a lil help for the noob

[05katblew]

im both new to bikes and to this site. i want to get opinions on my problem here. i recently bought my bike and i have a slow oil leak. first what is the name of the part in the picture? its some kinda cover and i believe the gasket behind it is bent causing the oil to leak. any help is appreciated

[yngveny]

Welcome to KR

That would be the signal generator cover.
You probably need a new gasket.
You can actually take the cover off without draining the oil, at least if you have the bike on its center stand.
You will however have to remove the main fairing to get to the bolt at the top of the cover. To remove the main fairing you have to remove the lower fairing and the right side mirror.

Might sound like a lot of work, but it is a real easy job.

[05katblew]

Welcome to KR

That would be the signal generator cover.
You probably need a new gasket.
You can actually take the cover off without draining the oil, at least if you have the bike on its center stand.
You will however have to remove the main fairing to get to the bolt at the top of the cover. To remove the main fairing you have to remove the lower fairing and the right side mirror.

Might sound like a lot of work, but it is a real easy job.

nah removing the fairings is fairly simple but u answered my next question about the oil. so as long as its up on the center stand i do NOT have to drain the oil first?

[The CyberPoet]

Not for that particular cover (signal generator cover)

Gasket runs about $5 through me (plus postage), and the picture seems to show no damages to the cover itself. Easy fix -- you might even just find some of the bolts loose (note: these bolts, like virtually all the bolts on the Katana, do NOT need gorilla strength to tighten -- since you're screwing steel bolts into aluminum threads, go easy; you only need enough torque on them to hold the gasket tight against oil).

Worst-case scenario is that you find someone else mangled the threads by over-tightening. If so, you'll need some form of thread-repair kit (helicoils or possibly even just permatex thread-repair compound).

Cheers,
=-= The CyberPoet

__________________________________________________ ________
CyberPoet's Katana Maintence and Upgrade Parts Offerings
The Best Metal Steel Aluminum Motorcycle Tire Valves in the World, plus lots of motorcycle & Katana (GSX600F / GSX750F) specific help files.

[yngveny]

nah removing the fairings is fairly simple but u answered my next question about the oil. so as long as its up on the center stand i do NOT have to drain the oil first?

I don't think so, but i would put it on the side stand, I know from experience that that will work fine.

[05katblew]

Not for that particular cover (signal generator cover)

Gasket runs about $5 through me (plus postage), and the picture seems to show no damages to the cover itself. Easy fix -- you might even just find some of the bolts loose (note: these bolts, like virtually all the bolts on the Katana, do NOT need gorilla strength to tighten -- since you're screwing steel bolts into aluminum threads, go easy; you only need enough torque on them to hold the gasket tight against oil).

Worst-case scenario is that you find someone else mangled the threads by over-tightening. If so, you'll need some form of thread-repair kit (helicoils or possibly even just permatex thread-repair compound).

Cheers,
=-= The CyberPoet

__________________________________________________ ________
CyberPoet's Katana Maintence and Upgrade Parts Offerings
The Best Metal Steel Aluminum Motorcycle Tire Valves in the World, plus lots of motorcycle & Katana (GSX600F / GSX750F) specific help files.

ok great id like to grab one from u as soon as possible. there is some damage to the cover u just cant see it in that pic but its just scratched up nothing major. do u happen to sell the cover itself as well?

[The CyberPoet]

ok great id like to grab one from u as soon as possible. there is some damage to the cover u just cant see it in that pic but its just scratched up nothing major. do u happen to sell the cover itself as well?

While I can order the cover new, I don't stock them. Arsenic may have one for sale (used) since he strips Kats & sells the parts -- send him a PM.

I'll send you a PM with the quote.

Cheers,
=-= The CyberPoet

__________________________________________________ ________
CyberPoet's Katana Maintence and Upgrade Parts Offerings
The Best Metal Steel Aluminum Motorcycle Tire Valves in the World, plus lots of motorcycle & Katana (GSX600F / GSX750F) specific help files.

[yngveny]

Trust CP to clarify and add some good points

Listen to this guy he knows what he is talking about.

[05katblew]

thank you guys for your help. should have this fixed in no time!

[tomgiboney]

Very pretty bike by the way...

[DreKat]

Trust CP to clarify and add some good points

Listen to this guy he knows what he is talking about.

[05katblew]

Very pretty bike by the way...

thank you!!