Description
1984 hand-build in Hammatsu GSXR750 prototype, pre-homologation, pre-production version of the first GSXR 750, the bike that started the modern superbike era and of which in all its different displacement versions and years more than 1 million bikes have been build and sold in the past 40 years
Having turned 40 years old in 2024 here is the rarest version of this model up for sale.
Ask for our dedicated online photo album with over 100 high quality images as well as a cold start video.
This bike is partially restored with paint and seat refinished by its previous owner. It is one of only 3 known to exist worldwide pre-production prototypes of the 750 series with Vin number 22 and engine number 56. It is the real deal, with unfakable evidence on the bike itself via our photo documentation as well as in official factory documentation to prove its exceptional provenance.
Please call us if you are serious in your intent to purchad this Unicorn of classic motorcycles or if you just want to know more details about it. All early pre-production bikes were recalled by Suzuki to Japan in those days and slated for destruction since they had not yet homologated the production version and were still involved in the testing of frame, engine and other components for the final bike that would be homologated and delivered to dealers worldwide about 6-8 months later.
This specific GR75A was originally designated to the netherlands for testing and other functions which is evident from the original dutch language vin tag plate riveted to the prototype frame.
Bullet points for collectors, all research work was done over the past few years and all comparisons listed below were performed in January/ February of 2024 in our workshop near Lisbon in Portugal side by side with a restored but 100% original production version of the GR75A
- [ ] This bike was found via an advert online and purchased from an enthusiast in Belgium, having been used extensively as a regular road bike due to it being considered a regular production bike by all its previous owners
- [ ] This Bike has the correct prototype frame with the following major differences to the regular production version:
- [ ] 1). 2 crossbeams missing on the top i. e. in front of the airbox as well as in front of the inner reear fender
- [ ] 2). 5 cast-in holes on the left and right side at the rear engine mounts (regular production version has only 2 holes on each side)
- [ ] 3). Cast steering head component of frame has fairly sized holes in the casting on left and right side behind the steering head tube
- [ ] 4). Cast steering head component of frame has no welded in plate inside the frame between the ignition coils
- [ ] 5). Cast steering head component of frame has 2 large cast holes in bottom cross section versus no holes in regular production version
- [ ] 6). Vin tag plate is larger than regular production version, in dutch language and lists noise limit at 99 db(A) at 5250 rpm
- [ ] 7). Airbox is prototype unit with tabs on left and right side mounts to main frame rails. Regular production version has mounts facing forward to secure airbox to cross beam missing on prototype
- [ ] 8). Footpegs for rider and passenger are prototype parts missing threaded holes and provisions for rear hooks
- [ ] 9). Sidestand is formed differently and has different length on prototype version
- [ ] 10). Rear brake master cylinder is rough cast version of production versions smooth cast unit
- [ ] 11). Rear engine mounting plates have triangular holes in center and have hand finished edges all around versus smooth finish regular production version plates which have no holes
- [ ] 12). Clutch cover on prototype has no cast in oil amount recommendation but shows only a smoth surface without any blemishes
- [ ] 13). Exhaust on prototype looks on the outside identical to regular production version but is excessively louder in every rpm range
- [ ] 14). Prototype has extra (6th) warning light in dashboard reading "Side Stand" versus blank space without light on regular production version
- [ ] 15). Turnsignal stalks are much shorter on prototype version
- [ ] 16). Wireharness under front fairing above the headlight has completely different routing than on regular production version
- [ ] 17). Bodywork pieces are less refined and thicker material on prototype version than on regular production version
- [ ] 18). Sandcast mastercylinder on rear brake
- [ ] 19). Alternator housing and design
There are sure to be more differences discovered if one would take the time and look even deeper into this bikes components. These 19 different items clearly establish its provenance and i just stopped looking.
There is one added item we found which brings the total to 20 differences and it is expressively listed in factory documentation:
In the original spare parts manual from Suzuki, printed in english language in January of 1985 and named 1985-1 on the bottom of the front cover page, labeled "Parts Catalogue" for the 1985 GSXR750F, specifically for the GR75A model lists on the preface page the first 45 Vin numbers as being different and separate from all the later remaining regular production ones.
These first 45 bikes were pre-homologation and used for research, testing and press exposure in the different markets worldwide as well as for all advertising and owners and shop manual photos and such. They were supposed to be returned to the factory to be destroyed which was very common in those days since they were not deemed safe nor registerable outside of Japan.
This specific bike escaped that fate and is now up for sale. Please be serious, the chance to buy another one like this is very remote indeed with only 3 known to have escaped the crusher at the factory back in 1984/ 1985 and this being the only one like it to be for sale anywhere worldwide.
