Front end

[slam816]

will 08 09 gsxr front clip fit on a 85 katana 750?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/08-09-gsxr-600-750-front-end-forks-suspension-clip-calipers-tree-axle-etc-oem-/380433966985?hash=item5893a1a789&item=380433966985&pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr#ht_3860wt_968

[scottynoface]

You can always MAKE it fit, but I highly doubt it's going to bolt right up...where's that site with the bearing cross reference...

[cintidude04]

Look for an allballs conversion bearing. Not sure of measurments on old school kats so I dont know.

[slam816]

what would be a good inverted fork setup to swap in then?

[cintidude04]

Not sure of measurments on old school kats so I dont know.

If you can get me measurements (bearing size and stem length) I can make suggestions.

[gammarider]

Use mid 90's GSXR 750 forks and 2002 ? CBR 929 or 954 upper and lower triples and handlebars. This will be closest setup you will get to the length of forks you have. I have this on my 82 1100 Katana now.

On my 85 pop up I used 90 GSXR 1100 front forks (non inverted) and handlebars. The handling was really good. You don't gain much over using the CBR set up and the CBR setup looks much nicer. I'll get you a pic when I find one.

You need to use a setup that has some length or you will bottom out the head fairing on your fender when your front end dives down and you need to use a setup with the handlebars on top of the triples or you will scrape the head fairing again with the clipons and the levers when you turn. This is why I suggest the CBR triples and clipons. They give you the maximum length on the forks because they have a drop to them and the clipons have a slight rise. I had to do something with the steering stem but don't remember exactly what. I think I had to press out the CBR stem and press in the GSXR stem.




This is probably what you want. The owner of this one always said the forks were too short and was working on fork extensions last I heard.

[slam816]

i love the way those forks look on that bike! i just really want them to be copper/gold off the new gsxr

[GSXFJim]

I made a stem for a member here (5forty2) for his '99 gsxr forks.. the 96-99 stem is too short for the Kat neck. not sure about later years... you'd need to find the set you want and measure the stems over all length from the base of the stem to the top.. and the distance between the bearing races as well, the Kat is 233.0mm from the base to the top, thats measured without the bottom bearing.

The bearing race surface dimension on the 99 is shorter than the Kat but the over all length is about the same..

[slam816]

would i be able put those stems say off a new gixxer on the cbr forks with the triples, bearings ect?

[gammarider]

If you are going to use this Katana as a drag bike then I see no reason why you couldn't do that. If you want to be able to drive it on the street then you will have a problem with fork travel because I think (not sure) the CBR forks might be too short just like the GSXR forks. Someone here might be able to give you some measurements. I know for a fact that the biggest problem with the 84-86 katana front end is the length. It has the longest set of forks of any bike I have ever ridden.

[slam816]

well what forks are on that silver one a few posts up? looks like theres bigger rims and tires on it too.
couldnt I just set the compression rebound stiffer so it wouldnt bottom out?

[gammarider]

well what forks are on that silver one a few posts up? looks like theres bigger rims and tires on it too.
couldnt I just set the compression rebound stiffer so it wouldnt bottom out?

Front end (I think ) is off of aTL1000. 17' front rim. You'll notice there is no front fender on the bike. The swingarm was custom made by the owner (Brian). I'll find you the build up from old school suzuki.

Here it is.......I'm actually in one of the pictures......not that anyone cares......

http://forum.oldskoolsuzuki.info/cgi-bin/Yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1134799628/0

[slam816]

ya iv seen that build.. i thought in one of the posts it said not to go with the TL front end but i just kinda skimmed through.. such a beautiful bike.. id like to mold in the pop up and do a custom duel projector.
is that ur legs in the pic with the block on the mill?
i cant find the register button on old skool suzuki. wtf?

that looks like a sick shop too!

i like this!!!
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdT3KTz7ZYU"]hayasiカタナ - YouTube[/ame]

[Rupelli]

Yes, the front end of my bike (the silver '85 that Gammarider posted) is off a TL1000R from about 2000. I'm pretty sure the stem fit fine as far as length goes. The lower head bearing worked, I just swapped my old race onto it so the wear on it matched. The upper bearing is one of the custom ones from TWF Racing: http://www.twfracing.com/PartsPages/...adbearing.html It works great. I think I had to open up the stock dust seal a bit to get it on, the steering stops need to be dealt with, gauge mounts, etc. If you have a welder and grinder, it's no biggie.

Just be sure to grind notches on the inside of the head tube, or you'll never get that inner race back out!

I measured a friend's 2008 GSXR600 forks yesterday. They're 28" from axle center to the top of the fork body(not including the adjuster parts on top). That's with whatever droop they have from the bike's weight. I need to compare that to the TL pieces. I'd love to upgrade to the newer stuff with radial brakes.

When I first installed the front end, the tire would rub the bottom of the nose fairing under hard braking or sharp bumps. I bumped the compression settings up to ~80% of max and now it's fine. Ended up doing a near panic-stop the other day and it didn't rub. Handles good too, just doesn't ride quite as well, but still not terrible.

Good luck and let me know if there's anything else you need to know.

[gammarider]

Forks.

i love the way those forks look on that bike! i just really want them to be copper/gold off the new gsxr

The owner of the silver pop-up is now on this forum. You might want to talk to him directly about what was done to his bike?