1981 GSX1100 Katana Based Project

[Shin-Ken 1074]

The engine needed a replacement breather vent catch can fitted and it had to be light. I found a small Denso oil cooler from a petrol powered garden rotary hoe that looked like it would do the job. The catch can is installed behind the battery and this location helps to keep the build looking a bit "stock" rather than a modified build with a catch-can installed in place of the front sprocket cover as well as looking tidy. The plumbing and catch can (empty) weigh 461 grams in total so it is pretty light. The bracket is made from flat aluminium with polymer spacers to keep the weight down to a reasonable level.

Running tally = 182,056 grams.


Oil cooler converted to a catch-can.
Catch can 1 by Max Mutarn, on Flickr


Catch can 2 by Max Mutarn, on Flickr


Catch can c by Max Mutarn, on Flickr


Catch can d by Max Mutarn, on Flickr

[Blower]

Hi Steve, it will be awhile before the RS flat slides are installed, need to sort out super light weight spun aluminium velocity stacks, twin cables and switchblock throttle before the carbs can be bolted on. I am hoping this chapter will be shorter than it was setting up the 36mm CV's, now that was epic working through six jet sizes until hitting the sweet spot.

Thanks for the link to the RS specs and application chart, that will be helpful as the carbs I am buying are just the carbs, no chart included.

For now the oil cooler is still waiting to be installed so I am trying to get that finished later this week after I have finished replacing a radiator in a home vehicle.

I'm looking forward to seeing what settings the carburetors will have. I was trying to get 38RS Mikuni set up for my 1296cc GSX. I couldn't get the mixture lean enough with the y-6 needle jet and the y-3 needle. Either the needle tubes are worn, or they are too rich for my setup.

[Shin-Ken 1074]

I'm looking forward to seeing what settings the carburetors will have. I was trying to get 38RS Mikuni set up for my 1296cc GSX. I couldn't get the mixture lean enough with the y-6 needle jet and the y-3 needle. Either the needle tubes are worn, or they are too rich for my setup.

When the time comes to set up the 38 mm Flat-Slides I'll post the details here, I want to get in some riding before swapping the carbs so it wont happen too soon, but it will happen.

[Shin-Ken 1074]

While I am sorting out the oil cooler installation now is the time to make the cooler protector screen. Some of the out of the way roads I ride on are pretty rough and on a couple of rides stones have been kicked up by on-coming vehicles and damaged the oil cooler on one of the other bikes that didn't have a screen fitted. Rounding up a rescue trailer for a long trip home is no fun when you are in the sticks with no phone coverage! An aftermarket screen isn't available for the cooler Iam going to use so its time to make one.

Oil cooler 32 by Max Mutarn, on Flickr

[Shin-Ken 1074]

Before starting on the cooler screen I need to revisit the oil cooler lower bracket design, I have come up with a better bracket design that will also secure the protector screen if all goes to plan. This is the start of the MK II aluminium lower bracket.

Oil cooler 33 by Max Mutarn, on Flickr


Oil cooler 34 by Max Mutarn, on Flickr


Oil cooler 35 by Max Mutarn, on Flickr

[Shin-Ken 1074]

MK II lower oil cooler bracket.


Oil cooler 36 by Max Mutarn, on Flickr


Cooler and bracket surface area scuffed up and ready for the automotive structural adhesive, no bolts or rivets needed when using this product!
Oil cooler 37 by Max Mutarn, on Flickr

The adhesive is designed for automotive use and I have used this stuff for years on vehicles and bikes, flush tidy finish and lighter than bolts, so far so good!
Oil cooler 38 by Max Mutarn, on Flickr

P.S. No, I don't sell the stuff or work for the company, I just like to use quality products that have proven to be reliable when I have used them.

[Shin-Ken 1074]

The MK II lower cooler bracket has the cooler in its new position that will allow enough space to fit the protector screen. The cooler is in position but not with the correct bolts or spacers. Bolts and spacers will be fitted when the screen is installed.

