Project turbo, XN85

[dangerous]

Suzuki XN85 Suzuki's 1982 factory GS650 turbo based on a more touring oriented Katana, the XN85 named due to its 85hp was Suzukis attempt at their turbo charged bike of the early 80's built to take on the CX500 turb, ZX750 turb and XJ650 turb.

Right, this bike is the one and only Scumdogs, I 1st saw the bike when we stayed with him on the way to Teratonga to race in 06. The XN was sitting in the corner of the garage surrounded but various Yank tank projects of Scum's.
I couldn't let it stay there considering all it needs is a clean up and reassembly with a few things like exhausts, sprockets etc needed, so I said give it to me.

Well its in the garage now after the long haul up from the deep south, so here the rebuild continues.

The bike is generally in bloody good nick, the photos attached are after I cleaned off the dust and shit that had built up on it over the years, to my suprise its going to scrub up bloody well.
The bike is well cramed together, it took me a while to find a few things like the fuel pump, which I found attached (jamed in) above the center stand pivot, just showing how well all the extra shit required for a turbo is crammed in to a standard sized bike.

There is a few things missing which SD is going to send up, just minor shit like the turbo... front guard and other body work, but I believe its on the way.
The exhaust is some what rooted but I dont see why it needs to be so high tec... so a good old NZ pipe system will be built.

[dangerous]

couple more to get the ball rolling

[T.W.R]

:shutup: SD is a brave man letting you loose on it :dodge: :nya:

[miSTa]

Look at all those bikes in the garage...whose the bike whore?



The back sprocket still looks good too!

[paturoa]

Thats a cool bike. There wouldn't be too many of them in unzud yet alone the planet!

Did scummy buy it like that?

How many acres is the new garage? Seem like plenty of room in there for a few more - lol

[Ghost_Bullet]

Look at all those bikes in the garage...whose the bike whore?


Funny I was gunna say just the same thing... oh to have so many toys

[Motu]

My brother had an XN85 for several years - it was officialy a classic bike in Canada and had special registation.But it was too much to keep in top condition for their short riding season.He sold it a couple of years ago to make room for more bike projects....which he prefers to do rather than have a bike sitting there doing nothing.Good luck with the project.

[Smokin]

Nothing wrong with that sprocket mate, Just turn it over.

Looking forward to seeing it on the road mate.

[skelstar]

Dude, you should totally get one of these racing suits for the bike :niceone:

<img src="http://us1.webpublications.com.au/static/images/articles/i24/2401_8mg.jpg">

[slowpoke]

Dude, you should totally get one of these racing suits for the bike :niceone:



I'd pay money to see that!!!!!

[jonbuoy]

Gotta love those power ranger leathers, is that a circular saw blade or a sprocket??!!

[nudemetalz]

The XN's are beautiful bikes alright.

I have an official promotional booklet (A4 page sized) for one of them somewhere in my cupboards. I got that when I was a young fullah working in a Suzuki dealer in school holidays.

Look forward to seeing more progress posts and pics :)

[dangerous]

well thanks to a wet day and the fact I had none of my race bikes to work on for once... I spent a little time on the XN, striped it down and loosely fitted the old exhaust up, turbo, air flow etc... so its booked in by the end of the week to have the new system built up.

Now while I was at it I decided to liven the tart up, so I jumped it off the truck batt, and after finding all the unpluged wires I had power to all but the starter
But never fear the exhaust guy is a auto sparky so he will look into that aswell.
The fairing is off and tomorrow Ill take it in for touch ups its in good nick but the paint is comming off in big chunks.

[scumdog]

Naked-arse D, - what did you do? - ride around on the XN until you found a whole squadron of magpies to crash into and wreck my paint??

Sure as hell looks like it'll need some TLC to get it looking presentale - but you da man eh!

[dangerous]

The paint work touch ups are looking good, the electrics are sorted and the trick exhaust, up to the pipe leading to a non existent muffler is done.

[jellywrestler]

i have a spare tailpeice if needed

[DEATH_INC.]

Ya bastard, I want one of those to keep me old kwak company.....
www.xn85turbo.com if ya haven't been there yet...

[dangerous]

well the bike is back togeather but still needs some work, trying to get all the induction side if things to fit and seal is tricky, Im also strugling with the oil feed to the turbo, dont want to balls that one up so I might have to give it to a shop for the finel adjustments.
Any one know of a good place to get replica mufflers? on line or in person?

[scumdog]

Looking good!:rockon::niceone:

Wish it was mine.:whistle:

(C'mon guys, whose got a spare 'as-new' XN85 muffler in their gargre??)

[dangerous]

Looking good!:rockon::niceone:

Wish it was mine.:whistle:

(C'mon guys, whose got a spare 'as-new' XN85 muffler in their gargre??)

Sd, did ya take the hint that it realy needs to go to the Suzuki dealer for finel sorting?

and yeah we need a mufler like the pics below well the 1st 2 pics, the last 2 pics are how it is for now hehehehe :niceone:

[pete376403]

looks like a standard GS muffler, but in black chrome. Staintune *did* have GS series mufflers available at one time, but expensive - I recall I was quoted $3000 for a pair for my GS1100 (including headers).

Try Damon at Cycleworks in Lower Hutt - he's pretty good at making replicas.

Wouldn;t require too much in the way of baffling, as the turbo extracts much of the energy (and along with it the noise) from the exhaust.

[dangerous]

Getting there, last w/e I spent some time sealing the induction and exhaust sides of the turbo up, bloody fidily and time consuming then realised the bloody exhaust needs to come off in order to get the front sprocket on... ahh not a biggie.

Now I also sent some 12 volts up its arse and had everything alive, however for the life of me I couldnt get the starter to rotate, bloody hell to get to the starter means everything turbo in all has to come out.

