I need my Head Examining !!!!

Will be neat to see updated pics, pics of clean parts in boxes are fun too!

 

mornin crazy is it snowing there yet .its trying to here m

 

Guys; I think I figured it out. Great Britain is an ISLAND. Apparently there isn't much to do there, except take stuff apart and put it back together. I've seen some absolutely insane, brought back from the dead, miracle resurrections/restorations from our UK (or UK-born) members. None of my bikes were that far gone; and both took FAR LONGER to bring back to life. One still isn't finished.

Simon-- good job mate. We can wait for the pics. I would have parted it out.

 

Haters are gonna hate...

 

Bigfitz I think you might find it's the financial aspect as well,bikes are far more expensive outside North America we see the prices you guys pay and are just amazed!
Simon I don't think anyone was having a go, just aware of how much work was involved.
Look forward to the pics.
Worth the effort! their good bikes,met my partner and mother of my children while riding mine around the country, well at least until I met this amazing young woman but that's a different story.

 

Fresh pictures soon then to rain on everyone's parade....

 

Thats a damn good way to word it. best of luck to you on your journey to restore it. Not too many people left who can wrench and figure out whats wrong with the bike theirselves in the world/.

 

I'd begin that project with a Novena to Saint Jude.

The Patron Saint of Desperate Situations and Hopeless Cases.

 

.
Didnt need to resort to such desperate measures,this Lost cause is a Live Project. IF I'd wanted a finished Bike I would have bought one,as it stands I'll have a totally refurbished Bike with new Tyres,Sprockets,Chain,Cables,Bearings,Cam Chain,Clutch plates,and a Custom Paint job.Expensive? about £1000 all in,split between Myself and My Brother in law.How much do you Guys and Me spend on our XJ's? over your time of ownership add it all up, you wont be far behind Me.
Why that Bike then? I wasnt Fussed about It at first, but My brother in law fell in Love with it.When I sat on it, its Tiny like a 250 small and Light, but with a 750 engine,I could see its potential. Funny thing is that Battered and beaten wreck seem to say it wanted to Live again.When I started it pulling it down it never protested,no bolts stripped or broken,total cooperation.
When I researched It, it turns out Its the first Suzuki with Monoshock suspension,the Last Air cooled,even oil cooling under the pistons,substantial weight savings,so all in all it seemed worth saving.
In the UK as Guys of our Generation, 45-60 years old have money to Spend, Nostalgia is the First stop,and particularly Motorbikes.The UK is a small Island that would easily get lost in one of your States,but with a large population.Think about all those Reborn Teenagers looking for something to spend their Money on.... Motorbikes...Old ones.In the UK the supply of Old MotorBikes is drying up,the Bad news is My Transatlantic Cousins is that YOUR Motorcycling Heritage is making Its way across the Atlantic in Containers, Month by Month,Suzuki Gt750s,Kawasaki Triples, X650s any Honda, rare Bridgestones,Anything in good condition,even the ones in poor condition people will in invest Time and Money on them.Unfortunately for yoi nobody seems to go for Harleys :wink: .I havnt even mentioned British Iron, Their going too,Original Bonnevilles £5000 in the UK,Norton Commando's,AJS, anything, especially those from the Dry States.
So when its finshed I'll have a Bike I've invested lot of time,a not inconsiderable amount of money,and one I've put My mark on, and says "yes I've Done That".
Sorry for the Long Post post but I hope this clears it up for the Amused and Confused
At the End of the Day its about what puts a smile on Your Face.

 

but you still don't have a picture

 

Heres a quick Picture [Its 00.41 am in the UK] for the Doubting Thomases and those who dont read the Complete Thread.

 

I never said I doubted you. Personally, that is one I would have simply given up on to begin with, but no... you could see the potential gem hidden under the muck.

You are to be congratulated. Just based on the parts, I think it's pretty apparent what the finished product will look like.

 

If that frame has been powder coated (your post Dec 9) you should demand a refund.

 

Those same containers from the US seem to be coming to Australia as well.

 

Looking good so far Simon, can't wait to see the end product.

 

This is the One on the Back Burmer. :? XJ900F The Phoenix.

 

Exactly what old bikes are about... At first I thought to myself "I wouldn't have driven from Crewe to brum for that, let alone from Hull" but then I realised, who am I kidding? a free bike's a free bike whatever state it's in...

Glad to see the swift progress

 

nice start!

 

Very nice job, Simon.

I'm going to defend the naysayers here, because they were absolutely right with their suggestions and you were right to ignore it.

Recommendations come from experience and knowledge of the situation. The majority of the "is it worth it" requests come from:
1) People who haven't worked on many bikes;
2) People with limited funds/time and no place to work on it;
3) People who bought a cheap bike for a cheap ride and want it NAOH!

You, however, don't fit into those categories, and good on ya for that!

We all remember just recently that guy with "mad bike repair skillz " (tm) who was going apeshit about Hitachi Carbs being the worst thing ever because they owned him. Then there are those who bail on the bike after a month or two when they realize the $500 bike will require another $1k to be safe.

Those are the people that seem to be the norm, and most everyone else who stays here is, in statistical terms, an outrider.

Advice is given based on what people know, and history means to always assume the whole story isn't told on these forums. Given that, is it any wonder most people would have just parted the bike you're bringing back from the dead, and that should the subject come up again most people would give the same advice?

So grats on not taking the advice and being in a position to do so. I look forward to seeing a vid of you tearing up the A165 and scaring all the sheep!

 

Hi kilted,like I alluded to in My post everybody seems to be looking for a Project.I was loathe to Kill the Suzuki because the Guy, Mike who gave it to Me is the New Partner of My Brother Steve's Widow.He's had in his Garden for fifteen years and would like to see it on the road,so my Hands were tied in one way or another,and on top of that I picked it up sight unseen.
I havent unlimited resources, my refereeing funds my Ebay addiction,I used to have a really good Job but somebody pulled the company out from underneath us,but alas no longer.Careful bidding on ebay has brought some Gems ,a set of Carbs for £20,I got an engine and most of the Cycle parts for £80, I made the guy a silly offer and He snapped my Hand off.You may argue when I've finished it wont be the same Bike,but given the state of it in the first place i didnt have much option.
If You didnt have a Dream in life man would never have flown,Columbus would have discovered the New World,Man would never have gone to the Moon.I'm not saying project Water Baby is on the same scale but You get the picture?