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Well Katriders, I've owned my Kat for a year now. It's time for me to bore you all and write a massive reflection that maybe some will find entertaining, or perhaps even inspiring.
I went to look at the GSXF600P that I currently own soley from sitting with my friend and joking, 'It's black, that's all I need.' Before dialing up the-then seller. Had it trailerd home and went 18 miles before it died on me - I knew I was in for it.
I found this great community that I am now a part of that no doubt helped me through the process of overhauling everything as winter settled in; I did everything, from a valve adjustment to a carb clean, sync and tune so well I've never used my choke since.Through the parts section I sourced OEM bits that helped me put my Kat as close to OEM as I could with a poor-college-boy income. When Spring dawned I had just put the finishing touches - I'd done it, just in time. Everyone both admitted previous doubt and congratulated me in doing something they really didn't think I would ever achieve. Between that and my self-pride, there was always a slight smirk under my helmet everytime she fired right up.
Ofcourse, it didn't last. (as most of you who read my collision thread well know)
On March 29th, 2014, while out for a night with my friends, a drunk driver backed into my parked Kat trying to parallel park (full details here, I won't recap in this thread). Everyone I know labels it, 'the worst tip in history.' Almost everything was damaged, and to top it off he didn't have insurance. (Court date is soon, though)
Once again I had it towed home, and I was more crushed than ever. I shamelessly admit that I had cried that night. I'd truly fallen in love with those bunny-ear mirrors and long-stalk signals - if even, as my riding mates never failed to remind me, they were a bit goofy. I started a very well-paying job for a college student and knew that I would have to dig deep and budget hard. I had decided she needed to be more custom.
I started in on some of the bigger mods, most of which I have yet to tell KatRiders about. The first was replacing the broken bits: grips, indicators, bar-ends, levers, windscreen, seats. Then I started in on a shovel-chop and went for a custom LED taillight with integrated sequential turn signals and a brake light flasher. I then helped 91 unload his Dual Bi-Xenon with LED rings headlight setup after his turbo Kat met a bad end. The true anniversary was yesterday, but the latest addition was finally replacing the damaged tank after a good treatment and tank lining.
I still sport the same smirk each time she fires right up, and I get compliments daily on her. There's no other bike I'd rather have, and it's a bittersweet transformation she's endured.
Just updated the Imgur album linked in my signature from all the pictures I neglected to upload as mods and time passed by.
I cut this short near the end, so if anyone has any questions or comments feel free.
View the collision thread (written the night of)
I went to look at the GSXF600P that I currently own soley from sitting with my friend and joking, 'It's black, that's all I need.' Before dialing up the-then seller. Had it trailerd home and went 18 miles before it died on me - I knew I was in for it.
I found this great community that I am now a part of that no doubt helped me through the process of overhauling everything as winter settled in; I did everything, from a valve adjustment to a carb clean, sync and tune so well I've never used my choke since.Through the parts section I sourced OEM bits that helped me put my Kat as close to OEM as I could with a poor-college-boy income. When Spring dawned I had just put the finishing touches - I'd done it, just in time. Everyone both admitted previous doubt and congratulated me in doing something they really didn't think I would ever achieve. Between that and my self-pride, there was always a slight smirk under my helmet everytime she fired right up.
Ofcourse, it didn't last. (as most of you who read my collision thread well know)
On March 29th, 2014, while out for a night with my friends, a drunk driver backed into my parked Kat trying to parallel park (full details here, I won't recap in this thread). Everyone I know labels it, 'the worst tip in history.' Almost everything was damaged, and to top it off he didn't have insurance. (Court date is soon, though)
Once again I had it towed home, and I was more crushed than ever. I shamelessly admit that I had cried that night. I'd truly fallen in love with those bunny-ear mirrors and long-stalk signals - if even, as my riding mates never failed to remind me, they were a bit goofy. I started a very well-paying job for a college student and knew that I would have to dig deep and budget hard. I had decided she needed to be more custom.
I started in on some of the bigger mods, most of which I have yet to tell KatRiders about. The first was replacing the broken bits: grips, indicators, bar-ends, levers, windscreen, seats. Then I started in on a shovel-chop and went for a custom LED taillight with integrated sequential turn signals and a brake light flasher. I then helped 91 unload his Dual Bi-Xenon with LED rings headlight setup after his turbo Kat met a bad end. The true anniversary was yesterday, but the latest addition was finally replacing the damaged tank after a good treatment and tank lining.
I still sport the same smirk each time she fires right up, and I get compliments daily on her. There's no other bike I'd rather have, and it's a bittersweet transformation she's endured.
Just updated the Imgur album linked in my signature from all the pictures I neglected to upload as mods and time passed by.
I cut this short near the end, so if anyone has any questions or comments feel free.
View the collision thread (written the night of)
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