Questions for the GSX600F / Katana / Teapot riders

**90s** · 6th January 2007, 17:17

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** · 6th January 2007, 17:35

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** · 6th January 2007, 18:01

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** · 6th January 2007, 18:09

Sorry, yeah, 80hp.

**Edbear** · 6th January 2007, 18:24

Originally Posted by quickbuck

Sorry, yeah, 80hp.

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

**car** · 6th January 2007, 19:28

Originally Posted by Edbear

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** · 6th January 2007, 19:32

Originally Posted by car

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!

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.

**Bonez** · 7th January 2007, 11:16

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

**90s** · 7th January 2007, 17:19

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** · 7th January 2007, 18:49

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** · 7th January 2007, 19:21

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** · 7th January 2007, 19:39

Originally Posted by 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.

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.

**cowboyz** · 7th January 2007, 19:55

Originally Posted by Edbear

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.

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** · 8th January 2007, 19:57

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** · 8th January 2007, 20:58

Originally Posted by 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.

Only when bonez is riding it