katana stem info for future swaps.

[ineedanap]

Well, since I couldn't find the info I wanted with a search last month, I went out and bought a bunch of triples and stems.  In case anybody does the gs stem into katana triple swap in the future I figure I'd clear up some info...(diameters mentioned are at the point where the stem and lower clamp fit together, not at the rest of the stem.  All GS and Kat stems have the same diameter where the bearings go.)

88-96 katana is a welded stem/lower clamp.  The stem is exactly the same diameter as the GS welded stem, but smaller than a GS pressed stem.  Kat stem is longer than the GS stem.  Swapping a welded GS stem into 88-96 Kat welded triple works great but will require welding to keep it in place.  No press needed since it's not in there that tight...just a hammer, some sockets, and some pipe.  Happy grinding and welding!!!

97 katana is a pressed stem/lower clamp.  Lower clamp hole is bigger than GS and Katana welded stems as well as GS pressed stems.   It's basically worthless to us unless you have a good machine shop...good candidate for the buddha mod?  

GS pressed stems - stem is couple thousanths smaller than a 97 katana pressed lower clamp.  Stem is a couple thousanths bigger than GS welded stems.  
1.  Stem slides into a 97 kat pressed lower clamp but is slightly loose.  Also, snap ring is in wrong spot, resulting in wrong stem length when installed.  No good without some mods to stem.
2.  Stem won't slide into kat welded lower clamp without boring out kat lower clamps.  Also snap ring in wrong place for that too.   No good without some sort of mod to clamps.  

GS welded stems - fits 88-96 katana welded lower clamps perfectly.  Not as tight as your typical press fit and can be swapped with grinder, hammer, pipe and sockets easily.  Will require rewelding to keep it in place.  Ends up with a little extra stem sticking out the bottom when installed at the correct height.  Easy to fix with some grinding...find a good welder.

Buddha modded kat stem - sounds like the best deal out there and a hell of a lot less work than what I just went thru...Haven't gotten it yet but it should be here soon.  I'm sure it'll be great, though

other useful stuff - Kat steering stops will work great if aren't running clipons.  If you're running clipons you'll notice that the steering stops are slightly back from the GS ones.  Either you'll have to have your friendly welder build them up a couple millimeters with a teeny little weld, or you'll have to rotate your clipons a little more forward than you might like.  All Kat and GS stems have same dimensions where stem fits into upper clamps.  The only difference is that the Kat uses a bigger bolt.  Will find out tomorrow how much of a pain in the rear it is to drill and tap a GS stem to fit the katana upper clamp bolt, but it looks easy.  

Hope it helps someone.  

[The Buddha]

I mod the 89-96 only ... and very sorry I have had to do various crap around my house and have not had time to get behind that guy.
The GS case guards have to get done cos my welder is on a schedule for making picture carts. I bone headedly decided to get the gaskets changed before I took it there ...
Cool.
Buddha.