1981 GSX1100 Katana Based Project

[Shin-Ken 1074]

The super light weight chain guard was supplied with a titanium allen bolt and aluminium spacer. The spacer is needed to off-set the guard position as the 520 rear sprocket is installed 8mm closer to the wheel than the stock carrier due to using a lighter sprocket carrier.

Carbon guard hardware a by Max Mutarn, on Flickr

[Shin-Ken 1074]

As I have mentioned before in this build the low hanging fruit has been picked bare so from now on it will be fine tuning of parts to reduce weight, a few grams here and a few grams there. Today I revisited the mirror mounts and swapped them for thinner wall aluminium mounts, every gram taken off is a win.


Mirror mount a by Max Mutarn, on Flickr


Mirror mount b by Max Mutarn, on Flickr


Mirror mount c by Max Mutarn, on Flickr

Running Tally = 199.677 kg.

[Diirk]

Haven't been on the forum for over half a year and it was quite a treat to read up on the project as well as seeing it's still going in 2025.
Happy new year's, mate! and best of luck keeping the tally below 200kg.

[Shin-Ken 1074]

Haven't been on the forum for over half a year and it was quite a treat to read up on the project as well as seeing it's still going in 2025.
Happy new year's, mate! and best of luck keeping the tally below 200kg.

Hi Diirk, thanks mate and a Happy New Year to you. Yes, the build continues to get lighter, the next goal is to hit 199.00 kg. Finding 677 grams would be easy if I swapped the OEM indicators for LED units but then it wouldn't look right and if it doesn't look right it isn't right. Swapping mirrors could be an option?

Cheers mate.

[Shin-Ken 1074]

Replaced a few more bolts today with lighter ones. The bolts are not critical so no need for steel bolts, aluminium and Ti will do the job just fine.

steel bolts ac by Max Mutarn, on Flickr


IMG_882Ti bolts ac by Max Mutarn, on Flickr


Titanium bolts ab by Max Mutarn, on Flickr


Aluminium bolts ab by Max Mutarn, on Flickr


Running tally = 199.632 kg.

[Shin-Ken 1074]

The M6 aluminium bolts replaced the Ti bolts that held the seat support brackets.

Seat brackets by Max Mutarn, on Flickr

[Shin-Ken 1074]

These M5, M6 and M8 aluminium bolts arrived today, they are to replace the titanium bolts currently holding the cowl brackets in place and a few other brackets that don't need Ti or steel to secure them. Much lighter than titanium or steel bolts so once installed the running tally will be adjusted.

Ally bolts 1 by Max Mutarn, on Flickr

[Shin-Ken 1074]

Just noticed in the pic before the aluminium bolts on the scale pic, the catch can support bracket needs to go on a diet. Must be around 25 grams extra weight there?

[Shin-Ken 1074]

Have trimmed the catch can bracket, now 25 grams lighter.

Catch can bracket 1 by Max Mutarn, on Flickr


Catch can bracket 3 by Max Mutarn, on Flickr


Catch can bracket 6 by Max Mutarn, on Flickr

[Shin-Ken 1074]

Also replaced the catch can bracket titanium bolts with aluminium bolts, trimmed bracket and ally bolts are now 30 grams lighter.


Titanium bracket bolts.
Catch can bolts 2 by Max Mutarn, on Flickr


Aluminium bracket bolts.
Catch can bolts 5 by Max Mutarn, on Flickr


Lighter bracket and bolts installed.
Catch can bracket 7 by Max Mutarn, on Flickr



Running tally = 199.602 kg.

[Rob S.]

I remember when Harley boasted in their print ads the heft of their bikes. "A passing 18 wheeler is not going to blow you out of your lane," some thing like that.

Circa early 1970's, IIRC.

[Grimly]

I remember when Harley boasted in their print ads the heft of their bikes. "A passing 18 wheeler is not going to blow you out of your lane," some thing like that.

Circa early 1970's, IIRC.

Amusing that they even entertained the notion that a passing 18-wheeler would be overtaking a bike.

[Shin-Ken 1074]

Shed a few more grams today by replaced some titanium bolts with aluminium bolts, not big savings but every gram taken off helps in the big picture.

ally bolts 1a by Max Mutarn, on Flickr


The aluminium cowl brackets were attached with titanium bolts, replaced them with aluminium allen bolts, much lighter.
ally brackets 1b by Max Mutarn, on Flickr

Also replaced the oil cooler lower deflector bolts with aluminium allen bolts, four bolts weighing 3 grams!

oil cooler defector bolts by Max Mutarn, on Flickr


Running tally = 199.585 kg.