Dedicated to Mark “Jacko” Jackson, a Free Spirit on the Mountain…
Today we have one special story indeed. It comes from our friend John “Jacko” Jackson, whose 1428cc GSX-powered “Touch Too Much” Harris Magnum II made our list of the Top 10 Customs of 2024: Editor’s Choice. Jacko, who was born in the UK and lives in Australia, built his Magnum as a way to honor his friend Hank, who loved Harris builds.
Today we’re honored to feature another of John’s builds — a tribute not just to a lost friend, but an older brother. You see, John isn’t the first Jackson to earn the “Jacko” nickname…nor the first to fall in love with performance bikes. John’s older brother, Mark “Jacko” Jackson, began racing all over the UK at an early age and soon set his sights on the most iconic race course of all, the 37.73-mile Snaefall Mountain Course.
“His dream was always to race the famous Isle of Man TT course. He fell in love with the Island after making many trips there as a youngster to watch his idols like Giacomo Agostini.”
Many riders have dreamed of racing in the Manx GP (amateur) or Isle of Man TT (pro) races held on the famed Mountain Course, but very few have the perseverance, grit, skill, and focus to make that dream a reality. The elder Jacko did. At the Manx Newcomers race in 1987, he placed a very solid 13th out of 49 starters, which made him eligible for the premier Manx GP race, the Senior, which he raced in 1988, 1989, and 1991.
For the ’89 Manx, Jacko swapped his CBR600 for an ’86 Suzuki GSX-R1100 “Slabby” — a machine that made quite the impression on his younger brother.
“I went over to his house one day when I was a kid, about 14 or 15 years old, and he had the big old Suzuki in his lounge on a paddock stand. I had never seen anything so cool; I asked for a sit on it, and I remember being stretched out over what seemed a huge petrol tank, looking through the screen and seeing those big white clocks that went up to 170 mph. When I sit on a Slabby today it makes me feel the same way, they are truly iconic.” -John “Jacko” Jackson
Mark and his Slabby put on a damn good show in that year’s Senior Manx:
“On his Slabby in the ’89 Senior Manx, he was able to maintain an average speed of 100.3 mph over the 6-lap race and finish 43rd out of a field of almost 100 other competitors. Midfield is not bad when you’re on a limited budget and racing isn’t your day job!”
Sadly, Jacko’s last ride on the Mountain Course would come just two years later. Mark “Jacko” Jackson was killed doing what he loved, racing in the 1991 Senior Manx Grand Prix on a new Honda CBR600. Fast forward a few decades, and younger brother John decided to build a tribute to Mark’s favorite race bike, his 1100 Slabside. The inspiration would come from Mark’s bike itself and the production racers of the 1980s:
“Old 80’s GSXR production or ‘proddie’ racers. The sort of bikes ridden back in the day by Tony Rutter, Kev Schwantz, Mick Grant, and others.”
The younger Jacko picked up an ’86 US-spec 1100 GSX-R in poor condition and embarked on the transformation. The project would take over two years, and Jacko admits he quickly realized he’d bitten off more than he could chew. However, with the help of knowledgeable friends and a supportive missus, he restored and customized the big 1100 in honor of his brother…with some nice upgrades.
Not only does the bike have a period Yoshimura Cyclone exhaust and generator / ignition covers, but the 18-inch wheels have been swapped for later 17-inch GSX-R Slingshot wheels, allowing the bike to run modern rubber. Out back, there’s a billet linkage from Mark Stokes of Funky Monk Racing that raises the rear end for better handling.
Relying on some old photos, John had his brother’s original sponsors painted on the bike, and he even had a helmet painted like Jacko’s to boot.
“This bike is not exactly the same as my brother’s, but it’s not meant to be, it’s a tribute. It’s also not for the purists, but I really don’t care.”
We’re sure Mark is smiling down at this proddie-inspired tribute bike, especially when his younger brother whacks open the throttle.
“It’s an old analogue weapon but with the modern rubber, the rear raising linkage, and the howl of the old Yoshi pipe, it’s always a good day when I get to ride this old Suzuki.”
What an incredible way to honor a fallen brother. This, friends, is what it’s all about. If any of us pass while on two wheels, may we be so lucky to have someone to keep our memory alive in such a powerful way. Bravo, John — we know Mark would be proud.
John “Jacko” Jackson: Builder Interview
Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workshop.
John “Jacko” Jackson, 51 years old. Born in the UK and live in Australia (but always hanging out in the UK in my spare time 😉). I’ve been riding and working on motorcycles forever.
Just a a normal back shed restorer having a go at saving a few old bikes.
What’s the make, model, and year of the donor bike?
1986 SUZUKI GSXR1100G – Slabby Restomod.
Why was this bike built?
This old ’86 Suzuki GSXR1100 or Slabside / Slabby as they are known (their affectionate nickname, due to their deep and wide seat panels that look like big slabs) is dedicated to my late brother Mark “Jacko” Jackson.
Jacko was true motorcycle racing enthusiast. He raced from an early age all over the UK, but his dream was always to race the famous Isle of Man TT course. He fell in love with the Island after making many trips there as a youngster to watch his idols like Giacomo Agostini.
