Katana progress

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#51 Unread post by **Skier** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 6:02 pm

Stealthbike... activate!

BuzZz · #52 Unread post by **BuzZz** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 7:27 pm

I like it. The grey seat works much better with the black than then red.

#53 Unread post by **Skier** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 7:30 pm

Ah, I forgot to mention the reason why my bellypan isn't installed is I am missing the left-hand side tab.

I'll make one later, out of aluminium, bondo and good hope.

#54 Unread post by **Skier** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 10:48 am

Greetings from Wawawai!

Made it back in time for class, too:

I found out my rear indicator bolts weren't on tight enough (it lept off, I hand-tightened it and it was fine) and my petcock needs to be rebuilt or cleaned. I was losing power and the bike eventually died. It wouldn't run unless it was on prime (yes it has gas!). I guess that's next on the list of things to do.

#55 Unread post by **Skier** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 10:09 am

Well, my battery gave up the ghost, which made my plugs foul (not enough juice to crank AND spark), so comined with my iffy petcock, my bike was stranded a couple blocks down a steep hill from my house.

A couple of friends helped me push it back up the hills into my driveway.

SO... I am currently charging the new battery I've had in my garage for a week, have new plugs on order and purchased a bucket of carb cleaner. I'm not entirely certain my carbs are clean, so into the bucket they will go!

As a side note, I saved $15 on the gallon of carb cleaner by showing my AAA card at NAPA. I am certain the membership has paid for itself by now!

Britjoe · #56 Unread post by **Britjoe** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 8:02 pm

I see this katana, on the net, thought Id post it up for you,
I think its cool.

#57 Unread post by **Skier** » Fri Feb 10, 2006 11:48 am

That is a pretty neat looking bike, seen the picture before... I just don't know where.

Update on the Katana: I tore off the fairings, gas tank, airbox and carbs so I can go through and replace everything that even looks iffy, after soaking the carbs in carb cleaner dip. While I was in there, getting ready to tackle this stuff, I decided to test my ignition coils for grins. Turns out both of them have zero resistance across the terminals. Oh boy, time to keep an eye peeled on ebay for some new ones. I think this is probably a major factor in how poorly my bike was running, so replacing them is high on my list.

So here's what's planned:
soak and rebuild carbs
install jet kit on carbs
replace all hoses for carbs
replace fuel filter
install new ignition coils
rebuild gas tank petcock

Then we should be in business.

#58 Unread post by **Skier** » Sun Feb 12, 2006 8:24 pm

Turns out my coils are not dead - my multimeter wasn't adjusted properly to read resistance. Oops.

On the bright side, I haven't spent any money replacing them, but if I can find a good deal I'll probably get some as backups.

In preperation for installing the jet kit on my Kat's carbs, I decided it was time to go in there and actually do a good cleaning.

Bonus shot of my bike's old positive cable:

Bleh!

One carb, with bowl (sans gasket) and all jets in said bowl, taking a nap:

I hope someone knows how to put these back together :

scan · #59 Unread post by **scan** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 3:15 am

Britjoe wrote:I see this katana, on the net, thought Id post it up for you,
I think its cool.

That's nice. I like the touches of white and the different black.

VermilionX · Mon Feb 13, 2006 5:20 pm

i envy your mechanical prowess.

looks good.

that other black bike looks like a gixxer... nice custom job if it really is a katana and they made it look like that.