1100 Katana Tank

[mozza]

G'day guy's, I'm needing help !! I'm hoping to turn my Period 5 build into a Katana but need a tank to make it a reality. I can get some fiberglass bodywork but unless I can source a tank it's not going to happen.

Hope one of you can assist ?

[RussVC]

They're still available new from Suzuki.

[NINJAINOZ]

What year model/s tank do you need, Is the 750 tank the same?

Curious, Will you need to make mounts etc to make it fit or would it suit the mounts on your frame?

Any on these 2 pages?>
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_sop=15&_sacat=0&_from=R40&_mPrRngCbx=1&_udhi=150&_nkw=gsx+1100+tank&rt=nc
(http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_sop=15&_sacat=0&_from=R40&_mPrRngCbx=1&_udhi=150&_nkw=gsx+1100+tank&rt=nc)
For such a small place there is usually plenty of good parts in the UK>
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_sacat=0&_nkw=gsx 1100 tank&_sop=15 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_nkw=gsx+1100+tank&_sacat=0&_odkw=gsx+100+tank&_osacat=0&_trksid=p3286.c0.m270.l1313)

[Tony Nitrous]

He wants a real Kat tank,
Not a shit GS650 fake "Kat"!
Anyone with an interests laughs at the 650.
Early 80's 1000 or 1100 are the ones.
Not sure if the very similar looking
jap market 750's are the same ?

[NINJAINOZ]

Seems to be lots of variations between countries & the models

So 82 GS 1100 like this is no good?>
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SUZUKI-GS1100E-EZ-GS1100-E-GSX1100EZ-GS-GSX-1100-1982-82-GAS-FUEL-PETROL-TANK-/271014556849?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3f19b9f4b1

[mozza]

no mate you need to search GSX1100S, they're a hard find. Tony do you have any idea's where I might be able to find one ?

[Tony Nitrous]

Models are very similar between AU/US/UK
But the Seppo's normaly call the 4 valve GSX
a GS where as normal folk use the GS name
for the 2 valve. US also use the Katana name
on several bland modern bikes. The Kat was
Sold alongside other Suzuki GSX1100's that
use quite different bodywork.

[NINJAINOZ]

One of these might get you excited, Getting closer maybe? Bet they are not cheap?>
http://shop.yoshimura-jp.com/en/product/syousai.php?id=1490

http://shop.yoshimura-jp.com/files/img1/531-191-0100.jpg

[Tony Nitrous]

Mozza, I can't think of anyone,
I do know a few owners I will ask.

I have seen a few 750's converted to 1100's.
( shark front's not pop-up's)
Not sure if they are the same tank ?

[NINJAINOZ]

I cant read this frucking praige except it says GSX 1100S & 750S?
http://www.unicornjapan.com/original/gsx_shatai/index.html

Are these alloy ones even close to what you want?
Nice looking tanks anyway>
http://www.unicornjapan.com/original/gsx_shatai/img/00200_01.jpg

http://www.unicornjapan.com/original/gsx_shatai/img/00200_03.jpg

http://www.unicornjapan.com/original/gsx_shatai/img/00200_02.jpg

http://www.unicornjapan.com/original/gsx_shatai/img/00200_04.jpg

[mozza]

I couldn't find the price for the Yoshi tank, how much were they ?

[Tony Nitrous]

I couldn't find the price for the Yoshi tank, how much were they ?

Depending on the exchange rate on the day
and depending on the model.....................
FUCKING EXPENSIVE!
Between $2000 and $2500 last time I looked.


Does it need to be a real tank ?
Is taking a mould to make a f/glass cover and
running a fuel cell underneath allowed ?

[NINJAINOZ]

Emailing Yoshimura would be the best bet>
http://www.yoshimura-jp.com/en/info/distributor.html

I would send an email to all the emails listed in the link above which will give you more chances of a response you can understand & different prices more than likely? Ask them to give you prices in AU or US dollars?

