Questions for the GSX600F / Katana / Teapot riders

[90s]

Bought an '88 GSX600F from trademe and all seemed in order.
First real run yesterday ran scenic drive end to end, out to Kumeu, down out to Piha and back to Titirangi. About 100k.

Bike going is great although above 100k there is not the acceleration I expected from a 600. It seems a bit flat - more revs above 7k = more noise but not too much in the flying dept. Having said that not really revved it towards the red. Up to about 120k though it does fly. Any thoughts?

Stationary low speed idling is not good. When cold bike very lumpy and likely to stall. After a run idles better but cuts out after a few minutes. Any ideas?

Does anyone have a PDF for the manual? (I've checked the forums here and generally and can only find the later models)

Finally, what kind of range do you get from a tank of gas?

Thanks!

[quickbuck]

Righto,
Had a 97 myself, basically same as 88 but a few upgrades, but essentially the same.

Above 100k there should be heaps of grunt (well, enough to propel the weighty beast to 200k before it runs out of puff). There is only about 70 hp in there, but enough torque to keep the commuter amused.
I would has it a guess your carbs require a balance, and one (or more) of the diaphragms in them have suffered from the age thing and perished. At 19 years old, this is the most likely cause.

Sorry, can't help with the manual.

The cutting out could be caused by a stuffed diaphragm or two.

Tank range for these should be good. I used to get 190 miles out of my 18 litres (Californian model) on a trip. Only got down to 150 miles if I did lots of very short trips.

Hope this all helps.

[Edbear]

I agree, it would be good to find someone who can check the carbs, change plugs, too. Probably needs the valve clearances reset as well. A good tune up and it should be like a new bike! While you're at it, give it an oil and filter change.

Mine is a late '88 build, reg. '89. Only done 40k, too! Found specs on the Net. just Google the model. 80hp and 200kg. Mine really comes 'on cam' around 7k rpm and goes like stink up to about 210 on the clock and slowing down by then though should hit 220 at redline - not been there yet...

Don't trust the fuel guage so with the 20lt tank I tend to fill up early, not done a real test of the range, but get around 45mpg cruising - above 7k rpm much thirstier and when caning it one can watch the fuel guage dropping!

[quickbuck]

Sorry, yeah, 80hp.

[Edbear]

Sorry, yeah, 80hp.



Aww, Shucks! Wots 10hp between friends... eh?:sunny:

[car]

really comes 'on cam' around 7k rpm

You know, I once used that phrase in a water-cooler type discussion at work, and one guy looked at me like I was retarded. No-one else had heard it, although the one stroppy sod who'd given me trouble was the only one who required any explanation. Mind, he was basically looking for a fight all the time, with anyone who'd stand still long enough.

My old man used to say it all the time, I thought it was common parlance.

I dunno what my point was...

Oh, yeah, nice turn of phrase, Mr Bear.

[Edbear]

You know, I once used that phrase in a water-cooler type discussion at work, and one guy looked at me like I was retarded. No-one else had heard it, although the one stroppy sod who'd given me trouble was the only one who required any explanation. Mind, he was basically looking for a fight all the time, with anyone who'd stand still long enough.

My old man used to say it all the time, I thought it was common parlance.

I dunno what my point was...

Oh, yeah, nice turn of phrase, Mr Bear.




Why, thankee, Sir! :innocent: Yeah one doesn't hear the term much these days, but it's an accurate description of exactly what's happening in an engine. Thought everyone would know it.:yes:

[Bonez]

I'd be looking to see what sort of condition the air filter is in first off.

[90s]

Thanks for all the info. I thought that the carbs were the most likely culprits. Will look at air filter before I take it down to the LBS as fettling the carbs beyond my abilities.
Pleased to hear there should be a lot of power still to come. On the test drives the roads were narrow and it was strong to 100k so I had not noticed that the power beyond was down.

Good use of lingo there - guess when you grow up taking craft, design & tech at school and reading performance car and superbike you learn all the terms (even making little wooden cams in woodwork to see how the expression works). Basically if people don't get them then:
a) they are not worth talking to, or
b) you are married to them, or
c) you wish to persue a liason of some form with them in the short term so let it slide.

