Suzuki VX 800
The Suzuki VX800 is a road motorcycle shaft-drive V-twin bike from Suzuki. The VX800 was designed at U.S. Suzuki's Design Studio in Brea, California from 1986 to 1989, and produced in the years 1990 to 1997. Lackluster sales in the United States brought the model to an end in 1993, the European version was produced until 1997. Concept and prototype. Among others, the design team consisted of Don Presnell, Lead Designer-styling, Aki Goto as Lead Engineer and Sam Yamazaki for frame and engine engineering. Sam Yamazaki and Aki Goto were the inspired R&D  engineers who started putting together a crude prototype at the Brea Studio utilizing a 750 cc Intruder engine in a modified Intruder frame. The rake and trail were modified on that prototype, as were the footpeg/shifter positions. The prototype was finished off with a hand-hammered aluminum tank mastered by Sam Yamazaki. The first full scale clay modeling of the VX750 was done by Don Presnell at the Brea facility. A quote by Don Presnell on the changes made in Japan on the concept. "The original full-scale clay model that I accompanied over to Japan had a rear  fender/seat more like the first sketch. It's true that Japanese management did want to play it safe, so they went with the more traditional styling on the rear fender. Many times a transportation Designer's sketches/models get compromised when it gets to the Marketing Dept. stage!" The suspension, engine work and final touches on the frame were done in Hammamatsu, Japan, once the concept & design direction were established, at this point it was out of the hands of the U.S. development team. Variations. There were four variations of the VX800: Engine. The engine for the VX800 was  derived from the Intruder 750, with a 3 mm larger bore to increase displacement, and larger 36 mm carburetors replacing the 34 mm units. The addition of a back torque limiting clutch, similar in operation as the VS1400 Intruder. Model VS51A, 45-degree crank pin offset, model VS51B, 75-degree crank pin offset