Suzuki NZ 250 commuter/project.

**Mikkel** · 15th May 2008, 10:36

Good one. Congratulations on the buy! Sounds like you got some nice plans for it.

DeviantEsquire was pretty happy about his - they are rather quick around the corners

There has been more than a couple of times he's been ranting about people passing him rather quickly on the straight bits only to hold him up in the next section of twisties...

I am sure he'll be happy to share his experiences with you

Originally Posted by Jim2

It's not what you've got, it's how you use it!

I wouldn't know...

**Swoop** · 15th May 2008, 11:02

Excellent!

I look forward to your restoration Jim. The Kat thread was very educational as well as entertaining.
Did you ever go into publication of the restoration project, as you mentioned doing?

**et al** · 15th May 2008, 13:14

Good one Jim - bit of a challenge there for you (which is why you are doing it of course). Looks nice and skinny (the bike that is) so should make it easier to squeeze in beside those bloody scooters in the Jim2 Memorial Bike Park. Any idea what the "NZ" designation is about - is it unique to that particular model?

**James Deuce** · 15th May 2008, 13:59

It has a centre stand, so I'll be able t park like a flipping scooter.

I've had a jolly good look at the project today and I've decided to go nuts.

Phase 1: Disassemble. Crikey, I hear you say. Well the frame and swing arm need repainting, along with all the subframes, triple clamp and hangers, and the right footrest hanger needs replacing or welding. That will be the biggest task of all, so I'll do that first, then I shouldn't ever have to touch it again. crazefox is a very reasonably priced chap! The rear shock needs rebuilding (and *ahem* respringing). Scrub exhaust with a wire brush and paint matt black.

Phase 2: Reassemble. Replace all bearings. Swingarm, steering head, check suspension linkage bearings, replace brake lines. I bled the brakes today. The brake fluid in there had gone off, but bleeding made no difference to lever feel and the lines flex visibly under stress. Maybe they really DID mean replace brake lines every 4 years like it says in the manual.

Phase 3: Ride to work while I save money by only spending $10 a week on gas to afford the next few phases.

Phase 4: Paint body work. Gun metal grey, like the Katana, a chequerboard stripe on the front fender continuing down the middle of the tank and tailpiece. The bit where it says NZ250 SACS on the side panels will get replaced with a chequerboard.

Phase 5: Givi vintage screen and round headlight.

Phase 6: Enjoy my own little Cafe Racer/Commuter.

**F5 Dave** · 15th May 2008, 17:46

Originally Posted by xerxesdaphat

. . .They really only 125kg dry? Shit, that's as good as my RS -- and you've got more horsepower and an engine that doesn't crack heads

. .

I always wondered why these didn't sell better than GNs, people must be dumb. Although the only issue is that they did have with them is a propensity to crack heads. Probably doesn't bother them much. If compression is ok after a decent thrashing to reseat the rings I'd be happy.

**JimO** · 15th May 2008, 18:00

my boys rode their one from Dunedin to Alexandra for the Vincent rally, sat on 110 to 120 ks for a couple of hours no sweat...all you people lusting after a project buy mine.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=154760046

**Pussy** · 15th May 2008, 20:27

Looking forward to another minter emerging from the garage of chez Jim2

**James Deuce** · 16th May 2008, 11:26

1. Get rid of those geeky mirror stalks.

2. Install shiny bar end mirror.

Simple, eh?

Looking at it though, it definitely needs a round head light and the instruments dropped about 5cm, plus one of these:

**xwhatsit** · 16th May 2008, 12:12

Originally Posted by F5 Dave

I always wondered why these didn't sell better than GNs, people must be dumb. Although the only issue is that they did have with them is a propensity to crack heads. Probably doesn't bother them much. If compression is ok after a decent thrashing to reseat the rings I'd be happy.

Yes, if they're anything like the RS, the wee crack just fills up with carbon and blocks up pretty good. Doesn't affect compression particularly.

Is that genuine CRG Hindsight? How'd you get away with putting a mirror worth almost as much as the bike on it?

**et al** · 16th May 2008, 12:13

Dunno mate - looks pretty mean the way it is. I reckon that if you put a round headlight on with a screen it will lose its character and could end up looking like a "Coronation St" / "Pipe & Slipper" type of thing.

**Trudes** · 16th May 2008, 12:33

Get some Buell twin headlights, street-fighter it!!!

**bungbung** · 16th May 2008, 12:33

Originally Posted by et al

"Coronation St" / "Pipe & Slipper" type of thing.

You'll note Jim2's advancing age by his bike choice. The project to follow this will be a CX500

**James Deuce** · 16th May 2008, 12:40

Originally Posted by et al

Dunno mate - looks pretty mean the way it is. I reckon that if you put a round headlight on with a screen it will lose its character and could end up looking like a "Coronation St" / "Pipe & Slipper" type of thing.

The paint job will demand a round head light and a little screen.