Will update after a service

Cheers

[90s]

Ah, lookit what I've found - all credit to the kat forum I located:

1) carbs - seem notorious ... http://www.katriders.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=23982
2) full haynes manual:
http://katriders.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=13439

250 pages!

[cowboyz]

Carbs was my first thought but others have suggested that and you probably already are having it sorted. The F is no R model but she isnt slow either. From 100k in 5th if I pin the throttle I expect a rapid advance to 190 then 6th will get 237km (according to my GPS anyway) which is about 250 on the speedo. Plenty enough really. I don't run it that high anyway but have been caught out at 170-180 while performing a dodgy passing manurevoure. Great bikes they are really.

[Edbear]

Carbs was my first thought but others have suggested that and you probably already are having it sorted. The F is no R model but she isnt slow either. From 100k in 5th if I pin the throttle I expect a rapid advance to 190 then 6th will get 237km (according to my GPS anyway) which is about 250 on the speedo. Plenty enough really. I don't run it that high anyway but have been caught out at 170-180 while performing a dodgy passing manurevoure. Great bikes they are really.



What size rear tyre are you using? Mine came with a 130-70 which I replaced before finding specs which said a 150 rear was standard. As shod, it'll do 180 at redline, (12k), in 5th and should read 220 in 6th. I find the power doesn't seem to tail off as I approach redline either, it just zaps right up there! I think I've got a good example of the model as it handles well, brakes hard and goes like the proverbial when I want it too!

Going from 100 to 180+ in fifth up the Viaduct South of Warkworth is plenty fast enough for me at the mo.:shutup:

[cowboyz]

What size rear tyre are you using? Mine came with a 130-70 which I replaced before finding specs which said a 150 rear was standard. As shod, it'll do 180 at redline, (12k), in 5th and should read 220 in 6th. I find the power doesn't seem to tail off as I approach redline either, it just zaps right up there! I think I've got a good example of the model as it handles well, brakes hard and goes like the proverbial when I want it too!

Going from 100 to 180+ in fifth up the Viaduct South of Warkworth is plenty fast enough for me at the mo.:shutup:

Rear tyre is a pirelli sport demon 140/70/17. Super good tyre. Lost the back once in the 30 odd thousand I have riden in the past year but that had more to do with me acting like a tosser rather than the tyres being no good. Didn't let go enough to drop the bike, just enough to let me know I should be paying attention to what I am doing. I brought the bike off a guy who brought the bike to race in F3 and tried to make it compeditive and gave up. He did some work but I wasn't too interested in the details. Hot cam and did something to the values or something. Don't really know for sure, I was just happy with the way it rides. I get scared at over 180 anyway and find it more enjoyable to find twisty roads and do 120-140 around them.

[90s]

Hi, I've got a pirelli sport demon up front and a bridgestone battlax 140/80.
Both in vg nick.

Took it out for a blat today to warm it up in order to then fiddle with the idle adjustment (where a previous owner has fixed a lenght of hose onto the end of in order to be adle to adjust it without using a long screwdriver). If any effect worse and bike stalls almost as soon as started. However, runs fine and idles if you keep 1k revs on the clock.

So have booked into garage to have carbs sync'd. Hoping that as it runs fine but idles rough no serious probs hidden.

So different from the RG I'm still using as a commuter I'm loving it in motion. RG is a fab bike though but so different I wish I could afford to keep both. But when the GSX is in order, I'll have to sell it.

[Meanie]

Carbs was my first thought but others have suggested that and you probably already are having it sorted. The F is no R model but she isnt slow either. From 100k in 5th if I pin the throttle I expect a rapid advance to 190 then 6th will get 237km (according to my GPS anyway) which is about 250 on the speedo. Plenty enough really. I don't run it that high anyway but have been caught out at 170-180 while performing a dodgy passing manurevoure. Great bikes they are really.

Only when bonez is riding it :rofl:

[Bonez]

Only when bonez is riding it :rofl:
Now now. You know I wouldn't touch it with barge pole. :nono:
:

[Edbear]

If you're not too far from the Hibiscus Coast, have a chat to Classic_Z, he's got a workshop in Whangaparoa and does a great job with bikes!

