Author Topic: Picked up a 1966 Suzuki and need a little help  (Read 3548 times)

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Offline cleveland

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Picked up a 1966 Suzuki and need a little help
« on: August 04, 2009, 10:35:54 am »
I picked this bike up and the guy said it was running............one cylinder was.  I cleaned out the mouse nest, air filters, fixed some wires, etc...   The problem turned out to be a coil wire.  I swapped out the coil wire with one from a snowmobile and she fired up!!!

This bike is a 6 speed, and according to Wiki (consider the source) it's the first of it's kind.  Neutral is at the top and I am figuring the gears are down one at a time.  So I am looking for a downloadable manual, tip, sources of info, forums, etc...

One thing that I find odd is that it is REALLY slow.  Since this is my first 2 stroke project, I am unsure of what I should expect for speed, handling, and so on.

Any direction or leads would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!





http://s92.photobucket.com/albums/l30/cb750caferacer/1966%20Suzuki/?action=view&current=100_6985.flv




Offline ColinMc

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Re: Picked up a 1966 Suzuki and need a little help
« Reply #1 on: August 04, 2009, 03:00:50 pm »
Is it getting up to high RPM'S? Don't know much about these bikes but two strokes in general have to get into their power band which is way up high. Below that they are turds.
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Offline cleveland

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Re: Picked up a 1966 Suzuki and need a little help
« Reply #2 on: August 04, 2009, 03:47:02 pm »
No clue, it doesn't have a tach.  ???

Offline hoodellyhoo

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Re: Picked up a 1966 Suzuki and need a little help
« Reply #3 on: August 04, 2009, 03:56:30 pm »
With a bike in that condition it could be just about anything. Maybe shot crank seals?? Cool bike though. You should bring it to rockerbox. If the weather is nice, I'll be there.
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Offline cleveland

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Re: Picked up a 1966 Suzuki and need a little help
« Reply #4 on: August 04, 2009, 04:37:03 pm »
It could be as simple as a throttle cable adjustment, I'll be looking at it again in the morning.

Anyone know how much oil and what kind it takes?

I have a buddy that may be riding it to RockerBox and I'll have a 4-sale sign on it. 

Offline grumburg

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Re: Picked up a 1966 Suzuki and need a little help
« Reply #5 on: August 07, 2009, 04:32:16 pm »
That is a T10! See my post from today. They were only 4 speeds.  Take the baffles out of the exhaust and clean them and make sure there there is not any crap in the exhaust. Restricted exhaust will really cut power and make it run hot.
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Offline grumburg

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Re: Picked up a 1966 Suzuki and need a little help
« Reply #6 on: August 07, 2009, 04:37:07 pm »
Just rode one exactly like it and while it's no H1 Kawasaki, it was OK. Also see how much compression (should be at least 100#) it has and that it has the correct plugs.
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Offline cleveland

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Re: Picked up a 1966 Suzuki and need a little help
« Reply #7 on: August 07, 2009, 04:39:50 pm »
I figured out the speed issue, I was shifting too early!  I got her up to 60MPH yesterday........on 43 year old tires.  :o ;D :D :D :D

I am torn between keeping her and selling her.  My plan was to fix her up and sell her at RockerBox, but she is really growing on me.

Offline cleveland

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Re: Picked up a 1966 Suzuki and need a little help
« Reply #8 on: August 09, 2009, 08:37:03 pm »
It's official, I'm keeping her!!!  I just ordered a manual and have a spot in the basement picked out to strip her down.  I'm going to have the tank rechromed and paint her black.  When I saw the following video, I knew I had no choice but to keep her.


Offline Don R

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Re: Picked up a 1966 Suzuki and need a little help
« Reply #9 on: August 14, 2009, 08:01:27 pm »
Would a 6 speed suzi be an X6? My brother had one for a while and they hauled ass back in the day. ;D
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Offline cleveland

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Re: Picked up a 1966 Suzuki and need a little help
« Reply #10 on: August 14, 2009, 08:18:02 pm »
Would a 6 speed suzi be an X6?

Yep!  grumburg is correct, the T10 is a 4 speed and the T20 is the 6 speed.