BUT never fear, after chatting with Kyle the turbo nut he reminded me the XN has a bloody safety switch on the clutch leaver 'fark it' so it does whats with bloody Suzuki and their safety precauctions, even back then in 82.
So... hehe after 10yrs the XN turned over, now to change oil, plugs and fresh fuel for the big :msn-wink:

[Sensei]

Last Sunday meet guy at a Pub here that had just imported a X-85 from the States & it was as new as the day it came off the production line ! was unreal to look at as it was like brand new . He has a 2 RE-5 rotorys one with out any mile on the clock brand new & the second one with around 1,200miles on it plus 2 Z900's , GT750 , GT380 plus afew others which are all like new . Will be getting a ride on the X-85 next time I see him which should be sweet & will get a picture this time as I didn't have a camera with me last time .

[scumdog]

Getting there, last w/e I spent some time sealing the induction and exhaust sides of the turbo up, bloody fidily and time consuming then realised the bloody exhaust needs to come off in order to get the front sprocket on... ahh not a biggie.

Now I also sent some 12 volts up its arse and had everything alive, however for the life of me I couldnt get the starter to rotate, bloody hell to get to the starter means everything turbo in all has to come out.

BUT never fear, after chatting with Kyle the turbo nut he reminded me the XN has a bloody safety switch on the clutch leaver 'fark it' so it does whats with bloody Suzuki and their safety precauctions, even back then in 82.
So... hehe after 10yrs the XN turned over, now to change oil, plugs and fresh fuel for the big :msn-wink:

So the Vincent on a 'zuki is a possibility????

[dangerous]

So the Vincent on a 'zuki is a possibility????

depends when I get some money for a drive chain, top notch oil, battery and spark plugs. :niceone:

[scumdog]

depends when I get some money for a drive chain, top notch oil, battery and spark plugs. :niceone:

Can be done, can be done, is somebody going to get them for me???:shifty:

[dangerous]

Can be done, can be done, is somebody going to get them for me???:shifty:

When ya ready Ill do the bloody lot, first I need to crank the bitch... ohh and I forgot we need a mufler... ahh crap who am I kidding, no we dont

[98tls]

Looks great D,shame its going to end up downunder,:msn-wink:Well done.

[dangerous]

Fuk it, after I prep my race bikes this Saturday foir Sundays meet... Im gona crank the bitch into life... just need to refresh the oil and load the tank, Im expecting it will take a bit but the time has come :first:

[imdying]

Shoot some video!

[dangerous]

well... opps its been a while since looking at this 'pig' of a thing. In the last few months I have been busy rebuilding 4 engins of my own and now a rebuild of 1 is needed :no: so unfortunatly the XN has been low proierty.

Went out to the garage to day planning on breathing some life back into the 11yr dorment GS650, oil plugs and an hour sorting out the fuel plumbing, load the fuel tank , flick the tap to on... opps bit more grunt needed and na, MORE grunt and bang... opps fuel going in all directions.
Well striped the tap down and the seal in it has turned to melted goo, so the fire up is again on hold. What worries me is the condition of the other fuel line components as remembering this is a injected engine and the fuel system is under a lot of pressure.

scumdog: below is a couple of pics, now for the life of me I cant find a matching conector for the red plug?
can you remember that far back oll digger?
It comes from the black box thing in the 2nd pic, its vented like a filter... buggered if I know?

[scumdog]

Ferk!

Ah, em, no idea.... maybe one of the 'zuki gurus on KB will know??

I wish digital cameras were about when I stripped the old girl.


(retires to quiet room with glass of mind-enhancing red wine to think it out - it's been pissing down here since 1pm so not much of a day for anything else)

[paturoa]

Was there an extra outlet from the fuel tank?

Some zooks have an extra breather the that plumbs from the tank, goes via a black box thingie and back to an inlet manifold.

[paturoa]

hmmm - found this site

http://www.xn85turbo.com/

Check out the microfische link in the parts list from the left hand side of the home page.. The red thingie looks like part #14 in the fuel tank page.

http://www.xn85turbo.com/xn85-fiche/Fuel_Tank.htm

[scumdog]

hmmm - found this site

http://www.xn85turbo.com/

Check out the microfische link in the parts list from the left hand side of the home page.. The red thingie looks like part #14 in the fuel tank page.

http://www.xn85turbo.com/xn85-fiche/Fuel_Tank.htm

OK D. get your specs on and have a look!!!!!!!

[dangerous]

OK D. get your specs on and have a look!!!!!!!

hmmm, na more confused now... but I removed a line like one of them cos i reckon it wasnt ment to be were it was... maybe its ment to be on the red thing, but then were... HOLD IT wait right there...



ahhh it might be the missing line that conects to a breather at the rear of the tank.:shutup: but it dont go to a canister like showen

[T.W.R]

Looks like it could be the feed hose to the air-flow meter :rolleyes:

[dangerous]

ITS ALIVE
over 10 years after it last ran the XN is awake and well.
Just fitted up new sprockets and a chain, fitted a new battary,plugs, oil etc
Due to the length of time it has sat there is several extra issues like rooted fork seals and stuck brake calipers, no worries only more money LOL...
So Im thinking it will be on the road back home by the end of the week, still needing tyres which i will sort... ohhh and spose a muffler, still not sorted were to get a origional looker yet.

[Skunk]

Congrats! Now get it on the road!

[scumdog]

Sounds good D.!:woohoo::2thumbsup

And summer is threatening too so just in time eh!:niceone:

[SMOKEU]

Sd, did ya take the hint that it realy needs to go to the Suzuki dealer for finel sorting?

and yeah we need a mufler like the pics below well the 1st 2 pics, the last 2 pics are how it is for now hehehehe :niceone:

Is that a screamer pipe I see?

[dangerous]

Is that a screamer pipe I see? a what? just a off cut from my truck exhaust... would like to sus a profile similer to the origional, but baffling isent so important :niceone:

[SMOKEU]

You should weld up the wastegate and then put an external gate on and fit a screamer on to that. Don't forget a vent to atmosphere BOV.