While you're there, check out his Z1300 while he's still got it! Silly man put it on Trade-Me for a laugh and has got a lot of serious interest in it...!:nono:

[90s]

Thanks for the advice edbear.
Picked the bike up from Haldanes today though and seemed to be idling sweet and running well.
One thing - petrol gauge showing empty but I could only fill with 10l. Guess this is a 20l tank so that the gauge must be a bit eccentric.

However, ran it down to Piha and although bike seemed great at lower speeds, I imagine if I had cracked the throttle open on the straight 140k would have felt like a brick wall - as if bike suddenly had a rev limiter or something on it.

Haldane's mechanic who did the bike on holiday for a while now and I'll ask what he reckons when he gets back but any ideas?
He thought carbs were not in 'as new' nick and was still running little rich, but pressure tested and examined carbs and found all was good.

Or new to 600s could it be the way I am riding?

[Edbear]

Sounds like my fuel guage! It's taken a while to trust it! Just got back from a 1000k four-day ride and got the guage down under the red! (Te Kuiti to Wairakei via Taumaranui and up the West side Lake Taupo). Was thinking I was going to be pushing it to the gas station, but it didn't go onto reserve and took 15.66 litres,meaning I still had the 4.5 litre reserve left!:yes:

Something's not right with yours though. Mine pulls hard to the redline and doesn't tail off til past 200,:shutup: :innocent: Hope you get it sorted.

[moko]

Only a thought but is the exhaust leaking? Mine`s blowing a bit where one of the connector pipes has rotted and the repair I did is slowly but surely falling apart(no complaints,was temporary 6 months ago).While the bike starts and runs well it`s made a significant difference to the mid-range.It`s not a massive leak and if I hadn`t had the bike for so long I`d probably not notice it.Other possibilities are aftermarket exhaust slapped on with nothing done to the carburation or something to do with the air-filter,years ago everyone used to slap on K&Ns,do nothing else then wonder why their bike was suddenly flat.Could also be the inlet rubbers,these can harden and crack on older bikes and it`s not always obvious.Pretty sure there`s someone in Britain who does aftermarket ones but their not cheap.

[Lord Derosso]

Under your 'balancer' exhaust pipe which joins both pipes directly under the bike as theres a hole in that, presumely for allowing drainage if the bike gets water in the exhaust through mishap etc. and there should be a D shank to cover that. It shouldn't make any difference but it may be a site for exhaust rust holes etc.

I have given up on using the fuel gauge. What a lot of rubbish, mind you my HondaVF had a similar problem.

These bikes need to be warmed up well before use as they are oil/air cooled. I find that mine is sometimes sluggish for the first 50 metres and then shes full on. Mind you it doesn't help that I only ride her twice a month. Great for zapping through city traffic and I have no problem with opening her up in 6th. .

I am running Sports Demons and they make the bike extremely quick to change line, to avoid potholes etc. I brought them from TSS for $320 the pair mounted and balanced. TSS is a local Pirieli agent so you should consider looking for a local one near you as you can get some good deals.

Theres a service manual on Trade Me for your year's model for $10.00. I have set up a Fravourite Search under Suzuki600F katana and they send me emails when auctions are placed with that term in them.Cheers and enjoy the bike.

[90s]

Theres a service manual on Trade Me for your year's model for $10.00. I have set up a Fravourite Search under Suzuki600F katana and they send me emails when auctions are placed with that term in them.Cheers and enjoy the bike.

Thanks - although earlier in this thread I put a direct link to the full haynes manual for our bike which I found elsewhere.

Thanks for the other advice guys. Seems to be opening up a little bit more now. Full serviced inc took down the carbs and dropped the needles, pressure testing etc. by Ricky in Haldines so he would have hopefully noticed anything obvious.
He reckoned I should open it up on the motorway for a long blast to see what happens. Today I was pretty busy but blatted it out to Murawai. Really would like a private rd to really throw it open though as I am still new to 'big' bikes and loose my nerve on busy public rds to go for it.

What's the furthest anyones done on a tank?
What do you get around town?