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Post by jabbasre5 on Apr 6, 2021 23:33:23 GMT -5
Hi I just picked up a 2 bikes to restore, both 75s and both are ruff. I’m a rotary guy so hopefully I can save both. Site is very informative!
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Post by wayne on Apr 7, 2021 1:54:04 GMT -5
Welcome. Tons of stuff on here. Sometimes difficult to pin things down but we're working on it. The Search function has many parameters and if you can think about your "question" and use all it's functions, you can narrow the results.
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Post by HGH 770N on Apr 7, 2021 6:59:55 GMT -5
Welcome.
It’s worth checking rotor (Proper) units for internal corrosion and compression test if ok before tackling expensive restoration.
Lots of information on here and owners to ask advise or opinions.
Regards
Roger
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Post by jabbasre5 on Apr 7, 2021 7:53:30 GMT -5
Cool, thanks for the information. The one bike from Cali turns over and the seller states has good compression(of course). When the shipper picked it up he mentioned that the compression felt great and it was hard to kick it over when it compressed. So on that one I feel good that worst case I should have something rebuildable. I’ve been around RE’s for the past 25 years and have a business restoring and service with rx7s so the engine I should be able to handle. The second 75 was close to me in Florida and the engine and back tire is frozen so it might be for parts. Hopefully not, I’d hate killing it so I will try to save it. Both are ruff and in need of a full restore. My main goal is to hopefully get both running and have them putting around the neighborhood and showing them off to clients. After that I will make them pretty again. Hopefully they will arrive in the next 2 weeks, I’m excited to play with them:)
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Post by Jess on Apr 7, 2021 11:36:03 GMT -5
Being hard to kick over is meaningless. A proper test is required.
Regards
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Post by timpa136 on Apr 8, 2021 9:42:10 GMT -5
Welcome. Not to many businesses in the US are rebuilding the RE5s engines. Good Luck. Tim
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Post by janski on Apr 12, 2021 5:26:45 GMT -5
Some of us know what a corroded "Proper" unit looks like inside, one unit I have looks to have been (really), used as a "Boat Anchor" I hope this is rare, and not your future experience. All the best.
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Post by decotriumph on Apr 14, 2021 18:32:54 GMT -5
Welcome! I have owned five over the years, starting with a new blue one in 1975. Currently have a 1976 one that I hope to get on the road soon, with Jess' expert help.
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Post by jabbasre5 on Apr 15, 2021 20:57:29 GMT -5
Thanks everyone. The 2 bikes arrived. First from Cali was a typical rotary machine I deal with. Cut wiring harness check, dangling wires check, stripped bolts and screws check, messed with carburetor check, and more. It’s like a 2 wheel rx7. As for the engine it sounds fine. A compression test would tell me much it hasn’t run in so long that it prolly has a stuck seal or 2. Really I have a Mazda comp tester and rarely use it. It’s mostly used when someone is determined that the engine is bad and I tell them it’s not. I’ll take your 200$ any day, if you want to verify. The second bike is frozen but it’s got the parts need for bike a. So hopefully I’ll have it started soon the Cali bike that is. It’s something that the bike was a prep port and only made 60hp. I guess it’s like Mazda with a 12a really went super conservative for reliability which from reading the forum this like any other rotary is.
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Post by jabbasre5 on Apr 16, 2021 19:22:29 GMT -5
So a quick update. The first bike was missing the Cdi. Like I mentioned it was messed with and like a typical rotary had all kinds of issues. Well I figured the Cdi was just sold at one time till I opened up the breaker what do I find? Wow and rusted screw that was dangling inside when it was running. Sweet! I guess that prolly took out the Cdi. Well the bike had the carb “rebuilt” if you want to cal it that. At least the screws came out though stripped, naturally the one screw on it was messed with(on a Nikki or even the fi throttle bodies I’m not so lucky) all the jets are stripped and I’ll hopefully remove them if not there are other ways. The tank had slight rust in it, not that bad and it looked like it was repaired at one time. The fuel selector was frozen(no I’m not calling it a damn petcock) so I took it off soaked it and opened. Low and behold what do I find the filter side packed with rust particles from the tank. The screws were never touched so it was never opened. So my opinion is this, guy has a bike taken to mechanic, it runs at idle with the little fuel getting thru the packed rust but can’t rev and leans. “Mec” says carb. He “rebuild”, same issue now it even worse. “Mec” must be the points changes leaves a screw in it. Starts it up still running bad, takes it for a spin “got to clear the carb” screw hit breaker grounds the Cdi now no spark. That’s it, gives up. Or it could have been the owner doing this to the bike. At one point(multiple more likely) some one says it’s compression you know it’s a rotary and all. Pretty much the story of my life, had the rules been followed. First thing check the selector clean and fix the tank it would not have ended up here. The second bike is another similar story I deal with, but only on really nice rx7s with low miles. I’ll write that one tomorrow. Hopefully u found the story interesting. Ohh the carb had a gift sitting in the fuel bowl some part to a carb and I don’t think this one.
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Post by goandy on Apr 16, 2021 20:28:25 GMT -5
Oh wow, seems like you've got quite a project there. Just be careful with the carbs- there are a number of bits inside them that might look out of place. Little ball bearings/check balls, the accel pump jet that doesn't unscrew (it's a push fit and most be rotated so that the jet is pointing in to the engine) and the fuel metering rod which looks a bit like a little brass needle.
Keep us in the loop and ask away with any questions. Also the facebook group is quite active and much easier to post up photos.
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Post by jabbasre5 on Apr 16, 2021 21:06:11 GMT -5
Just glad you can’t install a Holley on it. Or the first bike would have had the complimentary double pumper.
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Post by jabbasre5 on Apr 16, 2021 21:13:33 GMT -5
For sure the carb is a mess. Thanks for info! I might swap the second bike carb it’s original never touched which for me is a dream! At least a good clean and nothing crazy hopefully unlike the first one which will be a challenge I’m sure.
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Post by wayne on Apr 16, 2021 22:25:16 GMT -5
My main goal is to hopefully get both running and have them putting around the neighborhood and showing them off to clients. I think in another post you mention Mazda enthusiasts buying RE5's for show. I sold a really nice one for a friend a couple of years back (an ex Rotary Recycle low miler). It went to the owner of a Mazda RX race tuning shop. I'm sure it's only for display in the owner's forecourt and to entertain his RX clients. |
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Post by jabbasre5 on Apr 17, 2021 7:19:28 GMT -5
My main goal is to hopefully get both running and have them putting around the neighborhood and showing them off to clients. I think in another post you mention Mazda enthusiasts buying RE5's for show. I sold a really nice one for a friend a couple of years back (an ex Rotary Recycle low miler). It went to the owner of a Mazda RX race tuning shop. I'm sure it's only for display in the owner's forecourt and to entertain his RX clients. For sure, same thing here. If I happen to get both running I’ll have to do something with one of them. I ask my wife if she wants it, she said before I could finish the sentence. NO, I’ll stay with the bicycle. Both are “ruff” the Cali is the better looking of them that’s not saying much;) |
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