Just a bit of polish Sir and it'll be fine... :lol:
that is a mission but i bet it will be worth it at the end ... look forward to seeing it progress :onya:
Wow, a real mess. More patience than me to tackle that. Will watch updates. Im sure itll come up stunning.
A shame to see a 14 in that state. Good luck with the rebuild!
The nice thing is, when it's finished you'll have a bike that you know is 100% right.
Man!, you've got your hands full with that one. Good luck with the rebuild.
It's a shame it got to that stage but hopefully you can bring it back to life
Will follow your progress with interest
:cheers:
Good luck with it all & im sure it will be a sweet 14 in the end.
Good luck with your mission! I hope it will be nice again! And why not, its only work.
Cheers guys, yes its sad what has happened, the bike has only 11000 miles, but sat outside in all the weather. Frame is off to be blasted and painted, fork stantions have gone off to Philpots, wheels have also gone to be painted. Spent a lot of time starting to clean/polish some items, a lot of stuff I have left in my de-greasing tank. Some items I don't think can be used again, but I knew that when I bought it...updates to follow :onya:
Its a pity we didnt live closer i.d be over every weekend giving ya a hand with that i love getting them like that .its very satisfiying seeing the end result to a bike that would other wise end up in breakers . That.ll be another one saved mate will watch with intrest :hat:
It'll take a while and cost a fortune...But the end result will be well worth it :onya:
Yup, gotta try and keep 'em on the road :onya:
Did you hear that thump.
Barmy fainting.
I couldn't live with that dirt... and I'm far from prissy but that's another level
Plenty of work there for you :onya:
It's in that state after 11,000miles?
Damn good effort! mines not even that much at over 10x the mileage & i do try to get it dirty as anyone who's seen it will know.
Very sad I know, but the PO didn't have anywhere to keep it, apart from outside. It's safe now, but the other stable mates have moved to a different location in case they catch anything while this old chaps in quarantine :lol:
Perfect opportunity to get creative with paint colours especially on the frame....
Maybe a titanium or graphite or similar rather than just black.
Well got a bit done today, cleaned up the stainless down pipes and collector box, think they have come up quite good for stainless. De-greased the engine, cleaned all the bolts etc in the cam cover, that has cleaned up quite well. removed the starter motor to clean the engine case at the rear, removed the alternator cover ready for polishing. Engine cases with a bit of polish and then back to black look okay. Will have another go with the engine tomorrow if the suns out :)
Looking better already ! :)
Good on ya T250, you're bringing it back nicely. :onya:
What a nice peaceful rural scene you have in the background. I imagine you've had a nice day, sun shining, view over the fields, bike parts to clean. Very Zen.
Another couple of days at least I reckon, turned him over on his back and found more crud... :grin: And of course its such a light "lump" to move around :happy1:
Oh, forgot to mention....no cotton buds died during this resurrection :lol:
Yet. . . .
What make of cotton stick are you using then :stir:
And don't forget the makeup remover pads for the stubborn bits. Believe it or not, they have been known to be used in cleaning the 14 lump! Just ask Sir David Barmy! :stir: :whistling: :lol:
Barmy the polished :notworthy:
He's changed :stir:
I bet the 'spots' are still there, hidden under all that Trumpet gear!
Quote from: seth on Friday, 18 May 2018, 03:29 AM
Barmy the polished :notworthy:
He's changed :stir:
Oh no he hasn't!
May not be quite so many bits to polish on the Tex, but what can has to withun an inch of its life. Just replaced all the caliper bolts with titanium jobbies. More subtle mods on this bike though as this one gets used much much more.
That's a massive improvement already T250 :onya: As Fishy said, what a great spot to be doing the work as well.
Agree, good work...... elbow grease will reward you with a great looking bike :onya:
I too like the green space, nice spot.
Another fine day to carry on, stripped all the calipers and sent them off for powder coating, that was fun getting the pistons out...
