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Post by stevensilvestri on Jun 18, 2020 23:41:25 GMT -5
Well, rolled over 200,000 miles the other day, mostly just back and forth to work and assorted trips, running great (probably shouldn't say that, hate to tempt fate and all) is on it's third proper, also on it's third set of points! Had to tell someone, the flagger at the road work site just grinned and looked at me like I was nuts! guess I'll just keep going!
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200,000
Jun 19, 2020 0:58:51 GMT -5
Post by wayne on Jun 19, 2020 0:58:51 GMT -5
That's amazing. I know we have some high milers here but that's a beauty. What's the longest you've got out of a proper unit?
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Post by hudson on Jun 19, 2020 10:52:53 GMT -5
Steve is a true RE5 legend here in this corner of the world. I first met Steve in 1979 ( or there about ) at Suzuki training school in California. We both worked at Suzuki dealerships, he in Yakima Washington and myself in Kennewick Washington. He rode the same 200,000 miler RE5 (mentioned in his previous post) to California back then. Steve refers to his original RE as "Old Blue" as he owns several running RE's including a very nice red M and some very low mile full Touring Kit A's. When I first thought about restoring my M model after the first sighting ( See " Completed Restoration " photos ) I went and met with Steve before I brought it home to ask his thoughts.The original owner told me it was free for the taking, but I was shocked by the condition of 35 plus years outside and told him I had to think about it. Steve is the person who told me about this RE5 Message Board and Jess Stockwell with the story of Sam Costanza. He then convinced me to take this project on, which I'm glad I did. Steve's RE has been in continuous use the last 40 plus years and has all the scars and patina to prove it.
This photo was taken about a week ago at the same dealership where Steve has been a mechanic for over 40 years. I believe he would be considered an expert. And yes Wayne, This could be considered the 5th Fan of the Fairing and Touring Kit world wide. Notice the Rotary belt buckle. I can't tell you how many time over the years I've heard people mention that they know him or know of a guy in Yakima that has a Rotary motorcycle.
Steve has converted this one to belt drive. If you look close you can see small mods all over this bike.
Brian
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200,000
Jun 19, 2020 19:40:22 GMT -5
Post by wayne on Jun 19, 2020 19:40:22 GMT -5
Great story. Much appreciate the picture and the background.
Hate to mention that the 2nd picture isn't displaying. But the toothed belt drive can be seen in the first pic.
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200,000
Jun 19, 2020 21:13:04 GMT -5
Post by hudson on Jun 19, 2020 21:13:04 GMT -5
Don't hate to mention, Thank you for letting me know. I think it's fixed. Same mistake I made before.
Brian
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Post by charles on Jun 19, 2020 23:59:26 GMT -5
First. Congratulations in a very Big Way! Great Story!
1. One of the Great Races is over. The GS-850 Conversion Project would have been nice to see but this is here now and it works. There is a lot to recommend the GS-850 Conversion. Everything would fit but for the machining etc., but... there's that machining stuff.
2. PLZ feel free to tell how it came to be. There are pages and pages on an SV-650 Site devoted to converting an SV-650 to Belt Drive. It's so obvious that even Suzuki should have seen the value of a Belt Drive SV-650 .
3. As to 200,000: Color me Not-At-All-Surprised. The Rotary is STUPENDOUS in terms of longevity and the end product that began with the KKM-502 and ended with the RE-5 is - can I say this these days? - Bullet Proof. (Don't even start spelling C-A-R-B-U-R... to me...)
To repeat a Story: My wife was a traveling Nurse. She signed up for a stint in a Wyoming Hospital. One morning, coming off a shift, temp at 0 degrees or below, she walks over to the RX-7, gets in, turns the ignition for 2 - 3 seconds and drives off. The parking lot was littered with dead vehicles that wouldn't start. I'd been bragging about the Rotary and then and there she got it.
Wonderful Story. More pictures would always be welcomed.
Thnx,
Charlie
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200,000
Jun 20, 2020 1:44:39 GMT -5
Post by wayne on Jun 20, 2020 1:44:39 GMT -5
Don't hate to mention, Thank you for letting me know. I think it's fixed. Same mistake I made before. Brian Aah, much better.
