This year saw the final NZCMCR event at Pukekohe , and one New Zealand ’ s great motorcycle builders was honoured . Ken McIntosh , and the bikes he built for Rodger Freeth to ride at Bathurst , were proudly on display – and two of them had never been seen together ( more on that later ). At the time these hand-built machines were almost unbeatable in the right hands , winning races throughout New Zealand , and , famously , beating the big boys at Bathurst on multiple occasions . They are still winning races today . Ken McIntosh is a name that ’ s become well known in motorcycling circles , not only in New Zealand , but also around the world . As well as the McIntosh Suzukis featured here , Ken makes beautifully built Manx Nortons that are famous world wide and in high demand in the world of classic racing .
McIntosh Suzuki Bathurst Replica
A road-going McIntosh Bathurst Replica powered by Suzuki ’ s GSX1100 16-Valve . These are basically the same as the 1983 built machine that came second in the 1984 Bathurst . The standard 1100 is around 80hp . With a mostly standard motor ( a Yoshimura pipe and the ports cleaned up ) they make 102hp at the rear wheel . Add the extra power to a 100lb ( 45kg ) weight loss over the GSX , they go very well . At the time they were considered the fastest roadlegal bikes money could buy .
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