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Post by simon on Mar 11, 2014 21:03:12 GMT
I have started the dry build of my 1982 750 Katana with an 1100 EZ motor - I know that some people modify the frame - I'm talking about improving handling not monoshock rear ends. This will be stock wheels, forks etc, Anybody got any drawings etc?
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Post by slim on Mar 12, 2014 10:59:14 GMT
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Post by neilw on Mar 12, 2014 15:47:54 GMT
To be honest my kat has a 1170 conversion, ported head etc and is running a jmc swinging arm, gsxr1100 wheels , forks and radial tyres and I have never felt the need to bother with bracing the frame, limiting factor with the bike will be the standard skinny forks , wheels and tyres plus flex from the standard swinging arm
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Post by gammaboy on Mar 14, 2014 1:54:32 GMT
I did the bracing as per the pic, except I continued the bracing at F down to near the bottom rails (G).I also ran the headstock bracing from at A back to the front downtubes to triangulate it a bit better. I'm running a narrowed TL1000R swingarm, and stock forks with brace, .9 springs and cartridge emulators installed - yes, the forks are the limit, but the frame and swingarm sure as shit aren't a problem... I'm not running stock wheels though...  |
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eightball_hotrod
Velociraptor
Posts: 30 
Bikes: 1157 katana ,750 katana 2x, gsx 750 l,bandit 1200s
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Post by eightball_hotrod on Mar 24, 2014 10:11:58 GMT
imo stiffening the frame is not necessary !! i got two 750s and one 1100 frame with differrent engines and suspension and i am a fat fu....  drive kats 15 years now and never missed any braces |
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Post by strangewayz on Mar 24, 2014 19:51:06 GMT
Fors & againsts in this post then..
I'm not unbiased as I do frame bracing but..
Being factual these frames do flex, Tony Foale (google him if you are not aware) used to do a demonstration with a similar construction steel frame (non Suzuki) where he would put the headstock over a non moveable tube/pipe & move the frame around to show exactly where it flexed. Based on this he applied braces to reduce this, the pictures shown in the post above show similar.
Also the factories used to brace the frames late 70's early 80's for the AMA Race Series in the States & there are again some pictures in books & on the internet.
So yes factually bracing can improve your frame. Subjectively some people say you do not need, others would swear by the benefits.
My own view is that when using the stock running gear you could probably get a better performance boost by spending money making sure you have the best tyres that suit your needs, getting the most out of your stock suspension with new oils, proper sag setup, etc & likewise your brakes, better hoses, quality pads, etc.
If you upgrade running gear so you can use modern sticky radial tyres & likewise matching brakes then you are putting more stresses into a frame, combine that with an engine making more power & I would say having upgraded running gear, engine, why not upgrade the frame as well by some bracing.
Of course there are grey areas as well, a lot of the bikes I work on loose the lower subframe tubes with them being located higher up. That does loose strength around the swingarm pivot so I look at ways to build that back in, combine that with a monoshock conversion & you can start to make a nice looking & functional structure. Which of course suggests that some bracing can be more for style than performance, but not in every case.
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