Help with my crazy project, Yamaha Banshee engined GS500

[brianut]

OK title says it.
I have wanted to for some time install a 2 stroke engine in to a relatively modern chassis. Yamaha of course had their whole line up in the 80's of 2 stroke street bikes including the RZ350, basically the same engine I am looking for, but i wanted something a little more modern.

I originally thought about trying to make it work with an R6 chassis but the lack of engine cradle would make this somewhat difficult.

I no longer own a GS but modified the one I had quite a bit and know they can be made to handle quite well and if purchased right can be had pretty cheap.

In addition to that I just aquired a free non running 1996 Katana 600.

I had envisioned USD forks on my build but the fact that I have a rear shock and front fork donor sitting in my garage makes it tough to ignore.

So my questions are these:

Do I just use the Kat suspension and get the forks reworked since it is all sitting there, or sell it and make up some cost to buy the sexy USD forks?

bolt up the rear shock or go for newer R6 model selling the Kat?

Is the GS really the best platform for this build?
I never actually got to ride my gs and even though they are raced want to make sure I am using the correct chassis for this build.
There is an 06 F model for sale with rash  and a dent in the tank for $1000 obo that I think i might have to buy as it is new enough; bearings, paint on frame, miles on engine (to sell) to make it worthwhile.

what do you think folks what direction do I head??

winter is here and i need to tinker.

[JAY W]

Suzuki Rg250 frame,350 powervalve motor?

[cbrfxr67]

I vote GS, just cause it is very interesting to see progress made on the same frame I am working with.  I hope you do it and post pictures of the whole epic story.  Would be great! 

[the mole]

Why not put the stroker in the Katana frame you just acquired?

[brianut]

Why not put the stroker in the Katana frame you just acquired?

I thought about this but I think overall the Kat is just too large and it might look funny having that small of an engine in it. also it was "basterdised heavily as a stunt bike, no guages subframe hacked scrapes on frame on both sides etc

Also i dont like the appearance of the Kat with no body work
(dont care for it with body work either) its frame was made to be covered and I think it shows,

I think the Gs is a smaller more compact package overall.

Also I am just guessing but i think the Kat frame is quite a bit heavier, not that the gs frame is light but there is visibly more steel on the Kat.

But you have me thinking I may just check some specs and see how it compares.

anyone have any other ideas for a better chassis? R6,GSXR 600?
Hawk Gt?

the problem with some of the newer alum frame sport bikes is they demand a price that although worth it, is getting a bit pricy to just hack up.

keep opinions and ideas coming

[applecrew]

There's a guy in South Carolina who stuffed a Yamaha 350 stroker into a Kawasaki 250 frame - I think by using the GS frame, you'll be doing your best to keep the weight to power ratio low, and with appropriate suspension mods to the GS, you would have a bitchin' ride. Two strokes are VERY tunable - you can squeeze a lot of performance out of them!

Cool!