anyone go for a ride today? Pics?

[Carter Turk]

You have leading axle forks, a rare mod for a Kat in Oz, is it a thing in the States?

The 1980 GS1100ET fork had better adjustments (preload ramps & dampening adj. on the bottom), than the 83 anti-dives. Stock, those forks were terrible! I even thought the ET forks were better than the stock 1994 RF 900 I owned briefly.
Guess that one had Suzuki bargain bin suspension on it. Don't think it's a "thing" in the US.

I'll have to check that project thread, I like that relocated oil pan drain hole. Or am I wrong about that, so you don't have remove the header for oil changes?

[Shin-Ken 1074]

[QUOTE=Carter Turk;n1766286

I'll have to check that project thread, I like that relocated oil pan drain hole. Or am I wrong about that, so you don't have remove the header for oil changes?

[/QUOTE]

The project thread is: 1981 GSX 1100 Katana Based Project

As a Kat owner with an eye for detail I am sure you will pick up on the subtle mods that have helped achieve a weight reduction of 60.5 kg from the stock curb weight of an 1981 1100 Kat.

The project black Kat sump is a stock 1982 Katana sump modded to fit the EF with the fins shaved off to lighten the sump and using titanium bolts. Drain plug is in the OEM position so yes, pipes off to change engine oil however, I have owned Kats since 1981 so taking the pipes off is no drama, takes about six minutes.

On my other Kat (owned that one for 39 years) I have relocated the sump drain plug so no need to remove the pipes for oil changes and there is enough space between the headers and filter cover to change the filter without removing the pipes, its slow but doable.


Sump drain 1 by Max Mutarn, on Flickr


Sump drain 2 by Max Mutarn, on Flickr

[Shin-Ken 1074]

The Kat I have owned since 1986 and the project Kat, pretty sure one of these will become a Garage Queen and its not difficult to guess which one. She wont be pushed into a corner to rot away thats for sure, will still be fired up and have tons of TLC and ridden maybe a couple of times a month but will no longer be the "go to" Kat that she has been for the last 39 years.

Kats 1 by Max Mutarn, on Flickr


Kats 2 by Max Mutarn, on Flickr


DW Clocks by Max Mutarn, on Flickr


DW front by Max Mutarn, on Flickr

[steve murdoch]

A pair of beauties, Max.
Among the MANY things i like about your featherweight is the stance. Longer shocks and forks?

[Shin-Ken 1074]

A pair of beauties, Max.
Among the MANY things i like about your featherweight is the stance. Longer shocks and forks?

Hi Steve, thanks for the kind words about the "featherweight", much appreciated. Many hours of tweeking over the years is how that stance came about. The stance was a bonus really, the tweeking was focused on improving handling and comfort by raising the rear with 30mm longer shocks to reduce rake and trail. Steering is positive and crisp and taking any corner at any speed is smooth, responsive and with perfect balance and feedback. The 18" front wheel, lower profile radial tyre and lowering the front guard by 30mm to suit the 18" wheel gives the impression of a longer fork. The forks are re-manufactured ( by Performance Motorcycle Creative in Japan) stock Kat forks and are not lengthened however, the fork springs are TNK springs from Japan and have improved braking and handling compared to stock springs.

[Redman]

54degF today, and heavy overcast, but not raining yet.
Good enough to work in a half hour ride into a small grocery run (hense the tail trunk).
Stopped at a boat ramp park on the river. Hey, docks are in, I dont really care, but is a sign of spring.

Good thing I got out.
Rainy later in day and next couple days (including a chance of that 4 letter S word.)

Recieved a set of aftermarket intake boots for the GK. Need to clean up the garage some so can work on that.

.

[Carter Turk]

Got some riding in the last 3 days, mid 50's or so. The ratty crashed Kat ran well, except for the throttle cable being a bit buggered.

Don't know if a 1990 GSXR 1100 cable is shorter than a stock Kat, but I recall having this one shortened about 15 + years ago, as I have those carbs on.

The fckn deer are out & I rode on roads I crashed on in 1988 (truck turning on 80 1100ET) & 2021 (83 Kat, deer) in the same day.
Kinda spooky & taxing on the eyes, scanning everywhere, constantly.

KiwI Alfa, those pics were great, but for some reason they didn't show up for a day or two. The fam drove by Hampton Downs, towards the end of February, 1st time in Kiwi-land.
Does Tony Quinn own that track? I just started reading 0-60 by him.

20250329_120031 by Carter Turk, on Flickr

[storm 64]

I was able to get out Saturday for a 275 mile loop. Off and on rain and with 70° temperatures it wasn't to bad...
Some say my motorcycles don't get dirty. Here is a picture of it after riding down dirt drives and parking lots!
Time to get cleaning 20250329_142850.jpg

[Rich82GS750TZ]

It was so nice here in PA this weekend I decided to visit 2 of my favorite mountain vistas that I can’t get to in the winter when the forest roads are snow covered. Winter is finally over (I hope)

[Grimly]

I was able to get out Saturday for a 275 mile loop. Off and on rain and with 70° temperatures it wasn't to bad...
Some say my motorcycles don't get dirty. Here is a picture of it after riding down dirt drives and parking lots!
Time to get cleaning 20250329_142850.jpg

It must be nice to stop off at a secluded country park and play the trumpet that you keep in that case on the side.

[storm 64]

It must be nice to stop off at a secluded country park and play the trumpet that you keep in that case on the side.

Haha. The saxophone fits in on the other side!

[trevor]

Insured the 1100 yesterday....had to give her a little Italian tune up!

[trevor]

Then I went to BMW bike night

[trevor]

Thursday we did a little recon mission for a big group (12-14 guys) ride I have planned for a two night stay up in Port Renfrew

[KiwiAlfa156]

KiwI Alfa, those pics were great, but for some reason they didn't show up for a day or two. The fam drove by Hampton Downs, towards the end of February, 1st time in Kiwi-land.
Does Tony Quinn own that track? I just started reading 0-60 by him?

Yes, Hampton Downs is owned by Tony Quinn. He also has two other tracks around the country. There was a lunch-time 'track cruise' for the general public. A couple of laps during the lunchtime break at the racing, you just had to sign up on the day. About 50 bikes of various types on the track with a safety car. So I got to do a few laps of Hampton Downs on the Kat. It was a hoot. The safety car was well out of sight before we took off and top speed limit was more a suggestion than a reality. The track was warm and well rubbered-in and by the end of lap one, folk were starting to carve each other up in the corners. The Kat on skinny but sticky tires gave a few guys on modern machinery and fat hoops a few things to think about.

Hope you enjoyed your visit to NZ.