Post by Jess on Nov 7, 2009 16:35:32 GMT -5
This is part of a letter I wrote to a fellow who had some questions... As I seem to be getting many inquiries about "engine rebuild kits"... If my memory serves me correctly, someone thought that Re5 rebuilds were some closely gaurded secret. That is patently wrong. I would LOVE to find someone with the time and energy to rebuild them... If it was cost effective.
I thought it might be helpful to all to post it here... Besides as most of you know... I type like crap
so I have to get as much milage out of everything I type... If it helps someone to understand the issues, then the post was worth it...
Sam is the founder of Rotary Recycle USA. He collected all of the parts he could to keep the bikes on the road and kept the rotary community supplied with parts and advice until this year. He retired in early June as he approached 70 years of age and turned Rotary Recycle over to me. About 25 years ago, Sam purchased the remaining 125 NOS engines from Suzuki, and they were available until a few years ago when the supply finally ran out. There are no “rebuild kits” available and never were, as Suzuki intended that if an engine failed, the dealer would replace it as a unit and send the unit back to Suzuki for rebuild.
All of the rebuilt units I have (and there are only a few) were rebuilt by Sam. Sam rebuilt engines in his spare time as he enjoyed it. All the seals(apex/side/corner) were machined from other rotary applications and the o rings were then made especially for the unit. They(the Re5 engine unit proper) are near impossible to rebuild without very specific tools (I had to make mine).
At this point in time it is not economically feasible to rebuild them. When the supply of good used engines dwindles, this will have to change.
So, the short answer is that I do not have seal kits or rebuild kits available for sale for these engines. Nor do I anticipate having them in the near future. Again, to produce a "kit" would be cost prohibitive, not to mention the labor to do the work.
I do have a reprint of the Suzuki engine rebuild manual that I can provide you a copy of if you wish, I have spoken to several fellows over the years who have successfully rebuilt an Re5 engine. They were all very talented machinists.
I have a very limited supply of rebuilt engines that run 1500.00 with exchange. I have a strong supply of used, good, fully tested engines available for 800.00 with exchange.
I also have 99% of the rest of the parts available for the Re5, either used, reconditioned, or NOS. I have the largest collection of Re5 and W-2000 parts bikes in the world. I also am constantly working to have various parts reproduced so that these bikes can be kept going.
In short, you might find a fellow that has a few parts here or there, but I have everything (with very few exceptions), available and in stock.
I hope I answered your questions. If I can be of further assistance, don’t hesitate to call or email. I will be happy to provide whatever assistance I can with your restoration.
Best,
Jess Stockwell
Rotary Recycle, USA
I thought it might be helpful to all to post it here... Besides as most of you know... I type like crap
so I have to get as much milage out of everything I type... If it helps someone to understand the issues, then the post was worth it...Sam is the founder of Rotary Recycle USA. He collected all of the parts he could to keep the bikes on the road and kept the rotary community supplied with parts and advice until this year. He retired in early June as he approached 70 years of age and turned Rotary Recycle over to me. About 25 years ago, Sam purchased the remaining 125 NOS engines from Suzuki, and they were available until a few years ago when the supply finally ran out. There are no “rebuild kits” available and never were, as Suzuki intended that if an engine failed, the dealer would replace it as a unit and send the unit back to Suzuki for rebuild.
All of the rebuilt units I have (and there are only a few) were rebuilt by Sam. Sam rebuilt engines in his spare time as he enjoyed it. All the seals(apex/side/corner) were machined from other rotary applications and the o rings were then made especially for the unit. They(the Re5 engine unit proper) are near impossible to rebuild without very specific tools (I had to make mine).
At this point in time it is not economically feasible to rebuild them. When the supply of good used engines dwindles, this will have to change.
So, the short answer is that I do not have seal kits or rebuild kits available for sale for these engines. Nor do I anticipate having them in the near future. Again, to produce a "kit" would be cost prohibitive, not to mention the labor to do the work.
I do have a reprint of the Suzuki engine rebuild manual that I can provide you a copy of if you wish, I have spoken to several fellows over the years who have successfully rebuilt an Re5 engine. They were all very talented machinists.
I have a very limited supply of rebuilt engines that run 1500.00 with exchange. I have a strong supply of used, good, fully tested engines available for 800.00 with exchange.
I also have 99% of the rest of the parts available for the Re5, either used, reconditioned, or NOS. I have the largest collection of Re5 and W-2000 parts bikes in the world. I also am constantly working to have various parts reproduced so that these bikes can be kept going.
In short, you might find a fellow that has a few parts here or there, but I have everything (with very few exceptions), available and in stock.
I hope I answered your questions. If I can be of further assistance, don’t hesitate to call or email. I will be happy to provide whatever assistance I can with your restoration.
Best,
Jess Stockwell
Rotary Recycle, USA
