1972 Suzuki T350 Rebel. We collected this machine from the customer in june this year, he had owned it from new and although it started off as a 'Sunday best' bike, over the years it became his every day transport and over 40,000 miles was clocked up. He contacted us with the hope that we could restore it to former glory so that again it would become his 'Sunday best'!
As you can see from the 'before' photo's, although very standard it had had a hard life, especially the engine, the owner informed us that it had been rebuilt a few thousand miles ago but as pistons larger than .5mm could not be found it was only re-rung and that there was a problem with one of the gearbox bearings. We manage to source some new old stock Wiseco aftermarket piston kits at 1.00mm from a dealer in the US and after a couple of re-bores and bead blasting the top endwas like new! As for the bottom end, although the crank
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had supposedly been rebuilt at the same time, it too showed signs of being a little on the tired side which made us suspect a worn out oil pump. The crank was rebuilt and a new-old-stock oil pump found. With the crank cases bead blasted and outer covers polished, the addition of new seals and gaskets the engine was ready for to put back in the freshly painted frame.
We managed to re-chrome the original wheel rims and had them laced with stainless butted spokes as 'cad' plated butted items are no longer available. The forks were also re-chromed. So using all re-plated spindles, nuts and bolts the rolling chassis was complete and ready for the next stage. Electrics and paintwork.
Keep you eye on this website to see how it looks on completion in the Autumn! |
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The bike prior to its restoration. |
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The petrol tank was dented , the result of a spill! |
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| Towards completion. |
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The completed engine site resplendent in its freshly painted frame. |
Suzuki RG250 Gamma Mk.3. Just the engine was given to us as the customer felt he was capable of restoring the chassis, he felt the engine was best left to the experts! After stripping we found that the bottom end was tired, a full crank rebuild was in order. The pistons were replaced as although the clearances measured well within the limits, the mileage of them was unknown.
Repainting the outer covers and the crank cases in Suzuki grey was required as the rest of the machine was to be put
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back to as close to standard as possible. Another special requirement for this age Suzuki is the 'chemical blacking/ passivate' plating we had to replicate on various parts and fasteners.
Most of the perished rubber and worn out parts are still available off the shelf. So with numerous seals, bearings and gaskets it was rebuilt. Not only does it look as new, it will be mechanically sound too.
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