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Offline Sporkfly

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Rebuilding a Neglected Bike
« on: September 17, 2008, 07:24:27 PM »
Hi all,

I'm looking for some input from those of you that have rebuilt field finds, forest finds, barn finds or otherwise severely weathered bikes I'm looking for some input and opinions. My dad had a 1976 Suzuki GT500A and it was in a barn/shed for a long time. The barn was kind of abandoned and one year (about 10 years back) the snow finally collapsed the building. The bike was in there, got knocked over. Since then it's been sitting next to the collapsed barn in the woods. Everything is seized - even the brake pedal won't move. The bike has been sitting since the mid 80s as it is.

So what are the main complications and difficulties of rebuilding something like this? I know it's mainly going to be seized up fasteners and I'm curious how others have gone about dealing with finds like these.

Hopefully being a 2-stroke it will be slightly more affordable to rebuild the engine  ::). I've looked into parts on BikeBandit and it looks like a huge number of parts are still available for this bike  ;D.
« Last Edit: September 17, 2008, 07:58:55 PM by Sporkfly »
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Offline DarkRider

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Re: Rebuilding a Neglected Bike
« Reply #1 on: September 17, 2008, 10:33:51 PM »
ohhh...wow...um...where to start on this...guys?
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Offline Raul CB750K1

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Re: Rebuilding a Neglected Bike
« Reply #2 on: September 17, 2008, 10:48:24 PM »
Rebuiding an engine seems to be the most difficult part of a bike rebuild, and what scares the people most. You will discover that restoring the cosmetics -paint, chrome etc- will cost you from two to four times the cost of the engine rebuild. You have to assess if the cost is worth for you.
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Offline scunny

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Re: Rebuilding a Neglected Bike
« Reply #3 on: September 17, 2008, 11:00:05 PM »
main bearings, stuck pistons blah blah blah.
pull her apart and make a list. as Raul said it's the cosmetics if you want to go original that total up.
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Offline KB02

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Re: Rebuilding a Neglected Bike
« Reply #4 on: September 18, 2008, 04:40:50 AM »
Original - smorignal. Get it back together and ride the tire off of it!!   ;D ;D

Seriously though, if the engine can be returned to a running condition, that you have something to work on. It may cost a penny or two, but if its something you're into, take your time and have fun!!
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Offline Sporkfly

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Re: Rebuilding a Neglected Bike
« Reply #5 on: September 18, 2008, 05:22:30 AM »
My main concern is the engine being seized up.

And yeah to the main bearings, rings, blah blah balh ;D.

Best way to unstick those pistons once I start into it? I'm going to assume it's 10+ years of rust in there.
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troppo

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Re: Rebuilding a Neglected Bike
« Reply #6 on: September 18, 2008, 05:29:12 AM »
Depends on whether you just want it to turn over or a decent runner......
Turn over, diesel and trans fluid down the bores for a few days should loosen things up enough to turn over but may do more damage.
Decent runner, tear down, inspect and rebuild.
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Offline bryanj

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Re: Rebuilding a Neglected Bike
« Reply #7 on: September 18, 2008, 08:13:24 AM »
Engine parts for those in UK are mega expensive especially cranks
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Offline Sporkfly

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Re: Rebuilding a Neglected Bike
« Reply #8 on: September 18, 2008, 06:30:49 PM »
I think I'll be picking the bike up within the next couple of weeks, pictures of the state it is in to follow.

The main reason I ask how I should go about unsticking the pistons is for the tear down. Cylinders don't come off so easily when they are rust welded to the pistons  :(.

Edit: Thanks for the input guys.
« Last Edit: September 18, 2008, 08:34:14 PM by Sporkfly »
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1976 Suzuki GT500 Titan

Offline low-side

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Re: Rebuilding a Neglected Bike
« Reply #9 on: September 19, 2008, 04:39:07 PM »
So I guess this is more about sentimental value that anything else?  I've done this with the same year and model and it is nasty expensive unless you have a "parts bike" that probably would be in better shape than this one.  It uses CDI ignition and it isn't real sturdy, so be ready for that.  Crank seals like to leak; not too bad to change the outer ones, but nasty for the inners (press the crank apart).  Pistons and rings can be found on Ebay, etc.  It's certainly doable, and if you're not worried about originality you can have a lot of fun with it.  Good luck!
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Offline ofreen

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Re: Rebuilding a Neglected Bike
« Reply #10 on: September 19, 2008, 05:23:55 PM »
I have seen a lot of bikes like the one described.  Outside in the weather for 10 years?  At the risk of hurting your feelings, I have to say it would be a colossal waste of time, money, and energy to do anything with that bike except take it to the recycler.  (Scrap metals are bringing good prices right now.)  Just about every single part on that bike is likely to be screwed up. 
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Offline Artfrombama

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Re: Rebuilding a Neglected Bike
« Reply #11 on: September 19, 2008, 09:52:56 PM »
You'll find it's much cheaper to buy a running bike with low miles.
But that's never stopped me. ;)

First thing, drain the crankcase. If it has water in it, start looking for another engine.
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Offline Sporkfly

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Re: Rebuilding a Neglected Bike
« Reply #12 on: September 20, 2008, 04:38:43 PM »
Quote from: Artfrombama on September 19, 2008, 09:52:56 PM
You'll find it's much cheaper to buy a running bike with low miles.
But that's never stopped me. ;)

First thing, drain the crankcase. If it has water in it, start looking for another engine.

Oh, I'm well aware :P

But as stated above it's partially sentimental, partially passion and the last 1/3 is me being stubborn.
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1977 CB550K
1979 GL1000 - Current project, winter '09-'10
1979 CX500
1976 Suzuki GT500 Titan
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