Katana progress

[Skier]

My Katana project is now in the wild. I was going to take it for a test-ride tonight but I almost fell on my "O Ring" with the bike following, just in the driveway. Dang ice.

Something I'm still trying to figure out is why I can't seem to set my idle mixtures correctly. I am borrowing one of them cool carb adjuster screwdrivers so I can get to the screws on the inside carbs, but no matter what I do, the engine doesn't change speed. I've always done this by taking the middle of bogging from running rich and racing from running lean. However, I can bring each screw all the way in (lean) or all the way out (rich) and the engine speed doesn't noticibly change. So confused. (Yes my carbs are clean goddammit I cleaned the "poo poo" out of them twice if I have to do it again I will cry ).

[BuzZz]

It almost sounds like your turning the idle/air mixture screws. These will set the mixture at lower throttle opens but only affect idle speed indirectly by leaning it out or over-fueling it. You obviously know that you want it in the middle of both extremes.

There should also be a way to set the slide opening at idle. Either a tapered screw acting on each slide or a limiting screw built into the throttle linkage someplace.

Once you find and adjust that, you may have to go back and fine-tune the idle/air screws, and maybe back and forth between adjustment systems a few times until everything's right. But your probably not that far off now so it shouldn't take much.

[Skier]

It almost sounds like your turning the idle/air mixture screws. These will set the mixture at lower throttle opens but only affect idle speed indirectly by leaning it out or over-fueling it. You obviously know that you want it in the middle of both extremes.

There should also be a way to set the slide opening at idle. Either a tapered screw acting on each slide or a limiting screw built into the throttle linkage someplace.

Once you find and adjust that, you may have to go back and fine-tune the idle/air screws, and maybe back and forth between adjustment systems a few times until everything's right. But your probably not that far off now so it shouldn't take much.

It's the idle mixture screws, yes. I have some advice from a gearhead/motorcycle builder/Katana owner and will hopefully go about taking care of it tomorrow. Then I get to see how the mains and needles are.

Just ordered up some new grips for the bike. Looking into a chain and sprocket set next. She'll be ready this season, I swear.

[Skier]

Took the bike out for a test spin tonight, after pulling the carbs and setting the idle mixtures. Things went wrong in less than two miles: my custom rearmount popped off the nuts and bolts holding it on. My buddy discovered this as I was showing off my bike to him and I quickly fixed it up with some zip-ties. I guess I'm heading to the hardware store tomorrow so I can double-nut those bolts!

Aside from that, she seems to be in working order. I never really got on the gas, but she performed nicely. My self-mounted and self-balanced tires also did not explode and kill me, nor any bystanders.

I'm feeling quite good about the project now. I have a grasp on what I have left to do and hopefully the funds to do it.

[Skier]

White stuff falling again, so it's paint time!

The gang is all here:


Oh boy. One side is pretty dinged up:


According to the back of my sandpaper, you should look like a futuristic duck-human hybrid:


Batarang!


Hey, it looks a bit better!


Side fairing, getting some semi-flat-black lovin':


Lower is pretty messed up still, it's going to take a lot of sanding to even this stuff out (I am not a fan of the woodgrain look):

[roscowgo]

i absolutely shudder everytime i recognize a chunk o' kat that i recognize from being elbow deep in mine at one point or another.


heh i just leave mine dinged and scraped and horrible looking good luck though

[flynrider]

According to the back of my sandpaper, you should look like a futuristic duck-human hybrid:

I was thinking more of a monkey with sunglasses, listening to headphones.

[Skier]

I attacked the woodgrain bellypan with my dremel:



I then slapped on some Bondo to take care of the numerous dings and scratches:



Much, much feathering later:


I hit the entire side of the bellypan with some primer to use as a guide coat for more sanding:



It does need more work, but it certainly looks better:


New grips are sitting in front of my monitor and a new chain/sprocket set is on the way. Now, off to campus for labwork!

[Skier]

Bellypan looks a lot better now:




Not perfect, but she's gonna catch rocks and get melted by my exhaust, anyways.

Rear side fairings are almost done:

[Skier]

Looking good. I would really like to go for a satin/matt black paintjob on my bike but since the frame is the same colour as the tank and plastic it is far too much effort. Added to the fact that I have only owned two black bikes and have written them both off, I think I will stick with dark blue.

Thanks.

I must say that I chuckled when I was viewing your progress on the paint and then noticed your signature.

I was referring more to lane position than a bike's paint.