I See I'm Just Another Textbook Case.....

[PeterRM]

Hi

My name is Peter and looking at many of the posts it appears that I'm like many of you having owned a Katana last century and have recently bought another to relive earlier times.

I know little about the GSX1000S that arrived on my doorstep a few days ago except I was told it was a Japanese import and has the following identifications:
Engine No. S10X-100575 and Frame No. S10X-500184. I was expecting to see a "G" in front of these numbers but couldn't even with my reading glasses on! (EDIT: Yes, I'm a dickhead, the G's are there! I didn't look hard enough!) Happy to hear from anyone who can glean any further useful information from those numbers thanks!

It is standard with the VM32SS carburettors, black chrome exhausts, original keys and is basically in good condition.

I came across this forum community hoping I could gain advice and be reminded of all the useful stuff I've forgotten. Also source a couple "NLA" bits that have somehow gone walkabout!

I've only managed to ride it about a kilometre to date before a deteriorated seal in the fuel petcock and a chux wipe left is the fuel tank caused a partial blockage and a trip back home in the trailer!

My short term plan is to sort out a couple little problems and get it onto historic rego. Longer term plan will be to repaint the frame and engine and give everything a good clean so it is Micky Mouse plus add some wire wheels!

I've discovered Mick Hone's online spares and have been pleasantly surprised at parts availability and price. Consequently I've bought some consumables and some new fasteners last night to replace those non originals that is otherwise an original bike.

Thanks for the forum acceptance and look forward to some fun threads!

Cheers
Peter

 

[PeterRM]

Me: "I bought a bike today"

Her: "Ducati?"

Me: "No"

Her: "Oh...." in a surprisingly concerned tone.

Me: "A Katana"

Her: "Oh, you shouldn't have sold your last one."

The two surprises for me is she remembered what a Katana was and my great regret of 25 years ago!

 

[muddy]

Welcome along Peter. Plenty of expertise on this site to answer your questions, but I'm not one of them sorry.

You gotta be a good guy - Ducatis and Katanas - you can't go wrong. I sold my first Katana around 1985 - I'll never make that mistake again. That is a very nice bike you've got there.

 

[PeterRM]

Welcome along Peter. Plenty of expertise on this site to answer your questions, but I'm not one of them sorry.

You gotta be a good guy - Ducatis and Katanas - you can't go wrong. I sold my first Katana around 1985 - I'll never make that mistake again. That is a very nice bike you've got there.

Thanks Muddy!

I'm sure with your experience you'll be able to give me good advice when it appears I'm about to stray!

Yes, I'm pretty happy with what turned up on Friday. With the border closed to Queensland I had to rely on photos so there was a bit of anxiety involved as its not the same as seeing something firsthand. Sure it has a few annoying flaws but fortunately they are reasonably cheap to fix and most involve a bit of my time.

I'm keen to get it going reliably and registered in the next few weeks as I've also bought my first bevel Ducati that will need some work. I expect that to turn up from Japan in the new year.

Thanks again!
Peter

 

[Shin-Ken 1074]

Hi Peter and welcome to the Forum. Always good to hear when someone returns to Katana World. Your ride looks pretty tidy and being the 1000 you have scored well. Original SZ W.W. sets are getting difficult to find these days and are selling for between $1,000 - $2,000 a set when they turn up. An option is to find a set of 36 hole Suzuki hubs and buy a new set of Takasago rims from one of the race parts suppliers and make a set of W.W. with stainless spokes.

You will not be the last person with Katana sell regret, in the future just repeat: I will not sell my Katana, ever.

Cheers.

 

[muddy]

Wow, you've got yourself a couple of nice project bikes there

 

[katman1166]

Welcome aboard Pete ducks and Kats a man after me own heart but I don't have a bevel would love one but always been to much of a stretch

 

[peteGSX]

Hey Pete, welcome along, glad to have another Kat coming back to life!

 

[Trousersnake]

Hello Peter...

The bike you purchased was of particular interest to me when it was for sale recently.
Trying to get info from the seller was like getting blood from a stone....So I let it go
All I wanted to know was eng and chass numbers and country where it was originally sold.

These were never sold to the Japanese market...I know that for sure.

Yes it is weird that the numbers aren't proceeded with a G.
Was originally thinking it was possibly a rare UK 1000SZ...But their numbers start with "GS100X" so buggered if I know where yours may have come from.

 

[PeterRM]

Hello Peter...

The bike you purchased was of particular interest to me when it was for sale recently.
Trying to get info from the seller was like getting blood from a stone....So I let it go
All I wanted to know was eng and chass numbers and country where it was originally sold.

These were never sold to the Japanese market...I know that for sure.

Yes it is weird that the numbers aren't proceeded with a G.
Was originally thinking it was possibly a rare UK 1000SZ...But their numbers start with "GS100X" so buggered if I know where yours may have come from.

Hi Dave,
Yes, it was an interesting buying experience! I nearly gave up too but persisted and obviously didn't spend too much time thinking what could go wrong!

I posted the fame and engine number here hoping someone could give me a country of delivery as I haven't been able to find any online data that would clarify at least that for me. I haven't even been able to figure out the build year!

It presents pretty well with only a few missing/incorrect bits that I need to chase down. The wheels are lightly corroded and need vapor blasting. However I intend to run WW's and the seller supplied some suitable hubs. I just need to locate some suitable rims which is proving more difficult than I expected. Whilst a set of NOS Takasagos would be a lottery win, I would be happy with anything that looks close. The speedo is faulty and will need attention although the odometer works. The exhausts are good but the smaller 750 versions.

This week I've only managed to clean and treat the fuel tank and ordered some bits from Mick Hone.

Hopefully will be able to ride it a bit further this week than I managed last week!