GSX-R 750

My Suzuki GSX-R 750 H, a complete history: 1987-1990 - The beginning

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


Author's Note Oct. 2020: Moving closer to 2021, it's been nearly 30-years since I purchased this bike. I plan on tearing her completely down and restore her in 2021 leaving some of the period speed equipment installed. Going to be a fun year.

- Roscoe




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 some of my long-time riding buddies.

My "thing" is a 1987 GSX-R 750 H still adorned with stock blue and white livery. What started out as a story of a quest for speed turned into a lifetime of improving performance and handling, rebuilding, testing, restoring, riding in many different states and racetracks from coast to coast and eventually by default, a case of historical preservation. I have owned this bike since 1991, but was fortunate to have participated in the story from the very beginning.

I first saw her in the spring of 1988 while washing my 1986 VF500F Interecptor in the front yard. I heard the now familiar exhaust 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 did some 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 Suzuki GSX-R 750 H brand new off the showroom floor at Yamaha Motor Sports in Loveland, Colorado in early 1988. Because it was a previous year model, they made him a smoking deal on it.

YMS Racing

One could say this bike has always been a project of sorts as it didn't stay stock for very long. In late 1988, Ken decided it was not fast enough. He installed a Yoshimura race pipe, Dynojet Kit and wheelie bars on it. In 1989 those mods helped him come in first at the Annual Motorcycle Dragraces at Bandimere Speedway 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, a set of Vance and Hines roadracing cams, Barnett Clutch and Rodon electric shifter. I definitely won't forget the MIKUNI RS-38's. Not having the correct sized intake manifolds made it extremely difficult to install them, as we shall see later.





Posing with the "Gixxer" in December, 1989. I had a feeling I would own her one day.

Ken kept the bike for the next couple of years. During this time I graduated college and joined the Army. I became the second owner of this bike in September, 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. Being stationed in Germany at the time, I didn't have a chance to ride her until I went home on leave in June, 1992.



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