Good and bad news day - Got a new bike (and swine flu)

**riffer** · 1st July 2009, 18:55

No 2 son was rotten crook when dropped off by his stepfather on Saturday and was promptly consigned to bed before being picked up by his mother later on that day.

But not before infecting the lot of us. We've been feeling poorly all week, and today it was confirmed that we've most likely got the dreaded swine flu.

Not as bad as the last time I had the flu so if this is swine flu it's pretty mild.

Sore head, cough, aches and pains, and nausea.

So I've been at home surfing the net and looking at $1 auctions on tardme.

And it came up.

"for a classic motorbike collector ...we have a katana that can be used for parts"

$1 starting bid. Finishes in four hours.

Put a bid on. And won. Whaddaya know? The bike is complete and the owner's wife just wanted it gone as it's sat in the shed for eight years.

1984 GSX750SE Katana. The pop-up headlight model. Well, a GSX1100SXZ wire wheel would have been better but hey - for a dollar - you can't complain.

The bike itself was 600 metres from my house too!

So, I've got it home. It's been repainted in blue.

It's missing:

Windscreen
Mirrors
Front Brake lever
Side stand (only the centre stand there)
Front fender

but apart from that it's completely intact.

I start the restoration tonight... Firstly I'll have to find the frame number I guess - as I can't find a VIN plate anywhere on this - but the owner insists it's not stolen.

Oh well, at the very least it's a cool pre-89 bike.

Pics will follow after I take some.

Suddenly the flu doesn't seem so bad...

**skidMark** · 1st July 2009, 19:12

you wanker...

i hope the swine flu offs you so i can have the bike...

p/t

**Spuds1234** · 1st July 2009, 19:12

If you want to sell the centre stand give me a shout. I also need a new engine so if you decide you dont want to restore it flick me a pm.

You also have email re the Kat manual.

As for the bike, I do hope you get it on the road and restore it to its former glory. These bikes are great. I actually prefer my Katana to my Cagiva (which is better in just about everyway).

EDIT: The manual is 18meg and its taking its time to send. Nearly off to you though.

**Mom** · 1st July 2009, 19:16

What a nice score! Pity you have the pig flu though

Hope you feel better soon, and wheres the pics? Eh? EH? EH?

**Mully** · 1st July 2009, 19:34

Oh no!!!! Swine Flu!! Just like normal flu, except blown out of all proportion by the media.....

**Mom** · 1st July 2009, 19:36

Originally Posted by Mully

Oh no!!!! Swine Flu!! Just like normal flu, except blown out of all proportion by the media.....

That makes it worse, dork!

**Paulo** · 1st July 2009, 19:38

Perfect you are clearly too sick to go and work and risk spreading germs BUT not sick enough to keep out of the shed!

Good stuff!

**riffer** · 1st July 2009, 19:52

Pics of the bike here.

No point putting up pics of a sick me.

**Skunk** · 1st July 2009, 22:13

Wanker. I hate you. Bastard. Piss off.

I no talk to you no more.

**skidMark** · 1st July 2009, 22:28

Originally Posted by Skunk

Wanker. I hate you. Bastard. Piss off.

I no talk to you no more.

You got the concrete shoes ready for him?

**Skunk** · 1st July 2009, 22:34

Nah, the French blood in me says 'guillotine'.

**madmal64** · 1st July 2009, 22:45

Bargain! Well done that man!

**riffer** · 1st July 2009, 22:50

You're just a bunch of meanies and I'm sure you're only kidding.

Well, I found the frame number on the steering head - it's a Jap-spec so limited to 77BHP. Oh well, plenty for that bike I imagine.

and the old WOF was under the seat so off to carjam.co.nz:

Registration status: Lapsed
Vehicle usage: Private Passenger
Cause of latest registration: New
Date of first registration in New Zealand: 1987, September 11th
Cancellation date of registration: 1997, February 1st
Date of last registration: 1987, September 11th
Registered overseas: No

so it wasn't stolen and it wasn't written off. Handy. That means I can get it back on the road.

Another bonus. The engine turns over. That's one load off my mind. And it has less kms on it than my RF900 did when I bought that so hopefully it'll just need the carbs cleaned out, new plugs, filters and oil and she'll start.

I think this may just be a fun project. I believe it needs to be repainted Katana Silver though...