Suzuki GS Garage

a repair and restoration journal

[suzukiwrenchers]

Many plans, few funds

So no real work yet.  Aside from adjusting the tire pressure.   I did order and receive new NGK plugs.  I also need to change the oil/filter and would like to do the air filter.  For the air filter it’s either a $20 OEM replacement or a $100 K&N.  Not sure if it’ll make a difference or justify the cost difference.  

The CB has been running great!  Last weekend was another Vaxholm loop and this weekend was spent riding to Slingerbulten (route 257, last map) on a fellow rider’s recommendation.   By far the best riding around Stockholm so far.  And I saw a moose to boot!  Watch out for speed traps.

This week if it’s nice I plan on testing the matte black engine spray paint I picked up and see if I can correct a few of the spots on the engine black as well as clean up a few tarnished bits and rusty screws.  

[suzukiwrenchers]

The next project...a 1998 Honda CB750 F2

Just picked this up north of Stockholm, Sweden where I am currently living.  I’ve been sans MC for a few years now and really missed riding.  I love the 80′s UJM shape and sound but wanted something a bit newer as I don’t have tools or a place to work like I had in NY and CA.  This is a ‘98 F2 which is similar to the Nighthawk which I love but with a few improvements for the EU market: better suspension and a rear disc brake.  It received moderate reviews online (handling) but I don’t mind that as Im a bit rusty and really just wanted something cheap I could improve, ride a season and then sell for a profit hopefully.  Already took a day trip north.  Stay tuned for the build plans!

[suzukiwrenchers]

Before/after

[suzukiwrenchers]

Finished!! Well, close enough. Still need to mount the front fender and passenger pegs but I took it for a spin around the block today and damn she is fast! I’m going to check the valve clearance and a few little things but for now I think I just sit back and look at it. It’s also now for sale on LA craigslist!!

[suzukiwrenchers]

The bits & pieces.  I’m throwing things back together and painting all the little bits coming in from all over the world.  Side covers from Australia and Canada, badges from New York, etc.  I tried to use the original when possible, clean it up and paint it but some pieces were just too old or even missing.  Stayed tuned for the final reveal!

[suzukiwrenchers]

Rippin' it through So Cal. Check another one off the bucket list. (at Somewhere in Los Padres National Forest)

[suzukiwrenchers]

The engine goes in and the exhaust gets a makeover.  

I wire brushed and palm sanded the exhaust for two days.  Pitting was pretty bad at the headers so I smoothed it out as much as possible with 80-grit paper.  I had to have the rear section re-welded at a local shop.  VHT exhaust primer, matte flameproof and satin clear to finish it off.  Backed it on the bike per instructions on can.  The clear on the headers burned right off so we’ll have to wait and see how this holds up.

[suzukiwrenchers]

I snapped the shift linkage and had to order a new one on eBay for $10. Lost the reverse thread not in the process and had to wait on that too :( shifts smoothly through all gears now.

[suzukiwrenchers]

The time has come. I've never torn into carbs before but this one needed it. Upon purchase I was told they were rebuilt a year ago. Somehow I doubt that based on the gunk and corrosion inside. All jets were clogged to some degree! Carb cleaner and compressed air. Back together and start it up....not much better! The second cylinder wasn't firing even after plug wire and cap replacements so I tore into the carbs. This fixed that. Though it wasn't perfect and I took them down again. And then again. By the third time it was starting without choke on the first push! Next time I'll just boil everything in lemon juice the first time. Stock jets for now even though there are pods it still seems rich. But for now it'll do.

[suzukiwrenchers]

Yes Sur. Riding the majestic PCH for the first time with couple of triumphs.

[suzukiwrenchers]

Tank. The tank had a few small dents and horrible paint. Stripped and sanded to bare metal and primed for paint. Stay tuned for final color reveal!

[suzukiwrenchers]

Finally got the fork sliders from Suzuki and was able to rebuild the other fork. Which enabled me to get the front wheel on and back on the center stand. Tons of progress!

[suzukiwrenchers]

Today the engine goes black. My 83 1100 had a black engine from the factory and i really like the look. Plus this old engine looks terrible. After two days of degreasing and scrubbing with a wire brush, the engine is as clean as its going to get (I have the patience for). Two coats of vht engine primer and 4 coats (2 light, 2 medium) of vht engine paint in satin black. Once this dries I'll sand off the fin edges for looks and then clear coat it.

[suzukiwrenchers]

The tachometer was missing the bolt (broken) so I super glued a piece of plastic from a vitamin bottle in and fastened a bolt in. Shaved it down with the dremel and it turned out ok.

[suzukiwrenchers]

So the local shop couldn’t pull the old bearings but luckily auto zone loans a bearing puller. I tapped the new ones in with a piece of wood. Greased them up and installed the swingarm. Going back together!

[suzukiwrenchers]

One wheel down, one to go. It took a lot of awkward sanding to clean these but the front turned out alright. I used duplicolor wheel paint, matte. We'll see how it holds up. Luckily I have a week or so to wait for fork parts to let these dry. New tires too!

[suzukiwrenchers]

More progress. The wheels were stripped and wire brushed. Another 3 days because there were so many nooks. The first failed part I've come across was one of the bearings in the swing arm. About the only thing I'm not doing myself are the tires so I wanted to take the swingarm to the local shop when the tires were there and have them press it out. For some reason they send them out so I went to auto zone and borrowed a pilot bearing puller. 10 minutes in the parking lot layer and the bearing were out! The new bearings from Suzuki are $30 but if you google the size instead you can get the same ones for $20. After the wheels get back its time for paint.