83 Katana 1100 Race Build-Rim Change

[GregT]

Yep, 18 in so limited in choice of rubber.
One possibility is Kawasaki wheels - they generally have solid spokes which resemble dymags. The early 90's 600's used 3.5/4.5 if I remember.

[D Nuts]

Not crazy about the 18's as Id prefer to turn a bit easier and have a nicer selection of current new stick.

Anyone have thoughts if they know about the F2 specs? Not idea cause its set up for a 600's mass, but the rules are pasted into the thread.

'87 GSX-R 1100 forks & wheels would work rather well, I would think. Although the wheels are 18" IIRC.

[TheCafeKid]

I think any of those wheels would work. A 600 isn't that much lighter and if you can slap carbon fiber or magnesium wheels on a 500lb ZRX like they do I'm sure they'll be fine.

If you get to the point where you're worried about ground clearance and have about $350 or so to spend, my buddy Dave can machine you a reverse gull wing top clamp based on whatever stock clamp you go with for about that out of 7075 t6 Alu. It should get you back or near to stock ride height or even a touch lower if you want. Can even do milled in riser clamps for superbike bars. Or you can bolt your own set in.

[TheCafeKid]

'87 GSX-R 1100 forks & wheels would work rather well, I would think. Although the wheels are 18" IIRC.

Yeah 18" front and rear. But they'll hold modern rubber up to about a 170 without pinch depending on the design. And they look almost stock GS which would be pretty trick.

If you can find a whole front end set up from that era you'll have a better selection of bolt on rotors and such as well. But like ya said, they're 18". Although I think you'd be surprised at how one inch in front will change up speed. Especially if you jack the back up a 1/2 inch or so.

[D Nuts]

If i get approval (i send the request earlier today), i will be looking to mount superbike bars to the upper.

i am worried abour clearance and i wish i knew what a reverse gull wing top clamp is?

i need my swing arm braced as well if i cant find a decent aftermarket.

ive ordered my Ohlins adjustables rears and if the F2 forks are approved, i guess springs and emulators. Brace and damper will be needed as well. Gotta Earls 13 row cooler and High Pressure oil gears coming also. Engine work is out of the question til winter 2012. Be just K&N's and my Wolf pipe to get me around.

I think any of those wheels would work. A 600 isn't that much lighter and if you can slap carbon fiber or magnesium wheels on a 500lb ZRX like they do I'm sure they'll be fine.

If you get to the point where you're worried about ground clearance and have about $350 or so to spend, my buddy Dave can machine you a reverse gull wing top clamp based on whatever stock clamp you go with for about that out of 7075 t6 Alu. It should get you back or near to stock ride height or even a touch lower if you want. Can even do milled in riser clamps for superbike bars. Or you can bolt your own set in.

[D Nuts]

I can only go 3.5 & 4.5 so i figure 160 would be max for the rear.

GSXR1100 forks are not USD, no cartridge and 41mm?

Yeah 18" front and rear. But they'll hold modern rubber up to about a 170 without pinch depending on the design. And they look almost stock GS which would be pretty trick.

If you can find a whole front end set up from that era you'll have a better selection of bolt on rotors and such as well. But like ya said, they're 18". Although I think you'd be surprised at how one inch in front will change up speed. Especially if you jack the back up a 1/2 inch or so.

[TheCafeKid]

Yeah non cartridge fork RSU. Pretty sure on the 41mm.
Though emulators will be a nice addition. And the antidive on those is really nice. Electrically actuated vs hydraulic so it doesn't mess with your braking feel. Works well too.

A reverse gull wing top clamp is also known as a drop top clamp. The fork tops clamping area is lower than the stem nut. This gains you clearance as it effectively makes the fork longer/lower than where they'd sit with the stock clamp. With a set if later model gixxer forks guys use Honda 929?? Clamps that came from the factory with a drop top clamp.

