GSX1100SZ Katana

[Uncle Bob]

Don't think this has been on before.
Imported (it doesn't say where from).

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/143177658522

[jeznewsome]

In my garage now.

Ex German. Need to understand how to fill in a V55/5 form now!

Be prepared for lots more questions ..... sorry in advance

[Uncle Bob]

Well done that man.

Those forms aren't too difficult, I've done it a couple of times, but I did send off the wrong part of the Dutch reg document on the TZR of them so it got send back (it was in Dutch so wasn't sure which bit was which). The Swiss Kat I managed first time! I left both clocks as KPH as not hard to remember the relevant speeds. I go to 2 different MOT places and one will not mention anything about the headlight, but the other I have to put the black tape on the "flick up" or it fails.

I take it you have the German papers for the year to make life easy and it's MOTed already?

I see yours has the temp gauge on the oil filler - my Swiss 1100 Katana had the same - they must like those over that way.

Ask away on the questions.

UB

[fossie]

Well done chap , as UB said relatively easy with NOVA. Statement.
No NOVA No chance!
In this order ,
Next thing is MOT using just frame number. ( clocks do not have to be in mph , and headlamp should be ok , but a piece of tape covering the beam to right is acceptable.) Once issued get a cover note issued with your frame number , you now have 30 days until it expires and DVLA will bounce it back.

Fill in the V55/5 document , most of it is irrelavent to a used m/c over 30 years old. Copy the info from the German log book ( frame number , cc, date of first reg , easily spotted as it must be 1985 . ( Odd that because it is in 1982colours and wheels & foot pegs , though it dosent matter in the real world.)
There will be 2 parts to the zulassug..( green log book) a larger one and a little booklet ..send them both one will have the deregistration date on it.

Don't forget to fill in the last page of V 55/5 ...the first pages are carbon papered , but the last section isn't.

Send everything along with a photocopy of your passport , drivers licence, along with credit card bill, utility bill with your name and address on it.
Now do not forget to include a cheque for ......the registration fee and at least 6 months road fund licence
( Go to DVLA website or phone them to ensure correct fee ...it was about £65 + £45.tax.....but it will have changed)
Check it again , check it again.
Take to post office after photocopying everything and send to the DVLA address on the form.
Wait , wait wait, in few weeks either you will get a brown envelope containing some documents you sent and a letter with your new registration on it..... ..or a brown envelope with the documents but with the V55/5 in it and a letter explaining what you missed , etc. Don't panic it is not unusual , just fill in the wrong bits and resend
Hopefully after a week or so you'll get a brown envelope ..........
Take this to get number plate made up. Or get a plate made up as a show plate so you can get a slogan added.
Viel Gluck ! and welcome the club as a member.cheers.

[fossie]

Forgot to say you can ride it to a pre booked MOT, within a reasonable distance, whatever that is,with out a plate , but you must have the frame number on insurance cover note with you.
So you get insurance first but don't delay the test.

[Uncle Bob]

Forgot to say you can ride it to a pre booked MOT, within a reasonable distance, whatever that is,with out a plate , but you must have the frame number on insurance cover note with you.
So you get insurance first but don't delay the test.

I didn't realise you could ride it to the MOT place without a plate - I used the plate off my other 1100 when I had to go up the MOT place for the first one and then look dodgy taking it off outside!!!

[jeznewsome]

Thanks for the advice fellas. Good to know that I am able to ride to the MoT station without a plate (fortunately my favourite MoT station is only 1.5 miles from home).

I have checked with my insurance co (Auntie Carole) and they are happy to add the bike to my policy on the frame no. And the yearly increase is minor ..... but the admin charge is a bugger for the next 2 months!

I am currently sat in Manchester airport and away for the rest of this week with work annoyingly. I'll probably insure early next week, once I have been through the bike more thoroughly mechanically (I know now both brakes need a fluid change and bleed from a brief ride yesterday), so that I know that it has a good chance of passing an MoT. The insurers will give me 30 days to provide a Reg No once the insurance starts.

Standby for loads more questions as I get to fiddle with it. But as a starter for 10:

• - What's the best way of cleaning the seat 'fabric' up? It looks in reasonable condition but grubby.
  
  - Is there any headlight glass compatible with the bike that'll be a permanent fix for it being on the left of the road now? Or is a Suzuki glass the only option. I am sure one of the bikes I looked at it the guy suggested he had a crystal glass from a Toyota Mx5 (but they look round!)...perhaps he meant a Toyota MR2?
  
  - I have my eye on a MPH face plate which looks to have the equivalent range on speedo and correct red line. Is it a tricky job to fit? (I realise that the mileage will remain 'kilometerage' if I go this route).
  
  - What is the correct finish for the wheels. Both are generally a bare aluminium at the moment, though there appears to be some remnants of some 'black' paint on the none machined areas. Am I right in thinking that this should be silver or should it be black?

Hopefully see some of you out and about in the North West, once I am used to the 'weird' riding position!

Cheers Jez

[PaulD]

If your taking it for the MOT without it being registered you MUST pre book it at the MOT station beforehand

[Uncle Bob]

It is the MK 1 MR2 that fits. KiwiK did a really good article on our old forum going through the conversion but alas that was lost when that forum went kaput! I just did a quick Google and found the info again on the OSS forum and there was good KiwiK with at least some basic info (need to notch the corners and drill for the pilot light (I'll have to download that to replace our missing info!). See:
https://oldskoolsuzuki.info/forums/topi ... ight-size/

and the lights on Ebay:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pair-of-Crys ... 0837910017

If you want to go half I'll have one to try as well. Either I can buy and send or the other way.

The speedo MPH faces; If you compare the KPH and MPH clock you will see on the KPH face 240kph is near 12 o'clock. On the MPH clock it is nearer 1 o'clock, so your speedo will read slightly wrong (slower). I have never bothered changing mine as fairly easy to remember the main limits.

UB

[johnr]

best way to clean the seat is, believe it or not, hot water washing up liquid and a nail brush, just scrub it clean. i even used a powerwash on one of mine, got the grime out ok, dont be too precious about it, its quite hard wearing fabric. mk 1 toyota mr2 headlight is the one to get, find another club member and buy a pair to make a saving.theyre plastic and a different lens, but they look great and are propperly bright.