Suzuki Katana 1400 special

This 1400cc ‘Katana’ is the modern day version of the legendary, radically-styled ‘80s sportster that Suzuki should be building, according to its owner.

Featuring smooth, grunty, fuel-injected GSX1400 power, modern suspension, brakes and tyres and a more comfortable semi-upright riding position, it has practicality in place of the original’s extremeness. 

But despite the original Katana styling and factory-standard build quality, it’s – so far – a one-off, home-built special put together by Swindon-based Katana and GSX1400 fan, Sebastian Seal.   

“I’m a long time lover of Katanas,” Seal told MCN, before admitting he currently has five of Suzuki classics under-going restoration. “Trouble is they’re not very comfortable. At the same time, I’ve had GSX1400s for a few years and I started to wonder if I could marry the two together.”

Read the full story in this week’s MCN, on sale 23 June 2010.