[dangerous]

You should weld up the wastegate and then put an external gate on and fit a screamer on to that. Don't forget a vent to atmosphere BOV.
no, next you will want me to fit a wank off valve :tugger:

Ok new fork seals compleat
new calipa kit compleat
SOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooooooooo... as luck would have it theres a Classic Action Motorcycle meet at Puna this saturday, I feel a test run comming on :banana:

Ohhh anyway after 10yrs it fired up after a couple of revalutions to get the fuel in puffed out a cloud or two of smoke then cleaned out... not bad for a grotty old Zuki :2thumbsup

[scumdog]

no, next you will want me to fit a wank off valve :tugger:

Ok new fork seals compleat
new calipa kit compleat
SOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooooooooo... as luck would have it theres a Classic Action Motorcycle meet at Puna this saturday, I feel a test run comming on :banana:

Ohhh anyway after 10yrs it fired up after a couple of revalutions to get the fuel in puffed out a cloud or two of smoke then cleaned out... not bad for a grotty old Zuki :2thumbsup

All it needs now is somebody with a tassled jacket to ride it!!:whistle::lol:

Well done D. - you da man:2thumbsup

I've seen the bike and condition and appearance wise it looks about 2 years old - not 26 years...a testament to the guy that worked on it.;)

[Kickaha]

I saw one parked up out at the "Have A Go Day" the other weekend, common as muck :bleh:

[dangerous]

I saw one parked up out at the "Have A Go Day" the other weekend, common as muck :bleh:
Yes... I did hear one was sited in town the w/e before too.

[Mort]

A good read - how about some more pics ????

[dangerous]

A good read - how about some more pics ????
will do, at the track Saturday aye :2thumbsup

[jellywrestler]

ITS ALIVE
[B] ohhh and spose a muffler, still not sorted were to get a origional looker yet.
I just sold a NOS muffler on saturday, the dude fitted it to his bike and rode off left me with the parts box and wrapping if thats any good to you? they are still available from suzuki and probably cheaper than getting one made up in reality

[dangerous]

HEHEHEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee...


well today was a Classic Action Motorcycle club meet ate Ruapuna... so what beter time to try this pig out.

After a couple of rounds on the LC and bucket I went out at lunch time on the XN.

Well bit guttered at 1st as it wasnt boosting but it seened to get beter but wasent what I had hoped for, it started to show some boost on the meter but wouldent go all the way so I disconcted the wast gate and the poor bitch hit max boost at 7 grand and died, so I reconected the wast gate and ran a few mor laps, it seemed to improve each lap... after all it hasent run for 13yrs (checked the last time of rego)

Just went down to the shop for a ice cream and what a differance, altho still not boosting to the max it sure is felling beter for its reaming at the track.

PS: sounds awesome with no muffler, not to loud and kinda lumpy on the cam

[SMOKEU]

HEHEHEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee...


well today was a Classic Action Motorcycle club meet ate Ruapuna... so what beter time to try this pig out.

After a couple of rounds on the LC and bucket I went out at lunch time on the XN.

Well bit guttered at 1st as it wasnt boosting but it seened to get beter but wasent what I had hoped for, it started to show some boost on the meter but wouldent go all the way so I disconcted the wast gate and the poor bitch hit max boost at 7 grand and died, so I reconected the wast gate and ran a few mor laps, it seemed to improve each lap... after all it hasent run for 13yrs (checked the last time of rego)

Just went down to the shop for a ice cream and what a differance, altho still not boosting to the max it sure is felling beter for its reaming at the track.

PS: sounds awesome with no muffler, not to loud and kinda lumpy on the cam

Have you checked if the turbo has any shaft play?

[scumdog]

What's the guts with the tyres? - not 13yrs+ of age too???:shit:
I see you ain't planning on riding at night - or turning any corners...

[dangerous]

What's the guts with the tyres? - not 13yrs+ of age too???:shit:
I see you ain't planning on riding at night - or turning any corners...

LOL... if I get pulled my name is 'scumdog' and the bike is regod to a copper.. the tyres well rooted check out the pic of me cranked over and see how square it is, and not im riding the edge, Id say they are over 15yr old.

ps: i wouldent really say im SD.

[dangerous]

Hey SD... we have a problem, seems someone is rather partial to the XN, does a beter job of protection than the dogs... go anywere near him and he screms blue bloody murder :scooter:



new rubber rings fitted and muffler in the making.

[scumdog]

Hey SD... we have a problem, seems someone is rather partial to the XN, does a beter job of protection than the dogs... go anywere near him and he screms blue bloody murder :scooter:

new rubber rings fitted and muffler in the making.

Crikey!
That kid looks too flash to be yours D!:gob:

And such fine taste in motorcycles too!:msn-wink:

[dangerous]

ohhhhhh, check this out... one fan dangle muffalater, almost done still need to sort the joining pipe etc. Now no XN contacts around the globe replyed to me with measurments of an origional muffler so I scaled up looking at verious photos and came up with a megaphone with a toatle length of 430mm entry of 45mm max dia of main cone 100mm and a reverse cone 20mm long reducing to 75mm, and remaining at 45mm a perfed pipe exiting the muffler, cos after all a megaphone is kinda usless with a turbo up front.

[Katman]

ohhhhhh, check this out... one fan dangle muffalater, almost done still need to sort the joining pipe etc. Now no XN contacts around the globe replyed to me with measurments of an origional muffler so I scaled up looking at verious photos and came up with a megaphone with a toatle length of 430mm entry of 45mm max dia of main cone 100mm and a reverse cone 20mm long reducing to 75mm, and remaining at 45mm a perfed pipe exiting the muffler, cos after all a megaphone is kinda usless with a turbo up front.

Mate, that's some seriously nice work. Rigg Electroplating in Auckland still do black chroming.

Fancy trying your hand at some Katana copies? :love:

[dangerous]

Mate, that's some seriously nice work. Rigg Electroplating in Auckland still do black chroming.

Fancy trying your hand at some Katana copies? :love:

OHHHHH, mate... thats not my doing I bash nails into timber not fancy shit like that.
The muffler has been made by Graeme Stephens at http://www.motorcycleexhausts.co.nz/ he has been around since Adam was a cowboy. He would have no probs with brewing up some Kat pipes. :scooter:

[scumdog]

ohhhhhh, check this out... one fan dangle muffalater, almost done still need to sort the joining pipe etc. Now no XN contacts around the globe replyed to me with measurments of an origional muffler so I scaled up looking at verious photos and came up with a megaphone with a toatle length of 430mm entry of 45mm max dia of main cone 100mm and a reverse cone 20mm long reducing to 75mm, and remaining at 45mm a perfed pipe exiting the muffler, cos after all a megaphone is kinda usless with a turbo up front.

