Took the RE-5 out for my first ride this season.

[redbug2]

Hello,

Brought the RE-5 out last Saturday.

Was tough to start. I'm in Southeastern Pennsylvania and temp was about 40 F in the morning. Kept trying to get it going. Starter was getting warm.. Took out the plug and it was coated with oil. Put in a dry plug and it started right up. Smoked a bunch.

Ride was about 20 miles to a vintage bike show at a Harley Dealer. Usually I drive up and people flock around the bike, not so at this show. Seems like the Harley crowd is mostly loyal to Harley. Lots of men wearing cuts from different biker gangs. I think I may have been one of the few people with a helmet. One guy peeled off from the pack and did have a look at the RE-5. I Did not stay long.

Rode with two others, BMW GS1150, Kawasaki W650. I'm always in the back because they can't stand the smell from my bike. I burned about a cup of oil for 60 miles? Maybe I'm do for a change and I might try a synthetic to reduce oil consumption.

The bike ran better than usual. I'm idling at about 1800, I like it there.

Good to be back on it.

Regards,

redbug2

[wayne]

Exactly what would happen if I took an RE5 to a Harley show down here. I thought they might be different up there. About 18 years ago I was a guest of one of the board's US members and we rode to a greasy Joe Hamburger joint where there were a heap of Harley riders. I was really surprised when they all came out to have a look at the vintage Jap bikes we were on. Would never happen in AU.

Re the oil consumption. From a Suzuki Service manager back in the day (in writing), sump oil consumption up to one pint per 620 miles was considered normal.

Also, I've personally found the bikes can burn a bit more oil than normal after storage and it usually settles down after that.

[charles]

Apr 6, 2018 7:02:00 GMT -5 redbug2 said:

Took out the plug and it was coated with oil. Put in a dry plug and it started right up.

Always - ALWAYS - had the "Second Plug" with a Multi-Wrench handy.  Many times spent a good minute or two swapping out the spare.  Always started.

Carry that Spare Plug!.

CW

PS: Hope you have many good rides this season!

[jm0406]

I went to Cooks Corner, a local Harley hangout for the wanta be riders around here. They were very interested in the Suzuki, not the 80K custom built other bikes that were there.It was like dating the fat girl down the street, interested but didn't want anyone to see them with her.
Jeff

[timpa136]

Now I'm inspired to join a ride this Saturday to Dana Point stopping at "the Lookout" no doubt.

[timpa136]

note to self, Turn petcock back from prime after starting. As it worked out, I didn't take the bike I had planned, I took my original Firemist

on a ride with others on their crotch rockets and I was reassured with my fresher bridgestone spitfires for a most satisfying ride. It is still

surprising to find out other bikes have never seen an RE5 and are fasinated with the speedo visor operation.

[timpa136]

If you are near Riverside, Ca. My local Suzuki shop, Malcolm Smiths has another ride scheduled June 9th Saturday at 8:00 weather permitting.


www.malcolmsmith.com/eventslist/29589/252326

EDIT:I expect this to remain updated through the summer months.

Tim

[timpa136]

Apr 6, 2018 7:02:00 GMT -5 redbug2 said:

Brought the RE-5 out last Saturday.

Was tough to start. I'm in Southeastern Pennsylvania and temp was about 40 F in the morning. Kept trying to get it going. Starter was getting warm.. Took out the plug and it was coated with oil. Put in a dry plug and it started right up. Smoked a bunch.

Rode with two others, BMW GS1150, Kawasaki W650. I'm always in the back because they can't stand the smell from my bike. I burned about a cup of oil for 60 miles? Maybe I'm do for a change and I might try a synthetic to reduce oil consumption.

The bike ran better than usual. I'm idling at about 1800, I like it there.

Good to be back on it.

Regards,

redbug2

Redbug, have you been back out on the bike ?