Comments? e-mail Big R at: fenderamp_99@yahoo.com

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This is the ongoing saga of a bike that is truly becoming an historical icon in motorcycle history, the first generation Suzuki GSX-R 750. While sitting around at the local pub after a long ride, I have often heard stories of "I used to have . . ." or "Remember that one bike I had . . ." Well, this is a case of, "had" and "still have." I cannot believe it sometimes. Neither can my friends. "You still HAVE that thing?" That is what I still hear from my long-time riding buddies. Imagine the shock of turning up at a "Harley" bike nite and having all these leather, patch-clad bikers coming up to ask me a plethora of questions about this machine before I even get her parked. Oh yeah, happens a lot.

My "thing" is a 1987 GSX-R 750 H. What started out as a story of speed turned into heartbreak, a maddening desire to continually improve power, performance and handling and eventually a case of "historical preservation". I have owned this bike since 1991, but was fortunate to have participated in the story since the beginning.

I first saw her in the spring of 1988 while washing my 1986 VF500F Interecptor in the front yard. I heard the now distinctive howl, then saw a blue and white blur fly past my house. It was one BAD looking machine. I had seen the red and black models everywhere, but had never seen the blue and white color scheme. I met the owner, Ken Imus, through mutual friends shortly thereafter. Ken and I wound up hanging out and drag racing together at Bandimere speedway in Morrison CO.

The core of our riding group in October, 1989. I am
second from left on the VF750F Interceptor, Ken is
fifth from left on the GSXR-750.

Ken originally purchased this 1987 GSX-R 750 H brand new off the showroom floor at Yamaha Motor Sports in Loveland, Colorado in 1988. Because it was a previous year model, they made him a smoking deal on it.

This bike has always been a "project". In late 1988, Ken originally decided it was not fast enough, and put a Yoshimura race pipe and Dynojet Kit on it. It helped him come in first at the Motorcycle Drags at Bandimere Speedway in September 1989 in the Super Street class.

In the quest of MORE speed, Ken had the head mildly ported, added a Wiseco 771 overbore kit, 1mm oversize Manley valves and a set of Vance and Hines roadracing cams, Barnett Clutch and Rodon electric shifter. Oh yeah, MIKUNI RS-38's too! (Yeah, the carbs were entirely too big for that build of motor. It was a case of excess I guess).

Posing with the "Gixxer" in December,
1989. I knew I would own this bad mama
one day.

I became the second owner of this bike in 1991 when Ken was rebuilding a vintage Porsche and needed some extra cash. I paid $3,200 for her with 8,200 miles on the clock. Unfortunately, I was in the Army, and didn't have a chance to ride her until I went on leave in June, 1992.