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I'm not sure if this is the right forum to post this, but I don't think it exactly qualifies for the performance mods section. Sorry if it's in the wrong place.
This is my first post here, since owning a motorcycle is new to me. This would be my forst "real" motorcycle, all the previous two-wheelers have been 2-stroke motorscooters. that being said, I'd like to note that despite not actually owning a motorcycle before, working on them, or anything else with an engine isn't new to me. I can handle the work, but finding the information is sometimes difficult. Thanks in advance for any advice and information... on to the problems I'm having, and the possible solutions I need more information about.
I've always had the urge to modify and improve any machine I own, this bike being no different. It started out as a 1981 GS450L, but it was in sad shape, and the looks didn't really strike me as stunning. I was going to kive with it, until I was offered a 1983 GS450E parts bike for dirt cheap. After finally tracking down the last of the parts to "complete" it, it's now a rat bike made from three different motorcycles. It's going well, but there are still a few more things I have to work out
The first thing is the cylinder head. When I got the bike, it had a 2 into 1 exhaust on it, which I really didn't like. I traded the 2 into 1 exhaust for a factory set, and hit a few snags... the exhaust is fine, it's the cylinder head that worries me. Apparently, one of the many previous owners stripped the bolt holes for the exhaust flange (they may have been studs at one point, I don't know... they're holes now). They were "repaired" my a gorilla with a drill and a set of heli-coils. The problem arises with the alignment, and uneven depth of the holes. One of them is so far out of alignment, and drilled so deep, the threads actually cut into the exhaust port.
Obviously, I'm gonna need a new head. After struggling to bolt on the factory exhaust, I don't think it will work out next time (You know, that gut feeling that never lets you down?). I have another GS450 head, but the tachometer drive is broken, and I can't get it out. I haven't really put much effort into it yet, because I have a better idea.
I've been looking into various engine models, and noticed something quite interesting... the GS450 has a 2 valve per cylinder head (I want better, if possible. I'm not a big fan of adjusting shims). However, the GSX400 has 4 valves per cylinder with rocker arms (and easily adjustable... yay!). For some reason, these two engines use the same head gasket... in fact, they seem to share many engine gaskets. I'd really like to know if the GSX400 head will fit on the GS450 barrels. I'm not worried too much about valve interference or can chain differences at this point, I just need to know if it will bolt on at this point. I can work from there.
The second question is about susspension and brakes. I'm really against drum brakes (and mechanical brakes in general), and the rear drum brake on this bike is something I'm gonna have to get rid of (my bias against drum brakes is nothing more than opinion, I don't want to offend anyone). I found a 1982 GS550M nearby, and it has the entire rear swingarm assemble intact. I was wondering about the forward hinge width (I don't know the word, I'm wondering if it will fit into the frame). I'm also wondering about swingarm length, and wheel diameter issues. I have the 1983 GS450E swingarm in my bike now, which was longer than the original, is the one from the '82 Katana even longer, or the same? I was also wondering about any problems with the wheel... mine is a 17 inch, the Katana has an 18 inch wheel (the wheel style is identical, and the front wheel is the same size).
Now for the last question... I don't really like the single front disc, and that same katana also has intact front forks, and brake hardware. Are the fork tubes the same diameter, or do I need the triple clamps as well? That's about it. Thanks for bearing with me, if you managed to read this far. :-D
This is my first post here, since owning a motorcycle is new to me. This would be my forst "real" motorcycle, all the previous two-wheelers have been 2-stroke motorscooters. that being said, I'd like to note that despite not actually owning a motorcycle before, working on them, or anything else with an engine isn't new to me. I can handle the work, but finding the information is sometimes difficult. Thanks in advance for any advice and information... on to the problems I'm having, and the possible solutions I need more information about.
I've always had the urge to modify and improve any machine I own, this bike being no different. It started out as a 1981 GS450L, but it was in sad shape, and the looks didn't really strike me as stunning. I was going to kive with it, until I was offered a 1983 GS450E parts bike for dirt cheap. After finally tracking down the last of the parts to "complete" it, it's now a rat bike made from three different motorcycles. It's going well, but there are still a few more things I have to work out
The first thing is the cylinder head. When I got the bike, it had a 2 into 1 exhaust on it, which I really didn't like. I traded the 2 into 1 exhaust for a factory set, and hit a few snags... the exhaust is fine, it's the cylinder head that worries me. Apparently, one of the many previous owners stripped the bolt holes for the exhaust flange (they may have been studs at one point, I don't know... they're holes now). They were "repaired" my a gorilla with a drill and a set of heli-coils. The problem arises with the alignment, and uneven depth of the holes. One of them is so far out of alignment, and drilled so deep, the threads actually cut into the exhaust port.
Obviously, I'm gonna need a new head. After struggling to bolt on the factory exhaust, I don't think it will work out next time (You know, that gut feeling that never lets you down?). I have another GS450 head, but the tachometer drive is broken, and I can't get it out. I haven't really put much effort into it yet, because I have a better idea.
I've been looking into various engine models, and noticed something quite interesting... the GS450 has a 2 valve per cylinder head (I want better, if possible. I'm not a big fan of adjusting shims). However, the GSX400 has 4 valves per cylinder with rocker arms (and easily adjustable... yay!). For some reason, these two engines use the same head gasket... in fact, they seem to share many engine gaskets. I'd really like to know if the GSX400 head will fit on the GS450 barrels. I'm not worried too much about valve interference or can chain differences at this point, I just need to know if it will bolt on at this point. I can work from there.
The second question is about susspension and brakes. I'm really against drum brakes (and mechanical brakes in general), and the rear drum brake on this bike is something I'm gonna have to get rid of (my bias against drum brakes is nothing more than opinion, I don't want to offend anyone). I found a 1982 GS550M nearby, and it has the entire rear swingarm assemble intact. I was wondering about the forward hinge width (I don't know the word, I'm wondering if it will fit into the frame). I'm also wondering about swingarm length, and wheel diameter issues. I have the 1983 GS450E swingarm in my bike now, which was longer than the original, is the one from the '82 Katana even longer, or the same? I was also wondering about any problems with the wheel... mine is a 17 inch, the Katana has an 18 inch wheel (the wheel style is identical, and the front wheel is the same size).
Now for the last question... I don't really like the single front disc, and that same katana also has intact front forks, and brake hardware. Are the fork tubes the same diameter, or do I need the triple clamps as well? That's about it. Thanks for bearing with me, if you managed to read this far. :-D
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