Hello from IronPawz Ducati Multistrada 1000DS, Suzuki Katana 1100 1983

[IronPawz]

Hello people. Few years back I rode through India with Indian Motorcycle Adventures on a Royal Enfield 500 which got me back on bikes. I rode a BMW F650 for a while then got the Ducati. Had nothing but issue with it and bike shops and lost interest in it (still needs starting issues fixed, have plan). Recently brought a Katana registered as a 1984 750 (pre-popup headlight style) with a 1982 GSX 1100E (re-jetted to Katana spec). There is a discussion on here from when this bike was for sale earlier.

Plan is to modernise the Kat. Loads of people have done it, some good discussion on here around 1200 Bandit suspension changes etc. I'm looking for some place/person that does this type of thing (don't want to do it myself it will never be finished). Get the feeling all that is easier in Japan than NZ.

Still interesting bikes given how totally different they are. I'll be commuting on the Kat for a while which will be interesting on the back. Anyway hello and I think I'll go try scare up some info on the Kat in the forums and do some more reading around. Been reading things on this site for a while so looking forward to contributing.

[HenryDorsetCase]

double post sorry

[HenryDorsetCase]

Hello people. Few years back I rode through India with Indian Motorcycle Adventures on a Royal Enfield 500 which got me back on bikes. I rode a BMW F650 for a while then got the Ducati. Had nothing but issue with it and bike shops and lost interest in it (still needs starting issues fixed, have plan). Recently brought a Katana registered as a 1984 750 (pre-popup headlight style) with a 1982 GSX 1100E (re-jetted to Katana spec). There is a discussion on here from when this bike was for sale earlier.

Plan is to modernise the Kat. Loads of people have done it, some good discussion on here around 1200 Bandit suspension changes etc. I'm looking for some place/person that does this type of thing (don't want to do it myself it will never be finished). Get the feeling all that is easier in Japan than NZ.

Still interesting bikes given how totally different they are. I'll be commuting on the Kat for a while which will be interesting on the back. Anyway hello and I think I'll go try scare up some info on the Kat in the forums and do some more reading around. Been reading things on this site for a while so looking forward to contributing.

You should talk to user Katman on here: he is the Katana master. No really. (that by the way is terrible advice: he dislikes them being mucked about with.....)

A serious answer to your question: You could talk to Steve Bridge at F1 Engineering.

http://rapidartnz.com/

He has the skills but as to the time or inclination you would have to ask him.

The other option might be this guy Alan Pritchard. His last build hit the front page on Bike EXIF, and I contacted him after that. He is in Nelson.

If I was not in the middle of some tedious shit with EQC house repair/sale/trading houses blah blah I would buy his bike that is now for sale. Check it here:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/classic-vintage/auction-705520946.htm

You will note that he is offering to build stuff for people.

My understanding is that Suzuki stuff is fairly modular and you can mix and match bits fairly easily.

A lot of that stuff is ludicrously expensive and hard to source in NZ though. I take it that the route you want to go down is the "Whole new front end off a GSXR1000 L0" (with the BPF), brace the frame, Keihin flatslieds, big old 4 into 1, longer shocks, new or braced swingarm, bada boom, bada bing, route. You will need the rear GSXR wheel too. and try and work out how to fit it in the new swingarm and make it fit with the frame and line up with the front sprocket.

There are some hella cool updates for these bikes.

One final thing: bring money. a lot of money. Done right it won't be cheap. and if it isn't done right why bother. ? Bull Dock and/or AC Sanctuary and Ritmo Sereno for inspiration

[IronPawz]

hehe thanks for all that.

I noticed there was a Katman on here and will check out the people mentioned. Loving the bike you linked, think I will contact them also. Bike came from Nelson I am in Kapiti so Wellington/ Palmy and anywhere in between would be idle. So budget wise yeah I figured it would cost a bit and only make sense given I want to keep it for a long time. I'd rather bite the bullet and get the engine recond also, paint frame etc.

As the bike came to me not standard I don't mind carrying on but if it was I'd be all about keeping it original (part of the reason for not buying one that way). Would even consider another engine. I read about the bandit back end and it clearly needs someone in the know to do it. Your list sounds about right. The goal is to ride it one my hour plus each way commute year round like I did on my old F650 (and attempted on my Ducati which spends more time not going than going). The Kat looks much nicer parked next to my 1983 Cortina ;).

So thanks again. I have a budget, and a goal. I'll have to put in some pics. Next step is to fix the Kat so I can give my back a few rests along the way. Got someone sorted for that (starter motor issues). But most of all right now I just want to ride it (the Kat that is)!

[HenryDorsetCase]

Basically what you want is this:

http://www.bikeexif.com/suzuki-katana

oooh errrr.

Steve Adams is a pretty well-known English specials builder now living in Straya. He was profiled in a recent (print) Performance Bikes magazine.