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Katana Channel
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One last tidbit, replacing your 130/90-17 tire with a 180/55-17 changes your gearing ratio because the 180 has a smaller circumference, approximately 100mm smaller. That means it's equivalent a couple more teeth on the rear sprocket. This drops your top speed by about 7mph but wakes the beast up in the bottom end and midrange, making a little more fun on the street.
Triple Trees are a constant source of frustration to anyone trying to update their Katana or any GS Suzuki for that matter. It is always best when updated a front end to change it as a complete unit. Don't try and mix and match triples and forks, and FORGET about trying to match up upper and lower triples.
For the Katana most all the Suzuki triples will fit up to 1995 for the GSXR 750, and 1998 for the GSXR 1100.
In 1996 the GSXR 750 went to roller bearings. The triple will fit you just need to replace the bearings.
In 1996 the GSXR 750 went to roller bearings. The triple will fit you just need to replace the bearings.
I nice little trick I found was the Honda CBR954 triples are the same fork diameter and spread as is the GSXR 750. 50mm top and 54mm bottom. The stem offset is different as is many of the years of GSXR so the top and bottom have to be used as a set. Some come with the correct tapered bearings but most have the rollers. I have the tapered conversion bearings on the PARTS page. The other nice thing is they have a drop top triple for much needed fork length.
Now that brings us to the steering stops. 1991 and 1992 GSXR lower triples need to be modified to work with the Katana or Suzuki GS motorcycles. The 1993-95 GSXR lower triples have stops that work with the Katana.
I have seen monkeys try to fit mix matched triples by hammering the forks in with loose pinch bolts then tighten them up, NOT A GOOD IDEA in my opinion. Do it right or don't do it. It's your life and your passengers.
I have seen monkeys try to fit mix matched triples by hammering the forks in with loose pinch bolts then tighten them up, NOT A GOOD IDEA in my opinion. Do it right or don't do it. It's your life and your passengers.
Contrary to popular belief, you can mount a 5.5 wheel with a 180 tire onto a stock GS swing arm. I machine the spacers for this upgrade. With many of the '90's GSXR 750 and 1100 wheels you can use your stock GS sprocket carrier. You have to use the GSXR rotor and brake setup which means using the under slung caliper and hanger. You will need to find an attachment point for the brake torque arm, either by attaching it to the frame or welding a mount onto the swing arm.
The 5.5 set up also requires a 5/8 offset front (counter shaft) sprocket as well as a 530 chain conversion. They can be hard to find, but if you can't get one, I they are available on the PARTS page. Do not use the GS rotor side spacer with a GSXR brake hanger. It is the wrong size. The '93-'95 use the armless hanger setup and have a deeper-set rotor. They also require the correct spacer between the hanger and the wheel, which is different than a standard wheel.
The 5.5 set up also requires a 5/8 offset front (counter shaft) sprocket as well as a 530 chain conversion. They can be hard to find, but if you can't get one, I they are available on the PARTS page. Do not use the GS rotor side spacer with a GSXR brake hanger. It is the wrong size. The '93-'95 use the armless hanger setup and have a deeper-set rotor. They also require the correct spacer between the hanger and the wheel, which is different than a standard wheel.
For the Suzuki Katana, some forks work better than others. There are several considerations like fairing clearance, ground clearance, stem bearings and speedometer compatibility.
It's best to swap the entire front end as mix-and-match can be a headache. As far as inverted for go or "upside down" forks, GSXR 750 front ends fit best for the Katana up to 1995 and 1998 for the GSXR 1100. GSXR 1100 forks contact the fairing frame and plastic requiring material removal. The GSXR 750 forks however, are 1" shorter, which can be augmented with Honda 954 drop triples. The GSXR 1100 forks are longer, but the clipons are on top of the triple which uses that extra inch of length so, in reality, the 750's are longer for the Katana application with the 954 triples.
It's best to swap the entire front end as mix-and-match can be a headache. As far as inverted for go or "upside down" forks, GSXR 750 front ends fit best for the Katana up to 1995 and 1998 for the GSXR 1100. GSXR 1100 forks contact the fairing frame and plastic requiring material removal. The GSXR 750 forks however, are 1" shorter, which can be augmented with Honda 954 drop triples. The GSXR 1100 forks are longer, but the clipons are on top of the triple which uses that extra inch of length so, in reality, the 750's are longer for the Katana application with the 954 triples.
In 1996, the GSXR 750 forks went to a different stem bearing and they lost the speedo drive, so to use them, you must swap bearings and use an after-market electronic speedometer.
The final issue is the header you use. Some fit like wet diapers and some are tight. I find the V&H header is a great fit for the Katana. You have to buy the GS1100 header as the Katana header is no longer available. It requires a new mounting bracket as the 1100e mounts closer to the engine.
The final issue is the header you use. Some fit like wet diapers and some are tight. I find the V&H header is a great fit for the Katana. You have to buy the GS1100 header as the Katana header is no longer available. It requires a new mounting bracket as the 1100e mounts closer to the engine.
My preference for swing arms is the Bandit 1200. The pivot is narrower than the Katana and is easily fitted with custom bushings which you can get machined yourself or get from this site.
There is some minor fabrication needed for the brake peddle side of the Katana and the mono mount has to be removed or it hits your battery box. The last job is to weld on some twin shock mounts Available on this site are complete B12/GS swing arm packages.
Some have used the GSXR swing arm, but they are wider at the pivot and require frame modification to fit. The peg stays have to be removed.
There is some minor fabrication needed for the brake peddle side of the Katana and the mono mount has to be removed or it hits your battery box. The last job is to weld on some twin shock mounts Available on this site are complete B12/GS swing arm packages.
Some have used the GSXR swing arm, but they are wider at the pivot and require frame modification to fit. The peg stays have to be removed.