Unicornjapan have 2 different tanks available, The one with the red background actually looks better/cleaner finish but it may not be?
Messaging them on Facebook might be the easiest way to get through to unicornjapan.com

https://www.facebook.com/UNICORN1985

You can have some pages (or all possibly) translated, looks like they actually rebuild or restore bikes too so they may be helpful>
https://www.google.com.au/search?q=%40unicornjapan&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a#hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&hs=zMt&rls=org.mozilla:en-US%3Aofficial&sclient=psy-ab&q=unicornjapan.com&oq=unicornjapan.com&gs_l=serp.3...364937.364937.1.365178.1.1.0.0.0.0.0 .0..0.0.les%3B..0.0...1c.1.jLq97WMzzsU&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&fp=45a6ce80ae859495&bpcl=35466521&biw=1067&bih=471

[Large]

I doubt that a 2-3 grand tank is what mozza is looking for.

[mozza]

just checked and it came back as $2500 plus freight. You can run a cell but the guys that i've been dealing with advised that the cost to set up a cell gets a bit out of control. Manta Enterprises have been dealing with a guy setting one up and the cost has started to blow out.
Peter at Manta is trying to source me a tank also as he thinks that this will be my easiest and cheapest option.

[NINJAINOZ]

Yeah what Tony mentioned might be a good idea, Or make your own aluminium tank, something along the lines of this>

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Alloy-Aluminium-petrol-tank-patterns-Suzuki-GS1000-GSX1100-GS750-GT500-/150924643255?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item2323cf4bb7

Would be a good little earner if the tanks sold?


Currency conversion>
http://www.xe.com/ucc/convert/?Amount=190000&From=JPY&To=AUD

[mozza]

if I cant get a tank I'll just stick with the GSX1100 plan but a nice old racing Kat in the garage would be awesome, especially as the years get on.

[NINJAINOZ]

The price for the japanese >< aluminium tanks is a bit over the top & finding an original Katana tank in good condition might be hard?

Will the Katana tank fit straight on your frame or would you need to fab mounts etc?

[mozza]

it will go straight on

[Tony Nitrous]

I was looking for a Kat when I bought my wire wheel 1100 ET.
Hadnt really thought about using it as the base to build one.
I always thought an 1100ESD would have been closer to convert.

[RussVC]

New Katana tanks are a bit over $400 in the US but postage would be pricey..
http://www.powersportsplus.com/parts/search/Suzuki/Motorcycle/1983/GS1100S/FUEL+TANK/parts.html
Aussie Suzuki dealers want $700ish

[stiffsimon]

I think that you'll struggle with this Mozza mate. I borrowed a spare set of Katana bodywork including seat, fairing, tank, sidepanels, etc with the same idea but when I mock fitted them it just didn't work. I suppose with a lot of work and fabrication they could be made to fit but it will be quite an involved process. Kat bodywork just doesn't fit onto GSX chassis.
Andrew Nicoll (0419 416511) is the president of the Katana owners club, have aa chat with him. He may be able to source one for you and he may also know of somebody who has done this conversion and give you some pointers.

[El_Hefty]

Ive got three spares Im not at the workshop that i keep all the Kat bits at today but ill check them out tomorrow for you .

There are three brand new tanks in Suzukis Melbourne warehouse and depending on your relationship with your local suzuki dealer 700-800 as they have a $822 retail price

[mozza]

thanks mate that would be great.

Hey Simon whats the probs with the bodywork ? As far as I know it's the same chassis as a Kat only the pillion pegs dont form part of the chassis ?

[RevHead]

is this tank smaller
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SUZUKI-GS-550-MZ-GS-650-MD-KATANA-1983-GAS-TANK-NO-RUST-/150928122529?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item23240462a1&vxp=mtr

