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Showing results for tags 'Endurance racer'.
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For years I have wanted to build one Suzuki's all time classics, the ubiquitous GSX-R750, I even started scratch building one years ago, but never got around to completing it. I have owned one or two of these bikes, the road versions that is, although my very first one was an ex-proddy racer, put back into road legal trim for street use. Basically the previous owner only used to ride it at weekends ...... ahem . I was so pleased that Fujimi released a 1/12 kit of this bike, but on the flip side a bit disappointed at the particular machine they chose, which is the 1986 Suzuka 8-Hour endurance bike of Tsujimoto/Schwantz. From a personal perspective, and being extremely biased, any early GSX-R750 (road or race) really MUST be in a Blue and White scheme. Can you tell that every GSX-R that I have owned was Blue and White ......? Anyway, here's the box-art of the kit ...... Not a particularly inspiring choice, hate to say. I would guess that Fujimi chose this 'bike because of potential home-market sales, which if true, would be understandable I guess. Only a guess on my part though. However, from a personal perspective all may not be entirely lost. What would be so much more appealing in model form would be one of the '86 SERT Kenwood GSX-R750's, which look so much better. Essentially the frame, engine, wheels, swingarm would be pretty much the same as the Fujimi kit, although things such as fairing, seat unit, fuel tank, front forks, calipers, footrests, gear lever/brake lever, headlights and such, may (or may not) need modifying or changing in some way. From all of the pics of the '86 SERT GSX-R750's that I have so far found, there is not, as such, a 'standard' equipment fit on these 'bikes during that year. Things appeared to vary according to circuit raced, type of race, rider preference etc etc (and, who knows, sponsors 'pockets' maybe ...... as with most racing?). There seems to be numerous variations of equipment fit: front calipers appeared to vary between Nissin/Lockheed/Brembo, front forks changed spec, calipers mounted differently, headlights used/not used according to race type, different exhausts ......? Lots of permutations! Anyway, here's a few pics of the Kenwood GSX-R's (how a GSX-R 'should' look!) Now, don't they just look so much nicer? Basically, if I do go for one of the SERT GSX-R's, there will be quite a bit of modifications to the kit fairing, seat unit, fuel tank, forks etc etc, more or less as per the full sized versions.