Noob

[strolltroll]

Hi,

Picked up a non-running 1997 600 Katana on Saturday (cheap). With the help of this site and 2 days work I have a pretty nice little bike. She's got some "get-up-and-go" for a 600.

Thanks Katriders

[yngveny]

Welcome to KR

[newbouldg]

Welcome to KR!!

[JIB]

Welcome to KR. Glad you got it running.

[jbo197]

Welcome Home ....

[Hegmann1391]

Welcome to the forum!

[DOCTORNITRO]

Welcome to KR!

[voodoobilly]

Welcome to KR!

[jday240]

Welcome. Tell us a little about you and your bike.

[1990gsx 600]

welcome to KR and do tell

[KatanaGSX92]

Welcome!

[strolltroll]

Welcome. Tell us a little about you and your bike.

Well, picked the bike up on Saturday, got it cheap, motivated seller moving to Iowa, threw a cover and helmet in my car after the deal was done.

1997 Katana 600, blue. Sat down, looks like once each side, lightly, no cracks, but some scuffs.

Seller says:
· It was parked in the rain last year (2009) and never started again. No lights, no power, no nothing when you turn the key on. "Thought it was the battery, so I got a new one, but didn't work", "probably the ignition switch got water in it and corroded".
· Oil leaks, "I think it needs a new gasket".
· tires new
Seller assures me that engine ran good and clutch was good before the sudden "no-start" issue.

Have owned many street bikes (yamaha specials and honda silverwings....) in the last 30+ years but never a "crotch rocket" (BTW, is crotch rocket an acceptable term?..don't see it here much.) When I first saw this deal, almost passed it by, but when I showed it to my wife she wanted it right away. She has always been ho-hum about my motorcycles so this surprised me.

Was surprised how much has to be removed just to see the engine.

After getting to the engine, the problem was obvious. The wiring harness was melted to the head of the engine. From what I can gather, the harness should be loomed and go over, not under the cross brace that goes across/above the head of the engine. The fact that it went under held the unloomed wires against the head and resulted in total electrical failure.

Surprisingly, none of the fuses were blown.

When replacing the plugs, removed the brace for better access, repaired the 6 burned wires and ran the harness over the brace and put loom around entire length of harness near engine.

The seller did not do his own maintenance and I think the shop that changed his plugs last really did him a disservice by this mistake.

Got power, but still no crank.

Lot's of reading here which eventually led me to.....

Bypassed clutch safety switch, cranks and starts.

Got it all put back together, time to take it for a test drive. When attempting to put it in first gear would "grind" and die. Thought clutch was gone. Adjusted it to max, still grind/die. Tried pushing motorcycle before putting in gear, still grind/die.......hmmm.

After reading here, tried a few things, oddly enough, turned out to be the kickstand safety switch. The kickstand would hit the exhaust pipe before coming all the way up. With a little maneuvering it would come all the way up, trip the switch and allow you to put it into first gear. Odd though, I can see the electricity cutting out but why the grinding?

Anyway ran great. Really a lot faster than the Silverwing I have now. Not sure about this leaning forward thing though.

Other 2 problems:
· Gasket thing is actually the drain plug drips about one drop an hour while parked. Read here that sometimes the plug gets stripped. Will look at that at next oil change. Right now oil appears new.
· Tires shot, Back one bald, front has rot.
All in all, happy with purchase. My wife is already calling it "hers" and is starting to study for her license. I'm insisting she learn on the silverwing, but she is resistant. I’ll have to show her the posting I read here “The Best Writing I Have Seen On Noobs and Sportbikes”. Maybe it’ll work.

[vonrapier]

Welcome to KR
Do you have any photos to post of the bike?

[strolltroll]

Welcome to KR
Do you have any photos to post of the bike?

No, but I'll take some :bunny2

[bob393]

Welcome to the group!