Did a bit of touch up on the engine, cleaned the furry starter motor, then sat in the sun and got the wet and dry out on one of the engine cases, hope to do the other side tomorrow. :onya:
Looking good mate :clapping:
Going great guns there T250.
That starter is almost identical to the one I had apart last week, cleaning & freeing it up. Only difference seems to be the mounting position bolt holes. My one was out of a Yam 400 ATV. Generic starter with a change in end caps maybe?
You don't hang about T250! Looking good.... :cheers:
Cheers for all the positive comments guys :onya:
Little bit more done today, cleaned the swinging arm up and re-greased it, some PO had the bright idea of attaching the Scot Oiler pads under the arm with what looked like araldite :facepalm: that took a bit of work to get off and clean up. Cleaned up the rear sprocket carrier, and re-greased the bearing.
I missed out on a set of four pots for the front, so I've split mine down and sent them off for powder coating, will rebuild with new seals and stainless. Using an air line I only managed to get about four pistons out! I had to use an expanding bit to get the others out...all good fun.
Managed to pick up a nice pair of rear shocks off a FE with low miles, cheaper than getting just one of the old units refurbed :onya:
I use a bearing puller like the one attached in the pic to pull the pistons out with ease by hand. Put a rag over it to avoid fluid to go all over.
great work so far m8 :) looking forward to seeing new progress pics uploaded every day ;)
Taking a bit of time off for now, waiting for the frame, wheels, calipers and fork stantions to come back, then it will start off again.
Finished polishing the engine cases today, and cleaned up the airbox, got a phone call to say that my frame and wheels should be ready tomorrow :onya:
Replacing various fasteners as I go, some stainless some high tensile just to freshen things up. Ordered an original rear tail unit and that has been dispatched along with some gaskets. While the lump is out and easy to work on, I have also ordered a seal to do the clutch seal mod, and will probably do the mod to the PAIRS
See what tomorrow brings... :)
All looks great, love this kind of thread :onya:
Great progress being made. I love seeing photo's of a bike being reborn :onya:
Picked up my frame and wheels today...shiny shiny black and white :grin:
Bit more cleaning today, polished the bar holders, refitted the inlet rubbers and rear oil pipes, breather box repainted and installed, all fixed with stainless bolts etc headlamp brackets also repainted and rubbers cleaned.
Getting ready to get the engine off the bench and fit the frame over it, still waiting for my stantions to come back so not ready for a rolling bike yet...
That poor bike, it was just looking properly used & abused then you do this! :D
Quote from: Hooli on Saturday, 02 June 2018, 08:33 PM
That poor bike, it was just looking properly used & abused then you do this! :D
I think it had given up and was starting to dissolve/slip away...then I came along and started CPR :happy1:
Picked up a second hand original seat this morning, cheers Longo :onya: nice to meet you. Got a replacement cover coming from Seth, once again cheers mate, then I'll take it to the upholsterer to sort out.
Just starting to put the engine back in the frame...hmmm this could be an interesting afternoon :grin:
Looking good T, :grin:
I have a GSX 250 out the back, one owner (my uncle) 18k in need of restoration. You have given me the inspiration to sort it out, then implement my new skills on the 14! :cheers:
Step in he right direction now...
I.ll bet that had ya huffing and puffing mate shes coming on now keep it up good to watch :clapping:
Quote from: Latty66 on Sunday, 03 June 2018, 03:27 AM
I.ll bet that had ya huffing and puffing mate shes coming on now keep it up good to watch :clapping:
Yeah, tis nice working on such a small light manageable lump... :happy1:
New rear mudguard and engine gaskets arrived today,
Bet that mudguard was delivered in armored truck with armed security detail :imrgreen:
Quote from: Andre on Monday, 04 June 2018, 09:23 PM
Bet that mudguard was delivered in armored truck with armed security detail :imrgreen:
Yeah its the last white Rhino version... :grin: Not a bad deal really from these guys; https://www.motorcyclespareparts.eu/en/suzuki-parts/2004-gsx1400-motorcycles/rear-fender
Worked out just on £100 delivered inc. Took just over a week to get here,
That's a great price :onya:
Quote from: Andre on Monday, 04 June 2018, 09:23 PM
Bet that mudguard was delivered in armored truck with armed security detail :imrgreen:
Would need to be a big truck Andre with all that excess baggage 😁
Hurrah for a proper mudguard, I've never liked the look of tail tidies.
