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First off the bike wouldn't start, but after cleaning out the carb, replacing the gas and the plug it started to fire up, but still stalled with any revs. This confirmed compression was good so next step was to take the thing apart.
There was quite a bit of surface rust and a family of spiders had moved in, but over all not too bad.
Once I had it all stripped down the frame I prepped it for painting and removed all the rust. Then I painted the frame using VHT chassis and roll bar paint, which is surprisingly good stuff. Easy to use and has a great finish.
Next step was prepping the tank. I looked at soda blasting it, but to be honest it was already in pretty good nick, so just some elbow grease, steel wool and a sand and it was ready for painting. Here is used VHT again with their Engine Enamel products.
Next step was to prep and paint the front forks, once again I used VHT Chassis and roll cage paint here. I also put the shocks back together and added the dust gators.
Time to remove the Suzuki logos from the tank and fix the big dent on one side. I also wanted to change the tank shape a bit for a better look. A quick prime to stop rusting for now. Proper paint job to follow at a later stage.
Engine back in the frame and put the tank back on just for looks. Putting the engine back in was a bit of a nightmare, much easier getting it out. So far so good.
Re-attached the swingarm, the old rear shocks, chain and rear tyre as well as started putting some electrics back in to see if it still runs. Rear shocks have to go, but still deciding on which to get, the Nirtrogen 325mm shocks from japanese motorbike parts looks good, but not sure how good they are.
Got the electrics back together which took a while as I didn't take enough photos when I was dismantling it. No gas in tank yet as it isn't painted, but new carb on and oil vent filter. Managed to scratch the bloody engine paint while I was working on it. Will have to fix that later
Replaced the crappy old grips and the entire front brake lever and brake fluid until as it was leaking and faulty. Put the new seat on just to see what it looks like, still need to cut the frame and add the rear loop. Also painted and replaced the plastic sprocket cover(Not sure if this is what it is called.)
Tried some of my first metal fabrication to make some rear indicator mounts and rear light and license mount. Also in the process of building a battery/ electrics box to clear the triangle and tidy electrics
New rear shocks also arrived today so will be putting them on and then almost done. Anyone reregistered a bike in New Zealand? I'm keen to understand the process.
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