Hi all!
I stumbled across this forum while researching what I might be getting into if I try to get my '99 Katana 750 back on the street.
Long story short, it has been sitting, for a *long* time. It has spent the better part of the last 12 years immobile. After it sat for about 4 years, I tried to start it, during which a whole bunch of cranking resulted in nothing more than a backfire. A friend of a friend played around with it about 5 years ago and got it running, but it was never 100%, which was sort of why I just put it away again. I know the carbs are going to be a mess, and the gas tank probably has rust in it, and that's just the beginning...
I contacted a local shop that has a good reputation. The people in there seemed more than reasonable. They politely explained that I'd probably be in for somewhere between $500-$1000 just to get it running. Of course, who knows what other issues could pop up after that?
So, I started thinking: Why don't I give it a shot myself? How hard could it possibly be? What could go wrong? I'm fairly mechanically inclined. (Most of my experience has been with 1970s-1990s American cars, just about everything from oil changes to engine swaps.) I've got access to some tools. I have a buddy that's pretty good at handing me beers while I'm turning wrenches...
I've read a bit here and there over the past couple of weeks. I've found a few different guides for rebuilding carbs. I've found write-ups on cleaning out tanks. I found an awesome how-to for a fuel injection conversion, but I don't think that's in the cards right now.
Clearly, I'm stupid, or I would have taken better care of the bike. But, I've heard of other people taking on crazier projects that turned out successful. So, what does everyone think? Am I out of my mind? Is this a reasonable project? Have at, let me know what you think, and don't hold back. I've got pretty thick skin...
Thanks for reading!
I stumbled across this forum while researching what I might be getting into if I try to get my '99 Katana 750 back on the street.
Long story short, it has been sitting, for a *long* time. It has spent the better part of the last 12 years immobile. After it sat for about 4 years, I tried to start it, during which a whole bunch of cranking resulted in nothing more than a backfire. A friend of a friend played around with it about 5 years ago and got it running, but it was never 100%, which was sort of why I just put it away again. I know the carbs are going to be a mess, and the gas tank probably has rust in it, and that's just the beginning...
I contacted a local shop that has a good reputation. The people in there seemed more than reasonable. They politely explained that I'd probably be in for somewhere between $500-$1000 just to get it running. Of course, who knows what other issues could pop up after that?
So, I started thinking: Why don't I give it a shot myself? How hard could it possibly be? What could go wrong? I'm fairly mechanically inclined. (Most of my experience has been with 1970s-1990s American cars, just about everything from oil changes to engine swaps.) I've got access to some tools. I have a buddy that's pretty good at handing me beers while I'm turning wrenches...
I've read a bit here and there over the past couple of weeks. I've found a few different guides for rebuilding carbs. I've found write-ups on cleaning out tanks. I found an awesome how-to for a fuel injection conversion, but I don't think that's in the cards right now.
Clearly, I'm stupid, or I would have taken better care of the bike. But, I've heard of other people taking on crazier projects that turned out successful. So, what does everyone think? Am I out of my mind? Is this a reasonable project? Have at, let me know what you think, and don't hold back. I've got pretty thick skin...
Thanks for reading!
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