Hello - New Dude in the PNW

Apex · 03-31-2012, 12:21 PM

Hi Guys,

Just joined and wanted to introduce myself. I have a 2006 Katana which I rescued from an individual who did not want to take the time or effort to learn to ride. Got it for pocket change, basically

I replaced my truck with a bike some time ago, and ride every day, rain, shine or snow. Came from the BMW world, which is also the world of $2000 clutch replacements and 35" seat height

. I currently have another Suzuki and three Hondas. Looking to take the Kat touring and to a number of schools and track days. I'll be hitting the obstacle course as soon as I put new sliders on - I try to go once a week. She gets ridden hard, but is loved like no other. I do all of my own work, and don't let mechanics near my bikes.

I am replacing the Braunstein sliders with T-Rexes after having one break in a 3 mph drop while turning around and the other take a hunk out of a cooling fin. Basically stock other than that and a Scorpion can.

I've never ridden an oil cooled engine hard at low speeds before (except for my 550), and am worried about overheating. Have there been any issues with this? I am running regular 10W40 currently. Also, any issues with running 26W blinkers and 2357 brake bulbs vs 21W and 1157? Wiring is crap on my 550 - hopefully Suzuki changed that for the Kat!

Hope to learn a lot here!

Doug

BlackburnD · 03-31-2012, 03:11 PM

Welcome to KR. Clean looking bike you picked up

KAT TOY · 03-31-2012, 05:22 PM

torgy · 03-31-2012, 07:25 PM

welcome from Kent. Meet up sometime for a ride!

KatanaGSX92 · 03-31-2012, 10:01 PM

Welcome!

Scout · 03-31-2012, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apex

Hi Guys,

Just joined and wanted to introduce myself. I have a 2006 Katana which I rescued from an individual who did not want to take the time or effort to learn to ride. Got it for pocket change, basically

I replaced my truck with a bike some time ago, and ride every day, rain, shine or snow. Came from the BMW world, which is also the world of $2000 clutch replacements and 35" seat height

. I currently have another Suzuki and three Hondas. Looking to take the Kat touring and to a number of schools and track days. I'll be hitting the obstacle course as soon as I put new sliders on - I try to go once a week. She gets ridden hard, but is loved like no other. I do all of my own work, and don't let mechanics near my bikes.

I am replacing the Braunstein sliders with T-Rexes after having one break in a 3 mph drop while turning around and the other take a hunk out of a cooling fin. Basically stock other than that and a Scorpion can.

I've never ridden an oil cooled engine hard at low speeds before (except for my 550), and am worried about overheating. Have there been any issues with this? I am running regular 10W40 currently. Also, any issues with running 26W blinkers and 2357 brake bulbs vs 21W and 1157? Wiring is crap on my 550 - hopefully Suzuki changed that for the Kat! I've also heard that running MMO in the gas can help - would that jack with the fuel filters or jets?

Hope to learn a lot here!

Doug

Nice looking bike! About your oil...You should be running motorcycle oil. 10W40 (automotive oil) is to thin for your wet clutch set up.You will certainly develop issues with 10W40. I am by no means an expert mechanic (really...ask anyone), but I learned about the automotive oil thing recently. I think you should drain it as much as possible, and run Amsoil, Shell Rotella or some other such NON ENERGY CONSERVING synthetic oil through it. And once you get a hundred (or couple) miles, drain and repeat.

Seriously...ask any of the long timers here. They'll tell ya.

And, welcome aboard! I have family in the Sea/Tac Olympia area. I love the scenery there, hate the rain.

Apex · 03-31-2012, 10:37 PM

Thanks for the welcome, folks.

Torgy, nice to hear that, we should touch base sometime.

About the oil...I meant regular motorcycle oil ie. non-synthetic Valvoline, Lucas, etc. Looked in the wiki and answered my own questions

Love the site.

nuera · 03-31-2012, 10:37 PM

Wild-Bill · 03-31-2012, 11:14 PM

Welcome. Riding 365 in Tacoma's a pretty ballsy thing. I remember a lot of rain and some pretty significant black ice issues from when I lived there.