The Manx Grand Prix is an amateur race that takes place on the famous 37.73-mile TT course that’s been running for over 100 years in late August / September. The “Manx” is often used as a stepping stone by riders whose aim is the TT races, as it is run over the same distance on the same course. Many TT stars began their careers at the Manx such as Geoff Duke, Carl Fogarty, Robert Dunlop, and Michael Dunlop — the list of names is endless really.
In ’87, Jacko gained his “mountain licence” and entered the Manx Newcomers race, finishing in a solid 13th place out of 49 starters. The next year he was eligible for the Senior race, which is the premier event of the Manx, Jacko raced the Senior in ’88, ’89 and ’91.
In ’89 he decided he would swap his trusty ’87 Honda CBR600 for a much larger capacity ’86 1100 Slabby to race on the Island that year. I went over to his house one day when I was a kid, about 14 or 15 years old, and he had the big old Suzuki in his lounge on a paddock stand. I had never seen anything so cool; I asked for a sit on it, and I remember being stretched out over what seemed a huge petrol tank, looking through the screen and seeing those big white clocks that went up to 170mph. When I sit on a Slabby today it makes me feel the same way, they are truly iconic.
On his Slabby in the ’89 Senior Manx, he was able to maintain an average speed of 100.3 mph over the 6-lap race and finish 43rd out of a field of almost 100 other competitors. Midfield is not bad when you’re on a limited budget and racing isn’t your day job!
Sadly, Jacko lost his life in the Senior Manx Grand Prix in ’91 on a new Honda CBR600.
The Slabby was always my favourite of Jacko’s race bikes, so I decided to do a tribute. I acquired a beaten up old ’86 US-spec bike that needed some love, but I thought it had potential as it had the period Yoshi pipe, came with two genuine keys, and a solid engine. I embarked on a rebuild that took 24 months, which was the classic “bitten off more than I could chew” project. But it came out all right and I even found an original owner’s manual and tool kit for the old girl after many nights on eBay!!!!
I remember seeing one of these old Slabbies many years ago with the much later and wider GSXR “Slingshot” wheels and I just loved how they contrasted the narrow rear end. It looked mean, so I knew I had to do that, and by doing it you can also run modern sticky rubber on the wider 17-inch wheels! I got it painted with Jacko’s original sponsors’ logos against the original Suzuki paint scheme. Of course, I had to have a helmet painted just like Jacko’s as well.
This bike is not exactly the same as my brother’s, but it’s not meant to be, it’s a tribute. It’s also not for the purists, but I really don’t care.
It’s dedicated to Mark “Jacko” Jackson….a Free Spirit on the Mountain.
What was the design concept and what influenced the build?
Old 80’s GSXR production or “proddie” racers. The sort of bikes ridden back in the day by Tony Rutter, Kev Schwantz, Mick Grant, and others.
What custom work was done to the bike?
The original 18-inch wheels have been swapped for the later 17-inch GSXR Slingshot wheels.
It has one of Mark Stokes’s rear suspension raising links fitted to lift the rear end for better handling.
Has a Yoshimura generator and ignition covers.
Has a period Yoshimura Cyclone exhaust that has become quite rare and hard to get hold of.
Most of the other work was restoration and mechanical work, using as many OEM Suzuki parts as could be found. The bike was in very bad shape, so it involved many hours of recommissioning combined with lots of dry and vapor blasting, paint, powder, and cerakote.
The hardest bit to find was the original rear seat cover / hump and pad — they are super hard to find and expensive!!!
A lot of first and second-gen Gixxers have now been modified with later swing arms, forks, triple clamps, brakes, etc. And while I love these, I wanted this one to retain that old 80’s “proddie racer” look, so we didn’t go too far with the mods. As with all projects, it’s still a work in progress and I have a period Yoshimura oil temp sensor and carb heat shield to fit next. I would love some period Yoshimura rear sets, but they are almost impossible to find!!!
Does the bike have a nickname?
Jacko’s “Manx” Slabby.
Any idea of horsepower, weight, and/or performance numbers?
I guess with the K&N pod filters, the Yoshi pipe, and the re jetted carbs it might be 120hp?? Fast enough to get into trouble with the outdated brakes 😊
Can you tell us what it’s like to ride this bike?
As good as any other bike really, the secret to happy motorcycling is to never compare bikes!
It’s an old analogue weapon but with the modern rubber, the rear raising linkage, and the howl of the old Yoshi pipe, it’s always a good day when I get to ride this old Suzuki.
The real long-term dream is to take it to the Isle of Man, but that isn’t going to be easy as it lives in Australia, but you never know.
Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?
Just getting it done, as with all these builds you run out of time and money, parts are hard to find for these now, both new OEM and used, especially in Australia.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank?
The build would not have been possible without my mate Gav who was also building a Slabby at the same time and kept me going through skinned knuckles and the normal bike building frustrations. A few members of Facebook groups like the First-Generation Suzuki GSX-R Slabside Owners Group helped me out massively too — they know who they are 😊
I have a lot to people to thanks for all their help on this: Ryan for the paintwork, Toddy for the engine advice, Ash Jones for his knowledge about Jacko’s actual bike, Rob Norton for his photos, and the Mrs for allowing me to disappear in the shed for two years!
Nice tribute.