1991 Suzuki Katana 750 - known problems?

 I'm looking at buying a 1991 Suzuki Katana 750 in non-running
condition. The owner thinks it has electrical problems. I haven't seen
the bike yet (other than a picture). Are there any known major
problems with these bikes? Thanks.

Wade

 wadedunham@gmail.com wrote:

The last bike I bought that was a non-runner due to electrical problems also
turned out to have pretty much zero compression.

How are you going to check that it doesn't have an electrical problem to
masquerade a bigger problem?

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Valve clearances burn out early if you're not super-religious with
checking them. The electrical problems are legion: charging systems,
right from alternator, through reg/rec, to battery. Everything
fritzes.

Their electronic ignition systems aren't the strongest, either. If the
rev counter (elecvtronic) starts doing odd things, CDI failure usually
follows.

If I were you, I'd avoid.

 wadedunham@gmail.com wrote:


Well, now, that's vague.

We all start out the same way when we get into motorcycles, we start out not
knowing anything and then we have to go through a lot of grief getting our
first
motorcycle to give us the rides we expected.

The owner should either fix the motorcycle so he can sell it for whatever he
thinks it's worth, or sacrifice it at a near give-away price so you don't
have to go through a lot more expen$e and grief looking for independant
mechanic$ or dealing with small $tealer$hip$ that are willing to take an
older bike into their $hop.

If you buy the bike for, say $2000, and have to spend another $2000 getting
it fixed, you might as well have bought the bike from a $tealer, at least
you'd have some kind of warranty from the $tealer, if he's reputable.

The Katanas have an electronic ignition system that either works or it
doesn't work. If there is spark at the spark plugs the ignition system works.

It has a car-type alternator with brushes, so if the battery doesn't charge,
the owner should check to see if the brushes are worn out and if they are
long enough, he can do a simple test on the voltage regulator and the diodes.

However, most starting problems involve dirty carburetors. The owner can
clean out the carbs with an aerosol carburetor cleaner like Berryman B12 or
GumOut or STP, as I have described a bazillion times.


No, they are typical Suzukis. They are reliable, and the issues that plagued
the
earlier GS-series have been fixed in the GSXR and GSF-series Suzukis.

The owner should be willing to get the motorcycle running so he can
demonstrate that the engine doesn't smoke or make funny noises. He should be
able to demonstate that the transmission shifts through all the gears and
that all the lights and turn signals and horn work.

If he's not willing to get the motorcycle running to demonstrate it for you,
don't buy it.

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 wrote:


He's asking $850 for it, and the picture looks good. I'm going to
check it out tonight. If I don't see any signs of life from the
electrical system, I'm going to pass, based on the responses I've
received.

I have enough other projects to work on anyway. I have a 1974 Suzuki
GT185 that I picked up very cheap, and looks to be complete, other
than some minor bits. I also have a 1980 Yamaha XS650 Special waiting
for my attention. Same situation as the Suzuki. I also have some work
to do on my regular ride, a 1980 Suzuki GS750.

I'll post what I find out when I see the bike tonight. Thanks for the
info.

Wade