650 Katana, should I or shouldn't I cut the frame?

[650Kat]

Been looking at my '82 650 Katana and I really like the look of it without the rear light setup. It shortens the bike up and gives it a more aggresive look. Mocked up in Paint.

In the pic below everything behind the red line will go and the white line will be the new subframe tucked up under the seat.I have a new LED rear unit to go on here.

My question is, will this be a crime against Katana-hood to cut this bike? Are the 650's worth keeping standard or are they pretty common and no harm in modifying this one?

[Octain]

Fairly desireable bike. Cut it and it wont be worth $hit!!

[SVSooke]

Seconded,not very many of these around.Cutting it would be a shame.

[hillsy]

Seconded,not very many of these around.Cutting it would be a shame.

Really? These bikes are probably the least valuable GS's over here in Australia (OK - maybe the GS250's are cheaper ). Even low mileage original examples can be bought for very little.

They were sold as Katanas over here, but with being shaft drive and only 650, they were completely overshadowed by the bigger, faster 750 and 1100 "real" Kats.

I'd say cut it up as you please. If you cut it neatly, you can keep the rear frame and have it re-welded later on.......if you ever feel the need to restore the bike back to original.

[SVSooke]

In North America these are fairly rare.Same as OZ they where overshadowed by the bigger Kats.If you got lots there then go ahead.Over here not so much.

[Octain]

Really? These bikes are probably the least valuable GS's over here in Australia (OK - maybe the GS250's are cheaper ). Even low mileage original examples can be bought for very little.

.

Very little is a relative term.

Do what you want but if it were me I'd leave that bike stock.

[spyug]

I must admit I like the "chopped" look you have in mind but like the others I'd refrain. Its too rare a bike and if kept tidy and stock would retain or increase its value over time.

Find a nice little 400 or 450 rip into or better yet leave the Zuks alone and chop up a Kaw or Honda.

If you must chop it, as mentioned, do it cleanly and save all the bits so you can put it all back together again in the future. chances are good that you will want to......trust me

Nice bike my friend.

cheers,
Spyug

[Agemax]

its your bike at the end of the day, if you plan on keeping it for a while and not worried about the resale value in a few years then go for it

[Larry D]

I've always liked this one....I know I've posted it before, but, I think it's just wonderful.

http://www.thegsresources.com/_scripts/gallerydispwnd.php?RegID=983

*If* I could find one here in the States, I'd try to get it as close to this one as possible. They are few and far between here, at least in somewhat decent condition.

That one you have is in pretty good shape, I'd leave it alone.

ps. If any of you Aussies want to ship me one over....I'd take it.

[650Kat]

They aren't that collectable over here in Australia. I've spotted at least 3 for $500 in the last few weeks.

So,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, measure 5 times, triple check those measurements and mark where I want to cut.


Check that again and cut away.


Make the new rear frame to fit under inside the seat, bend, weld, modify and weld on original seat catches, paint etc etc.



Attach new rear LED lights and blinkers and job done. Easy




Just some tidy up work to do. I also need to attach an aluminium plate under the frame to hide and protect the wiring.

Next up is new suspension, strip and paint everything and maybe give the engine a bit more go.

[hampshirehog]

The 650 Kat isn't sought after over here either.

Your frame mod looks pretty neat - minimises the back end nicely and makes it look a lot less bulky.

Those rearsets do look an awfully long way back. If it were my bike I think I'd be looking to pull them forward a bit.

[Octain]

LOL, holy hacksaw Batman!
I can hear the bike Gods now....

I must admit, looks good.

If ya go em, chope em!

[650Kat]

Hehe, thanks guys.

I had a long hard think about it and took on board everyones advice,,,,,, and cut it anyway

I asked on the Aussie Katana board as well and the general consensus was Cut That Bad Boy.

Really happy with how it looks. Seems to have really bulked up the look of the bike by shortening it.

Hmmmmmm, time to give the old girl a good clean up and some fresh paint. It has a few oil leaks as well that I will have to fix. Looks like gaskets so no biggie.

[mighty13d]

It looks great. In the end you need to do what makes you happy. People warm up to the idea if you do a good job on it even if opposed to it in the beginning.

[Smokinapankake]

Just my opinion, and you know what that means...

Trying to make a 25 year old shaft drive 650 look like a modern sportbike doesn't make a lot of sense to me.
I'm a bit of a Katana fan, and the 650s were neat bikes, and they are fairly rare round these parts. But its a shafty trying to be a sport bike.
I probably wouldn't have cut it but its not my bike.
All that being said, what you've done looks pretty good. I really dig the green color, and how clean the undertail looks. If you could somehow "debulk" the front half to match the newfound lightness of the rear half you'd really be onto something there!