Quote from: Hooli on Tuesday, 05 June 2018, 08:10 AM
Hurrah for a proper mudguard, I've never liked the look of tail tidies.
Exactly my view Mr Hooli
I was quite lucky in that a breakers on the South Coast had one in excellent condition for £70..
Obviously I snapped his hand off.
i much prefer my cut off guard. just my opinion.
Well its been a bit of a blur this week, forgotten what I've done :grin: rubbed down and polished the headlamp ears, fitted the pairs removal kit, rubbed down and polished the grab rail, fitted the new standard rear mudguard, fitted the original indicators, had to use crimps as the PO had cut the wires, connectors sealed with heat wrap, put both stands back on, fitted new standard air filter, connected up most of the loom now...and breath out!
Tomorrow will refit the swing arm and shocks, repaint the coil brackets, got to get some new plugs, it came with some new Iridium ones but I think I will use standard, unless anyone wants to swap a set?
Time for a beer! :cheers:
Looking amazing mate! Maybe you can have 2 beers . . . :cheers:
looking good ,nice to see
great job mate. very impressive in no time at all. polished grab rails on 14, look so good. a tiny thing but always think its one of my best jobs.
Bit more today, swinging arm installed with "new to me" shocks, cleaned and polished rear brake mounting etc, cleaned out brake reservoir, and master cylinder, fitted stainless blingy top yoke cover, which goes well with the polished bar clamps I think, they look better than in the pictures. Replacement seat cover arrived today - cheers Seth :cheers:
Tomorrow...if I don't go for a ride somewhere to have a break, clean and polish rear footrest hangers and bits, gearshift assembly etc, then on Monday order my new tyres and hopefully get the rear wheel in.
Still waiting for my stantions and brake calipers to come back, next bit of rubbing down and polishing will be the fork bottoms...deep joy :grin:
I'm loving your work. It's great to see a bike come back from the brink.
T24, brilliant motivated work. quite amazing what youre doing in small time frame. agree, polished risers and stainless cover look much better in real life.
:clapping: :clapping:Lovely Work :clapping: :clapping:
Cheers guys thanks for the comments, not much today, took apart the footrest hangers etc to clean away even more green slime...can't be much more left to find, apart from the switch gear...no cotton buds died today but the wet wipes took a hammering :rofl2: Just got back from a ride out to clear the lungs, had a ride on some mental "pick n mix" bike my mate has got, fireblade motor spondon frame...you get the picture, brain out job just pure lunacy, but nice to hand it back after my adrenaline fix :laugh: :onya: ...now back to that nice sensible slim 1400... :whistling:
Right! now that I've realised how old I am, I will go back to putting this old tart back together and from now on enjoy my Sunday morning blasts on my trusty old T140... :lol:
:rofl2: I know exactly what you mean.... not so long ago I rode my mates fireblade .... wrists were killing me after 30 mins! Much prefer my more sedate but comfortable 14 :onya:
Your bikes coming along nicely...liking forward to seeing the finished article!
Quote from: T250 on Monday, 11 June 2018, 03:25 AM
trusty old T140
Ahh a proper bike on here at last ;)
Anyway, back to business in hand :), footrest hangers etc polished and put back on the bike, collected my calipers today, thought I'd try something different with the colour. Got all new seals etc so will be rebuilding them tomorrow. Ordered new tyres, will collect those tomorrow, so hopefully get the back wheel in and that's the back end just about finished...
