Farkle my Kan-O-tuna 1100

[Swampy]

OK - it's official, my other "toy" broke a big block motor so the funds for a new connie or ZX are gone for the year  . Looking to add some life to my 1989 Katana 1100 which is used for 2-up riding 90% of the time. Motor is strong - stage 1 jet kit and 4:1 yosh. New chain and sproket, valves adjusted ...  runs well. Windshield is extended and the electric up and down still works so protection is decent.

Areas that need help:

1) Tank bag and soft side bags are so old they are falling apart - what's best bang for the $?

2) I hate floppy soft bags - Any hard bag bargains out there for the old Kat? Maybe a set of givis that can be moved to a ZX14 later(with ZX bracket of course)???

3) Brakes suck - I have stainless braided front brake line but they still suck - ideas? Bolt on calipers from something else? Better pads?

4) Front forks - I have progressive fork springs which I will install next week - should help.

5) I use a Treo w Tomtom for GPS/Map - works fine so no Map farkle required - use an iPOD for tunes.

6) Intercom - had a chatterbox - it fried in first rain storm. Would like to go wireless this time - suggestions?

7) Lighting - have upgraded bulb but could use some additional lights -ideas?

8) Would like to raise the bars 1-2 inches - genmar or others?

9) Need a throttle lock of some kind - my plastic one broke the third time I used it (POS).

10) Used corbin seat with backrest thingy for the missus?

11) pegs are all worn out - sources for alternatives - they are a bit wierd on this bike BTW.

Make suggestions ohhh Sport Touring Yodas - what would you do if you had $ shortage. I do not have the time to research all this stuff and do not have the Suzuki database to see what parts can go from newer bikes onto the old Kat to improve her.

Keep it cheap - I have two in college and a busted boat.

  thanks in advance for your ideas

[Fourstring]

Well which is it?  Keep it cheap or comment on all those upgrades?  

[bomber]

soft luggage = RKAluggage.com -- small family owned company, great products, world class service, very reasonable prices

[Rogue]

Sell the boat, buy a new Connie or equivalent.  

Honestly, you owe it to yourself to research all this on the Internet.  Find a good Katana website and start reading.  That kind of knowledge and experience from other owners is priceless.  If you have time to go here and post this, you have time to do research.

Soft Bags - there are tons of bags from a variety of makers out there.  Price will vary greatly too.  Not knowing your exact needs, it's tough to make a specific recommendation.  However, I do prefer the Tourmaster Cortech series of bags.  They make several sizes of tank bags, tailbags, and a good set of large saddlebags.  

Brakes - your best bet is to swap forks to maybe a GSXR1100, complete with brakes.  Or, replace your rotors and pads with modern materials.

Lighting - this is tough. The only suggestion I can make is to clean up the glass and the inside reflector.  Replace factory wires with new, thicker gauge wires.  Then put Sylvania Silverstar bulbs in IF they make 'em.  Other than that, you're going to have to fabricate a custom headlight system using aftermarket light assemblies.  An altnernative to that is to install auxliary lights from PIAA.

Pegs - I would stick with the factory ones by simply replacing yours with new ones.  Reason being, they are the ones that will reduce vibrations from your engine the best.  Besides, aftermarket rearsets/pegs are usually only made for sportbikes and not old bikes.

Keep it "cheap".....cheap is not so good with motorcycle stuff.  If you use cheap stuff and they fail during a ride, you risk your life and your passenger's life.  

[zzr pilot]

get some motopak luggage.  Canadian company and the bags are awesome for soft luggage.  Used them on my ZZR 1200 until I picked up some hard luggage.  I still have and use one of their tank bags.

www.motopakluggage.com  

reasonable prices and quick shipping.  BTW  I had an 89 Katana 1100 - great bike

[valdoo]

Honestly, you owe it to yourself to research all this on the Internet.  Find a good Katana website and start reading.  That kind of knowledge and experience from other owners is priceless.  If you have time to go here and post this, you have time to do research.

www.katanaplanet.com


You won't be sorry.

 

[Swampy]

Thanks to all who responded - I didn't really mean "cheap" - bikes are like airplanes to me - safety first. I just meant that a $5k turbo kit was probably not in the cards. Thanks for the link!

Swampy

[Cale_Kat]

Areas that need help:

1) Tank bag and soft side bags are so old they are falling apart - what's best bang for the $?

Cortech 21 liter magnetic tank bag.

2) I hate floppy soft bags - Any hard bag bargains out there for the old Kat? Maybe a set of givis that can be moved to a ZX14 later(with ZX bracket of course)???

