The "LITRACATANA" is back in 2025!　And the lights open and close automatically!　Moto Dowell's persistent effort to bring an exterior kit to the market (Tokyo MC Show)

Moto Dowell, a motorcycle store in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, has unveiled its first "Katana Forever Retractable" exterior kit for the current Katana!　The kit reproduces the style and retractable retractable light of the Type III Katana (GSX750S Katana). The retractable light detects ambient light and automatically retracts. A commercial version of this model is already in the works!

The retractable and oddly shaped form has been beautifully incorporated into the current KATANA!

Moto Dowell, which created a sensation with its "Katana Forever" exterior kit that reproduced the style of the original GSX11000S Katana, has done it again!　This time, based on the current Katana, the "Katana Forever Litra" kit reproduces the Type III Katana (GSX750S Katana) with retractable headlights. It was unveiled for the first time at the Tokyo MC Show 2026.

The "Katana Forever Litra" exterior kit for the current Katana. The original was the GSX750A[3], which debuted in 1984, and the "shark" styling, including the retractable headlight, has been beautifully recreated.

Since the actual car was not available, the model was modeled after a plastic model!　The cowl is made of FRP.

The flowing lines from the upper to the tail are uncomfortably contained in the current Katana. Photo from CEO Sugano's Facebook page

When the headlights are retracted, the gap between the base and the lights is nearly perfect. The logo's inverted letters are also reproduced.

Of course, the headlights look cool with the headlights on!　The key point is that the headlight position is kept low by using a dual-axis system for opening and closing and thrusting the headlights.

The light sensor detects the surroundings and automatically opens and closes depending on the brightness!　This high-tech feature is even more than the stock Type III Katana. Both sides are indicator and daylights, and the production version will be H7 standard LED daylights. The headlights are made from accessory parts for the four-wheeled RANKLE, which are also included in the kit.

https://youtu.be/vD9zSH8D92w?si=hqNpArqwrTRX8aXX

The tail shape is also similar to that of the Type III Katana, but the number plate has been arranged to fit inside the tail for more style.

The computer-controlled daylight clears the barrier of constant illumination!

The car was created by Hirona Kanno, CEO of Moto Dowell, who is also known as "Miss Kanno. She has been creating amazing customizations with her high technical skills and creative ideas. This time, Katana Forever Litra (or is it?) is a "katana" (a kind of "katana"). The Katana Forever Litra overcame various obstacles with a zeal that should be called "persistence. The first major obstacle was the legal regulations. To begin with, motorcycles today are required to have their headlights on at all times. Litras, which have retractable headlights, are not allowed to have their headlights on at all times. However, the 2020 amendment to the law authorizes DRLs (daytime running lights). This system is now legal as long as the headlights are automatically turned on when it gets dark, and the daytime lights are on during the day. Mr. Sugano learned of this and came up with the idea for the Katana Forever Litra a year ago. The system would illuminate the daylight and indicator lights on both sides and incorporate an auto-lighting function using an optical sensor to meet legal requirements even when the lights are in the retracted position. Since the daylights must be dimmed when the headlights are turned on, an "Aldino" is installed to control these lights. This is an open-source CPU that can be programmed, and is also responsible for controlling the retractable and auto light functions. The programming is also done by Mr. Sugano (!). The Aldino is a simple one-axis type. In addition, with a simple single-axis system, the headlight ON position would have been higher up, which would have spoiled the style of the car. Therefore, the "dual-axis type" was used, where the headlights are raised while being moved forward by a linkage, thereby reducing the position when the headlights are turned on. As for the actuators that move the lights, the company purchased about 30 general-purpose actuators of various types and selected the one that "did not break after being moved 3,000 times while watching TV," so the durability of the actuators can be assured. The cowl is made of FRP and weighs 1.5 kg more than the Katana Forever and 11 kg less than the standard Katana.