Thanks :onya: that was another "mission" about four years ago...I won't go in to it on here but I built it to make it something just a little different :grin:
T250 when you get a mo just take a look at the pics in page 1 to remind yourself how far you.ve come wid this
Banging job so far no dout about the outcome here vey tidy work :salute:
Quote from: Latty66 on Wednesday, 13 June 2018, 03:23 AM
T250 when you get a mo just take a look at the pics in page 1 to remind yourself how far you.ve come wid this
Banging job so far no dout about the outcome here vey tidy work :salute:
Thanks Latty66 :onya: I've got a load of pictures just to remind me :facepalm:...as I said at the start just a bit of polish Sir :rofl2: ahem!
New tyre fitted, wheel back in, caliper rebuilt with new seals and pads, back half starting to look like a bike again. Hel braided lines will be fitted throughout, already run the clutch line in. Think after all this work the paintwork will be a bit of a let down, just cleaned all the crud off the hugger, and that's got a few scratches on it, rear tail piece has a few marks that could do with some touch up, the tank needs to be done underneath and its got some scratches at the front :thumbs_down: luckily I have a baglux tank cover, so I will crack on to get it back together and running and worry about the paintwork later...
Just read through the thread t250 .
Brillant work sir!!!
Looking lovely now!
Quote from: Suzuki boi on Friday, 15 June 2018, 04:53 AM
Just read through the thread t250 .
Brillant work sir!!!
Looking lovely now!
:onya: Thanks, getting there bit by bit
Quote from: Suzuki boi on Friday, 15 June 2018, 04:53 AM
Just read through the thread t250 .
Brillant work sir!!!
Looking lovely now!
I think you both share the same fetish.... - to save a abandoned / neglected 14. :stir:
Lovely work. How did you polish up the alloy?
Quote from: Blubber on Friday, 15 June 2018, 06:40 PM
Quote from: Suzuki boi on Friday, 15 June 2018, 04:53 AM
Just read through the thread t250 .
Brillant work sir!!!
Looking lovely now!
I think you both share the same fetish.... - to save a abandoned / neglected 14. :stir:
Yep we both know the struggle.lol
Quote from: Mister Fishfinger on Friday, 15 June 2018, 07:26 PM
Lovely work. How did you polish up the alloy?
Wet and dry, solvo and then a polishing wheel...a lot of time but it's worth it :onya:
Only a bit more today, rebuilt the front calipers, new seals, stainless bolts, new pads etc, got the seat back from the upholsterer, he did a good job wrapped all the foam in plastic just to make sure nothing can get through...proper job! :onya: And on we go :laugh:
Bit blingy on the calipers I know, but I thought after all the abuse it might cheer the old tart up... it's been well overdue! ...
Ooops, sorry Seth forgot to attach a picture of your old seat cover :doh:
That looks great
:cheers:
T250 - simply stunning. Love the blue callipers. Gonna get mine done gloss black this winter.
Please keep the photo's coming - I love to read stuff like this.
An interesting project, you've done a great job.
Not every 14 has to be mint or in great condition to be worth taking home.
My 14 came as a crashed and damaged project,
I dodged up a different speedo and straightened a few things just so I could test it.
Then I ....... never really did anything else..... :grin:
Edit: My Aussie wife loves Cornwall. Last time we were over we rented a house at Portmellon just around the corner from Mevagissey. Beautiful spot and very different from Australia !
Top job mate - well done!
Where do you guys obtain the seat covers? Recovered one seat with one off Fleabay but needs doing again.
Quote from: black14 on Sunday, 17 June 2018, 10:21 AM
Top job mate - well done!
Where do you guys obtain the seat covers? Recovered one seat with one off Fleabay but needs doing again.
Thanks, I was lucky that Seth had a spare cover he sold me :onya:
Just when I thought I had found all the green slime...reckon this bike started out as a closet Kawasaki... :grin:
It's strange but the seat cover you got came from
@Daytona and you were offered it first but didn't reply so you got it from me at the same price I paid for it . :onya:
Strange how this site works but glad it's found it's home and looking great.
:cheers:
I've seen switch gear cleaned up with either toothpaste or peanut butter believe it or not .
It's great on plastic .
