need little info on k3 vs k4 onwards parts

[leebex]

I tried to use the search feature, so please forgive me asking, but all my included words are too small for search to work.

so... I know k3 and k4 onwards tail sections are different, but do both bikes have tail side panels with the same mount holes, and just how different are the seats and mounts for seats?

Any pics to highlight the difference would help.

Thanks, Lee

[maviczap]

Doesn't look to be much difference between the 2 years on the Alphasports fiche

http://www.alpha-sports.com/suzuki_parts.htm

[leebex]

Thanks mavic, nice linky there ;)

anyone know about the seats and panels, do they fit ok, or need little adjustment?

[ophic]

By side panels, do you mean the coloured rear plastics or the little infill black panels either side of the seat?

The infill panels are different due to the different angle between frame and subframe. Seat similarly different. I don't think you could get one to fit the other very well, but never actually tried.

[ophic]

the alphasports fiche appears to have the wrong diagrams for seats and infill panels - ie they look the same for K3 and K4 but the parts numbers are different. If the diagrams were accurate, they would look different as well, ie the seats and panels are visibly different.

[leebex]

Thanks Ophic, its the main coloured panels Id like the info on. I plan on cutting up a steel pointy subframe to mate to a curvy, but I have all panels and seats from a k4.

If anyone has both k3 and k4 parts loose and could put the panels loose on a subframe it would be nice to know the result.

Thanks, Lee

[xXBADGERXx]

Then buy a K4 subframe ...... cut the Curvy Subframe from behind the mounts and have the K4 subframe Tig Welded to the Curvy mounts . Then fit your K4 plastics .

[leebex]

Id been offered a k3 so thought i would ask thats all. not quite a simple cut up one and weld the other to it unfortunately :( possibly why not many folk have bothered, that and the divide over curvy and pointy :p

[xXBADGERXx]

But you would be one of the first to go for it

[leebex]

yeah but I cant weld, and maybe difficult getting it done at work at the moment, so need to find someone locally who can do it.

Got all the bits, just not the know how this time :(

[xXBADGERXx]

You need it welding by a fabricator really who knows how to use the correct gear for the job . There are some alloys that need heat treating and annealing after welding , there are some that don`t and a good fabricator will know the pitfalls . The main part you weld onto is usually cast anyway and the subrame will be made from extruded metal , all that carries it`s own set of problems in it`s own right .

[leebex]

Thats leads onto the safety aspect, dont want to cobble a subframe together for it to fall apart riding down the road.

Although did have another idea today. A curvy subframe wont take the plastics, but with the cutting off the unecessary bits the panels are close enough, and the clufixes (those m6 threaded cylinders which are fitted into the frame for bolts to screw into) can be done at work, along with extra drilling or bracket mods, so thinking of trying that direction now ;) and my subframe has already been cut to fit the pointy light so wont be of any use to put my snow plough back on.

Havent given up just yet :smt041

[xXBADGERXx]

That sounds like an easy route , a bit of Meccano to see how it goes aesthetically :)

[Lozzo]

Pointy subframes are made from painted mild steel, either that or those clever slanty-eyed little monkey brain munchers have developed a new aluminium alloy that rusts like steel does.

Just mate front of curvy subframe to rear of pointy one - any half decent welder should be able to do that once you've worked out exactly where to cut both to get the panels to line up with the seat and tank.

There shouldn't be any need to have any alloy welding done to the frame to get the right effect.

[xXBADGERXx]

Doh , yeah they are steel , the Frame itself is Ally though , subframe is made of Mild Rustoleum

[leebex]

ive got a late pointy subframe thats made of ally lozzo ;)

anyway when/if I do actually get it done will post up pics of it for flaming/mick taking value :p:p :salut::salut: