Stay Signed In
Do you want to access your site more quickly on this computer? Check this box, and your username and password will be remembered for two weeks. Click logout to turn this off.
Stay Safe
Do not check this box if you are using a public computer. You don't want anyone seeing your personal info or messing with your site.
Well here's Stu's new beast a 1981 Suzuki GT200 X5. Bought from a guy in Sheffield, only 15,000 miles on the clock.
Mechanically very sound, all that is needed is a good service.
There are a few rust spots on the tank, but the guy threw in a re-painted tank for the selling price.
The tyres have got loads of tread on them, and are well within the legal limit. However they are very old and the rubber has gone hard, and would be dangerous in wet weather. So a new set of Metzeler ME22's have been bought.
Started work on the X5 to make sure everything is ok for the MOT. Changed the front tyre, the inner tube was shot. Luckily I had bought new tubes with the tyres. The brake pads are fine, but the brake hose will need replacing.
Took off the exhausts to clean out all the old oil that was in there. Decided to take off and re-paint the swing arm, while I was fitting the rear tyre. The bolt that the swing arm pivots on, and the bolt for the rear brake rod. Had both seized so the swing arm was not moving correctly
Left and right: The rear of the X5 with the swing arm, foot pegs, side stand and exhausts out.
Left: Foot pegs being cleaned up ready for painting.
Right: Swing arm getting the same treatment.
Above left & right: X5 with refurbished swing arm back in place.
Left: Although the rear Metzeler tyre has plenty of tread it was very old and had gone hard. The front was of some dubious Korean make. I wouldn't have gone around the block on them in wet weather.
Right: A shot of the engine before being cleaned up. The oil has been changed, plugs will be changed and air filter will be cleaned.
Been doing a general check over on the X5. Rear brake pads are worn and need replacing, some plonker has routed the front brake hose so it is pulled tight and rubbing on the bottom yolk. That will have to go, but apart from that everything else seems ok. Just need Stu to pass his test now.
Stu passed his test on 24th November 2006, the Suzuki has been insured by Footman James on a classic bike policy. It has got an MOT and tax, and as from today 29th November is on the road.
February 2007
North Wales
Above: Stu getting the Suzuki ready for his trip to Wales
Stu and his mate Dave decided to do some touring, and because it was their first time. They used Roy's place in Wales as a base.
They set off on the Friday night in the dark. The direct route is about 85 miles, but because they wanted to stay on the A-roads. It was nearer to 120 miles.
Saturday morning dawned bright, sunny but very cold
Stu & Dave with their bikes, Dave is riding an 883 Harley Sporster
On Saturday it was down to Barmouth on the west coast, then back up past Lake Bala. Before cutting across country to go through Blaenau Ffestiniog, Betws-Y-Coed back to Old Colwyn.
Some pictures taken on the road
On Sunday I took the Beemer down to Colwyn Bay and met up with them. We went round Anglesey, then came back along the A5
Dave and Mr G in a parking area on the A5
Stu and Dave
Below: Lyn Ogwen
Ride Out 18th Febuary
Thought we would take the bikes out for a short spin. Stu is after a bigger bike so we rode over to a bike shop in Huddersfield. We went to Uppermill then on the A62 over the tops to Huddersfield. Coming back we came back on the A62 to Marsden then took the B6107 to Meltham, did a right turn in the centre of Meltham and came over to the A635 Holmfirth Road. Over Saddleworth Moor down into Greenfield and back to Stalybridge.
I rode Stu's Suzuki and Stuart rode my BMW. It's a great little bike just like the GT185 Suzuki I had back in the 70's. There's not much power so you have to keep the revs up all the time. Thats not a problem though because the noise from the engine and exhausts, is not your usual high pitched two stroke scream. More of a sedate burble, but thats how a Suzuki stroker should sound. The power comes in around 6000 revs, but it sings along quite happily at 5500. The handling is good apart from the very stiff front suspension, and the tendency for the front wheel to bounce on poor roads. I had a look at this when we got back, and I think new fork oil will be the cure. There's not much range from the fuel tank about 75 miles before reserve, but this was never built to be a tourer. The rear drum brake is the next thing down from useless, and the front disc has all the feel of a block of wood. It does it's job however, but you would have to get really aggressive to lock the front wheel even in the wet, which aint such a bad thing. All in all it does it's job very well, Stu loaded it with about half a ton of stuff when he went to Wales. It got him there and back without any problems. What it does do best however is take me back over thirty years to when I had my GT185, and cause me to ride with all the care of a 1970's 17 year old. Which equates to non what so ever, point it in direction you want to go wring it's neck and hope it goes round the corners. Fabulous!