:cheers:
Quote from: seth on Sunday, 17 June 2018, 08:22 PM
It's strange but the seat cover you got came from @Daytona and you were offered it first but didn't reply so you got it from me at the same price I paid for it . :onya:
Strange how this site works but glad it's found it's home and looking great.
:cheers:
:grin: Thanks for that Seth :onya:
These bikes don´t deserve to die. And they´re not that old. Keep up !
So is there a source for good seat covers approximating the original (other than Seth who I assume doesn't have any more)?
:onya:
Quote from: black14 on Tuesday, 19 June 2018, 08:57 AM
So is there a source for good seat covers approximating the original (other than Seth who I assume doesn't have any more)?
:onya:
Good question - and not that I know of (ever). There used to be second hand ones on eBay some years back but most have had their seats modified.
Having said that, if you take your original seat to a seat recovering shop, they should be able to replicate the original so long as you can show them a picture/pattern of the original.
Sorry for the extremely late question but what paint did you use on the engine? Be good to know what matches up to the original paint!
Quote from: Cursed on Tuesday, 19 June 2018, 10:12 PM
Sorry for the extremely late question but what paint did you use on the engine? Be good to know what matches up to the original paint!
I managed to clean a lot of it using carb/clutch cleaner, T cut and back to black. Around the barrels I used high temp Hammerite , which came out quite close.
T250, your switch gear, try white vinegar. will clean a bit of scum up early on, next day will be perfect. i live in high humidity place thru summer, walls, everything cops mildew/mould. amazing how vinegar works. protects for 2 yrs they reckon.
Quote from: grog on Wednesday, 20 June 2018, 07:18 PM
T250, your switch gear, try white vinegar. will clean a bit of scum up early on, next day will be perfect. i live in high humidity place thru summer, walls, everything cops mildew/mould. amazing how vinegar works. protects for 2 yrs they reckon.
Cheers Grog, I managed to get them clean using brake cleaner, then some back to black, its also good on the cables.
Thanks anyway
Today changed the clock faces over, fitted the down pipes and collector, oil cooler and bits n bobs, loosely fitted the exhaust cans that I might be using, they are Quill T3's which have been cut down but are still road legal with no removable baffle, if I remember correctly they were quite quiet...I think I prefer oval cans as they are slimmer, these Quills still weigh quite a bit. Contacted Philpots and my forks should be ready next week hopefully, then I don't think it will too far away from trying to start the old beast again...
Nice, apart from the white dials. I just don't like them.
Quote from: Hooli on Thursday, 21 June 2018, 11:54 PM
Nice, apart from the white dials. I just don't like them.
I'm going to put blue leds in...then they'll be the fastest dials... :happy1: (only jesting)
From all the replies to the speedo accuracy thread they already go faster than the bikes :stir: :whistling: :salute:
Yesterday I painted the underside of the tank, as there were some rust areas appearing, not surprising as the poor old beast lived outside for neary six years :facepalm:
Anyway, also did the fuel pump mod, had a look around inside the tank and it was spotless! Clutch all connected, swapped over the clocks top cover that Blubber sent me :onya:, luckily I managed to get the Suzuki logo off and face plate, well pleased with that! Just waiting for my stantions and it shouldn't be too far away from going back on the road :boogie:
Tidy mate coming alone a treat :salute:
Your making fantastic progress :onya:
Amazing !! :clapping:
WOW!!!!
I'm impressed...From a pigs ear to a silk purse in a VERY short space of time :onya: :onya:
Great stuff.... would be good to 'before' and 'after' pics once it's finished! :clapping:
Great to see it coming together, lovelyjob :onya:
Great work :onya:
Top job :hat:
You should be quite proud of how that is coming along....... :clapping:
Love these rebuild threads makes me want to do my old girl!
Well not to put any pressure on myself :happy1: I've been told the stantions are coming back on Friday...sooo I've ordered a new tyre for tomorrow and booked an M.O.T for Saturday morning...could be a late Friday night... :happy1:
(got rid of that horrible tank sticker :rolleyes:)
Quote from: bikerface on Wednesday, 27 June 2018, 09:12 PM
Love these rebuild threads makes me want to do my old girl!