[John Kat]

91-93 F2 entire front end, brakes and rim?

what about the rear? swing arm, rim and caliper?

is this the best option within the rules?

hmmmm

I'm currently rebuilding one of my Kats and allthough I will not go racing with the bike, I'm following some of the good practices I discovered here and there by guys who race them.
The lightest full spoke wheels around are the 18" wheels from the 1st gen GSXR 1100.
They weigh 8.6 kg with the tire but no disks compared to the original Kat wheel at 10.9 kg ( the 17" GSXR 1100 wheel weighs 9.8 kg)
The good news is that the front fork is also longer ( 765 mm) than the 2nd gen GSXR at 740 mm and it fits without any modification ( except for the stops).
The 18" front wheel also helps the ground clearance.
For the rear wheel you use the same GSXR donor.
It's also an 18 inch wheel that comes in eitheir 4" wide ( from an 1100) or 3.5" ( from a 750).
The guys who race these in France use Avon racing tires with a 150 at the rear.
Here are some pictures ( it's not mine!)

http://gssuzuki.xooit.fr/t2444-katana.htm?start=30#p30053

PS: if you buy the front wheel separately from the fork watch out as the spindle diameter changed from 15 to 17 mm over the years...

[D Nuts]

Would you happen to know whether the forks were non catridge & 41mm or smaller? As well, are the brakes 2 piston front? Thnx much for sharing

I'm currently rebuilding one of my Kats and allthough I will not go racing with the bike, I'm following some of the good practices I discovered here and there by guys who race them.
The lightest full spoke wheels around are the 18" wheels from the 1st gen GSXR 1100.
They weigh 8.6 kg with the tire but no disks compared to the original Kat wheel at 10.9 kg ( the 17" GSXR 1100 wheel weighs 9.8 kg)
The good news is that the front fork is also longer ( 765 mm) than the 2nd gen GSXR at 740 mm and it fits without any modification ( except for the stops).
The 18" front wheel also helps the ground clearance.
For the rear wheel you use the same GSXR donor.
It's also an 18 inch wheel that comes in eitheir 4" wide ( from an 1100) or 3.5" ( from a 750).
The guys who race these in France use Avon racing tires with a 150 at the rear.
Here are some pictures ( it's not mine!)

http://gssuzuki.xooit.fr/t2444-katana.htm?start=30#p30053

PS: if you buy the front wheel separately from the fork watch out as the spindle diameter changed from 15 to 17 mm over the years...

[John Kat]

The GSXR 1100 1st gen forks measure 41 mm and don't have a cartridge.
The racing rules must be the same over here as the bike on the picture has 2 opposed piston calipers that are eitheir from AP racing or Brembo F08s.
An adapter needs to made to fit these to the GSXR forks.
I might see this specific bike over the W.E. and I'll try to get more details.
I believe El Gablo has a similar setup on one of his Kats.
Keep the project going, it's worth it!

[El Giablo]

I know someone that may, have the complete set up. ('88 GSXR1100 wheels & forks) El G.

[D Nuts]

If 88 is still 1st gen, please let me know of the price for the entire front end & rear wheel. 18's was not the way I was going yet as I'm still waiting for the tech guy to get back to me about the F2 approval.

I'm torn between going with the F2 vs 1st Gen gixer 1100. Not sure which will offer better handling.

I know someone that may, have the complete set up. ('88 GSXR1100 wheels & forks) El G.

[El Giablo]

If 88 is still 1st gen, please let me know of the price for the entire front end & rear wheel. 18's was not the way I was going yet as I'm still waiting for the tech guy to get back to me about the F2 approval.

I'm torn between going with the F2 vs 1st Gen gixer 1100. Not sure which will offer better handling.

The 18" will be fine. You can use a 110 on the front, and a 150 on the rear. Don't frankenstein the bike. (mixing manufacturers) El G.

[Billy Ricks]

This is what Josh is describing to you, mine is the CBR954 triple that many of us have used with GSX-R750 forks. They don't work with 1100 forks. He could have something manufactured for your application with even more drop that would allow you to bring the tubes up in the triples if you needed too.

[D Nuts]

Anyone know the length of the 1st gen gsxr 1100 fork tubes?

This is what Josh is describing to you, mine is the CBR954 triple that many of us have used with GSX-R750 forks. They don't work with 1100 forks. He could have something manufactured for your application with even more drop that would allow you to bring the tubes up in the triples if you needed too.