents and a timely Suzuki logo.
It is also worth mentioning that the client must not only hand over creative control to Holger, but also have to wait and see the final result. Holger wittily said: “My client did not receive any photos from me during construction. “So of course he’s very stressed.”
So how did he react when he first looked at his completely altered Katana? “He just beamed… and apologized for all the back and forth.”
HB-Custom | Instagram | Pictures of Emayat Wahab