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Post by stevensilvestri on Jun 20, 2020 20:56:56 GMT -5
The longest I've gotten out of a proper? The first one failed (lost compression suddenly and completely) around 83,000, with help from a local? volcano, The second faded to 75# compression around 197,000, each time a replacement proper brought it joyfully back to life. And yes the second proper is one I overhauled myself, with a great deal of info from these very pages. Do you call these pages?
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200,000
Jun 20, 2020 22:30:06 GMT -5
Post by wayne on Jun 20, 2020 22:30:06 GMT -5
All impressive mileages from a tiny little 497cc. Over 180,000 klm on that second one. I still have to convert some things to fully appreciate them. I was schooled before and after the AU transition to metric. Still think in feet and inches though.
When you overhauled the second engine, I take it the side plates and the plating on the main housing was still good? Was it just a matter of replacing all the seals and O rings? I'm curious because I'm looking at an upcoming overhaul and am wondering how the plating stands up.
Yes, these are called pages.
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Post by stevensilvestri on Jun 21, 2020 21:40:31 GMT -5
The engines I have redone all had the equivalent of head gasket failures, water in the combustion chamber, using the info in the Suzuki rebuild manual all the numbers for wear are well inside specs, thanks to Brian Hudson for finding the correct O rings and such, so far three are up and running just fine, the first one I took apart showed chatter marks in the center housing, over revving a rotary? some had the spirograph plating missing in spots, some of the center housings looked great and were used, some showed grooves at the edge of the apex seal, weren't used. if the water sets a month, it kills it. If it's a runner now, chances it's rebuildable.
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200,000
Jun 26, 2020 20:58:18 GMT -5
Post by goandy on Jun 26, 2020 20:58:18 GMT -5
Well done Steve- both for keeping the bike going and also for doing that mileage on your bike! I personally quite like the touring kit so it's not just two of you (hey Wayne) Nice idea re the belt drive. Does it make any difference to the harmonics?
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200,000
Jun 29, 2020 17:05:50 GMT -5
Post by timpa136 on Jun 29, 2020 17:05:50 GMT -5
Well done Steve- both for keeping the bike going and also for doing that mileage on your bike! I personally quite like the touring kit so it's not just two of you (hey Wayne) Nice idea re the belt drive. Does it make any difference to the harmonics? I would like to hear more of the belt conversion also. Way back my friend contacted " Phase 3" if I remember correctly in the 70s, an aftermarket Harley primary chain convertor to convert his RE5. I had made it clear I was interested for myself but without explanation, the company stopped any further work on his bike. Tim
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Post by stevensilvestri on Jun 29, 2020 22:20:00 GMT -5
The belt drive story. Yes, it is smoother with the belt, riding a chain drive bike, then the belt drive is noticeably different, at all speeds, also very quiet, it's geared a little taller due to pulley availability. (23/68) it seems happiest at 4,000rpm, but this is pushing 70mph or more, still pulls hard when you rev it. The rear pulley is off an LS 650 Suzuki, The belt is from a Harley bagger,(late model 1in wide 139th) The front pulley started as one from the LS 650, with much machining and such. Took it to a local machinist buddy, ask for the mods, he said he could make it from scratch easer, Bit of luck there, cut he center out and matched an old front sprocket to match the shaft, pulley width matches the belt and off we went, did have to clearance the inside of the sprocket cover, have the same setup on a 76, it too is smoother and quieter. You do have to adjust the belt religiously, every time you change a tire. Am working on pictures, most parts are available off the shelf, the front pulley is the toughest. It's an adventure to create and install, you loose the chain guard, I have worried about rocks inside the belt, but none have, luck I guess, is it worth it? Ride a chain drive, especially one with miles on it, then ride the belt with 100.000 miles, no contest. It does make the stock lower geared bikes seem like they really rip, but they push @60mph a 4grand, like the factory intended.
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200,000
Jun 30, 2020 0:07:09 GMT -5
Post by wayne on Jun 30, 2020 0:07:09 GMT -5
Steven, I've made a thread under "RESTORATION" using your last post. I think it will be a popular read. I've given full credit to you. When you post up more pictures, I'll copy them to that post.
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