1984 Katana 7/11

[pete]

My battery arrived yesterday, found an SSB Powersports AGM that's tiny but produces 195CCA and fits easily inside my battery tray.

Untitled by starpoint73, on Flickr

I was able to hook it up and I brushed the go button just enough to see if the starter wanted to crank the motor and it sure did! That was pretty exciting!

I'll have to find some suitable foam to pack the battery tray out to stop it moving around as well as figure out a suitable way to strap it down.

I also got my push/pull throttle sorted, although I'd love to know if there are good tips out there for hooking it up as it was not exactly an easy job. I'm used to only one throttle cable which is nice and simple, but two working against each other was tricky! I had both cables at max length to install but I still struggled to find a way to get the pull cable end to engage in the throttle tube.

I also had to route the cables around the left side of the head tube as they're a bit long to go neatly down the right and I think there'd be some issues with the front cowl.

Untitled by starpoint73, on Flickr

So now I really need to finish the harness off so I can test for spark and then hit the go button for real for the first time.

[pete]

One of the local guys gave me a bunch of suitable foam for the battery tray yesterday so I can sort the padding out when I'm ready now.

Also two big wins last night... the oil pressure sensor seems to be working after a good clean and I also got the coils hooked up and have verified I have spark on all four plugs!

So, providing I can get those last bits of wiring I need to get done today/tonight I should be able to hit the go button for the first time tomorrow. If I'm not ready I'm not rushing though...

[gs scott]

Pete,
Coming along very nicely!! I'm sure you're VERY stoked for startup, but check and then double check.

[storm 64]

Looking great Pete. Your hard work is definitely paying off. I can't wait to see your cool Kat hanging out with your cool Kat buddies 👍

[pete]

Cheers guys! Yep, everything double checked between last night and this morning and...

Well Merry Christmas to me!!!

Got everything sorted yesterday and last night ready to attempt the first start today, and winner winner chicken dinner!

Pity I cut the video a bit short as I cracked the throttle a bit more after this and not only did it sound great but the smoke started to clear as the throttle opened, so mainly it just needs to really clear its throat a bit.

Definitely need some tuning, didn't want to idle well and I suspect the carbs are rather rich given the idle stayed up after closing the throttle.

I also did a real quick walk around I promised to some overseas folk a while back, I'm not real flash with the video footage though.

[zuluwiz]

It's ALIVE!!!

Cheers Pete. I know you've been waiting for this moment for quite a long time, and l know your followers have as well. Congrats, mate!

[dorkburger]

Well, merry Christmas to you! Congrats.

[steve murdoch]

Pete, you should take up Poker for a living.
Not even a smile when it fired up. I would have been doing cartwheels.

Congrats on all your hard work getting you closer to the finish line.

[pete]

Cheers guys!!! Yeah I don't look real excited, but trust me I am!

Been a while coming and will be a little while still until it hits the road but it's all heading in the right direction now, can't wait!

[Charlie G]

Wahoo! Congrats!

[greg78gs750]

hell yeah, nice work, can't wait to see it "done"!

[Sam 78 GS750]

That's Awesome! Congrats on the first startup.... I know there's a lot of bits and pieces to tidy up still, but that's a momentous occasion.

[nvr2old]

Could not be happier for you, Pete. It's been a long road to such an important and satisfying stage of your build. Also nice to put a face on someone you know but have never met. Good on ya.

[pete]

Cheers guys! Yeah momentous occasion alright! Was definitely looking forward to that for a while.

I'm just sorting out what to do with the intake side of the moment. Velocity stacks with foam sock filters are the go for sure, just finalising which exact stacks to use but these are the sock filters: https://www.ramair-filters.co.uk/sho...ilters-ms-006/

I need to get a bung for an O2 sensor in the exhaust just after the collector and get the stacks and filters on before I run it again so I can get the mixture close at idle and at least somewhere usable on the needle as well. I don't want to spend too much time with it idling or running with no load but I need to get it somewhat sorted before it will pass a safety certificate when I get to that point.

One thing I did do yesterday was something I should've done before the first start... checked the pilot circuits on the VM33's a bit closer. I got a tip on checking those but completely missed doing it, and I think they were at least partially clogged. After removing the pilot jets and air screws and spraying carby cleaner through in all directions they definitely seem better, so that was likely impacting on the ability to idle the other day.

[gs scott]

Hi Pete,
Congrats on the start up! Long time coming and well worth it - Your Kat looks and sounds super!