Re: Suzuki X5 long term project
 

This is awesome. Makes me want to get a bike project, even though I have a T2 VW to do!

Re: Suzuki X5 long term project
 

Get it done & post it up here [emoji4][emoji106]

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Re: Suzuki X5 long term project
 

Oh wow, that's looking great. I had a W-reg X5 in the same blue colour scheme when I was 18 (because of the cheaper sub-200cc insurance). They were FAST too, because they were so light. After I fitted Michelin M38s it never ran out of grip, it was the only bike I've had that felt comfortable scraping the footrests and the toes of my DM boots :D

Re: Suzuki X5 long term project
 

Lovely job.

Re: Suzuki X5 long term project
 

Sounds great already. And I love that the engine roundels are the same as those that were on my 83 GSX250EZ. Ah memories.

Re: Suzuki X5 long term project
 

Makes me nostalgic for my CB250rsd project that I never quite saw through before realising I needed to sell it to keep the SV running.
.

https://66.media.tumblr.com/73bcc2b7...q8e5o1_500.jpg

Re: Suzuki X5 long term project
 

It was at this point that I took 6 months away from work to circumnavigate Britain in our newly aquired 25 year old motorhome. I have reached the grand old age of 55 & could draw some money from my private pension, so myself & my wife decided to do something before we were too old to appreciate the memories.
So, while we were away I though that I'd get the rechroming done. We have a plating company in Crewe, so I took a few items down for them to have a look at & price up.
"It'll take about 12 weeks mate" said the assistant behind the counter.
"That's fine, I'm away for about 6 months" I replied.
The small parts were quite expensive price - wise, but the exhausts nearly made me fall over. They wanted £360 for the silencers & £60 for the downpipes, I told them that I'd leave those for the time being. So, off we went on our travels.
I have been busy looking for a job since I got back, so haven't made a lot of progress on the bike, but did call round to the platers as I hadn't heard from them in 7 months....... Guess what? They hadn't done them :( The parts had been put on a shelf & forgotten about.
"I'll have them done in a couple of days for you mate". How can they quote 12 weeks originally, then do them in 2 days? I'm still trying to work that one out. They did make a nice job though.
https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...fa&oe=5C8561EB


What you are looking at there ladies & gents is £200 worth of chrome plating, scares the living daylights out of me.
It was tme to fit the shiney bits to the bike
https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...1a&oe=5C8776CA


https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...2d&oe=5C88151A


Next was the front brake caliper. The piston was solid in the caliper, so I had to heat the caliper & be a little brutal with a pair of waterpump pliers to extract the piston. It did move eventually, so that was one problem solved. I had ordered a caliper rebuild kit which came with new seals & bleed nipple, so tried to remove the nipple, which was seized solid into the caliper, things were a little harder this time because I didn't want to snap the nipple in the caliper as calipers are as rare as rocking horse poo. I used plenty of heat & with some gentle persuation it started to move & after about 15 minutes, the nipple was sat smouldering on the bench. Icleaned & painted the caliper, fitted the new seals & pads & placed it on the bike.
https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...c9&oe=5C41AA94


So, this is where I'm up to at present. I still have plenty to do, but I'm back at work full time at the moment as my boss is on holiday. I have won some very rare, nos Allspeed Expansion chambers on good old Ebay, but they are from a Danish seller, so hoping that it isn't a scam. I've paid by Paypal, so should get my money back if it is. Watch this space.

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/DkQAA...EH/s-l1600.jpg

Re: Suzuki X5 long term project
 

Showed this to Mrs Kenzie. She wants a project bike now...

Re: Suzuki X5 long term project
 

I think I'll need to come and hear (and smell!) this running when it's finished. :smt046

Re: Suzuki X5 long term project
 

Make sure that you have plenty of money. I was expecting to shell out about £1500 plus the price of the bike to get it finished. I'm not far off spending that & still have a few hundred pound to spend. I could probably buy a nice example for the same amount of money, but then wouldn't have the fun (& headaches) of building it.


Back in 1979 my brother had a new X7 that he fitted expannies to, it sounded awesome. I always wanted some for mine, but couldn't afford, so I'm as excited as you :)