The actuator that moves the light is mounted on the left side of the upper cowl. It weighs less than 1 kg. Like the Forever Katana, the main switch is built into the tank. A handlebar kit and mirrors are optional.

This time, a fuel tank with an increased capacity of 3.2 liters was installed, welded by Mr. Sugano himself. The production version is an FRP cover that is placed over the stock tank.

Since the main switch ON is not allowed at the show site, it opens and closes with two AA batteries!　That's how much power it saves (laughs).

The kit also comes with its own seat. They are two-tone like the originals.

The kit is scheduled to go on sale after the summer!　The price is about twice that of the Forever Katana.

The plan was to market the model once 12 units were ordered, but this number had already been cleared six months before the announcement of the show. Many of the buyers are from overseas, and orders are still coming in during the show. The price for the exterior set is "about twice as much as the Forever Katana," or about 600,000 yen (painting, shipping, etc. are not included). (Painting, shipping, etc. are not included.) The price can be lowered even further if there are enough units available. The scheduled time of market launch is "sometime after this summer at the earliest. Wiring is included in the package, so installation is not difficult for those with knowledge. Of course, support will be provided for those who do not know what they are doing. Mr. Sugano spent three months working on the car for this exhibit, in between jobs. The car was painted right up until the last minute and polished just an hour before it was to be brought into the venue. Mr. Sugano laughs, "It was a lot of work, but it was worth it because everyone laughed so hard when I opened and closed the lights. The Katana Forever Litra offers the style of the Type III Katana and the athletic performance of the current Katana with a lighter weight. Isn't this overwhelming amount of enthusiasm needed in the motorcycle industry today?　If you are interested, please check out the Moto Dowell HP ( https://www.motodowell.com/ )!

Despite the special opening hours for the press, the booth was packed!

Ms. Hirona Kanno, aka "Miss Kanno", the CEO of Moto Dowell, is well known in the radio control industry. The author was also impressed by her enthusiasm!

Mr. Kanno himself demonstrated. Hang-offs are easy to do!

YZF-R25 becomes RZ250R!　The original Katana exterior kit was also on display!

Let us introduce two other bikes on display at the booth: the "RZ-25R," which reproduces the style of the RZ250R, is an exterior kit for the YZF-R25. In addition to the old and new R25, it can be bolted on to the YZF-R3, MT-25, and MT-03 (modifications to the helmet hooks may be necessary depending on the model). Price "185,000 yen" was announced on the first day of the Tokyo MC Show (a surprisingly good price!). The price was announced at 185,000 yen on the first day of the Tokyo MC Show. Mr. Sugano says, "We want lots of young people to ride this bike, so we tried to keep the cost as low as possible. Lighter than the stock RZ by 19 kg, the new RZ "runs differently, and has enough power to outrun the 400," he says, bringing it even closer to the original RZ in performance.

The RZ-25R exterior kit for the YZF-R25. Includes tank cover, tail cover, seat, etc.

The integrated tail cowl takes the structure of an F1 machine's nose and inserts into the frame from behind to provide rigidity.

The R25 has a narrow tandem seat, but also comes with a double seat that makes it easy for two people to ride together.

Moreover, the capacity under the seat is vast!　With the tray in place, you can fit a lunch box + paper carton of coffee milk + jelly, so you can go on a picnic!

"Katana Forever" is an exterior kit for the current Katana, which also caused a stir. The cowl is made of FRP and is 10 kg lighter than stock. It can be installed without any modifications to the vehicle body, and the options include a separate handlebar, a lowered seat height, and seat upholstery.

The "Katana Forever" exterior kit reproduces the style of the GSX11000S Katana. The car on display is Mr. Sugano's favorite car.

Image Gallery (19)

The "LITRACATANA" is back in 2025!　And the lights open and close automatically!　Moto Dowell's persistent effort to bring an exterior kit to the market (Tokyo MC Show)

2026.3.29

Moto Dowell, a motorcycle store in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, has unveiled its first "Katana Forever Retractable" exterior kit for the curr...