. Oil cooler 39 by Max Mutarn, on Flickr


Oil cooler 40 by Max Mutarn, on Flickr

[Shin-Ken 1074]

Now that the oil cooler is in place I can work out the details for the cooler screen and cut the ally for the screen frame to size. Have just dropped off the screen frame parts to the ally welder today and hopefully it will be done by this Friday.

Oil cooler 41 by Max Mutarn, on Flickr

[Shin-Ken 1074]

While the oil cooler rock screen is away being welded it is a good time to make the spacers for the cooler and screen. The plan is to use 2 x 10mm spacers between the frame and oil cooler for the top mount to match the 10mm captive nuts welded to the frame that will be the oil cooler lower mounts. Oil cooler on top of 10mm spacers, then 4 x 27mm spacers to allow a gap between the oil cooler fins and the screen. Allen head bolts will go through the spacers and into the captive nuts on the frame.

Cut the spacers from aluminium tube and then used wet/dry to tidy up the cut ends and make then all the same length. The 10mm spacers are to small to fit the tube cutter I have so it is saw time.

Oil cooler 42 by Max Mutarn, on Flickr


Oil cooler 43 by Max Mutarn, on Flickr


Oil cooler 44 by Max Mutarn, on Flickr

[Shin-Ken 1074]

Beautiful install. I am probably going to add one to my 1100 as well.

Thanks Big Block, to help reduce weight for the build I was hoping to get away with not having to fit an oil cooler but test riding with an oil temp gauge proved otherwise. Fitting a stock EF Suzi cooler is the way to go, plug and play job done. However, weight being the focus of this build ruled the stock cooler out with its steel banjo's, steel mounting plate and heavy rubber and steel oil lines don't make the grade for this one. A modern design light weight cooler and aluminium fittings although lighter, are not plug and play and so the extra work to install the cooler is where I am at right now. Yeah, the rock screen is also adding weight that I don't like but if it does its job even once and gets me home I can live with the extra grams.

[Shin-Ken 1074]

The oil cooler screen frame is back from the Welder and ready for a tidy-up before fitting the mesh screen. The frame looks like it should have holes or slots cut in it to lighten it however, the frame is made from 1.5 mm aluminium so is light enough. To drill holes or cut slots could weaken the frame and possibly allow it to distort if the screen takes a big enough hit.

Oil cooler 45 by Max Mutarn, on Flickr

[Shin-Ken 1074]

With the frame sanded and the aluminium mesh fitted the next job is prime and paint. The aluminium spacers for the frame and new oil cooler lower bracket have been painted and are now waiting for the screen to be done.


Oil cooler 46 by Max Mutarn, on Flickr

[Shin-Ken 1074]

Got the mounting spacers finished and had a dry run to fit the oil cooler and screen today before the screen is painted. It all fits with a few mm to spare but a win is a win.

Oil cooler 47 by Max Mutarn, on Flickr


Oil cooler 48 by Max Mutarn, on Flickr


Oil cooler 49 by Max Mutarn, on Flickr

[Shin-Ken 1074]

Weight, or the lack of is the game plan for the build and it's the numbers that count. Have weighed a stock 1985 GSX1135 EF oil cooler, banjos bolts, lines and mounting bracket for a total of 1,273 grams. It will be interesting to compare the stock cooler weight to the DIY oil cooler for the DW and of course to keep it apples to apples, will weigh it minus the rock screen for the first weigh in.

So much steel in the OEM cooler.
Oil cooler 50 by Max Mutarn, on Flickr


Oil cooler 52 by Max Mutarn, on Flickr

[Shin-Ken 1074]

I put the DIY oil cooler on the scales today and it weighed 689 g compared to the OEM oil cooler at 1,273 g. With the end result being almost half the weight of the OEM cooler it was worth the effort.

Now that the cooler vs cooler weigh in is done, it's time for the rock screen and what that adds to the build. An extra 275 g for the screen bringing the total weight of the DIY cooler and rock screen to 964 grams.

Running tally = 183,020 grams.


Oil cooler 53 by Max Mutarn, on Flickr


Oilcooler 54 by Max Mutarn, on Flickr


Oil cooler 54 by Max Mutarn, on Flickr


oil cooler 55 by Max Mutarn, on Flickr