Post by wayne on Mar 8, 2024 0:51:31 GMT -5
To current Board Members: I've put these up as a reference for anyone looking to buy an RE5 who may not be familiar with the type. If anyone has better pictures of restored or original bikes, please contact me and I'll replace these. If you can see anything not "kosher", let me know and I'll add it to the notes.
Looking to buy an RE5 and not familiar with the breed? Want to know what parts you may need to complete an Ebay find?
Here's some reference photos of stock bikes (any deviation from stock noted for each photograph).
Early model 1975 M in "Firemist Blue". It has steel oiler cooler lines which are visible below the fan shroud. It's the most significant difference between early and late M bikes. There are changes between this and even earlier examples but the differences are subtle.
Note the kickstart. You'll see some RE5's with kickstarts sitting more forward (see the late model M below). This is normal. Earlier bikes fitted with this, the most common kickstart lever will have a rearward stance to the kickstart, later bikes will sit more forward. There's a discussion on the Board as to why if you're that interested.
The seat cover on this bike is an After Market (AM). The profile, particularly at the very back, is slightly different to the original seat (which can be seen on the late M and A model below). Most AM seats differ in that area.
This bike is restored so chrome is brighter than original and the alloy parts are not clear coated and are polished to a higher finish.
The tank and panels are repainted but were matched to an original tank. The finish is indistinguishable. The engine badges are AM and differ slightly in colour to originals.
The tyres are not original.
This bike has the factory assist rail fitted below the rear of the seat.
The fuel filter fitted between the petcock and carby inlet is not original. The bikes had no visible filter between tank and carby.
Late model 1975 M in "Firemist Orange". It has rubber oil cooler lines with protective wire springs visible below the fan shroud.
Compare the kick start position to the earlier M and note the difference. No big deal but Suzuki changed the spline altering how this type of lever sits.
The seat on this bike is 100% original (compare to the blue bike above which has an AM seat cover).
The bike is restored so chrome and alloy are brighter than factory.
The tank and panels on this bike are original factory paint and have not faded. The engine badges are AM and differ slightly in colour to originals.
The tyres are not original.
The forward hose clamp on the top radiator hose is not correct, it should be a double wire clamp like the others.
With many thanks to Rotary Recycle for permission to use this photo. This completely original 7 mile bike was on display at the Rotary Recycle museum.
Second and final model, 1976 A only delivered in Black. Very late versions of the A have a different rear guard mounting system but the style is the same. The guards are not interchangeable.
This has been advertised many times as a zero mile bike and I believe it's genuine down to original tyres. What's missing are the mirrors. The red reflectors on the rear blinker/flashers are sometimes orange and is local regulation dependent.
The fuel level sensor plug (small brown item immediately below the front of the fuel tank between carby and radiator) is usually not visible as it's meant to be tucked up under the tank.
The bike has the factory assist rail fitted below the rear of the seat.
Looking to buy an RE5 and not familiar with the breed? Want to know what parts you may need to complete an Ebay find?
Here's some reference photos of stock bikes (any deviation from stock noted for each photograph).
Early model 1975 M in "Firemist Blue". It has steel oiler cooler lines which are visible below the fan shroud. It's the most significant difference between early and late M bikes. There are changes between this and even earlier examples but the differences are subtle.
Note the kickstart. You'll see some RE5's with kickstarts sitting more forward (see the late model M below). This is normal. Earlier bikes fitted with this, the most common kickstart lever will have a rearward stance to the kickstart, later bikes will sit more forward. There's a discussion on the Board as to why if you're that interested.
The seat cover on this bike is an After Market (AM). The profile, particularly at the very back, is slightly different to the original seat (which can be seen on the late M and A model below). Most AM seats differ in that area.
This bike is restored so chrome is brighter than original and the alloy parts are not clear coated and are polished to a higher finish.
The tank and panels are repainted but were matched to an original tank. The finish is indistinguishable. The engine badges are AM and differ slightly in colour to originals.
The tyres are not original.
This bike has the factory assist rail fitted below the rear of the seat.
The fuel filter fitted between the petcock and carby inlet is not original. The bikes had no visible filter between tank and carby.
Late model 1975 M in "Firemist Orange". It has rubber oil cooler lines with protective wire springs visible below the fan shroud.
Compare the kick start position to the earlier M and note the difference. No big deal but Suzuki changed the spline altering how this type of lever sits.
The seat on this bike is 100% original (compare to the blue bike above which has an AM seat cover).
The bike is restored so chrome and alloy are brighter than factory.
The tank and panels on this bike are original factory paint and have not faded. The engine badges are AM and differ slightly in colour to originals.
The tyres are not original.
The forward hose clamp on the top radiator hose is not correct, it should be a double wire clamp like the others.
With many thanks to Rotary Recycle for permission to use this photo. This completely original 7 mile bike was on display at the Rotary Recycle museum.
Second and final model, 1976 A only delivered in Black. Very late versions of the A have a different rear guard mounting system but the style is the same. The guards are not interchangeable.
This has been advertised many times as a zero mile bike and I believe it's genuine down to original tyres. What's missing are the mirrors. The red reflectors on the rear blinker/flashers are sometimes orange and is local regulation dependent.
The fuel level sensor plug (small brown item immediately below the front of the fuel tank between carby and radiator) is usually not visible as it's meant to be tucked up under the tank.
The bike has the factory assist rail fitted below the rear of the seat.