1999 Suzuki GSX R750 - Perfect Fit

Not Many People Buy A Bike Based On Its Ability To Fit In The Backyard, But We're Glad This Suzuki Gsx-R750's Owner Had Such A Tight Squeeze

writer: Bob Clarke
photographer: Bob Clarke

Suzuki GSX-R750

When it comes to excuses for dumping a heap of money on a bike, we thought we'd heard them all, but Chris Clibbery's reason for spending a wad on his Suzuki GSX-R750 SRAD is the best yet. The Gixxer 1000 that he really wanted wouldn't fit through his backyard gate-even with the silencer and indicators removed. So, Clibbery made the decision to give his existing Gixxer 750 a thorough update.

He made up his mind to build what is possibly the best-looking Gixxer 750 in the civilized world, and with 199 horsepower it's certifiably the most powerful too. As Clibbery says, the best doesn't come cheap, and you don't get much better than hlins WSB forks, rear shock and steering damper. Then tack on some AP Racing six-piston brake calipers and discs, OZ Racing magnesium wheels and a pile of superb Harris billet aluminum parts that include the triple trees, caliper conversion brackets, rearset assemblies, gas filler cap conversion and a one-off carrier bracket for the tiny twin piston AP rear brake caliper for good measure.

While the frame stayed much as Mr. SRAD made it, the swingarm was shipped to Spondon to be braced and extended with longer drag-race-style slotted axle mounts before being subtly painted so as not to stand out from the rest of the bike.

SLEEPING GIANT. There are nearly 200horses under the hood.

And then there are the engine mods, of course, and we're not talking about a pipe and Power Commander here. Nope, to get 199 nags stampeding through the stable door like they've just seen a French butcher sharpening his knives takes money and a turbo. England's Holeshot racing is responsible for the tune job, but they first had to make the motor turbo-friendly by lowering the compression and altering the cam timing to suit the demands of the Schwitzer S1 turbo. The fuel system was modified with additional injectors, a pressurized plenum chamber and a secondary EFI unit (along with some other Holeshot Racing turbo trickery and a custom-made exhaust system using a titanium Akrapovic system).

While Clibbery's bike is undoubtedly fast, handles and brakes superbly and is also undoubtedly one of the best-looking Suzooks around, it is also a somewhat subtle bike that doesn't snap necks in the street when he rides by. For a lot less money, he could have made some very dramatic-looking changes to his bike like loud paint, a long swingarm and fat rear tire, but if being noticed was the object of the exercise he could have painted his ass green and ran naked through Wal-Mart. This bike is more about a search for perfection-as in speed, handling, braking and the sheer exhilaration that Clibbery gets from the effortless performance.

This is one ultra-trick ride that doesn't get much attention at bike night due to the fact that the turbo is hidden behind the fairing, and unless you know what you're looking at (to the uninitiated, all motorcycle forks, wheels and brakes look much the same), it really takes another gearhead to appreciate the mods and know that this is a very special motorcycle.

Dramatic Lucky Strike paintwork

Despite even the dramatic Lucky Strike paintwork, to the man on the street this turbo Gixxer looks very much like just another red and white bike, but as we know, there's an evil side in all of us.

The Buyer's Box

1999 Suzuki GSX-R750Front end: hlins forks, Harris triple trees and clip-ons, OZ Racing wheel, AP Racing six-piston brake calipers, Harris mounting brackets, AP Racing rotors, AP Racing master cylinder, stainless steel brake lines, hlins steering damper Rear end: Spondon modified swingarm, hlins shock, OZ Racing wheel, AP Racing twin-piston caliper Motor: Schwitzer S1 turbocharger, Power Commander III, Holeshot Racing turbo pipework, Akrapovic titanium exhaust, auxiliary crankcase breather, K&N filterPaint: Sudden ImpactPolish/chrome: N/ABodywork: Harris filler cap, Rhencullen endurance-style fairing and undertray, Harris mudguard, endurance-style twin projector headlightsAccessories: Harris rearsets with carbon-fiber heel guards, Datatool alarm, Custom LED twin taillights, rear turn signals, LED front turn signals Builder: Holeshot RacingOwner: Chris Clibbery, Leicester, U.K.Get Used To ItThis is the view Clibbery's riding buddies are accustomed to.