01 katana 750 stolen then recovered.... Now what?

[Julian109]

A week ago my 2001 Katana 750 was stolen as I dropped off some delivery bags. Keys were in ignition helmet was on mirror - it couldn't have been any easier for a thief. But I was gone only 2 minutes. Anyways, the sfpd found my bike 36 hrs later and towed it. I went to get it and found a stripped down version. All the plastic, mirrors, front turn signals, helmet, saddle bags was gone but the seat wasnt taken or tires. In fact I hesitantly started her up and I was blown away when there seemed to be nothing wrong (other than the appearance). Now I've done a few rides to work etc and I think it's idling fast and running hot. I noticed that the fuel knob is facing forward (9:00 clock). I believe this is the reserve position. Could this account for the hot idle? Now that this katana has been released from its outer shell, are there any areas I need to pay special attention to? Electrical sensitive components ? Any areas I need to cover up with some makeshift plastic cover? The front blinkers are gone and so is the top headlight. Will that throw the electrical system off? And lastly, who buys 10+ year old scraped up and cracked plastic body parts?
Thank you in advance for any light you can shed on this bizarre situation.
Julian

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Update to my stolen Katana story. Insurance gave me 2 options: 1. Keep the salvaged bike and they pay me $2600. 2. Turn over the bike and they pay me $3500.
I am definitely keeping the bike as my project Katana. I need front blinkers and some mirrors that work & I am golden! I found a Vstrom on Craigslist for $2500. I might move on that as well.
Very happy with the outcome of this mess! Props to SFPD for finding the bike in under 48 hours! And to Foremost Insurance for doing what they are supposed to do without and fuss or fight.
And thanks for the messages and posts from KatRiders.

Here is a breakdown of the Insurance numbers:


Actual Cash Value: $3361.00
Salvage Value: $769.67

Your two settlement choices are retaining the salvage or not retaining the
salvage.

IF YOU RETAIN SALVAGE
$3361.00 Actual Cash Value
- $769.67 Salvage Value
= $2591.33
+ $226.74 8.75% Sales Tax
+ $19.00 Title Fee
= $2837.07
- $250.00 Deductible
= $2587.07 Cash Settlement


IF YOU DO NOT RETAIN SALVAGE
$3361.00 Actual Cash Value
+ $294.09 8.75% Sales Tax
+ $108.00 CA Vehicle Registration
= $3763.09
- $250.00 Deductible
= $3513.09 Cash Settlement

[92xjunker]

Low oil level will cause over heating, the plastics do direct the air over the motor but, what you preceive as over heating may just be that you now feel the heat from the motor due to lack of plastics. Missing lights will not harm your electrical. Check your fuel and filter for contaminates.

[shpielers]

Welcome to KR, sorry it isn't under better circumstances.
9 o'clock position would be reserve. Won't change idle or temp.

How do you know the bike is running hot? Not like it has a temp gauge, what are you going by?

As far as it idling high, the idle adjustment knob may have gotten moved around when things were being pulled off. Or you might have a vac leak caused by a loose hose.

I'm pretty sure CA law says you need headlights and turn signals so you might want to get that taken care of.

Lots of people turn their bikes into "street fighters" and I've never heard mention of them doing anything to protect against the elements. Missing parts might mess with things, but hard to say exactly with all sorts of bits and bobs missing.

+1 to you might just be feeling warm air that was previously directed away before.

[Kreylyn]

... the plastics do direct the air over the motor but, ....

How does that work for the bandit... with basically the same version of engine, no fairings, but smaller oil cooler?





Krey

[92xjunker]

I didn't say that was his problem. Just a general statement.

[Kreylyn]

I didn't say that was his problem. Just a general statement.

Yeah, I understand your not saying it's specifically the problem, but...


...that's a general statement that's been repeated before to suggest the fairings are needed and or help for cooling.


My general question was asking how that is using another bike with no fairings, the same engine, smaller oil cooler.


That information would suggest that the fairings actually hinder the cooling and is why Kats are equipped with a larger oil cooler than the bandits.


So that's why I'm asking... how?


Krey

[92xjunker]

I can see how no fairing would cool better. Air flowing over the entire engine verse just portions of the head.

[Julian109]

thanks for the replies and the info. adjusting the idle screw made it run much better. My ins co says they will pay $3500 for my claim if its totaled. I guess it will cost more to replace all the plastics and parts then its worth. Maybe i can buy it back from the ins co. Cuz it runs great, lighter and more agile in its street fighter mode.
___________________
Any suggestions on what bike to look for used? Ive heard YZF, R1, R6 KTM CBR.....
what about the new 300cc bikes that are supposed to do everything and get 70 mpg?
I might be in shopping mode ina week or so!
Thanks again!
J

[Purplehaze]

Lighter and more agile is a joke, the fairings only make the bike more aerodynamic. Even though there's still not a massive benefit of them over a 'streetfighter-ish' setup. The fairings only weight a few pounds at most.

If they're going to pay 3500 for the bike, see how much it is to buy it back. If you make it DIY you could easily source a Chinese fairing kit or used OEM on ebay and fix them up fairly cheap.

[maniac1886]

The way I see it, Plastics are only there for looks, and to direct heat away from the rider. I dont see much aerodynamics going on in the front end of my Pre 600. Its quite blocky in my opinion.

[shpielers]

3500?? Really? Dude check Craigslist, that's more than you can buy a new bike for. If they total it you can easily get a replacement. Or buy your bike back, put some of the $ towards fixing it up, and pocket the rest. If you do a lot of the work yourself, no way it'll cost 3500 to fix.

[gsxkat1100]

3500?? Really? Dude check Craigslist, that's more than you can buy a new bike for. If they total it you can easily get a replacement. Or buy your bike back, put some of the $ towards fixing it up, and pocket the rest. If you do a lot of the work yourself, no way it'll cost 3500 to fix.

I completely agree. I would have 2 more bikes around here. probably both kats, or maybe a kat and another old GS. I kinda have a soft spot for them GS's...

[maniac1886]

yah, for $3500, i'd just let it go.

[1LE]

thanks for the replies and the info. adjusting the idle screw made it run much better. My ins co says they will pay $3500 for my claim if its totaled. I guess it will cost more to replace all the plastics and parts then its worth. Maybe i can buy it back from the ins co. Cuz it runs great, lighter and more agile in its street fighter mode.

Find out what it would cost to buy it back and price out the parts yourself. Usually the parts aren't too expensive, it's the labor to install them all (and paint everything to match) that makes repairs ridiculously expensive.

[Oddy Turner]

thanks for the replies and the info. adjusting the idle screw made it run much better. My ins co says they will pay $3500

WHAT!!!! Someone come steal my 06!