Hey, in my last post you guys were saying I might have a front end off a Katana and to take some pictures, so here they are:







This piece came with the bike, and I believe it for sure is off a Katana.  (Also painted "chameleon"?)



Anyone know for sure?  

Also a quick question while I'm at it, about cleaning and lubricating the chain, the service manual just says "heavy weight motor oil"?  I was thinking of using some WD40 (I heard somewhere I could use it instead of kerosene) and a toothbrush to clean it, and then another brush to brush on some 10W40 motor oil (a litre I've got left lying around since I changed the oil/filter).  Is this a proper way to do it?

When all is said and done, a new chain and sprockets can run you more than $100. Do you really want to destroy yours by using motor oil on it? BTW, the motor oil will be flying off for weeks, covering you and your GS every time you ride, and it won't do a damn thing to protect the chain. I've cleaned chains with evrything from WD-40 to diesel fuel (which is a great degreaser, if you've got days to let it soak in), so as long as you're thorough, I don't see why you can't use WD-40 to clean the chain, but get yourself a can of PJ1 Blue Label, use it as soon as you finish cleaning the chain, and KEEP using it every 500 - 600 miles. Thrifting on chain lube is FALSE economy; it will COST you money in both the short and long run, because you'll be replacing your drivetrain every few weeks, until the money runs out.

I'm almost POSITIVE that is a Katana front end, along with that goofy colored fender. As long as it's complete and functional, that should work better than the stock fork assembly.

Keep the extra oil for topping up your engine; you might need to do that fairly soon...

what he said.


wd40 is fine as a cleaner. PJ1 is good. I dont clean my chain every 500 miles, only relube. then every other time I clean...give or take.

Those are not 89-97 or 98+ Katana forks. Not sure what they are, especially with non-floating rotors.

Look in the FAQ section for my write up on installing a Kat front end. There are several pics to compare them to.

The green fender is from a 89-97 Kat 600/750.

Quote from: dgyverThose are not 89-97 or 98+ Katana forks. Not sure what they are, especially with non-floating rotors.

Look in the FAQ section for my write up on installing a Kat front end. There are several pics to compair them to.

The green fender is from a 89-97 Kat 600/750.

Just had a cup of coffee (been up all night again; don't worry, I slept Friday afternoon for a few hours), and I THINK that is a Kawasaki front wheel; what do you think?

Yea not Kat and not B4 ... kawi most likely, but that front wheel also went on FZR 1000's didn't they ... old days ... 89-92 ...
Cool.
Srinath.

I thought the rim didn't have designation on it other than JIL (which makes tires for everyone as far as I know) but I noticed a HONDA labelling, I guess I was never looking close enough before:





Tire dimensions are: 110/70-17

The rim says: 99N HONDA MT2.50x17
The two calipers on either side have "NISSIN" on them.

Nissin's are shared for all Jap makers, Honda front wheel ... yea ... whihc means you may have an old F1 or F front end CBR 600F ... What is the dia of the stanchion tubes ... the F1 has the same as GS didn't they ... 39's ??
Cool.
Srinath.

...  Which tube is the stanchion tube?   :mrgreen:  :dunno:

My buddie and I were looking at that.. umm.. looks like the CX-500 Front wheel there you got.. its raining out... bad.. but well go check his junk bike pile later and see if it matches.. if you can get the part number off the rim we can check it with the CX 500 front rim.. check the brakes and whatnot too

No way to check.  The bike was imported here to Canada from California, so I've got no way of knowing the history really.  

I'd like to figure this wheel thing out so when I have to start replacing parts like brake pads, I'll know which type I'm actually supposed to get, and from what everyone's been saying - they're not going to be GS500 parts. :dunno:

I'll look up the CX500 and see if it looks close.

if it was on an old race bike.... i'd think it was my doing....
the wheel is definately a 87-90 CBR600 Hurricane
the forks also look like CBR...but i can't remember how the CBR fender mounted....
hurricane forks are also 37mm

Quote from: werase643if it was on an old race bike.... i'd think it was my doing....
the wheel is definately a 87-90 CBR600 Hurricane
the forks also look like CBR...but i can't remember how the CBR fender mounted....
hurricane forks are also 37mm

Werase643 is right; that is NOT a CX500 front end OR wheel; it's an INCREDIBLY dirty WHITE 600 Hurricane wheel, WITH the forks, and they LOOK like the same era (87-90) 600 Hurricane brakes, which only makes sense.

The CX500 used 35mm stanchions, not 37mm, and those are 37s; it fooled me too, until I looked really close and realized that what I THOUGHT was anodizing (as on a CX500 wheel) was actually DIRT!

Anyway, now we know which forks and wheel were installed; we'll just have to wait to see the front brake pads, so we can eyeball a match, though, as I already mentioned, the odds are excellent that those are, in fact,  the 600 Hurricane brakes as well...

GREAT job on the ID, werase!

Nice job.  I looked up the CBR in that era, and you guys are definitely right, looks like the same wheel.  Hopefully the calipers, pads, etc., CBR also.

Cheers  

i was gonna say the rotor looks like the one i had on my honda V65 sabre. which was also used on the VFR (early model intercepters)

Quote from: GSJamesNice job.  I looked up the CBR in that era, and you guys are definitely right, looks like the same wheel.  Hopefully the calipers, pads, etc., CBR also.

Cheers  

Yeah, that is one of the notorious Honda "S" wheels (the spokes are in the shape of an "S"; check it out and you'll see what I mean); a Buddha Loves You to keep clean, as you know by now! Looks like the previous owner NEVER cleaned it, which is another reason why I'm convinced it was a race bike.

Well, have fun with it; keep us posted on your progress.