My Way - restoration of my K5

[Snapey]

I've never bothered before but some members have shown interest in the bike so I'm going to document the restoration of the 6/2005 red/black Suzuki GSX1400 I bought yesterday 5th June 2019. History unknown.

The bike was advertised in an internet site for $4000 but looked really sad in the photo's so an initial offer of $3000 was submitted. The dealer rang back & we agreed on $3500 pending an inspection but don't come tomorrow as the workshop want to check it over. Next day he phones again to say the mechanic is having problems with the fuelling & can I come the next day. What's the problem Mr Dealer? It won't rev past about 5000. Blocked filter I said. Now me being me, I took the tank with the external filter attached off my B/W K5 and headed to Newcastle the next day. Long story short, old mate couldn't get it revving but after hooking up my tank it was perfect. Dealer suggests they replace the filter & pump or give me the bike at my original offer. There's nothing wrong with the thing except it's blocked so money was handed over & I'm off back to Sydney with a 1400 on the trailer.

My dilemma ... Do I do this up to sell or keep? I've had 24 hours to think about it now so I've decided it's a keeper and will be polished within an inch of it's life and my high mileage blue/white K5 bought back to standard and sold. A lot of the bling from that bike will go on the new one.

The first purchase tonight ... https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Proflow-610-05R-Billet-Fuel-Filter-5-16-Barb-Red-30-Micron/322895866741?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

Bike as bought ...

[Irish in Oz]

You can't keep a red and black there is already one next door.

[KiwiCol]

Twins . . .

[Snapey]

You can't keep a red and black there is already one next door.

I know Jeff but mine will have gold wheels & handlebars and also the dual exhaust that Suzuki should have stayed with.

[Snapey]

Day one of the restoration saw the bike loaded on to the lift so bits could be removed. First to go is the bodywork& the Ventura rack which turned out to be slightly difficult. Please tell me why someone uses Loctite with a nyloc nut.

The motor needs to go next but first the Yoshi System needs pulling off. With plenty of Nutcracker sprayed on I was hoping that no screws would break. I didn't break a screw but a Chinese Allen key that I modified twisted and broke instead.

[KiwiCol]

I thought is was a bit of licorice Pete.

[Andre]

Loctite, especially red, is en vogue. Had to get a 3-arm puller to get a front sprocket off as it had been "glued" on with red loctite on the shaft.

[Snapey]

Normally I don't remove the oil cooler when taking off the exhaust but this time it was a necessary to gain better access to the centre pipes and it had to come off anyway. Luckily the screws all came out without damaging any threads. I say luckily because who ever fitted the system used stock length bolts instead of 5mm longer meaning only about four threads are being used.

So the Yoshi pipes are off & look filthy so I grabbed the worse of the four to see how it would come up with a polish. Looks OK to me.

[Snapey]

Loctite, especially red, is en vogue. Had to get a 3-arm puller to get a front sprocket off as it had been "glued" on with red loctite on the shaft.

But with nyloc nuts ... WHY?

[Snapey]

I thought is was a bit of licorice Pete.

Licorice might have done a better job Col.

[Masterbates]

That exhaust will come up mint., what are you using to polish it up?

[Snapey]

That exhaust will come up mint., what are you using to polish it up?

To get rid of the tarnish I use a Scotch-Brite light deburring wheel https://www.3m.com.au/3M/en_AU/company-au/all-3m-products/~/Scotch-Brite-Light-Deburring-Wheel/?N=5002385+3293241551+4294942426&preselect=3293786499+4294939838&rt=rud
followed by the usual sisal & loose leaf calico mops.

[BlueDragon]

Try this autosol stuff, I got it from Bunnings.

Just dabbed it on with a old piece of car wash sponge.  Left it there for a few minutes and wiped it off.

You can see the section that I didn't put any on as comparison.  No polishing done yet on the pipe.

These are the pipes on my VFR800.  Worked a treat so need to now take some time and take the fairings off and do the rest of the exhaust.

[BlueDragon]

I'm Jealous... you got all the exhaust studs out without any of them snapping..

I soaked mine for 2 weeks - spraying twice a day.  2 came out clean and easy,  the other 6 snapped..  I've still got to drill out 2 more today and re-tap the threads.  Then I'll finally be able to install my new headers and collector.

[Snapey]

I'm Jealous... you got all the exhaust studs out without any of them snapping..

I guess I was lucky that whoever fitted the Yoshi system used stock 1400 bolts which are 5mm too short meaning only about 4 threads are in contact. Any deeper without something like Never Seize & I'd have had problems.