Help ! FAQ's- we need some.

[wayne]

There is a new folder under "Restore and Repair" labelled FAQ. Once information and ideas from this thread and other sources are collated and vetted, I'll move them as a complete thread to the FAQ folder.



Oil Filters and Air Filters..........tell me where you're from (UK/Europe/North America/AU or NZ/South Africa etc) and what you are successfully using. I'll compile the most commonly suggested items into a "sticky" thread that will always appear at the top of the Resources forum.

Battery alternatives........same as above. Please tell me what you're using and whether it's a size match or smaller (ie works, but needs some padding to fit).

PLEASE POST REPLIES TO THIS THREAD AND I WILL COMPILE ALL THE INFO.

I'd like to develop some other FAQ as well so more help may be needed in the future.

Thanks,
Wayne

[goandy]

Yup, good idea.

"I'm thinking of buying a bike, what do I need to look for?"
"I've just bought a bike that ran when parked. What do I do to get it going again?"
"How do I set up the carburettor cables/jets etc?"
"Why did I buy one of these?"

Actually I can answer the last one- because it's different! I rode into a car park on Friday afternoon where a bunch of race cars were parked for the Targa West event here in Perth, W Oz. Within 30 seconds I was swamped by the racing competitors and ended up have a 10 minute conversation with "Gentleman" Jim Richards (a very well known racing driver down under). The TV crew even came and filmed me and Jim chatting then filmed the bike as well. Not sure if it'll make it past the editorial chop, but if it does I'll post a link up.

Most of the comments were "I've never seen one of these" and "haven't seen one since the 70's when my mate had one" etc. One of them even walked away muttering about adding one to his collection... we shall see!

[mike500]

battery I use is the motobatt mbtx30u it fits straight in and being an agm it holds its charge better and turns the bike over faster.oil filters I still use genuine Suzuki as I have a few left,oil I use Castrol classic which is the same as the old spec gtx,tyres I use avon roadriders which give good grip and handleing and I'm in the uk regards mike

[wayne]

Thanks Mike for your input. As you can see, the response has been underwhelming.

Perhaps it would help if you remembered a time when you were a Newbie and how useful it would have been to have a dedicated thread that answered all those basic questions.

I'm trying to improve our board here and can best answer these questions by appealing to the expertise of everyone out there, not just any one's opinion.

Please help out if you are successfully using filters, oils, batteries with specific brand names and part numbers so we can post them up permanently.

[goandy]

How should we do it Wayne? Create individual threads or replies to this?

[wayne]

Reply to this thread Andy, I will do the work and compile it all into a dedicated "sticky" thread or threads. Hopefully once it's finished, you will, for example, be able to find parts that have been tried and tested and can be bought in your country by part number.

Thanks,

[timpa136]

    I have begun to use UNI Air Filters in bulk form. 12+16+5/8 Pt.#BF-1.This is Bulk Foam. Oil with 30wt, or their cleaning/oil kit, or K&N oil Kit. A word of caution, be sure the filter foam hangs out of the frame to completely seal the housing . Oiling does have some effect. on carburetion.*

   Oil Filters to fit a 1985 Toyota Camry gas engine 4 cyl. Genuine Toyota or reputable brand. Always prime the filter when changing.

   I live in the USA and I strictly follow the US Suzuki serviceman bulletins for the engine oil usage which seems to work acceptably.

   I have been successful with Prestone and distilled water and 1/2 Oz. of Bars leak in the radiator.

   I use Yuasa equivalent  Y-60-N24L-A batteries  with a properly routed vent. I caution against a garden tractor battery with vented caps.

[wayne]

Excellent Tim, could I also bother you for your tyre choice and sizes please.

[Jess]

Tim,

Curious as to why you avoid the tractor battery?

Been using them for 20 years with no issues.

Just curious

[timpa136]

Aug 23, 2015 18:48:52 GMT -5 wayne said:

Tim, could I also bother you for your tyre choice and sizes please.

Wayne, I'm cautious to list the tires as every time I like something , it seems to be soon discontinued he-he-he.

Michelin  High tours disc. Dunlop GT-11 disc BRIDGESTONE spitfires, better get yours soon.

I have a soft spot for IRC, (Inoue) Original equipment for the first GS750 GS1000-  High Speed GS-11 AW tires.

[timpa136]

Aug 23, 2015 19:40:53 GMT -5 Jess said:

Tim,

Curious as to why you avoid the tractor battery?

Been using them for 20 years with no issues.

Just curious

 Hi Jess,

 I first noticed the underside seat vents corroding after putting the vented caps battery in the wifes bike. I then put the (then common) blue windshield towels

 that were common at all service stations across the top of the battery to absorb the vapors. I remember the towels disintegrating seemingly from the vapors

 from the battery.

 Overly cautious

 Tim

[ap951]

I'm sure there are some better choices but this is what I'm using:

I purchased my battery from Batteries Plus. There's a chain of stores in this area & they have always treated me well. The number on the battery is X2-30LA, Duracell Ultra AGM Sealed, 400 cold cranking amps. It is fully sealed & I have never had the slightest problem with acid vapor. It filled the battery compartment to capacity however I had to make a small wooden shim so the side battery strap would hold it tightly in place.

When I was working on & sorting my RE5 I used K&N oil filters, HP-1003 & never had a problem. But as Tim says: "always prime the filter when changing". I also like to remove the rubber seal & wet it with oil on all sides & put it back into the filter. I think this helps it seal & may help the next time you need to change the filter. Now that my bike is sorted I use genuine Suzuki oil filters for the RE5. Not cheap but I've stocked up when I see a deal. Still available from Suzuki the last time I checked.

I use genuine Honda HP Coolant, Ready-To-Use, 50/50 blend. I have many friends that use this & report that it never seems to attack any of the materials, never seems to sludge & has lubricant for the water pump. Not cheap but I think it's worth it. I add a little Bar's radiator stop leak (per Suzuki). This insures that there's no weeping of coolant around hoses & fittings.

My bike still had the original tires fitted when I first started working on it. I compared tread patterns & choose Continental RB2/K112's. 3.25-19 front and 4.00-18 Rear. I know that there a far better tires on the market for handling & wear but I like the way these look. I think they fit that 1975 style.

Bill

[pmcburney]

Stuff that works, in my experience...


A massive, heavy, expensive battery is NOT required - a modern AGM (sealed) battery in the same size as what's used in a GT/GS/GSX strapped in to a corner of the original battery box with a zip-tie or equivalent will easily start the bike.
And, because it's the same size as a GT et al, it can be swapped if needed - no point having a massive battery that only fits one vehicle AFAIC.

For Aussie owners, a RYCO Z386 oil filter works fine.

IKON rear shocks are a vast improvement over the OEM shock(er)s...

Pirelli Sport Demons are a great tyre, but do not look 'period'.

[wayne]

Excellent, thanks gents, a good start.

Keep it coming please.

[wayne]

Aug 24, 2015 10:42:12 GMT -5 timpa136 said:

Aug 23, 2015 18:48:52 GMT -5 wayne said:

Tim, could I also bother you for your tyre choice and sizes please.

Wayne, I'm cautious to list the tires as every time I like something , it seems to be soon discontinued he-he-he.

Really ? That happens over there ? I'm just today bemoaning the fact that Bridgestone no longer supplies a high profile tyre I'm after for my GL but it's readily available over your way.