Mate, that Ex-zen is going to be THE best XN85 in the world!:clap::2thumbsup:woohoo:

[dangerous]

DAR DARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
compleated
Well with the great expert help of KBer johnnyboy0212's welding skills... the muffler was fitted up today.
It hasnt quiteened it to much but has changed the note to a more mellow howl.
So, few coats of fancy shit paint and, WAR LAR... project XN85 compleat.

ps: bit a over spray to clean up :Oops:

[Ghost_Bullet]

Lookin nice

[dangerous]

Lookin nice

yeah just looked back, two n a half years it took me LOL... from dusty heap of bits n pieces, missing parts, damaged paint to, a cool ride.

[MVnut]

Finished @ last woohoo, can I ride it mister ? can I can I can I ???:devil2:

[dangerous]

Finished @ last woohoo, can I ride it mister ? can I can I can I ???:devil2:

Of course, kinda owe ya in that depo aye.
It is rather bland compared to my CX500 Turbo, dosent have the power or sound... but it does have the turbo feel when it comes on song, kinda shivers (weird feel) then rolls on with out the taps being opened.
Turbos like to be under load, so 1st and 2nd have little get up and go, the best way to get the feel of a turbo is cranking up a hill, were most engines loose power a turbo gains... so cool. But the XN is defnitly a open road sweaper ride.

[neels]

Nice work. :drool:

For some reason I have a strange liking for the look of those early 80's bikes.

Or perhaps it's just because see one in the garage every morning.....

[scumdog]

DAR DARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
compleated
Well with the great expert help of KBer johnnyboy0212's welding skills... the muffler was fitted up today.
It hasnt quiteened it to much but has changed the note to a more mellow howl.
So, few coats of fancy shit paint and, WAR LAR... project XN85 compleat.

ps: bit a over spray to clean up :Oops:

Wow!
Flasher'n a rat with a gold tooth!:clap:

Boy, I wish I had one like that.....:drool:

Well done D. - you da man (and your team of hidden helpers too)

[scumdog]

Just had a read of the developement of the XN85, I've got about 8 magazines/pamphlets/brochures on the beast.

One brochure (ex Doug Cresswell Suzuki, ph 61-782!!) gives these 0-400m figures for performance:
XN85: 11.7 secs
GS650G: 12.6 secs
GS850G: 12.6 secs
GS100G: 12.20 secs

XN85 torque from 4,500 - 6,500rpm exceeds that of GS1000G

So the ol' hair-dryer glued to the back of the XN motor DOES make a difference!

The motor is a 650 with all manner of beefing up - thicker piston tops, oil 'squirters' directing oil to underneath the piston, cast 'ram-air' scoops to direct air over the cylinder heads etc, it wasn't the case of 'lets just stick a turbo on our existing 650 engine'.

Anyhoo, off for a cuppa...

Oh, and first 'ziki road bike with mono-shock rear.

[White trash]

Looks fucken awesome D, a credit to you and the team that put in the hard yards.

Very nice indeed.

[Paul in NZ]

Nah - thats cool.....

[paturoa]

Nice work. Here is a good read http://www.xn85turbo.com/index.html

Scummy walks into the garge, scratches his nads, rubs his 2 day old stubble and wonders to himself, "Hog or Hairdryer?"

[nudemetalz]

Well done, DD....blardy nice !!!

I have one of those XN85 promotional booklets here somewhere. Got it when I worked after school at Mike Vinsen Suzuki back in '82 in Akl.

[sugilite]

Outstanding job team :yes:

[Leviticus]

A very nice example of a classic bike... Well done

[DEATH_INC.]

Very nice fella, I'm sooo jealous...

[T.W.R]

Farkin ugly and sounds like a poofs bike in the flesh :bleh:

nah looks a shitload better than it did last year when the rightful owner was couriering it up to D's

freshly painted exhausts smell the shizz :niceone:

brave young lad riding 40ks out of town with fuel light blinking though :slap:

and whining about how heavy it is to wheel around on shingle geeez ninny :pinch:

[humphrt]

thats awesome. good to see people finishing projects, gives hope to the rest of us... good on ya:2thumbsup

[dangerous]

brave young lad riding 40ks out of town with fuel light blinking though :slap:
ummm, actually theres a wee story there :mad:

[ajturbo]

how will it stack up to my turbo?... NO NOT the paint job.. but the way it runs?

looks like i will have to find a garage (Close) to park mine up and get it looking as good as yours matey!!..

well done....

whats next????

[flyingbrick]

What an awesome project :-D always sweet to see something finished properly.

got a boost gauge on there to see what its blowing? I'm sure a few extra PSI wouldnt do any harm :-D

[T.W.R]

ummm, actually theres a wee story there :mad:

do tell :blink:

[scumdog]

What an awesome project :-D always sweet to see something finished properly.

got a boost gauge on there to see what its blowing? I'm sure a few extra PSI wouldnt do any harm :-D


Uh, it has a green LCD bar-graph thingy to indicate boost, however if ya tinker with boost TOO much the 'puter over-rides and shuts things down.

There are ways to safely up the boost a tad but I think I'll leave it pretty much as is, same with the rest of the mechanics of the bike.

Now when it comes to fitting tassles, hmm where do I start.....:whistle:

[scumdog]

ummm, actually theres a wee story there :mad:

Sounds interesting, do tell:wait:

[dangerous]

got a boost gauge on there to see what its blowing? I'm sure a few extra PSI wouldnt do any harm :-D yeah the std issue (see pic on page 1) As the bikes no race bike there is no reason to wind the boost up, in fact its running lower, stops at 7g not 8-9g... its about preserving the thing as a weekend ride.


how will it stack up to my turbo?... NO NOT the paint job.. but the way it runs?I cant remember what yours was like to ride, but they would be kinda similer but different (yours being carbed and a tourer)


do tell :blink:

Sounds interesting, do tell:wait:Well... ok, Ill give the long version.

