HELP! Suzuki AC-50 Maverick

[Paul Maverick]

Hey Kiwi!
Thought I would post a quick thread checkin' in with you all.
I'm Paul, just got done with high school and bought my first bike, a Suzuki AC-50 Maverick. saw a post or two on this site about the Maverick and thought I might as well try and get some help with my bike on here.

So I have MULTIPLE problems, as anybody does with any old bike, but my bike problems seem a little worse than the ought to be.
Problems:

While cruisin' down the road I pushed on the rear brakes before a turn and lost the rod that connects to the rear wheel and the push brake. I didn't push to hard, I think it was just rusted completely through. So I've been stupidly riding on nothin' but front brakes.

Just about all my lights are dead, I have yet to hook the new (and definitely not cheap) battery up. I have my doubts though... All of the lights seem to have an excessive amount of corrosion and/or rust around the silver reflector tray that the bulb sits in. I'm not sure if they will work when I hook my battery up due to the corrosion, could it have damaged the wires?

My bike does not like to stay idled unless I keep it 5% throttled. I can't find the idler.

I'm not sure if there is a problem with my magneto or if it will work better when I hook the new battery up, but the horn doesn't seem to like to work unless my RPMs are REALLY goin'.

My speedometer does not really show the correct speed above 45 MPH, even though I am doing at least 55.

Any help that ANYONE can supply that might go towards fixing my bike would be greatly appreciated.

Paul!

[Paul in NZ]

Shit - sounds like a challange...

These are really great bikes and well worth the effort of preserving - it will definately be worth $$ in a few years. Look - just take it 1 problem at a time. Pick 1 issue (like the rear brake) and see if you can solve that.

Electrical is a little trickier (you do realise they are 6V right?) but if its stock it may just be dodgy connections and earth. if there is a local classic bike club join up - lots of wise old heads in places like that...

[Paul Maverick]

@Paul in NZ
I went to multiple places with my (stock) dead 6V battery and one of the places didn't even give me a chance to ask if they carried it, I walked in with the battery and he took one look and said "We aint gonna have that." LOL But over at Napa said I could put an order in for it, I could have it by the end of the week.

About the bike club; I live in a small town of 800 and something people. The nearest biker club would be in the next large town over, a good 2 hour ride, without a rear brake mind you.

Problem is, Paul, I don't really know much about motorcycles. My dad said he would be MORE than happy to have a father son project to work on, and once again, he fell through with his end of deal after I spent my money the bike. So I don't really know what any of the parts are called, where to locate them on the bike or even in a store.
Thanks for the quick reply! (:

[Henk]

Sounds like you are starting from a pretty high level of ignorance. Try and find a manual for it if you can, if nothing is available for your particular bike get something for a simalar type and vintage, the details may not be exact but the fundamentals will be the same and at least you will be able to identify what the parts are called. One place to check would be your local library, they are bound to have a book on basic motorcycle maintenance, there have been plenty published over the years.

[ellipsis]

....a good opportunity for you to find out if you really are a motorcycle minded type or not....it may be old but they were rugged little motors....hopefully the crank isnt in need of work...possibly beyond an inexperienced person without help from someone who knows this stuff....if you do it one job at a time..as Paul in NZ mentioned....starting with a big clean up of all the bits that look like they could be causing electrical faults ...connections etc....if you cant use an electrical testing device it may pay to learn or find someone who can help you in that area...welcome to motorcycles....keep asking questions if you dont know....there are suppliers of new aftermarket parts for these neat little bikes.......I was a busy dad when my 14 year old son got pissed off with my broken promises ....he read the manual...sorted his CB100s electrical and motor problems, himself....now he is a motorcycle mechanic and is helping me with problems i cant fathom...good luck...

[Paul in NZ]

Christ on a crutch man - is this a technical rebuild or a social engineering project? :innocent:

Dude - I live in a small seaside hamlet full of rudderless hippies and washed up circus freaks. And I'm dumber than a really dumb thing and if I can figure out an AC50 anyone that can use the interwebby thing can!

I dentify ONE problem and start on that. Pretty soon all dah ladies in your berg will be ogglin you styling on da MIGHTY Maverick...

