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Katana Wheel/Front end upgrade for a 85GS550ESF

  • Thread starter Thread starter Colorado85gs550
  • Start date Start date
C

Colorado85gs550

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this was started in the tire upgrade thread and I decided to start a new thread specifically about which Katana wheels/front end I could get to be a bolt-on swap over to my 1985 GS550E. I would like to keep the fairings/brackets on it as they mount directly to the frame anyways.....which front end and which rear wheel to match is gonna be the best fit? Does anyone have specs on this?

Paul
 
Someone posted that up a few months ago, so use Search.

As for the front end, a late 80's/early 90's Katana 600 would be the way do go. The front end should bolt in and you have to do a few mods. If you can get a complete front end , you're good to go.

The Katana rear wheel should bolt up per Lee
 
I have an '88 GSX-R750 front end that would probably be perfect for a 550. It has preload adjusters with adjusters for compression and rebound damping. It needs new fork seals but other than that is great. Magazines called it the most sophisticated fork ever used on a street bike at the time. Pair that up with an '88 up GSX-R front wheel and run a 120/17 up front. The spoke style is the same as a Katana 600 rear.
 
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Billy's parts should work. Any katana from '89 to about '97 will be the same setup, whether its a 600 katana or 750. I think Bandit stuff is the same, too, but you'll have to verify that yourself if you go that way. You will have to drill holes in the bump stops on the lower tripple and put a small bolt in there to get them to touch the frame properly. The bearings match up fine, the head tube is the same length, etc. etc. Get some katana calipers as well, and you'll be good to go.

Here's a picture of my 550 when I first bolted the katana parts on:
 
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I have a 600 Katana rear wheel with a dunlop sportmax tire on it that I'm not using anymore that I would let go dirt cheap.
 
Well, my will is there, but not my metal fab ability, if it was a bolts and what not type thing maybe, but not a weld/fab kind of thing.
 
Billy Ricks said:
I have an '88 GSX-R750 front end that would probably be perfect for a 550. It has preload adjusters with adjusters for compression and rebound damping. It needs new fork seals but other than that is great. Magazines called it the most sophisticated fork ever used on a street bike at the time. Pair that up with an '88 up GSX-R front wheel and run a 120/17 up front. The spoke style is the same as a Katana 600 rear.
Click to expand...


What's the price and where are you located in relation to Colorado?
 
kingofvenus said:
I have a 600 Katana rear wheel with a dunlop sportmax tire on it that I'm not using anymore that I would let go dirt cheap.
Click to expand...

What year is it? will it match the front end of Billy's? How much? how much to have it shipped to Colorado?
 
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I found a rear swingarm off a 85 GS700 for $65 here in Longmont, CO.....I'm going up Tuesday to pick it up. I'll be checking his inventory on the wheels and frontend also.....unless you guys are close and make me an offer I can't refuse;)

Thanks for the help so far!
 
Colorado85gs550 said:
What's the price and where are you located in relation to Colorado?
Click to expand...
I'm in Texas. $100 complete with triples and bar mounts above the triple. I have a set of rotors I'll throw in. One is warped, don't remember which one. For the cost of seals I would even put them on for you.

Kingofvenus' wheel is the one I believe he won from me in a charity auction we held here. It's a 3.5" wheel from an '88 I believe.
 
is the 3.5 inch wheel the widest I can put on the 85 GS700 swingarm? is it the widest Katana wheel that will work? where in Texas? I've driven to Dallas a hundred times as it's where my wife is burried and can make a trip down for my daughter to visit mommy if you're on the way.....let me know. For $100 plus the cost of seals I'm in for a weekend drive!
 
Colorado85gs550 said:
is the 3.5 inch wheel the widest I can put on the 85 GS700 swingarm? is it the widest Katana wheel that will work? where in Texas? I've driven to Dallas a hundred times as it's where my wife is burried and can make a trip down for my daughter to visit mommy if you're on the way.....let me know. For $100 plus the cost of seals I'm in for a weekend drive!
Click to expand...
San Antonio. Shipping would be cheaper than gas. You can fit a 4.5" wheel with a 160 in the 700 swingarm.

OSTBikePhoto2.jpg


That's the fork on my bike.
 
when you say "complete" does this mean it will come with the bars, brakes, fender, etc? so that all I would have to do is make my brake lines work and make a bracket for the guage cluster to work? or just the forks? If I read this correctly I'd still need a front wheel too? Do you have a picture of everything I'll get? Sorry for so much.....but I've never ventured into this kind of swap and I don't want to be down without a bike for too long. I may need to get the front end from you and get it ready for the swap AFTER I get the rear swap done first......I'm assuming the rear swap with the swingarm and rear tire/wheel will go easier/cheaper first.....with less downtime.

What year/model can I get the 4.5 inch rear wheel for this thing?
 
how much do you think shipping would be up here to Colorado Springs?
 
Billy Ricks said:
I'm in Texas. $100 complete with triples and bar mounts above the triple. I have a set of rotors I'll throw in. One is warped, don't remember which one. For the cost of seals I would even put them on for you.

Kingofvenus' wheel is the one I believe he won from me in a charity auction we held here. It's a 3.5" wheel from an '88 I believe.
Click to expand...

Yes, that is the one. I just switched to a 4.5 from an '89 1100 gsxr. The 3.5 was way easier to swap in. I'd let it go for $20 plus shipping from here in Wi. Includes the rear caliper mount, rotor also but no caliper or bearings. had to use center spacer for mine but have new one to pick up from dealer to include.
 
did the swap to the 3.5 also require the GS700 swingarm? What size tire fits on the 3.5 inch wheel? can you figure shipping for me to 80809? Thanks...

Paul
 
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