Test Ride review
Decided on a wee ride the other day, out to see T.W.R in the sticks then headed for the hills, but didnt kinda make it as altho the fuel guage had stoped flashing (all lights up to full, so one would expect that means full tank even tho I knew it was low ;-) and two bars remained... I ran out but luckly I was close to MVnuts so on glided in to see him and quitly mention 'hey ya got any gas'

well, the XN is similer to in a lot of ways but varst in others if I compare it to my CX500 Turbo http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=2854
As ya sit you arse on the XN and lift it off the side stand it reminds you very quickly that the bike is a early 80's beast, solid heavy and hard to push around. The seats very low and the riding position is like the Katana of that year. The bike fires up straight away with a rough idle but the ECU soon picks the revs up, unlike any of the other turbo bikes the XN has no warning lights, in fact the only extra on the dash is a small boost meter.

Out on the road and suprisingly with its long and heavy frame the XN feels rather nimble, the 16" front wheel helping with slow cornering. On the sweepers the bikes well at home soaking up the bumps better than any other bike I have ridden of that vintage (1st suzuki to have a mono shock) down the straights the small fairing works incredibly well I'd say due to the long stretch to the bars and the blade being even further away. At 4400rpm the bikes happily doing 100kph.
Once in the tight n curleys you are reminded of the bikes weight and length, but having said that I found moving body weight off the bike it handled very well... the brakes are even suprisingly good with a great feel, for once the early 80's anti dive seems to work, how ever the bike stands up rather badly if lent over while braking.

Riding a turbo has a different feel to it, like the CX the XN is a little slugish up till 4000rpm but not as bad as the CX, You can feel something starting to happen, vibrations increase from what was a smooth ride and you can feel the tension building, 5000rpm and the clutch starts to feel like its slipping... but it is not this is the feeling you get from a charged bike, more increased vibes and the bike starts surging forward till 6000rpm when all vibes vanish and the ride is once again very smooth the speedo now climbs rapidly to 7000 and 8000 were at that point slip it up a gear and you get the surge all over again and so on up the gears.
However if in the hills and you let the engine drop below 4000 you have to start all over again as you loose a lot of power, kept above 6000 and its like riding a 750-1100 Katana of 1982.

Turbos are a funny thing, they like work best under load so accelerating down hill is blandish, however up hills a whole new ball game. where the average engine of 85hp will slow and loose power the turbo accelerates faster gaining power.

[scumdog]

Have ya got a WOF on it yet??

Or do you like living 'dangerously':laugh::bleh:

[dangerous]

Have ya got a WOF on it yet??

Or do you like living 'dangerously':laugh::bleh:
of course thers a WOF "on it"... look theres even a REG aswell, Im not silly ya know :)

[scumdog]

of course thers a WOF "on it"... look theres even a REG aswell, Im not silly ya know :)


Haha!...sheesh your'e a twat!':clap::lol:

[dangerous]

Haha!...sheesh your'e a twat!':clap::lol:

yeahhhhhhhhhhhh... but Im good twat :wacko:

Now a current WOF wont be able to happen till the stearing head bearings are replaced (something I did not mention in the wee write up) it is that bad it makes it almost impossible to ride at times. Funny thing is in a std WOF check this would not get picked up, even it being a serious issue... so, just aswell I did bit of a test ride before it becomes all cosher. ;)
other than that, all good for return (there is a oil leak but Im buggered if I can see were its comming from)

[scumdog]

A good twat eh?

Yeah, I'll give ya that!:niceone:

Once again I'll leave the XN in your capable hands to get sorted.:yes:

PS: Love that old rego sticker - just leave it and the old WOF intact eh!

[Armitage Shanks]

A good twat eh?

Yeah, I'll give ya that!:niceone:

Once again I'll leave the XN in your capable hands to get sorted.:yes:

PS: Love that old rego sticker - just leave it and the old WOF intact eh!

I recall taking an XN85 through to Akaroa from Ch Ch in the late '80s , was working for a bike shop then and a prospective buyer was begging to have another look at it but could'nt make it to town as his car had broken down. I was expecting all hell to break loose when I opened the throttle but, with a low pressure turbo it did wind up nicely but a little more leisurely than I expected . Still it was a fun ride and fast'ish maybe 180 was all I achieved that day . The guy at Akaroa as it turned out was AWOL so , no sale. Can't recall what happened to the Bike, it only had about 4000 k's on it but from memory they were asking around 6 to 7 k ......

[dangerous]

I recall taking an XN85 through to Akaroa from Ch Ch in the late '80s , was working for a bike shop then and a prospective buyer was begging to have another look at it but could'nt make it to town as his car had broken down. I was expecting all hell to break loose when I opened the throttle but, with a low pressure turbo it did wind up nicely but a little more leisurely than I expected . Still it was a fun ride and fast'ish maybe 180 was all I achieved that day. Only one I ever saw I rode out of Holonds Honda in about 87ish.

[DEATH_INC.]

What an awesome project :-D always sweet to see something finished properly.

got a boost gauge on there to see what its blowing? I'm sure a few extra PSI wouldnt do any harm :-D

The pooter on those things stops 'em at 12.5 psi if I remember correctly. And bloody tricky to bypass....


Out on the road and suprisingly with its long and heavy frame the XN feels rather nimble, the 16" frount wheel helping with slow cornering. On the sweepers the bikes well at home soaking up the bumps beter than any other bike I have riden of that vintage (1st suzuki to have a mono shock) down the straights
Yeh, they were considered one of, if not the best handling bike of the era.

I'm still jealous.

[Katman]

Looks fantastic.

(But being the purist I am, I'd prefer to see the seat recovered black).

[scumdog]

Looks fantastic.

(But being the purist I am, I'd prefer to see the seat recovered black).

It came in from the USA like that so I'll leave as-is in the meantime.

[dangerous]

The pooter on those things stops 'em at 12.5 psi if I remember correctly. And bloody tricky to bypass.... yip which is 7000rpm on the dot (disconected the wast gate, cut out is vilent)


Yeh, they were considered one of, if not the best handling bike of the era. Interesting, but Id beter edit the write up, that under front braking in a turn the bike stands up something wicked, how did they ever get around that issue?


