Managed to pick up another set of OK heads from my pile-o-stuff, but these are real grotty and corroded.
Cleaning them as usual won’t remove the corrosion, in fact the picture shows the head after both the general water-based cleaning (for the dirt) and the Gunk cleaning. Time to wake the BeadBlaster up.
People really drove the T series HARD… out of all the cylinders I have (3sets!) only one has unbroken exhausts spigots. These were usually rewelded, but with so few threads left that i doubt the exhausts sealed at all. Could explain why all my bikes have missing barrels: they probably all seized after the repair.
I will have to use a set of T250 II cylinders with extra exhaust ports, bit more poke and require the use of slightly larger 26mm carbs. These have only been cleaned, not bead blasted. I just need new O-rings for the flanges. I also need to check if the carbs float function properly… just trying to avoid leaks.
Waiting for parts, I turned to cleaning the bike, the chrome really comes back to good condition, with the help of a bit of elbow grease.I used WD40 for all the painted bits, it really works well at removing grime. Don’t use it on chrome though, it won’t harm it but hen you use Metarex (or Ouator), the greasy film left by wd40 complicates the polishing.
Dig that seat, it’s got the original foam and cHris Dupen from Vintage Japanese Motorcycle World in Oz is selling replica covers for the 69 year.
Time to decide if I’m going to use this panel set, the Candy Orange is really a spunky color. The photo looks good, but in truth, it’s really faded. By chance, the PO applied some extra stripes, which preserved the original tint.
Took me some time to get everything selecting correctly… The T250 box is very fiddly, full of springs and ratchets. Watch out when you open it, things fly out. The setting of the kickstarter gear and pivot is also something, as you have to fit the oil pump shaft and gear before.
Time to find some pistons, the seals and various motor related parts so that I can button this one up.
Marcel Vlandeere from Suzuki T and GT parts in Holland is usually a good source in Europe.
Started on it yesterday and pulled the motor to bits… JEeez it’s full of little springloaded parts in there!. It seems somebody already dismantled it a few years ago, all bolts were greased up with anti seize… Lovely!
I’m also missing a few bearing locating pins, I’ll check my spare motor for them.
Need to check if my spare crank is true buy the seals and away we go.
Just received the crank from SirYamaha from eBay and it looks just like what he described! A nice change from the usual bullshit you usually get from eBay resellers. Check him out, he often has complete, rebored top ends for the RDs. It could be the ticket for half dismantled basket cases. So waiting for Pistons, still need to order the rest ie gaskets, seals, air filter etc.
Received the front brake system from the States, and of course the guy dismantled it rather hamfistedly. The only thing useable is the master cyclinder… After assembly, everything seems to work, but the pads are dragging quite a bit. I might have to really disassemble the whole thing inc. caliper if the dragging doesn’t disappear after a bit of wear.
Pistons for the A series, as well as ring sets, are fairly difficult to come by.
Apart from using early TZ pistons and reshaping the heads (mucho$$), it’s best to look for them on eBay. The good point is that early F series pistons ARE absolutely the same, and command lower prices…
A1 Samurai Piston & Rings Reference
13001-020 Piston std
13029-016 Piston oversize +0.5mm
13027-017 Piston oversitze 2 +1mm
13008-015 Ring set (2 pieces) Std
13025-009 Ring set +0.5
13024-009 Ring set +1
A7 Piston & Rings Reference
13001-027 Piston Std 62mm
13029-023 Piston +0.5mm
13027-024 Piston +1mm
13008-021 Ring set (3 parts) Std
13025-023 Ring set +0.5mm
13024-026 Ring set +1mm
F2 /F3 Pistons & Rings Reference
13001- 024 Piston Std
13027-022 Piston +1
I had 2 69 T250 to choose from,and the Orange bike seems the best, all electrics work, apart from the headlamp. Shouldn’t be too much of a problem. Sorted out the crankshat, it looks allright but still needs new outside seals. THe Hunt s on for new 64mm pistons. Got any? just drop me an email.
I’m trying to avoid a repaint to keep cost down, so might have to use the Lime Green bodywork, the orange one is just too faded. Interestingly the Lime Green bike has had a Halogen headlight conversion… and it works!
Went back to the breakers to help them move more things… they are setting up a new area, much bigger and transforming the old shop into a bona fide showroom. An afternoon already unearthed a complete 31K front fairing/headlamp and brackets, belly pan and a saddle… not bad. Working there afternoons untill friday.
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