Help.... GS650G Katana

[Tim-D]

30 years ago last July an 18yo moron with delusions of far greater abilities than actually possessed "borrowed" the key to his uncles bike and went for a blat....
Cue badly damaged bike, three months in hospital and remarkably - forgiveness... It's owner died a few months ago and as a last chuckle left his errant nephew "the contents of the shed" with an instruction to "fix it" -no surprises (it was to me at the time) bike in timewarp damaged condition lay within.

Time and a leaky shed roof haven't been kind - but I've been lucky finding most spares (nos. tank and a set of fully refurbed carbs being top results - wierdly both from dutch breakers), fluids and new tyres were added last week - it ran for the first time since '87 this morning (horrendously as carbs need tuning) but the old beast lives and spluttered it's way around the block...

I'm a bit stuck as to what to do with it when finished as I never bothered to take my test so can't ride it - but that's not the objective right now....I want it finished to OE spec and as I initially ruined it and have got a little obsessive about it.......

BUT one part is proving a nightmare - and as PH members have over the years proven remarkably useful a plea......

Has anyone any leads on where I could get an original (or OE spec) black chrome NS exhaust muffler for an '81 ????? Ebay and breakers trawled relentlessly with no joy thus far - the blasted thing is proving highly elusive - worldwide - but there must be one somewhere.......so in desperation HELP!!????

.....Just as I want this bike A1 and pushing my luck..... anyone got any recommendations for anyone to recover a seat?

Cheers folks....

[Jazoli]

I fear you'll struggle to find an OE exhaust, if you are lucky you may be able to find a micron or something for it, or get a pair made, I can help with the seat though, Tony Archer in Huddersfield is one of the best there is http://tonyarcher.co.uk/

[Tim-D]

Cheers Jaz.. - That's exactly the kind of outfit I was looking for :-) - could get expensive as my other project needs the attention of a trimmers too!! I'm on the phone Monday...

I really want to avoid aftermarket pipes if at all possible - got time on my side to find and OE item and tempted to graze the next jumble at Kempton Park (the OH would be "delighted").... ...C'mon PH produce a miracle .... :

Edited by Tim-D on Saturday 18th November 17:59

[Desiato]

Tim-D said:

30 years ago last July an 18yo moron with delusions of far greater abilities than actually possessed "borrowed" the key to his uncles bike and went for a blat....
Cue badly damaged bike, three months in hospital and remarkably - forgiveness... It's owner died a few months ago and as a last chuckle left his errant nephew "the contents of the shed" with an instruction to "fix it" -no surprises (it was to me at the time) bike in timewarp damaged condition lay within.

Fantastic

I found it quite amusing that you are now an insurance claims manager too.

[Some Guy]

That was the first "big bike" I owned. Epic piece of kit, but the black exhaust rusted like a bd. I would look for a good after market item.

[Chipchap]

Have you tried Suzuki UK as they have a parts programme for older bikes. From memory the 550 and 650 engines are almost identical dimensionally. So perhaps a 550 system could be fitted.

They biggest thing is that the systems were black Chrome.

Good luck

[Greggy69]

Sounds like a great project.

As mentioned above worth trying the official Classic Suzuki Parts

Also Crooks might be worth a call as they offer spares support on older bikes http://www.crooks-suzuki.com/suzuki-service.aspx

[DH01]

Robinsons, Broad Oak, Canterbury. Usually very good with the older stuff.

[Benni]

Well I don´t know if this is a NS of ig the seller will ship to UK but hey, used for 83€ :

https://www.ebay.de/itm/Auspuff-Suzuki-GS-650-G-Ka...

This one is brand new, but 249€ :

https://www.ebay.de/itm/Suzuki-Katana-GS-650G-Ausp...

And here is a full set, used, for 299€ :

https://www.ebay.de/itm/SUZUKI-GS-650-G-Bj-83-KATA...

Hope that helps

[Tim-D]

Thanks Chap:s / esses.....
Seem I must up my game on searching germany! Benni - the top one you list is spot on ....a little ratty but that can be sorted - I'm on the case. I saw the full set but that looks in a shocking state.... The NOS one I have a feeling is either aftermarket or for '83 on the end "diffuser"? is different from my one original

Yes there's the irony I'm in insurance...... someone tell me hand on heart they've never sinned, the origins of this saga were my worst on that front and because to keep me out of the cr*p no claim was ever made for the, ahem, incident I ultimately paid for the replacement bike - and now with hindsight I have a great toy I'm very glad!! - but for three decades - and more to come no doubt - I've had the mick taken for it - deservedly so.....at 47 I'm a little more responsible than I was....not much though!

PH folk are (generally !) brilliant - thank you!!

[Krikkit]

Sounds like a fantastic project, I'd love to see some pictures of the progress if you have any!

Sounds like a well-deserved reputation for the rest of your days. I remember borrowing the keys to my Dad's Jag when I was about 15, starting it up for a rev outside the garage and promptly coating the brand new white garage door in soot from booting the rich-running engine while still a bit cold.

[Tim-D]

Damn - chap in germany won't post which is a pain - and none too near a convenient airport to pick it up on a w/e break...hunt continues - on the blower tomorrow to suggested sources.. fingers crossed... there's got to be a decent one somewhere!!

Thus far have loads of pics but all detail of how things sit to aid dissembly / reassembly as no decent manual to hand - the old thing not looking too pretty right now - but will take some wider pics from here on ....

[podman]

Thats a great story, I wish you well in the restoration/repair, please post some pics as the bike is now!

If its of interest, Ive had a word with my friend who runs a bike transportation business for you and is in Germany every month or so, he has an address of a dealer you could post it to and he can collect/ return it to the UK on his next visit, he is out in Germany now in fact.

Best off calling over emailing

Mike. http://www.motomovers.uk/

[Neil1300r]

Tim-D said:

Damn - chap in germany won't post which is a pain - and none too near a convenient airport to pick it up on a w/e break...hunt continues - on the blower tomorrow to suggested sources.. fingers crossed... there's got to be a decent one somewhere!!

If he will box it up look at courier companies such as DHL Express. You give them the address, weight / dimensions of box (so need the seller to help a bit) and they pick it and deliver it for you.

[crofty1984]

Word of advice - Japanese bikes of this era don't use Phillips screws. It's something called Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS). The cross is shallower, so if you use a standard Phillips screwdriver the longer point will keep the"wings" of the cross out and on an old bike you'll round the fk out of every screw you try and undo.
Vessel make a good set of JIS screwdrivers, about 20 quid for 3 sizes. Not cheap but worth it.