Scout's confused about the oil. the important thing is to avoid the "energy conserving" friction additives in automotive oil and stick with oil for wet clutch motorcycles. If that's what you've got then you're fine, synthetic or no. Personally, I don't see that synthetic is really necessary. Can't give too much help on the bulb thing. The wiring isn't great on these bikes. It's just like any other bike--thin and prone to corrosion. A lot of guys go to LED bulbs and a solid-state flasher unit. Nothing else, the LED bulbs last a really long time so you're not replacing them pretty much ever.

stretched600 · 04-01-2012, 10:00 AM

Welcome to KR from NC!!! Congrats on your steal

03-31-2012, 12:21 PM	#1
Apex Skid Mark Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Tacoma Posts: 4 iTrader: (0) My Garage	Hello - New Dude in the PNW Hi Guys, Just joined and wanted to introduce myself. I have a 2006 Katana which I rescued from an individual who did not want to take the time or effort to learn to ride. Got it for pocket change, basically I replaced my truck with a bike some time ago, and ride every day, rain, shine or snow. Came from the BMW world, which is also the world of $2000 clutch replacements and 35" seat height . I currently have another Suzuki and three Hondas. Looking to take the Kat touring and to a number of schools and track days. I'll be hitting the obstacle course as soon as I put new sliders on - I try to go once a week. She gets ridden hard, but is loved like no other. I do all of my own work, and don't let mechanics near my bikes. I am replacing the Braunstein sliders with T-Rexes after having one break in a 3 mph drop while turning around and the other take a hunk out of a cooling fin. Basically stock other than that and a Scorpion can. I've never ridden an oil cooled engine hard at low speeds before (except for my 550), and am worried about overheating. Have there been any issues with this? I am running regular 10W40 currently. Also, any issues with running 26W blinkers and 2357 brake bulbs vs 21W and 1157? Wiring is crap on my 550 - hopefully Suzuki changed that for the Kat! Hope to learn a lot here! Doug __________________ 2006 Katana 600 1984 GS550es Some Hondas Last edited by Apex; 04-01-2012 at 08:39 AM..

03-31-2012, 03:11 PM	#2
BlackburnD Kat Daddy Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Dayton, Ohio Posts: 1,166 iTrader: (0) My Garage eBay ID: JeepTech81	Welcome to KR. Clean looking bike you picked up __________________ Remember, Caps Lock is Cruise Control for Cool

03-31-2012, 05:22 PM	#3
KAT TOY Kat Legend Supporting Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Athens,Ga. Posts: 4,380 iTrader: (2) My Garage eBay ID: jhurst	__________________ never sleep with anyone crazier than yourself

03-31-2012, 10:01 PM	#5
KatanaGSX92 Kat Legend Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Sherman Oaks, CA Posts: 4,334 iTrader: (1) My Garage	Welcome! __________________ Mulholland Hwy Ride 1992 Katana GSX600F (on permanent loan to a family member) 2000 Suzuki Hayabusa First Hayabusa Commercial Hayabusa Design Hayabusa #1 Wonder of Motorcycles

03-31-2012, 11:14 PM	#9
Wild-Bill Have coffee, will travel Supporting Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Jacksonville, AR Posts: 9,078 iTrader: (9) My Garage eBay ID: justbillv	Welcome. Riding 365 in Tacoma's a pretty ballsy thing. I remember a lot of rain and some pretty significant black ice issues from when I lived there. Scout's confused about the oil. the important thing is to avoid the "energy conserving" friction additives in automotive oil and stick with oil for wet clutch motorcycles. If that's what you've got then you're fine, synthetic or no. Personally, I don't see that synthetic is really necessary. Can't give too much help on the bulb thing. The wiring isn't great on these bikes. It's just like any other bike--thin and prone to corrosion. A lot of guys go to LED bulbs and a solid-state flasher unit. Nothing else, the LED bulbs last a really long time so you're not replacing them pretty much ever. __________________ Wherever you go... There you are! 17 Inch Wheel Conversion HID Projector Retrofit

03-31-2012, 07:25 PM	#4
torgy Squid Join Date: May 2011 Location: Auburn,Washington Posts: 31 iTrader: (0) My Garage	welcome from Kent. Meet up sometime for a ride!

03-31-2012, 10:37 PM	#7
Apex Skid Mark Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Tacoma Posts: 4 iTrader: (0) My Garage	Thanks for the welcome, folks. Torgy, nice to hear that, we should touch base sometime. About the oil...I meant regular motorcycle oil ie. non-synthetic Valvoline, Lucas, etc. Looked in the wiki and answered my own questions Love the site.

03-31-2012, 10:37 PM	#8
nuera Squid Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: mass Posts: 34 iTrader: (0) My Garage

04-01-2012, 10:00 AM	#10
stretched600 Kat Champion Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Hickory, NC Posts: 1,966 iTrader: (0) My Garage eBay ID: mistyndel	Welcome to KR from NC!!! Congrats on your steal

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