Building a KiwiKat

[katanarama]

I disagree Dink. My GSX1100 motor went into my 750 kat frame with just a trolley jack, 2 pairs of hands and some creative wiggle-ing.
http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=93714&page=3
http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.phpt=93714&page=3

You need to take the rocker cover or the sump off to get any GSX1100 motor into or out of the frame.

Dink

 

[katanakid]

I have rebuilt a set of smoothbore 33mm carbs with new needle and seats, gaskets, and idle air screws etc. The 1150 engine that I am running is bog standard with the exception of the Harris system with race baffle.
Below is a pic of the Smoothies installed with K&N pods. (RC 0981 Pods)

 

[katanakid]

Had a new seat made up, and also had some plastic fabrication work done to marry up the tailpiece and side covers.

 

[sparki]

Had a new seat made up, and also had some plastic fabrication work done to marry up the tailpiece and side covers.

gorgeous kat m8.... but i must say i preferred the gap between the tail and the side panels... it's a raw, almost unfinished look that is cool... and that large tailpipe?... please put the harris back on... makes the old girl look too heavy imo. :-D

 

[Silvermachine81]

I have rebuilt a set of smoothbore 33mm carbs with new needle and seats, gaskets, and idle air screws etc.

Were they in need of a rebuild or did you just find them a bit wooly and hard to tune?

Also, I think your bike looks more "finished" now and more like a pro build.
Although the retro part of me says that theres some thing 'right' about having the brake resevior showing under the seat like the original bike, there is also something special about a project bike looking like it could have been designed in the factory

 

[Ironriot]

Super thread revival.... I agree with Sparki. The short can looked so much better IMO

 

[IronPawz]

Just a quick note to say I purchased this great machine from Katanakid and will update here on the rest of its journey over time. Presently it is getting geared up for certification. It is a great machine to ride. It is getting a minor shock mounting location adjustment first. There has been a little work on getting the carbies to shut off and not be quite as hard on the wrist. The bike is in primer and I'll be considering colour options over time. It is intended for high KM's commuting and open track days.

I love this bike it is a total dream come true. The exhaust is different from the images here so I will get some more recent pictures up over time. Probably not going to keep with the orange wheels. Kind of prefer the original seat's but this one is SO comfortable both in position and padding that I doubt I will change it (I don't mind the look either but at 2 hours riding 5 days a week the original seat and position is hard work compared).

 

[posplayr]

Just a quick note to say I purchased this great machine from Katanakid and will update here on the rest of its journey over time. Presently it is getting geared up for certification. It is a great machine to ride. It is getting a minor shock mounting location adjustment first. There has been a little work on getting the carbies to shut off and not be quite as hard on the wrist. The bike is in primer and I'll be considering colour options over time. It is intended for high KM's commuting and open track days.

I love this bike it is a total dream come true. The exhaust is different from the images here so I will get some more recent pictures up over time. Probably not going to keep with the orange wheels. Kind of prefer the original seat's but this one is SO comfortable both in position and padding that I doubt I will change it (I don't mind the look either but at 2 hours riding 5 days a week the original seat and position is hard work compared).

Congratulations; I have never seen this thread before.

 

[John Kat]

Congratulations for the first class job on you Kat!
It must have been quite a moment when you widened the rear loop of the Katana frame...
A doubt must have crept in your mind about the frame still beeing true after the operation?

 

[IronPawz]

Actually I just brought it from the Man so did it. Great guy certainly seemed to know what he is about. I've it in a shop having the shock mount changed a little for certification. I note the chain is VERY close to the body and also VERY close to the tire so it might need a chain conversion giving it is running the old original tank track and potentially a smaller wheel for cert (it is just touched about the edge from the chain likely only under certain conditions).

Still it came great to ride but should be better again shortly. It is all rough at present so needs a paint (tank is getting primer but yet to decide colours). I'll get some new images and details on updates soon. I understand the aluminium block has arrived at the machinists for the back shock upper mount now so should be soon (really like to get this out in the Kiwi summer that starts in 3 days).

 

[IronPawz]

Thanks this bike was SUCH a find! Also it was quite random giving I called about a parts 1992 GSXR750 looking to use it to do up my Katana. I've wanted to have modernized one of these for years. I'd never cut up an original (for shame) but I'll gladly have one already done or (as I planned) do it to a 7/11 someone else already partly converted.

 

[IronPawz]

Quick image of the Kat as it stands (primer only have not decided on final colours). The shock mount has changed, the can is what it came with (a little loud for long commuting but looks good). Certification will start soon but the chain still is CLOSE to the frame and contacts the wheel (notches the wheel slightly). It rides very nicely and the power is great.

 

[GS1150Pilot]

Great looking Kat!

 

[IronPawz]

Great looking Kat!

Thanks, great quote in your tagline.

 

[GS1150Pilot]

Thanks, great quote in your tagline.

Cheers-and have a great time on your new mount.

 

[bobgroger]

FWIW not sure what you have for a sprocket carrier but a GS will give you a few mm clearance over a GSX for chain clearance.

 

[IronPawz]

Bike has passed through low volume certification. MOT has ok'd the existing black plate. Low volume certification is done just waiting the plate from that. Then it is back to VTNZ and the old Kat should be back on the road doing high KM's in the Kapiti to Wellington commute (as I do on a fireblade at present). So if you are down under you may be seeing this old girl come past soon. Next to figure out a pain scheme and get that done over the winter. Good times, almost riding the bike of my dreams!

 

[IronPawz]

Bike is now road legal and riding well. Needs some road setup still. Time to get into painting it and refining. Will post image updates.

 

[nvr2old]

As I was reading through your thread and saw the new tail, I was blown away by how the upswept lines so matched the lines on the tank. A natural. The whole time, though, I was thinking how it would look better yet if the tail actually met the side cover..turn the page, low and behold..it's been done. That really finishes it out. I like your silver and orange paint scheme, too..it just looks right on a Kat.

 

[IronPawz]

Kat is now getting a 520 chain conversion as the chain is notching the tire and so close to the frame. Should be complete this week coming. New set of S21 tires to replace the rubber that has sat on it for many years. Now it will be ride it, adjust suspension and just see how well it operates on my 150 km daily round trip commute. Colours are in mostly primer (black) and unpainted welds.
I brought another GSX1100EFE (or GSX1135 or GSX1150) engine for it (given one came up and I never see them in New Zealand). Something to do up on the side.

We will see if I can live with the smoothies given they have to be manually shut off most of the time. Almost time to start thinking about colour scheme. I know some love the orange but it is to KTM (I've a fireblade in all black so even then I don't do Repsol Orange). It is going to have to go somewhere more traditional. I'll just give it at least a few 1000 kms and play with the suspension for now. Will take it for a few runs on the track next year all going well.

Decided to leave the seat as is and just see how we go. I'll probably never like it as I do the cut down original but it is more comfortable on a long commute and it will probably grow on me.