1984 Katana 7/11

[pete]

Cheers Scott, was a great day and feeling to hear it for the first time! Definitely happy with the sound too, I'm really liking how that exhaust sounds!

[pete]

I had an unintended win yesterday!

I Googled around to see what the chances were of getting the GSX1100 ignition barrel re-keyed so I could use the Katana key from the fuel tap or seat lock and get them all keyed the same by a locksmith.

Turns out it's a pretty simple process to re-key by changing wafers, and to cut a long story short all three locks are now keyed the same using a Kat key, so no need to go see a locksmith. Bargain!

[zuluwiz]

You're on a roll, Pete! You should be out buying lottery tickets.

[pete]

Hahaha cheers! I didn't expect that to be such an easy job, you might be onto something there!

[pete]

Got my horn mount sorted yesterday, just needs a lick of paint and some neater fasteners.

Bonus is it doesn't need to be removed to take the valve cover off or to take the headers off, and the connectors reached without having to extend them.

Untitled by starpoint73, on Flickr

[Skinner]

Congrats Pete! Looks great and sounds AWESOME!

Cheers!
Kevin

[pete]

Cheers Kevin! I'm definitely very happy with it

It also seems I'm on a bit of a roll at the moment!

A mate gave me a new sight glass for the rear M/C reservoir but I figured it wasn't quite right as there was no way I could see it fitting.

I messaged him about something else and mentioned my rear M/C reservoir sight glass issue and of course he had a simple solution... check if I still had the old metal ring in place.

Sure enough I'd painted it in! Along with the remnants of the sight glass and O ring of course.

Untitled by starpoint73, on Flickr

So after some stuffing about with a socket, small clamp, and a 10 cent piece, I finally have a complete rear reservoir.

Untitled by starpoint73, on Flickr

All I need is a new diaphragm and a couple of nicer hose clamps (the ones I have are corroded from brake fluid) and I can get the rear brake bled.

I must say I'm impressed with that Eastwood Extreme Chassis Black I used to paint all the brake bits. The reservoir copped a bit of a beating last night with the socket slipping etc. but there's not a single scratch or missing bit of paint as a result. The same mate recommended the paint of course, and I see why!

[gs scott]

How goes it Pete - almost ready for spring?

[pete]

Hey Scott I wish! Unfortunately the 450 has become a bit of a time/money leech over the last few weeks with yet another battery/stator replacement and a new tyre. This time 'round I've relocated the battery away from the heat of the exhaust which I hope allows it to last a lot longer.

I did at least get the rear brake bled on the Kat before getting distracted so I know my master cylinder sight glass replacement is good.

Fingers crossed this weekend will see some progress on tidying up the harness and working out where the O2 sensor bung should sit so I can get it welded in.

[pete]

Back to it at last!

I was hoping for a little more progress on tidying the harness but I was ultra careful installing the O2 sensor bung as I really didn't want to screw up the headers and it took the whole morning.

I stitch drilled the hole too small intentionally and just took my time opening it up until the bung sat nicely where I wanted it.

My welding wasn't quite attrocious, although I did blow one hole which I managed to fill and I can't see anywhere oxygen will get in.

Untitled by starpoint73, on Flickr

My sock filters are on their way from the UK at the moment and next pay should see me ordering the stock rubber intake stacks so hopefully only a few weeks from the second start and getting it somewhat tuned at least at low throttle openings.

[pete]

I managed to make a little progress yesterday.

My Ramair sock filters arrived the other day, and I ducked over to see a mate during the week to grab the three stock velocity stacks he offered up (he has no clue what happened to the fourth).

One side of the intake is ready at least and next pay I'll buy the missing stack to finish the job.

Untitled by starpoint73, on Flickr

I also stopped procrastinating about tidying up the harness so the left side is now all wrapped up. I really need to sort out around the fuse box and relays next up, as well as the battery connections.

I must say I really like that self amalgamating tape, goes on nice and easy and makes it very neat.

Untitled by starpoint73, on Flickr

[nvr2old]

The wiring looks very sano, Pete. Very factory-like. Every step gets you closer to completion. Riding it will be such a long awaited reward for all you've done.

[pete]

Cheers Larry! Yep, at the moment it's just one step at a time. I reckon you're spot on, it will be a much enjoyed reward indeed!

[pete]

Nothing huge in the way of progress but the right side of the harness is now wrapped as much as I can until I get the Acewell to install.

Untitled by starpoint73, on Flickr

I've taken the harness off completely now so I can sort out around the fuse box and relays.

I'm thinking I'll take the headers off again before the next start and get them painted as well. I'll give the VHT Flameproof paint a shot as it's supposed to be good stuff.

[nvr2old]

Looking good, Pete. I painted my pipe with VHT almost 9 years ago and it still looks great.