Suzuki gsxr 1100M MCN Article

Motorcycle News

'Extreme Specials' Feature

Published December 21st 2001

*Lee workman, 31, is a manufacturing engineer at Land Rover. But he hasn't* forked out £12,000 spicing up his GSX-R 1100M !**
Aaah, the sight of a Suzuki GSX-R1100M. No matter the guise, there are few things as muscular as these babies. Throughout its life, nothing said " I’m a man " quite like the big inch GSX-R. Lee Workman wanted something a bit more, however.
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Putting a price on the machine is a tricky thing. On the one hand is what he has actually shelled out, on the other the proper price. And if you’ve got a third hand, you could add the price including labour. But Lee settles on around £12,000 if you paid full price for everything. Lee did a lot of the work himself. Then he did deals with friend and foe alike for other parts, freely admitting he was out to get the most he possibly could for his cash.
The bike – at the time a mint condition, bog stock example – was found in MCN Bikemart two years ago, ridden home and then the strip began. Lee says: " I always intended to do this with it. I’d done one before but not with the GSX-R1100 and it wasn’t powerful enough. Basically, I wanted a bike that was going to scare the shit out of me. This does it! " First to go was the fairing. The paint job was done by a very talented mate who did the paint as a favour ", Lee says. " I knew it was going to be slotted in between other jobs, so while he was painting I stripped it down to every nut and bolt. Then I threw all the nuts and bolts away and replaced them with stainless steel ones. "

The rebuild took up most of the following year – or so he thought. But that wasn’t to be the end. I ride it all the time. I took it to the Isle of Man during the TT. It was great there, getting one over on Yamaha R1s and the like. People get a quick glimpse of high bars and think it’s a Suzuki Bandit – this bike gives them a shock. "
Like many owners of special machines, Lee enjoys the attention his bike gets. He says: " People who don’t know bikes just look at the paint. Those who do, see beyond that to the details.
Lee’s tweaks 1186cc big bore, high compression pistons, gas-flowed, ported, oversize valves, adjustable cams, dynojet kit. Total engine work – £3090 – 153bhp/ 92ftlbs Stainless steel Micron race exhaust and carbon end can Uprated clutch Aerotek 19 row oil cooler Mirror polished frame, footrest hangers etc. Non-alloy parts powder coated
Forks and shock re-worked by Maxton PFM cast iron brake discs Kawasaki ZX9-R 6-piston callipers Renthal alloy bars and modified top yoke

Suzuki Bandit mirror Ohlins steering damper One-off alloy chain-guard Rebuilt loom with nylon overbraid, fabricated alloy tray for major components Bates chrome H4 headlamps, mini indicators
Single seat unit with custom paint All fasteners blue anodised aluminium Total spent: Bike £2900 + £9000 tweaks = £11,900
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	Now that's a bike for a real man... .....with a really thick neck !

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