Katana Project
Discussion
Picked up a Katana yesterday and my plans to just clean it up to standard condition have already gone out the window. Anyone on here ever done one of these up properly...? Also any contacts for a new seat cover in the seude type material would be appreciated and if you have a GSX1135 lump for sale I might be interested... 
(going to go very big block this time round and not a turbo)
(going to go very big block this time round and not a turbo)Dont go for big capacity. Why not try something like 1170cc 2 ring short skirt slipper pistons, bump up the compression. IIRC Honda XL125 valves fit and are 1mm larger, get the head flowed. Try and find Yoshi Bonneville spec stg 3 cams , run 33mm or 36mm Mikuni's with open 50mm bell mouths no filters. Get an exhaust from Harris as this is a good copy of the Moriwaki. Weld up the crank, put a strengthened clutch basket and undercut the dogs on the gearbox. Find a good electronic ignition. Ensure that you add an oil cooler.
Chassis wise, leave it twin shock at the rear, just get Ohlins for it. Run a 4" x 17" rear rim, this will accommodate a 180 section rear tyre. Get a front end from a modern Suzuki with 17" wheel and big brakes. This should all transplant across as long as you use your steering tube. Make sure the heights are still similar to original then it wont be too far adrift handling wise.
Try to retain the original Katana look it is mega. I like the 1135 donor engine idea as the black looks good as does the cam cover end caps that were different.
Hope this helps. ABW 160X from Classic Motorcycle Mechanics was mine originally, then Bob Berry then Rod Gibson.
CC
Chassis wise, leave it twin shock at the rear, just get Ohlins for it. Run a 4" x 17" rear rim, this will accommodate a 180 section rear tyre. Get a front end from a modern Suzuki with 17" wheel and big brakes. This should all transplant across as long as you use your steering tube. Make sure the heights are still similar to original then it wont be too far adrift handling wise.
Try to retain the original Katana look it is mega. I like the 1135 donor engine idea as the black looks good as does the cam cover end caps that were different.
Hope this helps. ABW 160X from Classic Motorcycle Mechanics was mine originally, then Bob Berry then Rod Gibson.
CC
Wow this has bought back memories. My best mate had an 1170 Katana back in 1992 that we both rode, unfortunately he died on it in an accident
. I have not seen another believe it or not on the road since. It also had a custom paint job on it and i think i still have the photos of it. Awesome bike. Would you post any pictures you have of it please?
. I have not seen another believe it or not on the road since. It also had a custom paint job on it and i think i still have the photos of it. Awesome bike. Would you post any pictures you have of it please?Here are a few snaps of my mates Katana. In 1990 this was the bike that was tuned for power, back then, and popular on the strips. This particular one also appeared in two custom and bike magazines. Mighty bike
Edited by here on Sunday 27th April 16:46
Edited by here on Sunday 27th April 21:35
Chipchap said:
Dont go for big capacity. Why not try something like 1170cc 2 ring short skirt slipper pistons, bump up the compression. IIRC Honda XL125 valves fit and are 1mm larger, get the head flowed. Try and find Yoshi Bonneville spec stg 3 cams , run 33mm or 36mm Mikuni's with open 50mm bell mouths no filters. Get an exhaust from Harris as this is a good copy of the Moriwaki. Weld up the crank, put a strengthened clutch basket and undercut the dogs on the gearbox. Find a good electronic ignition. Ensure that you add an oil cooler.
Chassis wise, leave it twin shock at the rear, just get Ohlins for it. Run a 4" x 17" rear rim, this will accommodate a 180 section rear tyre. Get a front end from a modern Suzuki with 17" wheel and big brakes. This should all transplant across as long as you use your steering tube. Make sure the heights are still similar to original then it wont be too far adrift handling wise.
Try to retain the original Katana look it is mega. I like the 1135 donor engine idea as the black looks good as does the cam cover end caps that were different.
Hope this helps. ABW 160X from Classic Motorcycle Mechanics was mine originally, then Bob Berry then Rod Gibson.
CC
Cheers for the detail - appreciated (will print off tomorrow at work). TBH its the looks that I am after as Ive run a Turbo Busa for two yrs and I dont need to go fast anymore. USD front end and twin shock rear is exactly what I will be doing. 1135 will probably stay standard if I can get a good one for now. WRT the rear wheel, was going to do a 5.5rim off an older GSXR11 - L, M, N model with a 180 tyre... not sure anout chain alignment though and whether I need an ofset sprocket on the front? Sure I will find all this out though. Chassis wise, leave it twin shock at the rear, just get Ohlins for it. Run a 4" x 17" rear rim, this will accommodate a 180 section rear tyre. Get a front end from a modern Suzuki with 17" wheel and big brakes. This should all transplant across as long as you use your steering tube. Make sure the heights are still similar to original then it wont be too far adrift handling wise.
Try to retain the original Katana look it is mega. I like the 1135 donor engine idea as the black looks good as does the cam cover end caps that were different.
Hope this helps. ABW 160X from Classic Motorcycle Mechanics was mine originally, then Bob Berry then Rod Gibson.
CC
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