Tribute to a Lost Friend from Germany’s Enno Moto…
The original Suzuki GSX1100S Katana made quite the splash in 1981. While the radical space-age styling remains one of the most polarizing designs ever to emerge from a major Japanese manufacturer, there’s no doubt it influenced sportbike styling for years to come.
No matter your thoughts on the aesthetics, the Katana’s performance couldn’t be gainsaid. At the time, it was the fastest mass production motorcycle in the world, featuring the mighty GSX1100 engine.
“The Katana was little more than that excellent 16-valve engine dropped into a café racer chassis. But what a café racer chassis.” –Classic Mechanics
This Katana-based café racer comes from our new buddy Enrico “Enno” Warschefske of Haselbachtal, Germany’s Enno Moto — a hobby builder who turns out unique customs from his “small but exquisite” home workshop. Enno picked up this ’82 GSX1100S Katana from his good friend Goggo:
“The story of this Katana is closely linked to my friend ‘Goggo.’ He often told me about his experiences with this machine. When I learned that it had been in his garage for years, he offered it to me. I picked it up in the course of 2024. However, its condition was desolate. Shortly thereafter, Goggo passed away. I decided to rebuild the Katana and give it a second life.”
With the bike in such poor shape, a full rebuild in a cafe racer style was the way to go, though Enno was able to retain the original tank and mag wheels. He fully disassembled the bike, detabbed the frame, shortened the subframe, and added a rear loop.
An engine shop overhauled the cylinder head, while Enno rebuilt the carbs with a Dynojet Stage 3 kit and DNA filters. He rebuilt the forks, shortened them 50 mm, and added fully adjustable YSS shocks in the rear. Enno shaped the fiberglass tail section himself, while his buddy Lederkult Heimann made up the custom leather seat.
Enno fabricated the battery box with a laser-cut Suzuki emblem and rewired the bike with Highsider LED lighting. He added a USB charging port, retained the helmet lock, and mounted rear-sets, and his friend Nico (@Glossboss1984) laid down the paint.
Nicknamed “Goggo” after his late friend, this superbike-based café racer packs over 111 horsepower into a package that’s significantly lighter than the original.
“I’m proud to have brought a classic bike back to life, and I hope it will bring many more unforgettable rides. The moment it stood finished in my workshop was one of the most rewarding for me. It’s just a shame I wasn’t able to show it to my friend.”
What an awesome tribute to a departed friend, Enno! We know Goggo would be proud. We wish you many thrilling rides on the country roads of Eastern Germany and beyond!
Below is our full interview with Enno about the build, along with more photos.
Suzuki Katana Café Racer: Builder Interview
• Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workshop.
I live with my small family in Eastern Germany and have a deep passion for motorcycles and customization. The Katana is the fifth bike I’ve rebuilt – and I definitely plan to create more unique machines in the future.
I have a small hobby workshop at home, and I spend most of my time working there during the winter months, whenever time allows. I’m constantly full of ideas, and when I hit a roadblock, I turn to my friends for advice – they’re all just as passionate about bikes as I am.
One of my biggest dreams is to one day build custom motorcycles for others as well. Maybe I’ll be able to make that happen – I’d love that.
• What’s the make, model, and year of the donor bike?
Suzuki GSX1100S Katana 1982.
• Please tell us about the build.
In my workshop in Haselbachtal (Germany), an old Suzuki Katana became more than just a motorcycle – it became a tribute to friendship. My name is Enno, and this is already the fourth motorcycle conversion that I have realized in my small but exquisite workshop. For over a year, I invested every free minute in this project after work. Fortunately, I could always count on the support of my family.
The story of this Katana is closely linked to my friend “Goggo.” He often told me about his experiences with this machine. When I learned that it had been in his garage for years, he offered it to me. I picked it up in the course of 2024. However, its condition was desolate. Shortly thereafter, Goggo passed away. I decided to rebuild the Katana and give it a second life.
In my workshop, the idea was born to create a retro cafe racer that combines classic elements with modern rideability. I wanted to build a motorcycle that inspires young and old alike.
The Conversion:
Almost all work was carried out by myself in my workshop. First, the Katana was completely disassembled. I shortened the frame myself and provided it with a loop. All unnecessary attachments were also removed by me. I definitely wanted to keep the original star-design rims, as well as the tank.
On the engine, I first performed a compression test, which revealed a defective cylinder. So I removed the cylinder head and had it overhauled in a specialist workshop. The carburetors received a Dynojet Kit Stage 3 and were overhauled by me and fitted with open DNA air filters.
The fork was also overhauled by me, shortened by 5 cm and the anti-dive system deactivated. Adjustable YSS dampers were used as struts, which I chose because of their adjustability in terms of tension and compression. The fiberglass tail was handmade and adapted by me. My friend from Lederkult Heimann contributed a custom leather seat.
The electrics were completely rewired and a handmade battery box with a lasered Suzuki emblem was made.
The LED lights and indicators are from Highsider. The side license plate holder was mounted by me, as well as a USB port on the handlebars to charge the phone on the go.
The choke lever is a custom-made product and was placed near the carburetors. The helmet lock was retained, and I mounted rearward footrests. The MSR exhaust had to be adjusted by me. Fortunately, I was able to win my friend Nico (@Glossboss1984) over for the paintwork.
The result is a classic-looking motorcycle that drives excellently. I am proud of the result and hope that Goggo, from where he is now, looks at his Katana with a smile.
• Does the bike have a nickname?
I would name this motorcycle after my late friend and call it “GOGGO.”
• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride the finished bike?
I can’t wait to hit the road with the Katana. With its 1100cc engine, it packs some serious power – especially out on the country roads, I’m expecting a thrilling ride. I’m also curious to see how the suspension performs, and whether the shortened front fork still handles well in the corners.
All in all, I think the Katana will offer a fantastic riding experience – a true retro café racer with soul.
• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?
I’m proud to have brought a classic bike back to life, and I hope it will bring many more unforgettable rides. The moment it stood finished in my workshop was one of the most rewarding for me. It’s just a shame I wasn’t able to show it to my friend.
Follow the Builder
Instagram: @EnnoMoto
