Introduction
Introduction
Hi all
I'm Dave and I live in a place called St Helens in the NW. I've just signed up to the site today as I'm looking for info around the newer Katana.
I currently have a couple of cruisers, a VZR1800 Intruder and an XVS1300 Midnight Star. As they both do the same job I'm looking to move the XVS1300 on and replace it with a Katana for the backroad blasts. At the weekend gone I went to my local dealership - Millenium Motorcycles to look at a pre-reg 19 plate but found to my disappointment I could only just touch the floor when I sat on it. Proper tip toes which isn't safe enough for my liking. I guess I'm not the tallest bloke in the world at 5' 9", but I guess I must also have stumpy legs lol.
So, although this is an introduction I guess there's also a general question - has anyone had experience of lowering them? Smaller seat, suspension set up etc? I think realistically I'd have to shave 40mm or so from somewhere.
Cheers.
I'm Dave and I live in a place called St Helens in the NW. I've just signed up to the site today as I'm looking for info around the newer Katana.
I currently have a couple of cruisers, a VZR1800 Intruder and an XVS1300 Midnight Star. As they both do the same job I'm looking to move the XVS1300 on and replace it with a Katana for the backroad blasts. At the weekend gone I went to my local dealership - Millenium Motorcycles to look at a pre-reg 19 plate but found to my disappointment I could only just touch the floor when I sat on it. Proper tip toes which isn't safe enough for my liking. I guess I'm not the tallest bloke in the world at 5' 9", but I guess I must also have stumpy legs lol.
So, although this is an introduction I guess there's also a general question - has anyone had experience of lowering them? Smaller seat, suspension set up etc? I think realistically I'd have to shave 40mm or so from somewhere.
Cheers.
- Bikeazoid
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Re: Introduction
I know the GSXf1000 sat lower than the Katana, you could try to sit on that one.
82 Katana 1000 (work in progress, but she will be beautiful she has a dedicated sugar daddy)
2010 Z1000 (50k miles, I think that is like 60 Kilometer's or so)
www.CreepyKat.com
www.thepryorhouse.com
2010 Z1000 (50k miles, I think that is like 60 Kilometer's or so)
www.CreepyKat.com
www.thepryorhouse.com
- PaulD
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Re: Introduction
Hi and welcome from a near neighbour, I’m from Warrington. I can’t help with the new Kat as I’ve got a real one
(Sorry I couldn’t resist
)
As for height 5’9” your a giant! I’m only 5’7”
I can get both feet flat on the ground on my 1100 

(Sorry I couldn’t resist

As for height 5’9” your a giant! I’m only 5’7”


There rubbish them Jap bikes lad they won't last five minutes! you want to get yourself a nice Royal Enfield!
A quote from my old dad
I started out with nothing and I’ve got most of it left!
KOC member 453
A quote from my old dad

I started out with nothing and I’ve got most of it left!
KOC member 453
Re: Introduction
Thanks all for the welcome.
Definitely stumpy legs then lol. The link above from Blix is promising and I've sent them a mail asking for more details. After doing that to the rear, slipping the forks down a bit, and tweaking the suspension I should be good.
Blix also makes a very good point that a good original bike and a newer version cost about the same. I'm not one to argue that the original does look far better, in the same way an original Mini looks far better than the new stuff BMW put out, but for me fuel injection is important as you can leave them a while without carbs getting gummed up etc. My work/life means a bike can be sat for 3 or 4 months before then getting hammered for the next 3 or 4 months.
Thanks again for the welcome.
Definitely stumpy legs then lol. The link above from Blix is promising and I've sent them a mail asking for more details. After doing that to the rear, slipping the forks down a bit, and tweaking the suspension I should be good.
Blix also makes a very good point that a good original bike and a newer version cost about the same. I'm not one to argue that the original does look far better, in the same way an original Mini looks far better than the new stuff BMW put out, but for me fuel injection is important as you can leave them a while without carbs getting gummed up etc. My work/life means a bike can be sat for 3 or 4 months before then getting hammered for the next 3 or 4 months.
Thanks again for the welcome.
- fossie
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Re: Introduction
Phorbuz some valid points in there, let's hope your enquiries result in the answers you need .
This problem must also arise in Japan surely so maybe there are aftermarket bits available .
This problem must also arise in Japan surely so maybe there are aftermarket bits available .
- PaulD
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Re: Introduction
There rubbish them Jap bikes lad they won't last five minutes! you want to get yourself a nice Royal Enfield!
A quote from my old dad
I started out with nothing and I’ve got most of it left!
KOC member 453
A quote from my old dad

I started out with nothing and I’ve got most of it left!
KOC member 453
- fossie
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Re: Introduction
As for leaving a carb'ed bike for a while then needing to clean the carbs, either a fuel adative or this
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RUN-ON-95-UN ... 1438.l2649
Works a treat ....just drop it in your tank and forget it .....raises the octane , slows the dissolving down emensly...
Developed by boffins in WW2 for the RAF to fly Merlin engines on really shite juice.
I used it for years, started aft a 650 used to pink on hot days and motorway runs ....once this was dropped in the tank mpg got better and pinking stopped .
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RUN-ON-95-UN ... 1438.l2649
Works a treat ....just drop it in your tank and forget it .....raises the octane , slows the dissolving down emensly...
Developed by boffins in WW2 for the RAF to fly Merlin engines on really shite juice.
I used it for years, started aft a 650 used to pink on hot days and motorway runs ....once this was dropped in the tank mpg got better and pinking stopped .
- PaulD
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Re: Introduction
Does this stuff really work Fossie? I seem to remember reading an article where they debunked it
Probably early senility kicking in but I’m sure I’ve read it somewhere?

Probably early senility kicking in but I’m sure I’ve read it somewhere?
There rubbish them Jap bikes lad they won't last five minutes! you want to get yourself a nice Royal Enfield!
A quote from my old dad
I started out with nothing and I’ve got most of it left!
KOC member 453
A quote from my old dad

I started out with nothing and I’ve got most of it left!
KOC member 453
- PaulD
- Posts: 1082
- Joined: Mon Jan 01, 2018 5:48 pm
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Re: Introduction
I use Esso super in both my bikes and have no problems. The VJMC have done tests and found no ethanol in their super.
This is the article I read
https://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/r ... yst-review
This is the article I read
https://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/r ... yst-review
There rubbish them Jap bikes lad they won't last five minutes! you want to get yourself a nice Royal Enfield!
A quote from my old dad
I started out with nothing and I’ve got most of it left!
KOC member 453
A quote from my old dad

I started out with nothing and I’ve got most of it left!
KOC member 453