It came in from the USA like that so I'll leave as-is in the meantime. Ya sure... got some black palnt feft over from the exhaust ;)

[DEATH_INC.]

Interesting, but Id beter edit the write up, that under front braking in a turn the bike stands up something wicked, how did they ever get around that issue?

Lol, most of the bikes of that era did that....maybe it was the least bad?

[dangerous]

Lol, most of the bikes of that era did that....maybe it was the least bad?
What I mean is that I can grab a hand full on the Guzzi in a corner and the bike stays down... wheels are still round, brakes still have discs and pads?

[scumdog]

Interesting, but Id beter edit the write up, that under front braking in a turn the bike stands up something wicked, how did they ever get around that issue?



It's that short-arse front hoop that does it - I'll fit a 21" HD front one and all will be sweet....

[scumdog]

OK, while up in Christchurch on Sunday I decided to take the advice of kwaka_crasher and 'bed in the brakes' of the XN85.

The plan was to head out on a ride to Little River in company of Thunder on his new bike and Dangerous on my T-Sport - he declined the offer of my tassled jacket (and CB on the back of it taking pics).

First thing I discovered was the worn steering-head bearing was worn and the race had a bad notch in it, this caused the XN to handle like a bag of broken arseholes until you got to 65kph, I almost gave up on the mission after going around the first few corners in town.:angry:

Then I thought the pedals/gear-shift etc were missing - but no, they were there, just further back - this led to the next discovery, the reason why sprotsbike riders have a ' whippet shagging a hockey-ball' riding postition.:shutup:

THEN I noticed the instrument pod etc did not move with the handlebars, wierd!

Anyhoo, once we got out on the open road things were more fun, Dangerous could really hustle the big barge of a T-Sport throught the corners, two-up and all! :yes:- and he found out which parts grind on the road when cornering hard.

I found the XN buzzed along like any mid-sixed Jappa multi, it cornered really well and its brakes were prett damn good too.

I also found it had a 'teleport mode' where a bit more of a twist of the throttle caused the buzz of the bike to smooth out, then it kind of went quiter and gave a wee twitch and in a nanosecond one found ones-self suddenly at the end of a long straight, magic!

I would have like to have really 'wrung its neck' but turbulence was starting to lift my sunnies and th ebuffeting off the visor was catching under the front of my open faced 'shorty' helmet - and besides, speeding ain't lawful eh!:innocent:
So after a quick coffee we all turned for home, this time my cornering speeds were a tad higher and I had a grin on my face instead of a frown.

I bought a new stearing head bearing and hopefully soon Dangerous will fit it and THEN I can get a WOF affixed to the XN85!

And that advice of kwaka_crahsers?

Well, it worked, I never got a ticket for no WOF

But then I never got stopped by the Poh-leece niether!:devil2:

PS: I won't fit any tassles to the XN until it is safely out of sight of Dangerous:whistle:

[dangerous]

'bed the brakes in' shit man theyare 13yr old pads LMFAO
Now people ya gota relise this... SD had been at the HOG rally and had just jumped of the superglide T sport. Still with his homo tassels, ACC friendly fingerless gloves, dark glasses and piss pot lid (Im suprised he never wore the skull mask) with hemp like bag over the sholder he hoofed it of on a what I call armchair ride (a 1980's sports bike)... and he wonders why we wear full face helmets etc hehe kinda hard holding on with a peaked lid and bear face aye SD.

CB... photos yeah?
actually got one here hang on Ill post in this post, those that saw TV1 news saturday night (of the HOG rally) may reconise the rider.

[scumdog]

Well, managed to prise the XN off Dangerous who was stunned to see me pull out a flash full-face helmet and gloves wot covered every bit of my fingers!
So I headed for Riviera of the South after filling up at Halswell, was a tad seedy after being forced to drink too much JD at Helen of Troys party the night before and as it was late in the arvo I stopped the night at Tinwald.

Woke up next day a whole lot more chipper and headed south, CB (normajeane) drove our modern car ('84 Laser) and I followed, made it to Oamaru before the little green blocks on the digital fuel guage vanished - it was 150miles since filling (Yankee bike, real speeds in Miles-Per-Hour - non of this KM shit) and it seemed thirstier than the H-D T-Sport I normally ridei, thought of dropping in on 98TLS but didn't know if he was working (It was Monday) away or whatever and the weather was decidedly iffy with a threat of rain so carried on,

Had lunch at the side of the road at Alma then headed on, eventless ride except for trying the turbo on the uphill heading south on the Kilmog hill and finding I needed a minimum of 5,500rpm before anything happened, got here 270 miles from Castle Dangerous.

Thoughts? Cool bike, fairing/screen stop some of the blast,great on winding bits but touchy at low speed in a straight line, hard on wrists due to riding position and I'll need softer boots as i had to move my whole leg to change gears, anxle was too stiff with the boots'n'gaiters that suit the cruiser riding style.

Took a while to get use to the headlight etc not moving from side to side with the handle-bars, the non-cancelling indicators, the stand that doesn't lock in the down position and having to pull the clutch in to start up.

Good bit: Key is where I can see it!

More later if I remember.

[paturoa]

... a flash full-face helmet and gloves wot covered every bit of my fingers!

So full face, good gloves and a jacket with tassles? FAIL

Make sure you check the plugs to see that nothing is running too lean before you start it up next.

[scumdog]

So full face, good gloves and a jacket with tassles? FAIL

Make sure you check the plugs to see that nothing is running too lean before you start it up next.

S'alright, I had my waterproof over-jacket on, totally incognito....:shifty:

And if it IS too lean??

[dangerous]

And if it IS too lean??

Not possable... tuned mint

[paturoa]

And if it IS too lean??

Then just make sure you ride it on boost all the time, cos it'll run rich then

[scumdog]

Tinkered with the XN in the gargre while the Harleys sulked, the front brake-light switch was 'iffy' hence the brake-light only worked when it felt like it, not wanting a Liberace experience I thought I'd fix it.

Sooo... I took it apart - or rather it 'self-dintegrated' as I undid the screws holding it in places - result? - one black plastic thingy and a longer black plastic thingy and a copper U-shaped thingy hit the deck and ping-ponged everywhere, GREAT! (if youve been into my gargre you would know what I mean).

