Biff the Ageing Bof

Yes I've already named it

So this is the one i picked up earlier today, a 1971 Suzuki F50 Cutlass.



Been dry stored for god knows how long and is in decent condition considering it's 45 years

A quick look over for parts needed and came up with this list........so far



Just had a peek in the tank, because we all know that over this amount of time in storage they do get knackered with rust.

Na, not this one, unbelievable.
Bit difficult to get the shot, but you can see the fuel filter at the bottom of the tank.
Its clean.



I'll add to this as I strip it.

 

possible to remove that seat covering without it coming apart any more ?
you could unpick the stitching, draw out the panel patterns on some light paper, then transfer to a couple off cuts from a habberdashery , get misses or a relative with a sewing machine to restitch new panels together and you have a new seat cover .
i saw a rear mudguard (chrome on fleybay for around £30 ) and a seat cover for about £15 if i am right ( pop to local rubbish tip find an old thrown out leather sofa and cut a few panels then the above patterns drawn on and cut gonna save a good few pennys )

 

Seat will be going to Andy Leighton in Price Street Birmingham to be done properly, new foam and cover.

 

Back wheel was a bitch to get off, siezed in the spacer, nothing that a lot of heat didn't sort out.
Brake shoe lining fell off

 

should keep you out of mischief over Christmas

 

That was a struggle, but got there



The engine turns over freely now, but there's crap in the opening of the block, so i decided it's gonna get completely stripped on the bench, just to be safe rather than sorry.
Now then, how much VHT silver paint have i got left................

 

Definately a good idea to have the lump out

 

That's my favorite toy in the box, a 1lb copper persuader.

 

Found a brand new NOS leg shield last night, it's now mine, along with a full gasket set, one front indicator, new rear indicators, swing arm bushes, and oil tank cover.
Literally jumped on the leg shield and oil tank cover, as they were the only ones that I could find anywhere.
And sometimes you can't afford to wait on things that are getting rare.
Also discovered that this bike was only made between 1971 and 1974.
At least that's a few things crossed off the list already.

 

Gasket set turned up already, and the indicator.
Then found that the original seller of the indicator has ANOTHER ONE!!!!!
Son of a M*&^%*&^$ F88888R
They could have said on the flamin' ad. Would have had both at the same time.
Had to buy it anyway, so at least I now have a pair of brand new front indicators.
Also spotted that they have NOS forks complete.

So I've stripped out the ones I have and to my absolute delight, they are functioning perfectly. Not seized in any way.
Just need a good strip down, clean, paint and grease up and they're good to go

Looks like this now:



I'm really surprised at how good a condition the frame is in.
No rot at all anywhere, just light surface rust spots.
They'll come off easily when I start with the "tools".

 

Holy horses fella , thats one clean as frame given its life in the uk . if only they made bikes like this these days .
its going to be a right head turner once finished

 

New parts added to the shelf today:

Battery (6 volt)
Front and rear brakes
Piston kit (Meteor)
Swing arm bolt
Air filter sponge

and all from the stock I have on the shelves

and the Oil Tank Cover, that turned up today.

Had a little go with the "tools" on the frame to see how well it will clean up........................hehhehheh
2 or 3 hours tomorrow and I reckon it'll be stripped of all it's original paint.

Off to the paint shop in the morning for some Rio Red paint

 

Looking forward to seeing the paintwork [emoji106]


Sent from my LG-D855 using Tapatalk

 

let me know when you sell this, i WILL have it off you.... you will have all the papers and stuff right?
i like this project already.
is the motor the same in the whole FR range?

 

I think this motor is more along the range of the FA series, not sure if they are exactly the same, but they are similar.
I will have the V5 after it's all done, it may have to go for inspection seeing as there is no current info on it on the dvla website vehicle check thingy. It's probably slipped through the cracks on their side seeing as it's not been used for so long.
I've ordered new rims, tyres, tubes, spokes, rear shocks and rear mudguard late last night.
Got the engine on the bench, partially stripped, with plenty of photos to assist the rebuild.
Having a little problem with the rear lower mounting bolt, seized in the hole, but it'll come out eventually.
I shall be making new cables and stuff as and when it gets to that stage.
But yes, it'll get put up for sale hopefully late January. I'll give you first refusal scuba.

 

Got the bolt out, plenty of heat, cursing, more heat, more cursing and calling of names, now waiting for the case to cool a little.

 

Its the cursing that gets it out, not the heat...

 

Yeah, that and a little luck, not to break the cases