Worst case - park it up while you do your research.

Now - is there like an engineering guy or a welding shop nearby? (please dont join a biker club it will make me ill) What tools do you have access to?

[pete376403]

Paul M, have a look at this site http://www.cmsnl.com/as50-ac50-1971-usa_model15915/partslist/

a general parts lists (fiche) for the AC50) and this one
http://www.cmsnl.com/suzuki-as50-ac50-1971-usa_model15915/partslist/81321.html for the rear brake pedal and linkage - this should give you an idea of how things go together, and also the correct names and numbers when trying for parts on E-bay or at the dealer

[ellipsis]

Christ on a crutch man - is this a technical rebuild or a social engineering project? :innocent:

...i thought it a more constructive and pleasant way of saying...'its just a simple two stroke, forget about your old man being a prick..just do it... you may just surprise yourself'

[Paul Maverick]

@ pete376403

Thanks for the site! This is really gonna help me. I plan on printin' them out and takin them to the Suzuki shop in Stuttgart down the road.

@CAMSec

I heard that many of the old Japanese bikes have interchangeable parts. If I were to get another Suzuki from the same period, would it be possible to mix and match some parts? Or would it be wise to use parts more specifically geared towards my bike?

@Paul in NZ

Your actually the reason I joined this site. I read your post about your exchange student and was hoping I could get in contact with you and see how I might go about getting some parts and what-not. Hopefully I can get ladies on my bad-ass 50cc bike. :Punk:

[Paul in NZ]

Dude. Good attitude man - your suzuki dealer may not be the best choice. look at it from their point of view, not a big sale. A better question to them might be if they know anyone else in the area that has one or has worked on them... You might need to be more inventive and remember that there are bits coming up for sale all the time, check EBAY and other places. Place up a picture on here. I have some stuff and it turns up. Also, look for an A100 engine - bolts in ;-) Kinda... Better if you can restore what you have though.

Like the man said - perfect first bike...

[Paul Maverick]

Well, next time mt dad goes into town, I'll go with him and swing by the Suzuki place and ask 'em a few question like you said. I'll keep you posted [:

[Paul Maverick]

I am out of transmission oil! What kind do I use?!

[Paul in NZ]

Sorry - work gets in the way sometimes...

Just use a 20 - 40 or a 20 - 50W oil...

Um - just to make sure - you do know the oil tank is for the engine and should have a good 2 stroke oil in it? Check that regularly...

[Paul Maverick]

Thanks Paul,
I always make sure to keep my 2 cycle topped off.

Thanks for the answer!

I used some synthetic tractor oil to get me to the hardware store to get the 40 W. oil, only enough to get there, do you think that damaged my engine at all?

[merv]

There was me as a Kiwi thinking that USA, the land of plenty, was the consumer throw away society and now we hear someone turns up on here with an almost 40 year old bike and it goes! That to me is priceless, and Paul M I hope you can get it all fixed up. :niceone:

Back in the day my first bike was an A100. Mates had AC50's which I could blow away of course, but they were a stylie bike, more so than the A100.

[Paul in NZ]

Christ mate - if you have blown up your gearbox I will organise a raffle to send you a second hand replacement.... tractor oil, good shit..... Look - if if it runs and nothings rattling about like two cheese graters fornicating in an old kerosine tin it will be fine for now.

Post up a picture of the tractor :devil2: erm I mean the bike....

[Paul Maverick]

There was me as a Kiwi thinking that USA, the land of plenty, was the consumer throw away society and now we hear someone turns up on here with an almost 40 year old bike and it goes! That to me is priceless, and Paul M I hope you can get it all fixed up. :niceone:

Back in the day my first bike was an A100. Mates had AC50's which I could blow away of course, but they were a stylie bike, more so than the A100.

It was a very lucky find Merv, I had to have it shipped a couple hundred miles to my front door. If you have any tips or anything I could use to help me with my bike that would be great
I need to fix my rear brake rod... not excited to dive into that blindly... :facepalm:

[fuknKIWI]

I read this thread intending to take the piss:shutup:
On second thoughts good on yer bloke:yes: