Bought a new bike... GS650 Katana!

[Yoshi]

Well I am pissed off with the ZXR400 continually breaking and not running, so I've bought an older bike as a run around. I was looking for a cheap 125 or 250, like a CB250 or something, but I got carried away and ended up buying a 650cc classic sports bike

It looks in good condition, been restored and comes with lots of spares including new engine Hopefully pick it up next few days. I'm going halves with my dad as his ZX9R isn't running so its something for him to ride.

https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/gs-650-katana_W0QQitemZ130035000376QQihZ003QQcategoryZ9808QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Matt
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Present: GS650 Katana - Getting ready for summer touring!
Past: TS50, RS50, ZXR400, LT80, TS250

[Delvard]

Very nice Let us know how it rides.
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A thing of beauty is a joy for ever: Its loveliness increases; it will never Pass into nothingness; but still will keep A bower quiet for us, and a sleep Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.

[irving]

[Yoshi]

Shall be seeing it when I pick it up. If it's crap I'll leave it, ebay may be a contract but I'm not gonna pay if it's not as described (or I'll negotiate a discount)
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Present: GS650 Katana - Getting ready for summer touring!
Past: TS50, RS50, ZXR400, LT80, TS250

[Bezzer]

I wouldn't call it a "sports bike" by any means, it wasn't 25 years ago when they came out, it's a shaft driven slug.
Saying that it's a GS and they are bulletproof and go forever if you look after it, had a GS650 for 5-6 years as a commuter and it never let me down, just enjoy it for what it is, got to be better than any 125-250 you might have got.
If it doesn't come with a manual Clymer do one that cover it (Haynes don't) and if you really get stuck I've got the full Suzuki workshop manual and can look you up any info you might need. It's not for sale as I plan on getting another myself
BTW it's getting to that time of year and mine suffered something chronic from carb icing, make sure you've got some Silkolene ProFST handy
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I used to be indecisive but now I'm not quite so sure.

[flamy]

cool mate, looks a decent lil runaround.

whats up with your zxr

[bish777]

I wonder if the 850 shaftie motor can be fitted mmmm..... Or can the 1000 or 1100 Kat motor can be squeezed in and the rear converted to chain.....
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GSXR1100J

[Blau Zedong]

Big tough old bus . Only problem is self destruct electrics as standard, although most will have been modified these days. If not keep lights on at all times and oil level up (keeps stator windings cool). Good solid bike, one of the toughest jap engines of all time.
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18:54:48 Rob Fzs: jews don't give away stuff for free

18:54:59 Rob Fzs: unless its their clothes/ hair/ golden teeth

[Yoshi]

Thanks for advice everyone. Yeah it aint a sports bike I know, but its better than a cg125

[Bezzer]

[Bezzer]

[Blau Zedong]

Think the usual mod is a Superdream Reg / Rec unit or a Kawasaki one. Suzuki were making some great engines back then but seemed to develop a corporate blind spot on 4 stroke charging systems (bit like Honda with camchain tensioners).
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18:54:48 Rob Fzs: jews don't give away stuff for free

18:54:59 Rob Fzs: unless its their clothes/ hair/ golden teeth

[Yoshi]

Thanks for all the advice. Phoned the seller and it sounds like a bit of a bargain, He has done only 1700 miles since rebuilding it, gently running it in, and comes with lots of spares, entire engine, barrels etc etc. I'm guessing that he will have sorted out the electrics if he has spent that much cash and effort on it. See once I've got it, picking it up and riding home on thursday.

[Blau Zedong]

Difficult to say without seeing it personally, but sounds good . I would of thought the charging system would of been done of he's gone through the rest of the bike, it's a well known fault and a well documented cure.
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18:54:48 Rob Fzs: jews don't give away stuff for free

18:54:59 Rob Fzs: unless its their clothes/ hair/ golden teeth

[stinkwheel]

Another vote for superdream reg/rec, with all 3 phases running through it. It's probably already been done though.

No way has the original suzuki rectifier survived for 24 years, many of them didn't make it past the warranty period.

They are a 'proper' motorbike. Got some presence with them. You should see the mess one makes when you crash it into the side of a transit van at 20mph (like my mate did on his 850).

Very clean looking engine.

[Yoshi]

Well I went to fetch it Friday and rode it home, very happy with it!

Doesn't seem to have any problems, ridden it about 100 miles so far and seems to run sweet, fun to ride too. And gear indicators are cool, why aren't they standard fitment on bikes now, if they were 24 years ago? There's clearly a demand for them as people buy them to put on their new bikes

Came with a tonne of spares, complete spare engine, carbs, barrel, pistons, tank, body work, shaft drive, other bits and bobs which I aint been through yet, going to sort it out tomorrow.

It's also the nicest bike I've ridden in the wet, I don't feel like the rear wheel is going to slide though the hedge like I did on the RS50.

Sods law though, that just as I buy another bike, my ZXR4 is working fine and on the road for the first time since I've owned it. Still now I've got a choice and a spare if it breaks again, which it probably will! Probably will end up using them about the same amount anyway, and it means Dad has a bike to ride as his ZX9 isnt running (fckin kawasakis)
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Present: GS650 Katana - Getting ready for summer touring!
Past: TS50, RS50, ZXR400, LT80, TS250

[phk6]

heh sounds like me i went out looking for a cheapo 125 and came home with a 500 lol nice one fella
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Current .. 2008 BMW R 1200 GS Adventure ..
Before .. 2003 Yamaha Fazer 1000 .. 2004 Kawazaki Z1000 .. 2003 Suzuki Sv1000s .. 1999 zx6r Track Bike .. 1999 CB 500 Cup ..
/Phil