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Hey guys! So I have read some of the postings before but just signed up for the site today. I wasn't sure where to post this, so I hope this is okay.
I bought a 2006 Katana 600 in August of 2011 as my first bike. I like the feel, the look, and the comfort of the Katana compared to other bikes I have since tried out. In December some crack heads ripped it off and then tried to return it to me when I posted a $1000.00 reward for it. So I was lucky enough to get him back (Rumpelstiltskin) is what I named him, since I couldn't figure out a name . . . it seemed to fit. Off topic . . . sorry! Since I am one of the lucky few to get their bike back, although it needed repairs afterwards, I feel like I am destined to be with this bike. With that being said I wanted to upgrade and do specific mods in the next year or so.
I have read some of the postings and I like the idea about putting a GSXR 1100 motor in it, I am thinking about a '92, if I can find one. This one may take a while. If this engine would even work for the '06 Katana.
I am getting a new set of complete fairings done since the jerks laid mine down in a truck when they swiped it, which scratched up a lot of the bike and broke the under belly fairing. I am going to do all black with no markings, for the simple fact I will be getting a custom paint job afterwards. I am not getting some cheap ebay fairings. I am getting them done at FastFairings.com which is here in GA and were recommended to me by a few different custom shops.
I want to get a swing arm and a thicker rear tire, but I don't know which kind of swing arm will work since they don't make them for Katanas and also if the bigger I go in tire would reduce any control with the bike.
I ordered an integrated brake/blinker light the other day so I will be able to remove the rear blinkers. I am going to cut off the rear mudflap and bolt the license plate directly under the brake light and also take off the bars that hang below the seat/above the back tire.
I have already added a green led kit which accents the bike and adds ground effects at night. (Did this mostly because I am on the interstate a lot and noticed bikes are extremely hard to see out there).
I am also going to upgrade the seat either by ordering a custom one or seeing if my girlfriends uncle can fabricate one.
There are other tiny details I want to do to the bike, such as the H4 headlights which I ordered already, painting the rims to match my theme or chrome them. . . I haven't decided yet, and possibly getting a custom paint job on the new fairings, new exhaust, mesh upgrade for the holes, take out the front blinkers and mesh those holes once I add mirrors with blinkers.
My girlfriends uncle does custom bikes (mostly Harleys), but does some street bikes as well. This will keep a lot of the labor costs down for me and he does a lot of painting jobs that resemble H. R. Giger. I don't think he has done the specific things I want to do on a Katana though, so any advice on any problems you could foresee would be great.
I am not going to do the engine upgrade until I have a second vehicle, since I only have the Katana as my vehicle right now, so probably in the winter once I buy a truck. So obviously I will have a 600 engine sitting around. My girlfriend wants to learn to ride, so what body types could I stick the '06 600 engine in? I was thinking of starting her off on a 250 and just upgrading the engine... is that possible?
Sorry for the long post. Before I start any upgrades I will take before pics and probably make a video for Youtube.
I bought a 2006 Katana 600 in August of 2011 as my first bike. I like the feel, the look, and the comfort of the Katana compared to other bikes I have since tried out. In December some crack heads ripped it off and then tried to return it to me when I posted a $1000.00 reward for it. So I was lucky enough to get him back (Rumpelstiltskin) is what I named him, since I couldn't figure out a name . . . it seemed to fit. Off topic . . . sorry! Since I am one of the lucky few to get their bike back, although it needed repairs afterwards, I feel like I am destined to be with this bike. With that being said I wanted to upgrade and do specific mods in the next year or so.
I have read some of the postings and I like the idea about putting a GSXR 1100 motor in it, I am thinking about a '92, if I can find one. This one may take a while. If this engine would even work for the '06 Katana.
I am getting a new set of complete fairings done since the jerks laid mine down in a truck when they swiped it, which scratched up a lot of the bike and broke the under belly fairing. I am going to do all black with no markings, for the simple fact I will be getting a custom paint job afterwards. I am not getting some cheap ebay fairings. I am getting them done at FastFairings.com which is here in GA and were recommended to me by a few different custom shops.
I want to get a swing arm and a thicker rear tire, but I don't know which kind of swing arm will work since they don't make them for Katanas and also if the bigger I go in tire would reduce any control with the bike.
I ordered an integrated brake/blinker light the other day so I will be able to remove the rear blinkers. I am going to cut off the rear mudflap and bolt the license plate directly under the brake light and also take off the bars that hang below the seat/above the back tire.
I have already added a green led kit which accents the bike and adds ground effects at night. (Did this mostly because I am on the interstate a lot and noticed bikes are extremely hard to see out there).
I am also going to upgrade the seat either by ordering a custom one or seeing if my girlfriends uncle can fabricate one.
There are other tiny details I want to do to the bike, such as the H4 headlights which I ordered already, painting the rims to match my theme or chrome them. . . I haven't decided yet, and possibly getting a custom paint job on the new fairings, new exhaust, mesh upgrade for the holes, take out the front blinkers and mesh those holes once I add mirrors with blinkers.
My girlfriends uncle does custom bikes (mostly Harleys), but does some street bikes as well. This will keep a lot of the labor costs down for me and he does a lot of painting jobs that resemble H. R. Giger. I don't think he has done the specific things I want to do on a Katana though, so any advice on any problems you could foresee would be great.
I am not going to do the engine upgrade until I have a second vehicle, since I only have the Katana as my vehicle right now, so probably in the winter once I buy a truck. So obviously I will have a 600 engine sitting around. My girlfriend wants to learn to ride, so what body types could I stick the '06 600 engine in? I was thinking of starting her off on a 250 and just upgrading the engine... is that possible?
Sorry for the long post. Before I start any upgrades I will take before pics and probably make a video for Youtube.
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