GS650GL + 90's katana 600

[Old guy]

[Old guy]

I think this would be fun in a little old 550

[Buffalo Bill]

Nah, I don't get it.
What you're doing is just changing the GSXF frame for the GS frame.
Your result only will be a DIY Bandit 600.
One good and useful reason for this mod would be: using a legal titled frame to swap your untitled sport bike parts onto, because you can't find a matching frame.

[Buffalo Bill]

Nah, I don't get it.
What you're doing is just changing the GSXF frame for the GS frame.
Your result will only be a DIY Bandit 600.
One good and useful reason for this mod would be: using a legal titled frame to swap your untitled sport bike parts onto, because you can't find a matching frame.

[Old guy]

I've got my eye on a 650E and 550, both titled, but not running. In the end I'd have 2 running titled bikes.

I get bored and I tinker, that's mainly what it's about. There are no instructions and no kit, it keeps me sane. I'm in less than $100 bucks for the donor bike and some dust seals.

[TeamNeal]

Doin that right now...

[Old guy]

Over 200% increase in brake caliper Pistons, 50%increase in number of brake rotors (and size)

[XR750]

Not it much real progress. I still don't have a welder, or it'd more or less be done. The swing arm pivot needs to be moved down and foreward, and the rear mounts need to be done. Then I can pull the titled bike down and get to the real business.

Where a 600 goes so will a 750 or a 1200.

600 and 1200 are same dimensions? I have a complete Bandit 1200, planned on moving engine, fork, swingarm, etc. over to a GS750 frame. One of my yet unanswered concerns is placement of engine into frame. Seems that some guys place it towards the rear, and make up extensions for the header. Others set it forward for header connection, and deal with the increased distance between countershaft and swingarm pivot and issues with chain rubbing the swing arm.

if my info is correct, GS550 and GS650 are similar except for chain/shaft drive differences. If so, would your (and my) project be easier with a GS550 base?

[Old guy]

Probably going to go this route. Titled 550 $300.

http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/mpo/5008189386.html

[Old guy]

The 1200 is a little taller. I got the motor right into the frame. The only thing I had to remove was the oil drain plug. So, worst case you might have to pull the valve cover.

I'd prefer to keep the wheel base short, that's for turn in and changing directions, vs keeping the front wheel down or brining the center of gravity back some. So I'd mount the motor foreward and change the swingarm pivot. You'll potentially loose some stbility at high speed, but honestly with no fairing, how often will that be, and its all theoretical anyway. The bike will probably end up longer than it is now even if you move the pivot. The fab work, cost, etc. of getting adapters machined for the header vs getting a good welder involved to do a new pivot, has to be a wash. Adapters are going to put the header closer to the ground and lose clearance. It really comes down to preference.

The tank might interfere with the carbs and the petcock will probably hit the carbs. My solution is going to be use a block off plate for the existing cock mount, cut the mount off the second tank, and weld it into the other tank. But, the tank off a larger bike might have it back far enough you won't have to do anything.

My my thoughs on the 550 are because I like a small (power dense) bike even though I'm 6'3". It's just easier to whip around and muscle which is just more fun (and we're probably moving back to Germany soon, and a smaller bike in Europe just works out better) Plus, in the end, I'll end up with two working titled bikes. One more or less original, and one I can take out all my tinkering on.

The 650 is a little larger, there was a 650E, which is a chain drive bike. One of those popped up for sale on my area, I'd be tempted to restore that and sell the shaft bike, but I'd also sacrifice it for this project in a heartbeat too.

Anyway I go with it it leaves me the option of dropping larger motors in later. The more parts and frames I have the more I can tinker.

600 and 1200 are same dimensions? I have a complete Bandit 1200, planned on moving engine, fork, swingarm, etc. over to a GS750 frame. One of my yet unanswered concerns is placement of engine into frame. Seems that some guys place it towards the rear, and make up extensions for the header. Others set it forward for header connection, and deal with the increased distance between countershaft and swingarm pivot and issues with chain rubbing the swing arm.

if my info is correct, GS550 and GS650 are similar except for chain/shaft drive differences. If so, would your (and my) project be easier with a GS550 base?