Turn an 82 GS650G into a GS650 Katana?

[gunslinger92557]

I am a newbie, just picked up an 82 GS650G for $200. Been sitting for a while but only has 4700 miles. Is it possible to change the exterior to look like a Katana?

[duaneage]

THe drive line is the same, except for an oil cooler. The Tank, seat and sidepanels are unique to the Katana and very difficult to obtain. I would try and find a 650 katana owner and ask them to take detailed photos with rulers on the frame spine where the tank mounts, the side panel mounting areas (also with rulers) and the rear area under the seat. Better yet to get a side by side look at one.

As cool as they are it may be more work than it is worth.

[isaac]

Duane, who is the biznass, knows what he's talking about. I'll add that you could attempt to make your own fiberglass panels to simulate Katana plastic. You'll need good details on the parts, but it's been done. You'd have to modify the designs slightly so that the panels could attach to your bike, since yours will not have some of the attaching points. I believe that you could heavily modify a newer (88-93 or so) Katana's headlight cowling with added fiberglass to make it work. That way you wouldn't have to start from absolute scratch.

Point being: You're going to have to do a good amount of fabrication. If you can buy actual Katana panels (which I imagine will cost a lot) then it'll of course be a bit easier, but you'll still have to fab up mounts. That's just a welder, some sheet or bar steel, and an angle grinder, but still.