f (http://www.ebay.com/itm/SUZUKI-GS-550-MZ-GS-650-MD-KATANA-1983-GAS-TANK-NO-RUST-/150928122529?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item23240462a1&vxp=mtr)ront fairing
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GSX1100S-GSX-1100-1000-750-Katana-Fairing-Genuine-Suzuki-VERY-RARE-ITEM-/261114662507?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item3ccba58e6b
r (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GSX1100S-GSX-1100-1000-750-Katana-Fairing-Genuine-Suzuki-VERY-RARE-ITEM-/261114662507?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item3ccba58e6b)ight side cover
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-Suzuki-Right-Hand-RH-Side-Panel-Frame-Cover-GSX-750-1000-1100-Katana-SZ-/251132990769?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item3a78b15531
s (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-Suzuki-Right-Hand-RH-Side-Panel-Frame-Cover-GSX-750-1000-1100-Katana-SZ-/251132990769?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item3a78b15531)eat
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NOS-New-Suzuki-GSX1000-GSX1100-Katana-Giuliari-seat-saddle-/181003568763?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item2a24a7467b

[RevHead]

front guard
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SUZUKI-GSX1100-KATANA-STYLE-FRONT-MUDGUARD-/271086133655?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item3f1dfe2197
r (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SUZUKI-GSX1100-KATANA-STYLE-FRONT-MUDGUARD-/271086133655?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item3f1dfe2197)eplica front fairing
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Suzuki-GSX1100-Katana-replacement-fairing-/251154309894?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item3a79f6a306
o (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Suzuki-GSX1100-Katana-replacement-fairing-/251154309894?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item3a79f6a306)r this fuel tank from an 81,750
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SUZUKI-1981-GSX-750-KATANA-PETROL-FUEL-TANK-/370672073623?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item564dc6fb97

[mozza]

Thanks Pete but as far as I know the 550 tank is no good. Bodywork is sorted pending a tank, Dale Gilbert makes the race glass that I would need.

You guys would have seen the Kats run by Steve Martin and Shaun Giles that he and his mate put together.

[mozza]

2741

[mozza]

2743

[RevHead]

this is an 81 model 750 1100 tank
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SUZUKI-198...item564dc6fb97 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SUZUKI-1981-GSX-750-KATANA-PETROL-FUEL-TANK-/370672073623?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item564dc6fb97)

[mozza]

Any luck Hefty ???????

[TurboKat]

Ive got spares
Do you have a spare Kat seat Mike?

[El_Hefty]

def have one TK i just found whilst ripping apart the storeroom. again one of those things i thought i had more of

Mozza ive only got two, one doesnt have a bottom... ie its been used as a cover on a drag bike, the other doesnt have tabs for the hold down at the back i thought i had a third, but it looks like really only one spare so ill be keeping that, sorry i hadnt checked for a few years, but ive found some treasures up there.

http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo303/Mike-LL/kattank_zpsdf0852a5.jpg
but there's a hole in the bottom, tanks repair wont fix
http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo303/Mike-LL/kattankoops_zpse8f48865.jpg

its also been widened so its pretty much fucked... ive got a couple of workshops and im pretty sure i had three but can only find two, will keep looking when i can

[mozza]

buggar, thanks anyway mate !

[TurboKat]

Ive got a couple of workshops and im pretty sure i had three but can only find two, will keep looking when i can

Fuck me ! You've lost a whole workshop? :eek:

[El_Hefty]

haha fuck you TK, you need a seat?

[TurboKat]

I do, not worried about the cover colour or condition but a good base & foam would be good.

[stiffsimon]

Hey Mozza

Unfortunately the photos I had with the Kat bodywork on my GSX have been deleted. From what I can remember the fuel tank mounting was different, the sidepanels are completely different mountings as well. Again if memory serves me it was only the tail piece that was a straight forward fit. I had the idea of sourcing Katana bodywork, seat, fairing the whole kit and caboodle, paint it all up so that I could swap bodywork around when I wanted to so have "two" bikes.
What I know is that when I test fitted all the Kat stuff it just wouldn't fit without a lot of modifications. Good luck though mate.

[mozza]

Thanks simon, got a tank sorted today and I've spoken to Dale Gilbert and he has a solution for the tank as he's done this mod before so the KAT is now officially a goer !!

It's going to be awesome !!!!! I'll get some more pics soon but the fork brace, tripples, RG500 disc's, rear sets and frame bracing is now completed. The swinger needs a little mod completed to sort the ride height and then she'll be close to comming home.