1984 Katana 7/11

[Greg B]

Not too surprising. Considering the Japanese market was getting new Kats until the year 2000, or thereabouts.
There are shops in Japan dedicated to only Katanas.

[Guest]

True! I keep forgetting there were still JDM models for years after they stopped exporting them. I actually wouldn't mind a little Kat either, a little 400 version would go nicely alongside an 1100 I feel.

[Guest]

I didn't end up getting much time at all on the weekend but I at least got the sanding finished.

Now it's a matter of finding the low spots and timber screw holes and doing some filling, then sand those back, putty, then a guide coat to see how smooth it all is. Then it'll be ready for primer and paint.

Untitled by starpoint73, on Flickr

Untitled by starpoint73, on Flickr

[nvr2old]

Looks very smooth, almost shiny in the pics, Pete. What grit sandpaper has left the finish on there as of now? If it's anything finer then 180, you might have problems with adhesion for the filler. I wouldn't be the least bit afraid of having an 80 grit finish over the entire fairing before, both, applying the filler and then primer. It really needs a good tooth for those steps. It sure is taking shape nicely.

[Guest]

Cheers Larry! That entire surface has been done with the 80 grit wet/dry paper as well as the initial work with the 36 grit discs, so there should be plenty of good grip for the filler and primer. Anything shiny I imagine would be from being a touch damp after giving it a wipe down with a damp cloth. I'll be using wax and grease remover prior to the filler too.

My plan is a layer of blade putty before the primer to give that overall smooth finish, I think I may have found a high spot on one of the patches I missed so I'm keen to get the filler and putty on sooner rather than later so I can get the guide coat on and get that figured out.

That's pretty much the same process I used on the 450's tail piece and it seemed to work out ok for a smooth finish, although this time I'll be taking a little more time and care as I'm not in as big a rush...

[nvr2old]

Cool. You have things well in hand, Pete. Carry on.

[Guest]

I hope so Larry! Haven't touched it any further just yet, picked up the dodgy tank earlier in the week (yeah it's bad) and had to get the 450 towed home from work due to a screw in the rear tyre another night so I haven't been able to get back to it yet... fingers crossed I'll have something resembling progress over the weekend!

[Guest]

Body filler is finally done!

Doesn't look a whole lot different to before on the right side, but there're some small holes, air pockets, and low spots in the fibreglass that have been filled.

Untitled by starpoint73, on Flickr

More on the left side, especially on the patches. It looks like I'd managed to sand a bit too much out of the little patch on the curved edge, and somehow I'd lost a bit of definition of the line in the concave patch at the rear. I think that was the shape of the moulding rather than the sanding though.

Those two isses are sorted and they now feel symmetrical with the shape of the right side.

Untitled by starpoint73, on Flickr

Blade putty and a guide coat is next, then it'll be ready for primer.

[steve murdoch]

Just curious, do you wear a mask when sanding?
Did you wear one when you were glassing?

[nvr2old]

You can put "crisp" edges on with your filler, Pete, then soften them while block sanding the primer. Getting it all one color again is so rewarding.

[Guest]

Yep Steve, most definitely! Although I didn't wear one when wet sanding the filler. That's the one bonus I noticed with wet sanding is there's a lot less dust around, although I really should've worn one even with the filler sanding.

Good to know Larry and yep it will be great to get a single colour on it at last!

[Fjbj40]

Your at the point where I spray primer! I find it easier to see defects when it's all one color and for me the one color gives me initiative!

[Guest]

Well, that's somewhat the plan with the blade putty and guide coat... I'll get some putty on and lightly sand back the lumpy bits, and that should have it all pretty much putty colour. Then I'll add a guide coat and sand it all back to aim for that all over smooth finish.

[steve murdoch]

I've actually been surprised at just how much stuff is still available brand new for the Kat! The dealer most of us use here is somewhat of a Kat specialist (Mick Hone) and is owned by the man himself and he's an ex-racer.

The tanks are genuine ridgey didge Suzuki items and can be had either painted in the correct 13L with decals applied ready to go, or like I'll get which is painted in an incorrect silver colour for about 70% of the cost of the ready to go version.

An aluminium Yoshi tank... mmmm... that would be tasty indeed! They're about three times the price though...

Only 3 times as much?
At least they throw in the fuel line. haha.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/YOSHIMURA-Aluminum-Fuel-Tank-SUZUKI-GSX1100S-KATANA-GS1100S-/162751876338?_trksid=p2349526.m4383.l4275.c10

[Guest]

Oh and fuel cap and keys! That's a bargain! Although that's $US so it's probably about 4x as much as the genuine...

I ducked down to a mate's the other night and we drilled and tapped the lower crankcase to repair the broken cam chain guide holder post, and last night I got blade putty on the bottom of the cowl.

No pic's of either at this point but I plan on getting the rest of the blade putty done today and should finish up the post repair, will post pic's tomorrow.