GS650GL + 90's katana 600

[Old guy]

This one shouldn't be filed under dead in the water/never going to happen projects. I finished school in December and got my paramedic card Jan 22. This is one of those slow projects. Found a frame for mock up for $0.99 and a 1993 Katana 600 donor bike for $150.

let the fun begin. Picking up the frame and donor bike tomorrow.

[witttom]

Subscribing to this thread, because I want to see where this project goes.

[Old guy]

Frame is home. Picking up the bike in a few hours.

Should be able to put together a roller AND keep my bike together and riding while fitting it all up.

thanks for the frame Tom.

[Old guy]

Got the bike for $75

[SVSooke]

IMO getting that E frame off Tom will make this whole thing go way easier.I think you will find the idea of changing a shaft bike to chain a more of a challenge.It's been talked about but seldom done with any success.I to am interested in seeing where this goes.

[Old guy]

The triple tree bolts right up. The bearings cross referenced between the two bikes. I figured since the katana is a steel frame and the bearing barrels for the GS was already being made, they probably just used it. You'd have to add steering stops and check tank clearence, but it's a an easier swap than gsxr front gear.

three rebound adjustments, dual front disks and 2 piston calipers, much better spring rates.

[witttom]

Need some photos posted along the way, so that we can point and accuse you of doing it the wrong way.

[Old guy]

Swapping the shaft drive to chain is probably easier than a chain bike.

the reason being, the swing arm on a shaft bike is held in by studs that unscrew from the frame. A little lathe work and a center hole will let you run the swing arm bolt through them, and, be able to adjust the distance/width between them.

The frame I picked up is identical to the titled bike I have. So, I can mock up a roller to see whats possible w/o ruining the ruining bike I have. It's win win.

so far I'm in $75 for the bike, $0 on the frame, $20 for the trailer rental, and gas.

So far the katana front swap is a simpler way to rework the front of the bike.

If if the whole swap won't work, I can build a wicked go kart.

[Old guy]

[Old guy]

Swing arm length of the GS is 18.5", GSX 22"

the front wheel axle to the frame sets back an inch. But on the L forks the axle mounts in front of the forks.

the bike will get 2.5" longer. Unless, I push the pivot foreward.

[Old guy]

Motor drops into the frame much easier than the original. So it'd be cake in a larger bike.

More room in the frame with this motor.

The exhaust ports clear the frame down tubes. That's a good thing.

One mount und hole in the rear could be used, but, it'd pull the front sprocket away from the swing arm and might cause issues with chain rub.

It it seems like it'd be much easier with an onler style swingarm.

[Old guy]

Wiring will be pretty straight foreward. This motor uses a gear driven alternator with a built in regulator. Bye bye charging issues.

Really just the signal generator to igniter, I can keep the starter solenoid wiring the same and safety switches, power feeds, and I can swap to the newer fuse box.

The front mounts will be will be pretty simple. The stock mounts almost work, just need to be a touch wider. I'll weld new tabs for the rear mounts and lower mounts.

No way the air box will fit w/o hacking the frame. So looks like filter pods or something creative.

carbs are flat slides and a good bit shorter than the originals and there are some well developed jet kits available.

Foot pegs will get moved back and up some, which is good because the ground clearence sucks.

Should be be able to keep the old school look with a touch of modern and way more go.

once this gets done, I'll be looking hard for a 750 katana motor 100+ hp would be ****.

Haven't figured out the exhaust yet, but a bandit exhaust might be the ticket. Got an oil cooler to clear now too.

[78550GS]

.

once this gets done, I'll be looking hard for a 750 katana motor 100+ hp would be ****.

Haven't figured out the exhaust yet, but a bandit exhaust might be the ticket. Got an oil cooler to clear now too.

How about an 1100 Kat engine? With Yosh Exhaust. I am kinda on the fence about selling it right now, but a good offer might get it from me. I have the whole bike.

[Old guy]

Whole Katanas are popping up for 200-600. I can't justify buying parts when whole bike are this cheap. I picked up the one I have now for $75.

witttom was following this build to see about swapping a kat motor vs a bandit 1200. He might be interested since the 1100 kat and bandit motors are almost the same.

[Old guy]