And when you've finished, you can go work on your bike.
T250 you live is a beautiful part of the UK
Scorching weather just now for your bike to be reborn..
Brilliant resto.
Well done you.
Stantions didn't turn up today :furious: m.o.t canceled for tomorrow...on a better note, I couldn't wait any longer even though the old tart was on stilts...put the key in and first cough he came to life, the Quills are a bit quiet, but do have a nice rasp to them...but I have been told by the management that until I go up the road the Black Widows I was thinking of can wait...apparently I can't ride a sewing machine Honda type thing up the road... :rofl2:
Found my stantions...the courier had left them outside of someone else's house down the village, and apparently I had signed for them yesterday!
So guess what I will be doing today??? :laugh:
Well just about done now...few little checks nuts n bolts etc. Still could do with some more work, but I think I have a solid base to work from now. M.O.T booked for Monday, be interesting to see how it actually rides :whistling: :smitten:
wow :clapping: :clapping: :clapping: :clapping:
Quote from: Notty on Sunday, 01 July 2018, 04:13 AM
wow :clapping: :clapping: :clapping: :clapping:
Thanks :onya:
Time for a cider me thinks... :laugh: :cheers:
Exceptional job T250, looks brand new. :boogie: It may need a little fettling to get it just right but I'm sure you'll have many happy rides together. :cheers:
Great job.... and in double quick time as well!! :clapping:
Cheers guys for all the positive comments
...guess who just found a set of fork protectors that didn't get fitted when I rebuilt the forks? :facepalm: that'll be my job for today then! :happy1:
That's a fantastic job, well done. Lets hope that forgetting the fork protectors is your only error :whistling:
Quote from: mjgt on Sunday, 01 July 2018, 06:15 PM
That's a fantastic job, well done. Lets hope that forgetting the fork protectors is your only error :whistling:
:embarrassed: Fingers crossed, lets not hope its like one of those flatpacks where you always have bits left over :happy1:
I preferred it before, I like the used look :stir:
You got the job done in pretty quick time. Hope you get to throw a leg over her soon. I bet you're chuffed with how its come up.
Great work. :onya:
It's a great feeling to get on the road after such a restoration, I hope you enjoy many miles of trouble free motoring on her :hat:
Great job & happy riding :onya:
Cracking job mate very nice :clapping: :clapping: :salute:
:boogie: M.O.T passed today :onya: First time I have had chance to ride the old chap...think this will be a keeper after we have got to know each other so well :happy1:
Thanks for all the positive replies during this "mission" Still some fettling to do, as always, but that's the fun of it.
All the best for now.
Fantastic news buddy
You've done a power of work and now getting the rewards .
The more you ride it the more you'll like it I'm sure .
:onya:
Great news :cheers:
What's left on the fettle / niggle list?
Quote from: Blubber on Friday, 06 July 2018, 03:54 AM
Great news :cheers:
What's left on the fettle / niggle list?
I'm not happy with some scratches on the tank, that will need a top half repaint, also the rear hugger needs repainting as there are some scratches on the top, but that can wait until the winter, also some niggles with the six pots, which hopefully I'll be able to sort out...they do work btw :grin:
Bloody hell !!!! ..... ive not been to this thread since the begging .... you dont waste any time do you !!
Looks amazing :notworthy: a hell of a lot of hard work gone in to it but it shows in the finnish .... spot on !! :clapping:
Puts me to shame I've been working in my b/w 14 for just over 2 years probably just lazy as I have the other r/b 14.
:frustrated:
How the hell did I miss this thread??
Anyway, just read from start to finish & WOW!! What a fantastic job, I do hope you're well proud of yourself.
I absolutely LOVE to see old/sad stuff resurrected & saved from doom, I'm at a loss to see how bikes like these can be neglected to that state, another lives on. :onya: :onya:
Nice job lad :onya:
She's a thing of beauty!!!
Wow! Away for a short break, just got some wifi and seen all your comments... Many thanks guys :cheers: