Just bought a Used Katana. My first Bike! Any suggestions??

[Burke]

Hi all.
My name is Burke and Im from the ****hole Youngstown, OH.
I just purchased a 92 Katana 600 for $900 off a friend. I have always wanted a bike and the now ex-gf would not let me get one (threating to burn it in garage and she said fast cars are enough).
Well I LOVE IT!!! it needs some work, but im a gear head so it shouldnt be too hard.

The acceleration is quick, although my car (little honda with big motor and bigger turbo) is faster. but cars cant compare to being in the open air! The thing needs a new chain, so i was thinking of getting a set of sprockets and new chain. after checking out ebay i can get is all for like $150. are these ebay things any good or junk?
Also looking into getting a manual, any suggestions on one?? i need one with all sorts of torque specs, becuase i will most likely tear it down this winter and rebuild the noisy 30k motor.
what's up with the carbs on these things? do they have rebuild kits for them, new ones, or just go with bigger jets.
Also the bike has a yoshi slipon, i know it doesnt add any hp, but it sounds cool. how much does a header, etc tend to run.
Oh and the guy who had it before me laid it down and replaced the right side ferring with a black one, and the rest of the bike is black with blue flake, which doesnt bother me except he pulled the decals off the orginal side to match the new one and the freaking glue will NOT come off. i have tried bug and tar remover, goo gone, brake parts cleaner, everything! any suggestions on how to get rid of that


oh and finally and good books to read up on tips, saftey wise etc?

and i am enrolling my self in a motorcycle training course through the state

thanks for reading
Burke

[themeatmanlandry]

Originally Posted by Burke

The thing needs a new chain, so i was thinking of getting a set of sprockets and new chain. after checking out ebay i can get is all for like $150. are these ebay things any good or junk?

I don't E-Bay. Personal preference. Check out Sprocket Specialists or Parts411 for chain/sprocket.

http://www.sprocketspecialists.com/html/main.shtml

http://www.parts411.com/

Originally Posted by Burke

Also looking into getting a manual, any suggestions on one?? i need one with all sorts of torque specs, becuase i will most likely tear it down this winter and rebuild the noisy 30k motor.

I like Haynes.

Originally Posted by Burke

what's up with the carbs on these things? do they have rebuild kits for them, new ones, or just go with bigger jets. Also the bike has a yoshi slipon, i know it doesnt add any hp, but it sounds cool. how much does a header, etc tend to run.

If you've got a slip-on, you've most likely had a jet kit installed as well. Don't know what a header costs.

Originally Posted by Burke

Oh and the guy who had it before me laid it down and replaced the right side ferring with a black one, and the rest of the bike is black with blue flake, which doesnt bother me except he pulled the decals off the orginal side to match the new one and the freaking glue will NOT come off. i have tried bug and tar remover, goo gone, brake parts cleaner, everything! any suggestions on how to get rid of that

Search the site . . . there's a few things that'll take it off. I used mineral spirits, but I lost a bit of 'gloss' doing so.

Originally Posted by Burke

oh and finally and good books to read up on tips, saftey wise etc?

Search. There's a few.

Originally Posted by Burke

and i am enrolling my self in a motorcycle training course through the state

Good call.

[mikesvsix50]

First bike right...I'm not sure which guy on this forum says it, but it's very wise "pretend you are invisible to other motorists", so you exercise caution whenever your driving. And don't get too cocky on your bike, cause it's easy to do so. Have fun.

[inspiron]

1) ... buy and always wear safety gear ...
2) ... take the MSF course ...
3) ... learn to ride before considering any performance mods ...
4) ... you ARE invisible, and NO they can't see you ...
5) ... you WILL drop it, so don't bother doing cosmetic mods untl you have done 1, 2, and 3 above.

[SuzukiGirl1]

Welcome to the forum!!!

Sounds like you're thoughts are all on the right track.
David Hough's Proficient Motorcycling is one of the best books around...

[Burke]

thanks for the help and encouragement everyone.

i am very addicted already to this. I havent even driven my car in almost a week cause i have this thing. and its a very fun car to drive, should hit low 12's maybe a high 11, im taking to the track on sunday.

im going to look at safety gear tomorrow, im thinking a jacket and gloves to start. i have a pair of leather boots already seem sufficient for the time being.

performance wise, the only reason i was intently looking at the sprocket/chain kit is because the chain needs more than just tensioned, i'll have to pop a link out i think. either way no big deal.

and have no fear, i wont be doing any cosmetic stuff cause im sure it will meet the pavement soon enough i just want the damn sticky **** off! thinking of repainting in the future. it will probably be flat black here in a month or so. cosmetic stuff is not my bag. my lil' honda looks stock except for the front mount and lowered a bit

thanks again for the suggestions and encouragement
burke

[themeatmanlandry]

DO NOT 'pop a link' to shorten the chain without measuring it for stretch first.

Your Haynes Manual <ahem> should give you the proper procedure and acceptable tolerance for chain stretch.

[Burke]

ok i'll trust you on this one. just ordered a manual off ebay. so ill be sure to double check

[inspiron]

Don't start wrenching your bike until you know what you're doing!

You don't pop links out of motorcycle chains! If your chain is loose (it should have about 1" of play), then there are bolts on the swingarm to move the rear wheel back until the chain is right. If the chain is too long (the wheel is fully extended) - REPLACE IT.

The last thing you want is to introduce a weak spot into the chain by popping a link out! A motorcycle engine puts alot of stress on the chain - any if it fails, it can damage the bike (or your leg!).

[Burke]

i know how to retension it, but my buddy said that, i may now be able to take up all the slack and that you can remove a link to shorten it.
thats why i was thinking of just getting a new chain, i mean they are pretty cheap insurance
im a pretty mechanically inclined backyard mechanic, and am currently getting my master in mechanical engineering, so with the help of a manual, im sure i can do anything that needs done to this.
thanks again everyone for your help, i really appreciate it. im glad i found a good forum like this, it took me forever to find one for the honda's......


ps - i just got my first dose of idiot drivers today too, almost got hit by two when i was running home to get a book for my final tonight
im invisible, nobody can see me.............

[themeatmanlandry]

<whispers> Watch the blue hairs . . . you're invisible and inaudible to them.

[Clint]

When a chain is worn, the individual links become too far apart for the size of the sprocket teeth. Eventually, they'll climb the teeth and jump the sprocket in a violent, possibly dangerous event.

Do not treat your motorcycle like a 10-speed.

[themeatmanlandry]

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

When a chain is worn, the individual links become too far apart for the size of the sprocket teeth. Eventually, they'll climb the teeth and jump the sprocket in a violent, possibly dangerous event.

Do not treat your motorcycle like a 10-speed.

I did and now I'm suffering for it. No wheels for the last week+, and I'm still waiting on parts.

I had the 'violent chain jumping teeth' treatment. It ain't a happy place to be when you're hitting one of your favorite corners.