7/11 Heaven: 1986 Suzuki GSX-R Slabside Restomod

From Nabspeed Moto: Suzuki 7/11 Restomod inspired by the 1986 Suzuka 8-Hour Yoshimura GSXR…  

The 1985 Suzuki GSX-R750 revolutionized the world of performance motorcycles. Fondly nicknamed the “Slabside” or “Slabby” for its flat-sided bodywork, the 750 GSX-R was the most uncompromising street-legal superbike ever produced at an affordable cost. It was essentially a race bike with lights, featuring a lightweight aluminum frame, aerodynamic bodywork developed in the wind tunnel, and a 99-bhp 749cc DOHC air/oil-cooled inline-four that made it dominant in club and endurance racing. Race replicas have followed the GSX-R750 pattern ever since.  

A year later, a big-bore sibling arrived in the form of the GSX-R1100, which boasted a 1052cc air/oil-cooled engine pushing ~137 bhp. The big 1100 GSX-R’s power-to-weight ratio blew people’s minds at the time, and the engine proved to be nearly bulletproof — a tuner’s delight. 

Soon, enthusiasts craving ever higher levels of performance began to swap the big 1100 engine into the GSX-R750 frame, giving the shorter wheelbase, more agile machine some 30-40% more power. Known as a “7/11,” this type of hybrid special became legendary among superbikers, combining hyperbike acceleration with an agile, flickable chassis. 

Recently, our friend Christian Bell from Nabspeed Moto showed up at the 2026 Worship Moto Show with one of the sweetest such builds we’ve ever seen. Nicknamed “7/11 Heaven,” it’s an ’86 GSX-R750 Slabside with a big-bore “1100” engine, inspired by one of the most iconic endurance racers of all time:

“From quite early on, I had the 1986 Suzuka 8 Hour Yoshimura GSXR ridden by Kevin Schwantz and Satoshi Tsujimoto in mind… In my opinion, it’s one of the bikes that cemented the half-fairing style that later became unmistakably “Suzuki endurance racer.” Teams would remove the lower fairings to help combat high temperatures, and it gave rise to such an iconic style for custom replicas.” -Christian Bell, Nabspeed Moto

Though the Yoshi GSXR would inspire the build, Christian pushed the bike’s aesthetics and performance hardware into the 21st century. There’s a GSXR K6 front end held in custom yokes, a custom swingarm with beefy rear wheel, a one-off bolt-on rear subframe, HEL Performance brakes, Nabspeed’s own rearsets and 50mm clip-ons, and more. 

Performance-wise, the engine is breathing via Mikuni RS36 carbs and a stainless Hindle exhaust system, while a Dyna 2000 ignition controls the spark. Trick Yoshimura parts litter the build.

We especially love the front fairing, which is a classic Harris unit modified to house a pair of projector headlights. Nabspeed painted the bike in-house, in a gorgeous tribute to Kevin Schwantz and Satoshi Tsujimoto’s 1986 Suzuka 8-Hour Yoshimura GSXR.

Christian and team finished the bike just before the 2026 Worship Moto Show, and it was one of the standouts in an event full of glorious performance machinery (show gallery coming soon). Christian says he’s only been able to put a few miles on the bike so far, but it feels “properly fast”…and he has some riding planned before it goes back to the customer. 

Below you’ll find out full interview with Christian about the build, including more photos from @howeaboutbikingphotography (outdoor shots) and @roga______ (indoor shots). 

Builder Interview: Suzuki GSXR 7/11 Restomod

• What’s the make, model, and year of the donor bike?

The frame is from a 1986 GSX-R750 Slabside, with a 1052cc “1100” motor fitted — the iconic “7/11” combination. Other than the fuel tank, everything else on the bike is custom.

• Why was this bike built? 

After the Worship show in 2025, where we took the Moto Martin and Suzuki Bandit builds, we were messaged on Instagram by a chap who wanted us to build him something similar. This particular project had just landed on our doorstep via Gary, the organiser behind Worship. The timing was perfect, so we decided to use it as the base for the build.

• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?

You should know by now… the classic endurance racer replica! From quite early on, I had the 1986 Suzuka 8 Hour Yoshimura GSXR ridden by Kevin Schwantz and Satoshi Tsujimoto in mind.

If you’re reading this and don’t know which bike I mean, have a Google. In my opinion, it’s one of the bikes that cemented the half-fairing style that later became unmistakably “Suzuki endurance racer.” Teams would remove the lower fairings to help combat high temperatures, and it gave rise to such an iconic style for custom replicas.

• What custom work was done to the bike?

Basically everything!

It has a GSXR K6 front end, custom yokes, a custom-made swingarm and huge rear wheel, a custom-made bolt-on rear subframe, and a really cool classic Harris front fairing with projector headlights cut into it.

There’s a custom-made screen, HEL Performance brake setup, our own Nabspeed rearsets and 50mm clip-on bars.

The bike also has custom paint by us, a lovely Hindle stainless exhaust system, Dyna 2000 ignition and plenty of other trick Yoshimura parts.

• Does the bike have a nickname?

What else other than 7/11 Heaven!

• Any idea of horsepower, weight, and/or performance numbers?

The engine is stock, running Mikuni RS36s and the Hindle stainless exhaust system, so it’s probably around the 130bhp mark that the engine was originally supposed to make.

It’s pretty light, however, as there isn’t much to it. We haven’t ridden it in anger yet, but it feels properly fast!

• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride this bike?

Surprisingly, it’s very comfortable and civilised. I’ve only done about 15 miles on it so far, as we got it show-ready for Worship just days before the event.

The plan is to ride her a bit more before she goes back to the customer.

• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?

Just what a pleasure it was to work on a Slabby! I absolutely love old Suzukis, and there’s something special about building one of these bikes.

• Is there anyone you’d like to thank?

Nick at Suzuki Performance Spares and Kieran at HEL Performance. Both of these guys have been a massive help throughout the build.

Follow the Builder

Web: www.nabspeed.co.uk
Instagram: @nabspeedmoto

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