Managed to find what seemed to be all the bits and eventually figure out how they went together, sorta like a rubics cube without the colours (workshop manual was useless, all it said about the front brake switch was "Adjust it so that the brake light comes on when the brakes are applied" - no shit Sherlock!

I had to be an upside-down-spectacle-wearing-octopus to even think of putting it back in place - and I had a feeling there should have been a spring involved in the gubbins to make it keep contact.

A bit of spot-light work around the bike and ta-da! - I found a tiny spring in one of the 'compartments' in the left fairing!

So after a shit-load of lip-licking and cursing I had the whole shebang back together, screwed her up snug and wahlar!, it works, it really works!

Next time I'll stick to what I was doing before attempting the above - polishing up the alloy bits and rims, far less complicated.!!!

A Sunday arve well spent, got sore grey fingers and ripped fingernails for my efforts.


(And don't ask about the melted earth strap on the Thunderbird - or the free Corona that wouldn't start, man I know how to live eh!):wacko::crazy::doh:

[dangerous]

hahaha... tiz why I never atempted it, figgered it can get a wof on the rear brake ;)

[scumdog]

hahaha... tiz why I never atempted it, figgered it can get a wof on the rear brake ;)

Haha, when CB was following me home from your place she just thought the XN was like a Harley - throttle-off and ya slow real quick.

Then she realised I WAS braking and my brake-light didn't work.

EDIT: The one thing I DID notice in the work-shop manual was that my XN is missing the covers for the compartments each side of the tank on rop of the fairing, the one on the left at least is lockable (covers the fuse-box).

Wondering if any 'zuki enthusiast knows if they are unique to Xns or are they the same as Katanas etc?

[Katman]

Definately unique to the XN.

No self respecting Katana would bother with such mundane things as storage compartments.

[dangerous]

EDIT: The one thing I DID notice in the work-shop manual was that my XN is missing the covers for the compartments each side of the tank on rop of the fairing, the one on the left at least is lockable (covers the fuse-box).

Wondering if any 'zuki enthusiast knows if they are unique to Xns or are they the same as Katanas etc?unique
so... try ya skills at fiberglass!

[scumdog]

unique
so... try ya skills at fiberglass!

Nah, a piece off the side of a black 4-litre oil take-home home pack!!

Original covers have locks on them so you need the key to open them.

[scumdog]

Well, seeing it was a nice afternoon and CB (normajeane) got off work early toda we decided to go for a pootle to KP (Kaka Point) to check out the road to the site of next weekends Pissed Penguin.

So she fired up Sporty and I donned tassles and took the XN ( now with functioning brake-light) and off we headed through Riviera of the South, - about the first time I had ridden the XN since bringing up back from Christchurch.

At first though, the XN seemed reluctant to fire, I tried a few times then turned the key off, I could hear fuel gurgling in the tank, maybe it's getting low on fuel I thought.

Turned the key back on, heard fuel gurgling again so at least the pump was working so I crossed my fingers and hit the button -wah-lah! it ran (why is it spelled viola Hitcher?) so off we went. (no problems starting for the rest of the ride)

A bit of dry and not-so-dry bovine excrement on the road and loose grit on one shaded bend (a warning sign lets you know just before the bend) but otherwise a good ride.

The XN is so nimble compared to the T-Sport - but a bit more 'jiggly' on bumpy surfaces, maybe it's the 'small' front tyre?

It also is a tad low geared, it can almost (apparently) hit the red line in top gear (so I was told):innocent:

But on a fun-scale of 1 to 10 it sits at about 9.5 (a set of highway pegs would see it hit 10!:laugh:

So at KP we had a cheese 'toastie' and a bourbon&coke and watched the surfers for a bit before heading home at a reasonably pace....magic!

I might just take the XN to the Pissed Penguin...

Once again thanks to Dangerous (and a tolerant Rashika) for getting it all together for me:yes:

[FJRider]

Definately unique to the XN.

No self respecting Katana would bother with such mundane things as storage compartments.

No need .... there's enough empty space in their riders heads ... :shutup:

[pete376403]

Turned the key back on, heard fuel gurgling again so at least the pump was working so I crossed my fingers and hit the button -wah-lah! it ran (why is it spelled viola Hitcher?) =:

It's not spelled that way, it is VOILA - and it is french, which is why pronunciation is nothing like spelling (should also have a grave accent above the a)

A viola is a biggish violin.

[T.W.R]

[QUOTE=scumdog;1129858057]
The XN is so nimble compared to the T-Sport - but a bit more 'jiggly' on bumpy surfaces, maybe it's the 'small' front tyre?

[QUOTE]

The new headstock bearings are probably bedded in by now so should be re-tensioned or at least checked :yes:

[scumdog]

It's not spelled that way, it is VOILA - and it is french, which is why pronunciation is nothing like spelling (should also have a grave accent above the a)

A viola is a biggish violin.

No shit?:laugh:

Next thing you'll be telling me shammy is spelt chamois too eh!

Hehehehe...

[scumdog]

Oh, forgot to add in the earlier post - I filled up with petrol at the nearest gas station efter hearing all that gurgling...maybe that's why I had no further problems??

[dangerous]

At first though, the XN seemed reluctant to fire, I tried a few times then turned the key off
One thing with that bike is it was allways a fast starter... When Rashika rode it it did the same thing... Im thinking the kill switch is a bit dodgy, give it a riggle next time and remember flicking the kill switch re sets the ECU for a cold start (key off wont do that, so with any ECU run bike, its reconmended to use the key only to shut down)

[FJRider]

No shit?:laugh:

Next thing you'll be telling me shammy is spelt chamois too eh!

Hehehehe...

Actually ... if my memory serves ... (at my age it often doesn't) it is pronounced 'Sham-wah' (according to Collins English dictionary too ...)

