Something for Jantar

[T.W.R]

Found this beauty whilst sifting through some books

The caption explains a bit about this oddly labelled RE5 but it's a pretty classy picture

[Jantar]

Found this beauty whilst sifting through some books

The caption explains a bit about this oddly labelled RE5 but it's a pretty classy picture

Thanks for that TWR. The RX5 pictured was the prototype of the RE5 displayed at the Tokyo Motor Show in September 1973.

[nadroj]

Only other I know of was in Southwards museum in Paraparaumu.

[Jantar]

There were 18 bikes imported to New Zealand, 6 in the first shipment, followed by a further 12. There have also been one or two imported privately from Ausie. At the moment I know of 7 that are road legal, and at least 5 that have been written off. 2 are in Museums, and I have no idea of where the remainder are.

I keep hearing rumours that someone knows of one being stored in a barn etc, but everytime I have tried to chck out these rumours they just lead to a dead end.

[paturoa]

there was one in motohaus a few months back, blue I think.

Next time I'm there I'll ask Kerry about it.

[imdying]

Pretty sure John Boote still has two.

[T.W.R]

Thanks for that TWR. The RX5 pictured was the prototype of the RE5 displayed at the Tokyo Motor Show in September 1973.


Thought you'd like to see that picture, I only found it by chance. It would be nice to have one sitting stashed away for special ocassions that was in that condition:yes:

Guy in Ashburton that used to have the Suzuki dealership has two RE5s parked up in his garage, both run & are completely original.

[Jantar]

Guy in Ashburton that used to have the Suzuki dealership has two RE5s parked up in his garage, both run & are completely original.

I knew he had one that was a runner, I didn't realise that both were. I also have 2, but one is just a parts bike and will never run again.

[T.W.R]

I knew he had one that was a runner, I didn't realise that both were.

Thats what I'd been told, I haven't seen both going. He had them both on display in the shop for a while and I have seen one being ridden but that was nearly 15yrs ago.
He's a pretty busy lad at present & last time I spoke to him he hadn't even had any time for trail rides let alone any other bikes.
Think if the right money was waved in front of him he'd sell maybe?

[scumdog]

Hey T.W.R., any chance of you 'finding' similar stuff on the XN85??

[T.W.R]

Hey T.W.R., any chance of you 'finding' similar stuff on the XN85??

Pics & articles ? yeah no worries got a couple of bits n pieces somewhere I'll dig them out tomorrow for you :yes:

[scumdog]

Good one!
Always keen to find out more about them!!

[onearmedbandit]

Do a google image search SD, there is some limited info there.

[scumdog]

Do a google image search SD, there is some limited info there.

Done that and in fact a member of Turbo Motorcycle International Owners site but always keen to learn more - particularly about NZ owners/history/ads etc.

[nudemetalz]

Good old Mr T.W.R., the Classic Motorcycle Library of Chertsey !!!
:yes: :nya:

[nudemetalz]

Actually,.. speaking of XN-85's, when my old man bought his first (yes first !!) wire-wheel Katana back in 1982, he had an original sales brochure booklet for the turbo as he was seriously condiering buying one as well.
(imagine that, a WW Katana and XN85 in your garage now :gob: ).

I might have a good search and see if I can find it.
The XN's are a beautiful bike IMO, even by today's standards.

[T.W.R]

Good old Mr T.W.R., the Classic Motorcycle Library of Chertsey !!!
:yes: :nya:

:rofl: Actually thats quite funny :yes: The Workshop/Den where everything is stashed was the Chertsey Library back at the turn of last century and is a historic building :yes:

[SPman]

A tidy unrestored example, out our way, from Perth a few weeks ago - the guy has had it for quite a while.

[T.W.R]

Managed to track this article down for you SD & found a couple of small spec items from buyers guides (only 10 line descriptions & small B/W pics).

found 3 tests on the CX500 turbo & 1 test on the XJ650L mmm

Did a check on a clustering engine & it brought up 201 hits on the XN85, it's far more specific than google when searching.

www.vivisimo.com

[nudemetalz]

Pity the XN85 only had "85hp" (hence the name). The 750ESD that came out a year later had more hp without the forced induction (my Dad had one of the first ESD's here in NZ too).
But definitely a very collectible machine, like the RE-5.

[T.W.R]

Pity the XN85 only had "85hp" (hence the name). The 750ESD that came out a year later had more hp without the forced induction

yeah but it was only a 2v 673cc compared to 4v 747cc, the GSX 750ES was 83hp and made that 1000rpm higher up the revs & the XN had slightly more torque as well. the XN85 made 21hp more than the GS650G

[nudemetalz]

yeah but it was only a 2v 673cc compared to 4v 747cc, the GSX 750ES was 83hp and made that 1000rpm higher up the revs & the XN had slightly more torque as well. the XN85 made 21hp more than the GS650G

All true but the XN made 15hp less than the CX650 Turbo's 100hp from a pushrod V-twin !!!:nya:

[scumdog]

All true but the XN made 15hp less than the CX650 Turbo's 100hp from a pushrod V-twin !!!:nya:

Boost was quite conservative on the XN, it's capable of quite a bit more grunt with some mods (which in a UK site includes the fitting of a stronger wastegate spring sourced from a washing machine!):gob: