1981 GSX1100 Katana Based Project

[Shin-Ken 1074]

The tap flange leak has stopped, yay! Time for the first test ride, a slow one to check everything is working as advertised and nothing falls off, that includes me.

First impression riding around town is very positive! Crisp and smooth gear changes, power rolls on without bogging down or hesitation. On corners it turns in very well and is so light on the bars compared to a stock Kat! Have made some minor adjustments to clutch cable and tyre pressure. Rear shocks and front end are doing well at low speed so no adjustment today. Highway speed and some rough roads will test the front and rear suspension so will see what adjustments are needed then. Brakes are amazing, good feel and not harsh on the front or rear with very predictable stopping. Did a few emergency stops, stays straight and pulls up very quick!

Acceleration from a standing start or rolling it on is so good I can't stop smiling. It is performing really well and looks like those Yoshi camshafts are doing their job even before the carbs are tuned. If the performance improves on top of what is there now this machine is going to be a weapons grade ride! Bring it on.

[Shin-Ken 1074]

The build at this stage, running but certainly not the finish of the build, yet. Carbs need to be tuned and valve clearances done and record engine oil operating temperature to see if an oil cooler is needed, hope not, extra weight! There are still some things to be changed like swapping some titanium bolts for aluminium bolts to reduce weight.

Build 1 by Max Mutarn, on Flickr

Build 2 by Max Mutarn, on Flickr

[Shin-Ken 1074]

Fitted an engine oil temp unit today, it is not staying on the bike - too heavy! I just want to check engine oil temps with city and open road riding to see if I can get away with not fitting an oil cooler. If the temps get high enough to warrant a cooler I have one that should do the job.

The temp displayed is the engine temp with the Kat sitting in the driveway before starting it. I expect to see numbers above 110C soon enough.
oil temp 1 by Max Mutarn, on Flickr

[Rijko]

..... I can't stop smiling..

Congrats, great feeling after all that work, isn't it

[gs scott]

Time for the first test ride... If the performance improves on top of what is there now this machine is going to be a weapons grade ride!

Glen, CONGRATULATIONS on DW180!!! I may have to fly down and take her for a ride myself!

[Rob S.]

Didn't the Kat come with an oil temp gauge when it was new?

[Shin-Ken 1074]

Congrats, great feeling after all that work, isn't it

If I had known how much better the Kat is to ride after this build I would have done it years ago! Yep, a great feeling for sure!

[Shin-Ken 1074]

Glen, CONGRATULATIONS on DW180!!! I may have to fly down and take her for a ride myself!

Thanks Scott, you are welcome to take it for a blat however, be warned, once you try a Super Leggera Kat for yourself it could be difficult to go back to a stock ride.

Cheers mate.

[Shin-Ken 1074]

Didn't the Kat come with an oil temp gauge when it was new?

The E24 Australian Kats didn't have an oil temp gauge on the clocks, the red oil light on the dial is a low oil pressure warning light.

[Rob S.]

Not an oil temp gauge, a low oil pressure light.

The oil 'idiot' light has been standard since I became aware (the 1960's). But my '82 11E has a beautifully integrated oil temperature gauge. I'm surprised to learn that Katanas, which I believe first appeared in 1981, did not have one.

[Shin-Ken 1074]

The Katana clocks are a tidy unit and perhaps the design team wanted to keep the clocks focused on the two needles so there are no extras like oil temp, fuel gauge, amp meter or side stand down warning light.

As you know, some other Suzuki clocks were fitted with all the bells and whistles but not the Kat.

[Shin-Ken 1074]

As Bettlejuice once said, "It's showtime!" Put the Kat on the scales today to confirm curb weight, all fluids including a full tank with 21lt of fuel. Curb weight = 206.00kg.

Katana manual states OEM curb weight = 260kg.

With those numbers the build at this stage has the Kat 54kg (119.05 lb) lighter than a stock 1981 GSX1100SZ curb weight. I was very pleased when I saw the scales read 206 kg today and even happier riding it!
Each day can't come quick enough to get the chance to go for a ride on the new Kat!


Manual Curb weight by Max Mutarn, on Flickr


Scales 1 by Max Mutarn, on Flickr


Scales 2 by Max Mutarn, on Flickr

[Rob S.]

What about the carb tuning? How does it rate with the big 3?

1. Starting
2. Idling
3. Pulling hard to red line with nary a cough or whimper

[Shin-Ken 1074]

What about the carb tuning? How does it rate with the big 3?

1. Starting
2. Idling
3. Pulling hard to red line with nary a cough or whimper

All good with the Big 3.

1) Starts right on the button.

2) Idle is perfect.

3) Throttle response is crisp through the rev range with power delivery being instant when the throttle is snapped, I think my arms are now a bit longer!

The front wheel is not keen to stay on the ground in any gear if the throttle is given a bit of stick!

[steve murdoch]

That weight saving is incredible!
You should be very proud of all your hard work.

Hey if it's going to wheelie all the time maybe you should weigh it with the front wheel in the air.