Parts are impossible to find, but I picked up a parts bike in Green Bay yesterday!  ;D I'm going to have a blast rebuilding this bike over the winter.  I see it creeping into a late summer/early fall project.  :D

Offline Hush

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Re: Picked up a 1966 Suzuki and need a little help
« Reply #11 on: August 14, 2009, 08:26:43 pm »
Don't try throwing that bucket into any corners like you can your Honda eh! :)
I have had heaps of 2 stroke bikes and rebuilt a lot as well, those T10 and T20's were the fore runner of some pretty quick machines like the T250 T350 T500 but the T10 was the first twin Suzuki turned out.
I think the thing I most like about motorcycling is the speed at which my brain must process information at to avoid the numb skulls who are eating pies, playing the ukulele, applying make-up etc in the comfort of their airconditioned armchairs as they make random attempts to kill me!!!!!!!

Offline cleveland

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Re: Picked up a 1966 Suzuki and need a little help
« Reply #12 on: August 14, 2009, 08:38:33 pm »
Don't try throwing that bucket into any corners like you can your Honda eh! :)

The first time I rode it farther then around the block I hit a corner rather sharp.  It's funny how natural it was to put my foot on the ground as I leaned into it.  LOL!!! 

She is going to be my fair weather queen next summer.  No long rides, rain, snow, mud, New Years Day rides, etc...  She'll be pampered.

Offline grumburg

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Re: Picked up a 1966 Suzuki and need a little help
« Reply #13 on: August 28, 2009, 04:54:24 pm »
What parts are you looking for?
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Offline cleveland

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Re: Picked up a 1966 Suzuki and need a little help
« Reply #14 on: August 28, 2009, 05:24:50 pm »
Nothing yet.  I picked up that parts bike, new cables, levers, manual, etc... 

Why do you ask?  Do you have some parts to unload?


Offline grumburg

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Re: Picked up a 1966 Suzuki and need a little help
« Reply #15 on: August 28, 2009, 05:41:13 pm »
Action Cycles in Alliance, Oh  (330) 821-8777 has been a Suzuki dealer since 1973 and has a lot of NOS parts. Bought a parts manual, exhaust joints, petcock gaskets, and some small parts last week. Only about 1 hr from Cleveland. Has a t10 parts bike, but it's pretty picked over. Will not look up part numbers, but I can copy the parts manual and send you a copy. Tell him Glenn Rumburg sent you. 
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Offline cleveland

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Re: Picked up a 1966 Suzuki and need a little help
« Reply #16 on: August 28, 2009, 05:49:13 pm »
LOL!!!  :D  Cleveland is my birth name, I live in Milwaukee.  Notice the location I have listed next to my avatar?  ;) ;D  I get it a lot, so don't feel bad. 

I may be looking for some NOS exhaust rubbers, so I'll keep that place in mind.  I did get a genuine Suzuki manual and parts list, so now I'm just waiting for the snow to fly. 

Offline grumburg

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Re: Picked up a 1966 Suzuki and need a little help
« Reply #17 on: August 28, 2009, 06:03:24 pm »
Well, Milwaukee is just west of Cleveland!  ;D I go to Action a lot, send me a wish list and I will see if he has them. There is a guy on ebay selling exhaust joints, but I knew Action's were NOS. Still in GSP bag.
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Offline cleveland

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Re: Picked up a 1966 Suzuki and need a little help
« Reply #18 on: August 28, 2009, 06:07:05 pm »
Smart ass!  ;D

I wont know until I strip her down.  I'll definitely shoot you a list once I have a better look at things.

Offline bill440cars

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Re: Picked up a 1966 Suzuki and need a little help
« Reply #19 on: August 28, 2009, 09:22:40 pm »

    That's cool to see that an old SUZI is going to be brought back around and "Pamered" as well. 8)  I can definitely testify on the fact that the x-6 Hustlers fly! Back in 68' I got the wheels blown off of my Lil' CB72 Honda more than once. And every time, I would go back and work on my Honda, only to get a little more out of it AND get beat AGAIN!!!!!!!!! >:( Really a pretty decent piece of History that you've got there. ;) Lookin' to see the progress on that little jewel! :)



       Paul Miller Suzuki might have some stuff for it as well, but I've heard his prices have taken a hike. :P
« Last Edit: August 28, 2009, 09:24:47 pm by bill440cars »
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Offline grumburg

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Re: Picked up a 1966 Suzuki and need a little help
« Reply #20 on: September 01, 2009, 04:53:46 pm »
Bobby: Thinking of ordering a license plate frame for my T10 that says "Global Warming Contributor". They are $11 on ebay. Too Bold?  Glenn
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Offline cleveland

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Re: Picked up a 1966 Suzuki and need a little help
« Reply #21 on: September 01, 2009, 05:29:11 pm »
Are you kidding?!  We are saving the environment by recycling these old bikes.   ;)

Shoot me a link, I might get one too.  8)