Where are the '88-'97 Gas Caps??

[Kubelwagen]

I'm rebuilding a rough '96 Kat 600 for my son and thought it would be nice to have a shiny new gas cap to go along with the shiny new paint. The cap and ignition have different keys anyway. I rebuild various types of bikes and seldom have a problem finding reproduction gas caps but I can't find squat for this Kat. As a matter of fact, it seems there are very few aftermarket parts of any kind for this generation. Too old I guess.

I'm assuming if a cap from another model could be made to fit then it would be advertised as fitting those model years. So does anyone have any secrets to making a different model of cap work or is pricey OEM the only option? Thanks.

[92xjunker]

Any four screw suzuki cap will fit. eBay is a good source, I use a non-keyed cap.

[arsenic]

It's not that it's too old, it's a Katana. All the after market focus was and is on the GSXR. Suzuki and every after market parts manufacturer figured that a budget sport touring bike wasn't a good money maker.

[Kubelwagen]

Interesting. I happen to have a new gas cap here for a 2006 Suzuki GS500F and compared it to the cap on the '96 Katana. They appear to be exactly the same. The fitment listed for the cap I have is all years of the GS500 and RGV250. Yet many fitment charts show the cap compatible with only a few model years of the GS500.

Obviously there are errors and omissions in these charts. The list below is typical of what's on eBay. It shows the cap as also fitting the SV1000 and SV650S. It doesn't. I happen to own an '03 SV1000 and '05 SV650S and those caps are 3 bolt with 5 exterior bolts and have a completely different cap design. Regardless, now that I know what to look for, our Kat will be getting a shiny new cheap gas cap. Thank you.

The parts market being primarily for the GSXR's is right on. I couldn't find lowering links for the Kat unless I want to custom manufacture some, which I don't. Instead I got an R6 shock that should lower it about 3/4 inch and look much better with it's pretty red spring. All the adjustments are nice, too. Then there's the frame slider issue. Might have to make those as well. I'm also adapting risers and super-bike bars to make the ergonomics a little friendlier to my vertically challenged newer rider. We're planning on orange paint with matte gray graphics after repairing copious amounts of battle damage. Picked up a Ninja 650 headlight that I may or may not attempt to retrofit. All in all it should be a pretty nice bike when done.

I still don't understand why the 88-97 Kats aren't listed in the fitment charts though. If the cap fits then it fits. Right?

Fit for:
SUZUKI GS500 GS500E 89-01
SUZUKI GSX1100 87-96
SUZUKI GSXR750 Slingshot 88-99
SUZUKI RG125 RG125F 92-95
SUZUKI RGV250 K-T 89-96
SUZUKI RF600 93-98
SUZUKI RF900 94-99
SUZUKI GSX600 GSX600F 1989-04
SUZUKI GSF600 BANDIT Mk1 95-99
SUZUKI VX800 90-96
SUZUKI GSF400 Bandit 91-95
SUZUKI GSX-R600 (1999-2005)
SUZUKI GSX-R750 (1999-2005)
SUZUKI GSX-R1000 (2001-2002)
SUZUKI GSX-R1000 (2003-2005)
SUZUKI SV650S (1999-2002)
SUZUKI SV1000 (2003-2005)
SUZUKI GSX 1400 2002-2007
SUZUKI SV650S (2003-2005)
SUZUKI KATANA (1998-2005)
SUZUKI SV1000 (2003-2005)
SUZUKI GSFT1200 Bandit (1999-2002)
SUZUKI GSXR1300R Hayabusa (2000-2005)

[92xjunker]

To damn old, no body cares if it fits and old cheap bike.

[Kubelwagen]

Well, somebody needs to show 'em some love. Might as well be us old people.

[1LE]

I still don't understand why the 88-97 Kats aren't listed in the fitment charts though. If the cap fits then it fits. Right?

Yeah, but someone would have had to tried and confirmed it to be able to list it. I've found, having somewhat rare cars that share parts with other cars, that manufacturers are always glad to add compatible makes/models, but they do want some proof. They're not going to turn down possible future sales (even small ones) when they have to do next to nothing to add a type. However, they're not going to invest time/money into trying to find every fitment out there either.

[ZukiFred]

It was on that list. SUZUKI GSX600 GSX600F 1989-04