1981 GSX1100 Katana Based Project

[Shin-Ken 1074]

Were you stuck in traffic or maybe having a lot of fun in the upper rev range?
That seems like a very high engine temperature for just a 29C day. I'm sure you get hotter days than that.
Just wondering if your temp gauge is properly calibrated?

Hi Steve, flowing city traffic and open road 100kph. I'll check the gauge with my "Old School" thermo and see if it is reading correctly. The other option is the engine has had some work and could be a bit sportier than a stock 1135 EF engine. Didn't remove the head so no idea what capacity it is. Could explain why it launches instantly with the slightest touch of the throttle, almost like fly by wire!

Yes, Summer here is 40C plus with 95% humidity and when it's that humid air cooling is not as effective as at lower humidity levels.

[Rob S.]

...could be a bit sportier than a stock 1135 EF engine.

In any case, the stock 1135 came with an oil cooler, so...

Also, if you're only going 100 kph, you're not riding correctly. It's supposed to go 100 mph (160 kph).

[pdqford]

Having not read this entire thread, but any chance the stator is Adding heat to the oil?

[Shin-Ken 1074]

Having not read this entire thread, but any chance the stator is Adding heat to the oil?

It could add some heat but not enough to spike the heat to over 130C. The reason for not fitting a cooler was to save weight. With no cooler an oil temp gauge was installed to monitor the oil temp however, even in mild weather conditions the oil is getting too hot. On a (brisk) test ride yesterday the oil temp got 132 C so it needs an oil cooler, as they were fitted originally by Suzuki. That is what testing is for, to evaluate and confirm and this test confirms a cooler is needed.

[Lorenzo]

It could add some heat but not enough to spike the heat to over 130C. oil temp gauge was installed to monitor the oil temp however, even in mild weather conditions the oil is getting too hot. On a (brisk) test ride yesterday the oil temp got 132 C so it needs an oil cooler, as they were fitted originally by Suzuki. That is what testing is for, to evaluate and confirm and this test confirms a cooler is needed.

Those pared fins. Not much but they would've helped...

[Shin-Ken 1074]

Those pared fins. Not much but they would've helped...

True, but they had to go and not just to loose weight, the sump fins had to go to fit the titanium pipes. I could always fit a stock sump with fins to see if it makes a difference, yeah,nar.

[Lorenzo]

No need for down-under side of pipes to be round.

[Rich82GS750TZ]

He’s in Australia. His whole bike is “down-under”.

Sorry. Someone had to say it.

[Lorenzo]

[no pun intended obviously]

[Shin-Ken 1074]

He’s in Australia. His whole bike is “down-under”.

Sorry. Someone had to say it.

Glad someone did.

[Shin-Ken 1074]

The weather here has been total errr, rain, since last weekend and forecast is for rain everyday for the next week! No test riding and all quite here for another week at least.

[John Kat]

Coming back to the DW versus Curb weight quoted by Suzuki, I believe all Japanese manufacturers in the 80's quoted the DW without any liquid on board i.e; not only fuel but also oil and coolant if any.
This explains the difference between the two measures.
A marketing gimmick as when KTM annouces ready to ride weights with very little fuel in the tank...

[Shin-Ken 1074]

Coming back to the DW versus Curb weight quoted by Suzuki, I believe all Japanese manufacturers in the 80's quoted the DW without any liquid on board i.e; not only fuel but also oil and coolant if any.
This explains the difference between the two measures.
A marketing gimmick as when KTM annouces ready to ride weights with very little fuel in the tank...

Yeah, the factory stated weights can seem a bit rubbery at times.

[Shin-Ken 1074]

Time to choose an oil cooler from the spares pile.


Oil cooler 1 by Max Mutarn, on Flickr


The lightest cooler from the pile is a transmission oil cooler so that will be the 1st cab off the rank. Temp gauge will show how effective it is.

Oil cooler 2 by Max Mutarn, on Flickr


Making the lower bracket for the oil cooler from some scrap ally square section.

Oil cooler 3 by Max Mutarn, on Flickr


Oil cooler 4 by Max Mutarn, on Flickr

After the lower bracket is installed and the cooler fitted I'll be able to work out the top bracket.

[Shin-Ken 1074]

Drilling and filing, filing, and more filing......................


Oil cooler 5 by Max Mutarn, on Flickr


Oil cooler 7 by Max Mutarn, on Flickr


Oil cooler 9 by Max Mutarn, on Flickr


Oil cooler 10 by Max Mutarn, on Flickr