[scumdog]

One thing with that bike is it was allways a fast starter... When Rashika rode it it did the same thing... Im thinking the kill switch is a bit dodgy, give it a riggle next time and remember flicking the kill switch re sets the ECU for a cold start (key off wont do that, so with any ECU run bike, its reconmended to use the key only to shut down)

Ta for that D - as it was the first time I'd used it since picking it up I thought it may have been stale fuel at first, then when I heard the 'gurgling'' I thought it was purging air from the fuel system, I've a bit to learn about this new-fangled bike..:blink:

[scumdog]

Ok, I was talking to Jantar at the MATES rally and he said Suzuki use to market a universal luggage rack mounting system that MAY fit the XN, has anybody got one/can tell me where one is?

I want to take the wee thing to rallies, do longish trips etc where taking a bit of gear is needed and at the moment the only way to do that is to turn normajeanes Sporty into a pack-horse..

[Kickaha]

Ok, I was talking to Jantar at the MATES rally and he said Suzuki use to market a universal luggage rack mounting system that MAY fit the XN, has anybody got one/can tell me where one is?

Go to your local bike shop and ask them to get a Ventura one from Dold (http://www.dold.co.nz/), they list the XN85 on their website

Then buy their Bathurst II Bike pack (http://www.dold.co.nz/products/Ventura/Bike-Packs/Bathurst_II.aspx) (It's the biggest they do)

[dangerous]

Ok, I was talking to Jantar at the MATES rally and he said Suzuki use to market a universal luggage rack mounting system that MAY fit the XN, has anybody got one/can tell me where one is?

I want to take the wee thing to rallies, do longish trips etc where taking a bit of gear is needed and at the moment the only way to do that is to turn normajeanes Sporty into a pack-horse..

when i got the bike it did have some L bars on it, not suited and looked like shit, still have em so ill haul em down next month.

[scumdog]

when i got the bike it did have some L bars on it, not suited and looked like shit, still have em so ill haul em down next month.

Ok, I'll look at them for suitability - I did have a feeling there was 'something' with the bike when I got it..will also look around at other stuff.

[scumdog]

Go to your local bike shop and ask them to get a Ventura one from Dold (http://www.dold.co.nz/), they list the XN85 on their website

Then buy their Bathurst II Bike pack (http://www.dold.co.nz/products/Ventura/Bike-Packs/Bathurst_II.aspx) (It's the biggest they do)


Ta Kick - who is NZ dealer or is it better to source it myself? - I guess it's not likely anybody would stock the one for an XN but is it the same thing fits several bike models/makes situation?

EDIT: Oops, I see Balclutha Honda is their local dealer...doh!

[FJRider]

Ok, I was talking to Jantar at the MATES rally and he said Suzuki use to market a universal luggage rack mounting system that MAY fit the XN, has anybody got one/can tell me where one is?



A "universal luggage rack mounting system" is another term for pillion ... :rockon:

some pillions do have other uses at rallys :yes:

... depending on "taste" ... and "model" of said pillion ... :innocent:

[scumdog]

Well, part of my pack-rack mounting system has 'disappeared':innocent:..

But I've just fitted a new clutch-cable (inside AND out) - wish I'd paid more attention as to its route between clutcj lever and the clutch.

Also figure out that red 'thingy' that Dangerous was confused by.

So out for another ride tomorrow,:woohoo:

[scumdog]

Oh, and where DOES the clutch cable run?

Around the front of the steering-head and...??

It seems like it will need to run alongside the 'spine' of the bike through the 'tunnel' of the gas tank and then down to the clutch - as it does not seen to be long enough to around the gas tank. Any thoughts?

[dangerous]

dont really mater... best root is the straightest, stay away from any hot shit, red thing... dont have a home IIRC

[FJRider]

Oh, and where DOES the clutch cable run?

Around the front of the steering-head and...??

It seems like it will need to run alongside the 'spine' of the bike through the 'tunnel' of the gas tank and then down to the clutch - as it does not seen to be long enough to around the gas tank. Any thoughts?

A job made easier if you take off the tank.

The shortest possible route ... under the spine held with zip-ties ...

[scumdog]

Thanks guys - yeah, around the tank and the cable isn't long enough.

[scumdog]

dont really mater... best root is the straightest, stay away from any hot shit, red thing... dont have a home IIRC

Well after heaving the tank off and on again about six times and dropping into the gubbins of the bike frame etc the rubber bung thingys that the tank hold down bolts got through - plus the odd socket etc (amazing how black rubber thingys blend into a black bike frame and black hoses eh!)) I finally got things sorted - the most natural way the cable wants to go resulted in it getting jambed between the tank and the frame.:doh:

After a bit of head-scratching and being creative I found the route it was MEANT to go!:woohoo:

So all is sweet and the bike goes good - and the red 'thingy' is now hooked up to the tank vent-tube.

But I wasted ANOTHER two hours trying to fit a spring-and-hook device for holding the fairing side in place (instead of the present cable-ties) so I can take off these fairing side to get at the battery etc.

Dismal failure and went back to cable-ties...:(

[scumdog]

228806228807228808228806228807228808
Aaahh dunno if i have repeated repeated these but here goes, but here goes

[scumdog]

Yep..yepp..shout a woman a wine and what happens??

She ferkin' steals yer scoot - AND she hasn't the grace to wear knickers to prevent from stainin' the seat...sheesh...:msn-wink:

[scumdog]

Selling sniffs of the XN seat @ 50cents a sniff....:msn-wink:

[scumdog]

228806228807228808228806228807228808
Aaahh dunno if i have repeated repeated these but here goes, but here goes


Ignore the RX7, it ain't for sale...:bleh:

[FJRider]

Yep..yepp..shout a woman a wine and what happens??

She ferkin' steals yer scoot - AND she hasn't the grace to wear knickers to prevent from stainin' the seat...sheesh...:msn-wink:

But you can only ticket her for not wearing a helmet ... :Police:

[dangerous]

Selling sniffs of the XN seat @ 50cents a sniff....:msn-wink:
Dont supose theres ever been a drinking problem in your family? they reckon it can be hereadatry...


ill take 2 :niceone:



Ignore the RX7, it ain't for sale...:bleh:
what bout the chook shed?


ps: striped the garage out clean last w/e, took all farking day... Im stuffed if I know were the blue blazes the other L bracket has gone SD

[FJRider]

ill take 2 :niceone:



After your's and Scummy's arse has been on it .... I won't take the risk ... :shifty: