Katana Sword

[Mel Wainwright]

Hi guys,
I found this on a car site here in South Africa. I found this so interesting as it was not something I was aware of so I thought I would post it here for all you lovers of vintage Kats
Cheers
Mel
Quote
Hi All
I know this is a car site, so posting bike related posts may be frowned upon...(Admin delete if necessary), but maybe someone on this site would be able to shed some light on my question.

I have an '83 Suzuki Katana GSX1100SZ in my little collection and have heard that at some stage the bikes came with a numbered Katana sword when purchased new.

The Katana had, and still has, quite a cult following in SA .. especially in the south of Johannesburg in the old days.... so maybe some of the older guys on the site may know a bit about the sword story.
Cheers
Carsick

Hi Carsick,
My names Brad Zeeman from a dealership called Zeeman Suzuki, when the Katanas first came out, on the first shipment only you received a gold Katana sword. After that 1st shipment you only got the bike and no sword. I actually have one at home.
Hope this answers your question
Thanks Brad

So the Katana sword with the bike is not just an urban legend. I wonder how many of them are still around from that 1st shipment?
Pretty good idea from Suzuki to add a sword to that legend of a bike .. just wish I had one to compliment my bike ..
Cheers
Gary
Unquote
If I had known that I would have gone out and bought my Kat sooner. I lost out there!!

[Kreylyn]

Hi guys,
I found this on a car site here in South Africa. I found this so interesting as it was not something I was aware of so I thought I would post it here for all you lovers of vintage Kats
Cheers
Mel
Quote
Hi All
I know this is a car site, so posting bike related posts may be frowned upon...(Admin delete if necessary), but maybe someone on this site would be able to shed some light on my question.

I have an '83 Suzuki Katana GSX1100SZ in my little collection and have heard that at some stage the bikes came with a numbered Katana sword when purchased new.

The Katana had, and still has, quite a cult following in SA .. especially in the south of Johannesburg in the old days.... so maybe some of the older guys on the site may know a bit about the sword story.
Cheers
Carsick

Hi Carsick,
My names Brad Zeeman from a dealership called Zeeman Suzuki, when the Katanas first came out, on the first shipment only you received a gold Katana sword. After that 1st shipment you only got the bike and no sword. I actually have one at home.
Hope this answers your question
Thanks Brad

So the Katana sword with the bike is not just an urban legend. I wonder how many of them are still around from that 1st shipment?
Pretty good idea from Suzuki to add a sword to that legend of a bike .. just wish I had one to compliment my bike ..
Cheers
Gary
Unquote
If I had known that I would have gone out and bought my Kat sooner. I lost out there!!

You wouldn't have gotten one then even... the bike buyers didn't get one.

The suzuki dealership got 1 sword on it's first purchase for the bikes to sell to thier customers. The sword didn't get passed along.

Krey

[sixdog]

Bastids!!!!

[Mel Wainwright]

Indeed - bastards!!!

[crazycraven420]

hmm...thats got me thinking..

I have a decent collection of blades an now I wanna customize one to match my bike! My only concern is how the law would feel about a fella riding with a sword on his back or mounted to the bike : Maybe if I make one without a blade, just a sheath an handle for looks?

[Mel Wainwright]

hmm...thats got me thinking..

I have a decent collection of blades an now I wanna customize one to match my bike! My only concern is how the law would feel about a fella riding with a sword on his back or mounted to the bike : Maybe if I make one without a blade, just a sheath an handle for looks?

Nah! Go big or go home!!!

[crazycraven420]

Nah! Go big or go home!!!

Nah I'd rather go HOME than go to the BIG HOUSE! I dont find jail fun

[crazycraven420]

I actually kinda like these too..

http://shop.the2wheels.com/Blade-Style-Clutch-Brake-Levers-Set-for-Suzuki-Blade-Levers-Set-Suzuki.htm

However they just look dangerous I feel like I'd stab my hands or cut my grips :

[Kreylyn]

hmm...thats got me thinking..

I have a decent collection of blades an now I wanna customize one to match my bike! My only concern is how the law would feel about a fella riding with a sword on his back or mounted to the bike : Maybe if I make one without a blade, just a sheath an handle for looks?

Most states would restrict transportation of a real Katana (or one of the similiar weapons of other sizes) to "home to dojo and back".

Even a realisitic faximile of one using a boken or wooden carved blade can fall under these laws.

There are a multitude of super cheap sword like objects you could rip the blade out of to have just the handles matched to a scabbard for decoration if you wanted.

I probably would suggest a more practical route of using painted murals or vinyl decals/cutouts to add the flavor to the bike though.

Krey

[crazycraven420]

There are a multitude of super cheap sword like objects you could rip the blade out of to have just the handles matched to a scabbard for decoration if you wanted.

Krey

Thats basically what im saying. So when your stopped there is no real danger you present. I dont have any decals saying Katana so it may be a bit difficult to explain why im carrying a fake sword