Dunedin bike shop recommendations? Fixing an old one.

[Erelyes]

Hi all.

'79 Suzuki X7. 16 thou on the clock. Last ridden c. '92. One owner (my dad).

Want to fix for sentimental reasons, but can't afford the earth. Will ride for short trips on quiet sunny Otago days.

Can anyone recommend a shop, or someone knowledgeable about these bikes, in Dunedin? What usually needs doing? What it's likely to sting me?

Only reason he stopped riding it was due to illness.

Cross fingers that pics are allowed for newcomers:
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q308/Erelyes/Suzuki001.jpg
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q308/Erelyes/Suzuki002.jpg
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q308/Erelyes/Suzuki003.jpg
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q308/Erelyes/Suzuki005.jpg
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q308/Erelyes/Suzuki006.jpg
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q308/Erelyes/Suzuki007.jpg
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q308/Erelyes/Suzuki008.jpg
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q308/Erelyes/Suzuki009.jpg

[tigertim20]

my first question is, whats wrong with it? does it not start? or does it need parts? are you able to diagnose yourself?

If it doesnt start, and you do not have the knowledge to diagnose, any shop can probably do it for you, there are several reasons (all quite common) for a bike not to start after having been left sitting, and i can't see there being anything in terms of that that are specific to the bike.

If you are mechanically minded, cleaning carbs etc is pretty simple.

If you dont feel up to the task yourself, I personally recommend MCR, which are on the north heading one-way. I have always found them to be extremely friendly, efficient, and reasonably priced. Perhaps pop in and talk to Rick and his team, I'm sure they can sort it out for you without too many concerns. They are basically the only shop I go to, and many of my riding friends also use them exclusively.

Good luck getting her going!!

[Ender EnZed]

I've had positive (but limited) experiences with all of them. McIver and Veitch (across the road from MCR) is the Suzuki dealer but there's no reason to expect anyone there to know more about a 32 year old bike than anywhere else would.

There's also MotoXtreme on Waverly St in South Dunedin and SPV on Ward St in North Dunedin. If you live significantly closer to one of those then that might be a factor for you. If you can't decide, just go to MCR.

[scumdog]

Hmm, straight away I can see you'll be needing a fork rebuild and new seals...

[Paul in NZ]

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but if you take that to a bike shop expecting a full rebuild its going to cost a LOT of dosh. Probably far more than its worth to be brutally honest. If I was a workshop manager and you brought it in I'd send you away because goodness knows what issues you would find and there is no way you would be pleased with the outcome...

Thats the reality. The good news is that basically - its in great shape for its age and these are reasonably simple bikes so the best option is for you to rebuild it yourself. I doesnt need to be a super expensive restoration BUT the basics need a lot of fettling and sorting out... ie TIME....

Plenty of folks here can help if you get stuck...

Whatever you do - dont bung it back into storage for sentimental reasons as it will just corrode into a useless lump.

[Erelyes]

my first question is, whats wrong with it? does it not start? or does it need parts? are you able to diagnose yourself?

It is 100% complete. Was basically just parked in 92 and hasn't been touched since (except to move it)

I am fairly mechanically minded when it comes to cars. Never worked on a bike but could give it a go if it's not too hard. Haven't got a clue when it comes to carbs.

I guess I'm most worried about
1. If the frame is shot
2. If parts are impossible to obtain, or cost the earth.

Guess I will try to get it going, what's the best method? replace the 2stroke oil, pour a thimbleful down the bore, replace battery and cross fingers?

[Motig]

Looks like a neat wee project, I want it. Few bits will need rechroming, others a good dollop of autosol and elbow grease, paint work looks quite good too so thats the easy part. Engine, suspension (front forks will need fixing up but try polishing and see how much of that corrosion goes away , might get away with back shocks) electrics would pay to check just in case someones been hungry. Try lubing cables connections etc to free everything up, probably will need clutch cable. Does it turn over? Change oil, take out sparkplugs (you'll need new ones) put some oil down into cylinders turn it over a few times to coat everything. New battery see if you've got electrics, who knows new plugs and it might start. Dont forget the 2 stroke oil if you do try to start it find someone who can do a proper ratio of premixing the petrol and oil put that in your petrol tank as the bikes 2 sroke oil pump will probly not work and will need a fettle likewise the clutch, brakes etc. Anyway thats enough prattling from me thats just what I'd do and as I'm not an restoration expert / mechanic I'm sure theres lots I've missed but its a start. Just take your time and have fun. Oh you'll probably find the seals in the engine will need replacing and carbs will need clean etc .

[Crasherfromwayback]

Hi all.

'79 Suzuki X7. 16 thou on the clock. Last ridden c. '92. One owner (my dad).

/]

Get hold of me if you want mate, one of the boys here has a couple of X7's and he may well have some spare parts you'll be neeing. Like fork tubes...but it's a very nice original starting point, and done well you'll have a neat wee bike. They're the first road bike I learnt to wheelie properly on!!

[Erelyes]

Get hold of me if you want mate, one of the boys here has a couple of X7's and he may well have some spare parts you'll be neeing. Like fork tubes...but it's a very nice original starting point, and done well you'll have a neat wee bike. They're the first road bike I learnt to wheelie properly on!!

I am in Wellington til Tuesday (as is the bike) so might just take him up on parts. Seems I can't PM you due to being a noob. Could ya flick us an email? My username @xtra.co.nz.

[Crasherfromwayback]

I am in Wellington til Tuesday (as is the bike) so might just take him up on parts. Seems I can't PM you due to being a noob. Could ya flick us an email? My username @xtra.co.nz.

8010-725 is my ddi mate, or pmcdonald@wmcc.co.nz

Pete

[hayd3n]

my first question is, whats wrong with it? does it not start? or does it need parts? are you able to diagnose yourself?

If it doesnt start, and you do not have the knowledge to diagnose, any shop can probably do it for you, there are several reasons (all quite common) for a bike not to start after having been left sitting, and i can't see there being anything in terms of that that are specific to the bike.

If you are mechanically minded, cleaning carbs etc is pretty simple.

If you dont feel up to the task yourself, I personally recommend MCR, which are on the north heading one-way. I have always found them to be extremely friendly, efficient, and reasonably priced. Perhaps pop in and talk to Rick and his team, I'm sure they can sort it out for you without too many concerns. They are basically the only shop I go to, and many of my riding friends also use them exclusively.

Good luck getting her going!!
im stil waiting for a gn250 brake lever since before the dyno shoot out lol

[cheshirecat]

As a hint, a friend of mine was restoring a 1976 CB550 and we suspected some rust in the bores from having been left for so long. I put a small amount of deisel (being also a lubricant) into the petrol which cleared it up after a blast (blast being relative) down the motorway. Someone who buys old cars said they always did that before starting them up. Good luck with it