Save your money for a hard bag solution that works with the ZX14. Go for Nelson Rigg soft bags. http://www.newenoughhp.com/luggage/saddlebags__saddlebag_supports/nelson_rigg/cl950_deluxe_motorcycle_saddlebags.html.  The rear tail tote bag is a nice addition because it combines with the saddlebags on the bike. http://www.newenoughhp.com/luggage/tail_bags/nelson_rigg/cl800_rear_tote_motorcycle_tail_bag.htmlIt looks something like this

3) Brakes suck - I have stainless braided front brake line but they still suck - ideas? Bolt on calipers from something else? Better pads? Check out Katriders.com to see your options. http://katriders.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=53&sid=9c84f0774d0a52050f3a98609c1fb628

4) Front forks - I have progressive fork springs which I will install next week - should help.
Sounds good to me.  

5) I use a Treo w Tomtom for GPS/Map - works fine so no Map farkle required - use an iPOD for tunes.

6) Intercom - had a chatterbox - it fried in first rain storm. Would like to go wireless this time - suggestions
Autocomm?

7) Lighting - have upgraded bulb but could use some additional lights -ideas?
See http://Katriders.com.

8) Would like to raise the bars 1-2 inches - genmar or others? ???

9) Need a throttle lock of some kind - my plastic one broke the third time I used it (POS). I like crampbuster.

10) Used corbin seat with backrest thingy for the missus? definetly backrest

11) pegs are all worn out - sources for alternatives - they are a bit wierd on this bike BTW.Katriders.com

Good luck!

[Swampy]

again - many thanks. I dont know why I have never found Katriders before....I've looked. Anyway - great source.

[Swampy]

Thanks picked up new MotoPak tank bag and saddle bags on Enay

Ordered new rubber peg parts that are OEM

Keeping my eyes open for Corbin that might work (used of course)

Dropped off the Kat to get progressive shocks put in (already owned them) and having him check brakes and clutch for me.

Still not sure about intercom or way to raise the bars.....

[bombsquad]

I have some bar risers off my old 1990 Kan-o-tuna.  You are welcome to them.  Shoot me a pm and I will get them to you.  How's that for cheap?!

I used the Krauser luggage system on mine.  Incredible stuff.  As far as the seat, I used a Corbin.  I put about 40,000 miles on the bike before a buddy wrecked it for me.  It was absolutely one of the most comfortable bikes I have ever owned.  

[Swampy]

Bombsquad - can you call me
954/!!!
598%%%
4800

I'd like to take you up on your offer - I'll send a check to cover shipping an couple of Beers for you generosity
 

[Swampy]

  to bomsquad - I owe ya Man for tossing me the bar riser!!!!

Also - got in the new tank bag and saddles today - great quality and the perfect sizes for my needs. Thanks for the suggestion above....bid for new ones and got both for about $125 - nice!

Bid on a Katana Corbin seat but got outbid at the last minute - dohhhhhhhhh

Dropped off the Kat for forks (owned them - they were $75) but while they were at it:
New clutch plates and springs (steel plates and frictions)
New clutch fluids and master cleaned up
New brake fluids and master check out - and bled
New pedal rubber ($20)
New speedo cable - lost speedo last month ($15)

I figure it will be another $250 in parts, fluids, and gaskets plus another $200 for labor...youch but I cant complain - I got 30,000 miles out of my original clutch on a big heavy bike.

I hope she will be a transformed enough beast for me to enjoy the $600 I'm dropping  

[Swampy]

Picking her up this afternoon - drumrolllllllllllllllllllll

[Swampy]

well - brakes feel better, clutch needs to break in I think - having trouble finding neutral now....not real happy about that.

Front fork seems much better and the bike actually is taller in the front than it was so I suspect the stock springs were shot. It doesnt bottom out on small road irregularities like it used to.

Replaced the rubber all around - footpegs that is - and got my plastic clip on cover back on. Now it needs a nice detailing and I guess she will be good to go for a while.

Put some fresh plugs in too so it starts and sounds good. Will have to see on the clutch issue.

[Swampy]

CRAP - not only is the clutch not breaking in - neutral is almost impossible to find but the mechanic seems to have dented the tank in two places when he did the fork upgrade - wtf? I know it is not a new bike but how hard is it to be careful......I'll be visiting his azz today.

ALSO-Bomsquad- nice gesture buddy but they dont fit. Did you have a Katana 1100? What year was it? I need to send you these back with my many thanks anyway.

[bombsquad]

They are from a 1990 model 1100 Katana.  Don't worry with sending them back.  Sorry they didn't work; I was not aware of any differences between the two year models.

Steve

[Walker]

soft luggage = RKAluggage.com -- small family owned company, great products, world class service, very reasonable prices

+10!  I really like my RKA saddlebags on my Gpz.  I also am a big fan of Oxford Sports.