First bike

[mxracer1115]

Hi all im new here and going to check out a 1990 katana 600 tomorrow and possibly buy it. This will be a project bike because the transmission is stuck in third gear, but the price is right. Would this bike be worth buying for less then 500 dollars? Btw i come from the dirtbike side of riding and this might be my first streetbike

[Slofuze]

Welcome to KR. Depending on how long the bike has been sitting, you might have to have deep pockets. Good luck whatever you decide.

[BradsKat]

For under $500 it's hard to go wrong (not impossible, but not likely!)

Welcome to KR!

[The CyberPoet]

Transmission problems are generally huge red flags to walk away... The repair will typically run you about $220 - $275 in parts, but over 50 hours in labor, because the whole engine needs to be torn apart down to the very bottom to get at the tranny. Most people decide it's far cheaper & easier to simply buy an used engine with a known-good tranny and swap it in.

Good Luck, what ever you decide to do!

Cheers,
=-= The CyberPoet

______________________
CyberPoet's KR Specials
SuzukiStratosphere.com - 6 Cylinders, wet dreams...
The Best Motorcycle Tire Valves in the World, plus lots of motorcycle & Katana (GSX600F / GSX750F) specific help files.

[mxracer1115]

I ended up picking the bike up for 300 bucks. The motor starts and runs good. The bike hasnt been sitting for long and the registration is still good. I may rebuild the transmission myself over the winter or maybe drop in a good used motor.

[NiteMare]

Transmission problems are generally huge red flags to walk away... The repair will typically run you about $220 - $275 in parts, but over 50 hours in labor, because the whole engine needs to be torn apart down to the very bottom to get at the tranny. Most people decide it's far cheaper & easier to simply buy an used engine with a known-good tranny and swap it in.

Good Luck, what ever you decide to do!

Cheers,
=-= The CyberPoet

50 hours in labour ?

ok i know the fairing lowers and assorted bodywork will have to be removed along with exhaust and carbs to get at the engine (then reassembled after the engine is sorted) but 50 hours strikes me as a bit over the odds...

why does the "whole" engine have to be stripped?? ..
couldn't you just strip the side cases then access the gearbox by inverting the lot and removing the bottom case, or is there a bolt or two hidden under the cylinder block ??

if there is a hidden bolt, the cost of a "full" gasket kit would probably push the rebuild cost beyond the value of the engine if new gears were required as well

[The CyberPoet]

50 hours in labour ?

Suzuki's time manual lists tranny repairs to the 98+ Kats as 18 to 24 man-hours, depending on the problem in the tranny. Figuring a typical home mechanic will take twice as long as a school-trained mechanic, that puts it around 50 hours including runs to the auto parts store (and matches what I've heard from those who have dug into it).

why does the "whole" engine have to be stripped?? ..
couldn't you just strip the side cases then access the gearbox by inverting the lot and removing the bottom case, or is there a bolt or two hidden under the cylinder block ??

You have to split the cases to get where you need to go, and indeed, there is a hidden bolt in the middle of the block.

IMHO: This is a repair reserved for those who want to do it to really learn about the engine inside & out, those who love to tinker for the sake of tinkering (it's actually their hobby to tear down & fix), or those with lots of time but not enough $$ on their hands.

Cheers,
=-= The CyberPoet

______________________
CyberPoet's KR Specials
SuzukiStratosphere.com - 6 Cylinders, wet dreams...
The Best Motorcycle Tire Valves in the World, plus lots of motorcycle & Katana (GSX600F / GSX750F) specific help files.

[mxracer1115]

To me this project will be a learning process to really get to know my bike, if it seems too much to handle, i will just take my time considering i have all winter to fix it. As of right now the shift shaft moves in and out of the gearbox and goes from no tension to stuck and will not shift into anygear besides the one its stuck in (3rd)

[XKillerEliteX]

Welcome to KR

[seriss_cweald]

if you have the time and some extra cash go for it

[Nero]

Leave it in third gear.

[GSXF]

Leave it in third gear.

And add Nitro!

[Enjay386]

Welcome, welcome .

[ctandc]

Well if you're up for a road trip (I'm sure shipping would be a pain and pricey) I've got a 91 Kat 600 engine with @29K on the clock that ran just fine. I pulled it for 4K mile 01 750 swap. No carbs, just the engine. Bolt your carbs / starter / alternator on etc and go. Valve cover gasket was replaced and valves were just adjusted before I yanked it.

You come get it I'll let it go for $175

EDIT : When I mean it ran fine, it was my daily driver, used no oil, and knocked down high 40's mpg.

[mxracer1115]

Wow you guys seem like a really good group of people! About that motor that sounds like a good deal, i may consider a roadtrip, would shipping be too costly?