On the other side of the globe where we're building knarF's GS, Smithy is completing the work of his friend Alan Baker who died of cancer, unable to finish *his* dreambike. The similarity between the projects is stunning, and when knarF passed away he was also building a Katana so I'm sure he'd loved to see this.

Thanks for that Patrick. The similarities are spooky, for sure. It has taken us around 2 years to get this far and the engine is still empty!!
 
Details: It will have a flowed head, 1175cc, cams (unsure spec) run around 11:1, Keihin 37mm smoothbores. Braced frame, Ohlins rear shocks, Ohlins forks internals with Racetech emulators, Ohlins damper, Total loss, Metzler racetech front, rennsport rear, 3.5"17 front, 4.5" 17 rear (both GSXR). Welded crank, bigger valves, and thats about it. Should produce around 140hp at rear wheel. It will only ever be used as a race bike.
More photos below:

Love the Kat that sure takes me back,used to go to Knockhill etc to watch Brian Morrison race his Kat in his early days he is still my all time favorit racer,Craig it was looking at your GS that set me on my yoshi rep build after seeing it in Google Images though i have a soft spot for them this will be GS number six.

Me too, who could forget torqul Patterson wheelie his gsxr1340 engined K*wa, from the hairpin up the hill and putting it down just before duffus, whilst overtaking bemused plastic jocky's
Back to this thread though, the Katana looks meaner than a junk yard dog.

Smithy,
           The Kat looks tough!  Im sure Alan is smiling, nice Job, now , that Yosh pipe kinda looks like I've seen it somewhere??????
 
See You Soon!

Both those bikes are stunning to look at and the internals are just as gorgeous.  
A credit to you and your buddies Craig.
 
John

Hi All.
 
Thanks for all the kind comments. We are really chuffed the way the bike has turned out. We just need to finish it off now, but we have been really busy with work and our own racebikes, so the Kat has taken a back seat. I like the look of it even more than my GS though, so if I ever build another race bike, guess what it will be??? Also much easier to get horsepower and reliability from a GSX motor....
 
I will keep Mr. 7/11 posted when we get it running proper.
 
Brian, see you in January!!
 
Cheers, Smithy.

Work has re-started on the Alan Baker Katana. The engine has been removed and has gone to get pistons clutch and gearbox installed. Thanks to new sponsorship from the Fulford Family (Alan's uncle) We have ordered a genuine Yoshi hand bent titanium exhaust for the beast!! (See pic). When the engine comes back and exhaust is on, we need to wire it, then fire it up. I will keep you all posted.
 
Cheers, Smithy.