dr kat

[guest1154]

Dem are nice.....cant wait to see the whole project complete. Ive got a 650dr lump in the garage just waiting to be slotted into something a bit trick.

[johnr]

ok, im resurectng this thread from the depths of the forum, theres not been much actual progress on this build, but thats not to say that nothing has happened. after a lot of faffing and deliberation i came to the conclusion that this isnt going to happen in its present form. the kat 250 is a small bike and the engine is tiny for a 4 pot motor. unfortunately its not very tall either, so the fit in the frame of the very tall dr big engine was a bit uncomfortable. the dr is a very tall lump and required the removal of the lower frame tubes, and even then it was tricky not to run the risk grounding the sump.
so, as the bike sits in its current form still in my shed, ive got hold of a complete katana 400 frame, this is bigger in every way than the 250, which is odd, cos the 2 bikes share all the same bodywork! ive also got the 400 suspension and wheels, which im going to use, due to them looking identical to the stock  suzuki spoke pattern but being much wider and capable of taking modern tyres, they also look more stock making the bike look more like something made by suzuki rather than a bitsa. so its progressing, slowly, but it is progressing!

[themoudie]

Aye John,

Mines 13 years! 

Frame was squiffy and has just been 'adjusted' in a jig, as has the swingarm.

Regards, Bill.

[johnr]

this is in a queue of unfinishe dprojects that need completing for various reasons, including an innova125, a gs1000, gs650, dr650, gs550 chop, c15 chop, m21 sidecar outfit and 3 1100 katanas, as well as a triumph 500 and a trike, is it any wonder that progress is slow. but im prioritising now, the easy to complete ones will get done just to create room as they can be sold when done, so dr650 innova gs1000 and 650 will all make both room and finance to allow the dr kat its time on the workbench. although once the engine is in, its a pretty straightforward rebuild of an otherwise stock bike and aside from an exhaust to fabricate theres not a lot to it.

[johnr]

whats your unfinished project then?

[themoudie]

Aye John,

'74 Duke four fufty. Owned since '76. Sole transport for 3 years, moved house (caravan) on it, daily commute to work/college/home. Thrown up the road, wiped out the right hand side on the kerb. Cut off the obvious bent bits, knocked it 'straight' and rode it on and off until autumn 2000, with 2 engine rebuilds, various rattle can paint jobs and 70K + under the wheels. Italian Smiths instruments are ?!?!? and the digital bike speedo is in a drawer! Pulled it apart that winter and various bits have been renewed/ restored since, but never rebuilt. Blue tit's nested in the 'silencer', life and work interrupt various plans, buy SRX600's, a Funduro, a Skorpion, a Morini 125. Finally, a ruby anniversary/ birthday comes around, not sure if I'll be about for the Golden, so will try to rebuild and set off a few car alarms while the positive side of life is still about. 

The idea is to have a clean, mechanically sound bike, but not worry about the 'patina'. £300 for a 'blow job' that disappears under ethanol attack? Nah! A new cam or piston costs that alone these days! Whilst a big end plus fitting will set you back the same. Need a new rod, that'll be £500+.        Maybe some of that POR15 with a lacquer to stop the UV, or Ford 'Rosso' red from Holts! 

All the best with the 'Suzy Perry' fleet and good health to see it through.

Slainte, Bill.

[guest1154]

Hi. Hope it all goes well....I still have my dr650 lump waiting to go into something. Not sure weather to build my own hardtail frame or slot it into a frame like you are doing. At the moment,I am building a bobber/lowrider thingy. I have made my hardtail frame,wheels and forks are kwaka gpz1000rx and the engine is a yam diversion 600. Its taken me ages to get this far but its enjoyable and a challenge.
I am a fabricator welder....so my skills come in handy at times...especially tig welding stainless brackets and electrical boxes. Keep up the good work and post plenty of pics.