Basket Cases

[Mattylad]

Top tip for preventing the Fantic kickstart shaft from breaking is to apply a smear of coppaslip when putting it together as well as warming up the engine to operating tempreture as if water gets into shaft space there is a tiny bit of corrosion which locks the shaft and then when some big lump (me) kicks it over it breaks on the o ring groove. Was told this 20 years ago when I rebuilt my engine and its never failed since.

[JC1]

Hi Everyone,

JC1, thankyou for that as there is still a bit to learn. Steve has spoken to Simon in WA as the chrome has started to lift off and the 350 conversion is still an option.

Greg, I believe the 350 has a 2mm bigger carb.
But I don't know if the cranks have diff balance for the diff size/weight piston or if the flywheel has more wt for the 350.

[Greg Harding]

Hi Everyone,

Mattylad, thankyou for the tip with regards to the Fantic , it makes sense to me. Which model is your Fantic and any chance of some photos?

JC1, I think Steve is happy to keep it as a 250 as he said it had heaps of power for him. If nothing else, the smaller capacity will be easier on the kickstarting system.

David, front - March 1983, rear - July 1981 you say, do you think that makes it a 1983 model and they used old stock rear rims? Also you were right again with regards to TY NOS front guard, it is not for a TY175/250, so must be TY80 bigwheel. Don't have any use for it yet!

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[Bully fanatic]

Hello Greg. There is TY front mudguards available in Australia from VMX Unlimited for $64.95. They have gone up in price since the last person I put on to them but I suppose that happens. Have a look on their website. The mudguards are a close copy. Graham.

[David Lahey]

Yes Greg I reckon you are right with your 1983 date for the Italjet based on those rims. Here are some similar rims purchased new in 1988 from the UK, and seeing yours and these was why I think that the stampings just before "E-DOT-SPAIN" indicate manufacture date

[straightpipe]

Hi All, Couldn't help myself. I blame alcohol, the internet, and a credit card. Next Project - what a piece of s**t . Will finish KT first cheers Ross

[Greg Harding]

Hi Everyone,

David and Graham, thanks for your help.

Ross, love your photo of RL250, it oozes potential and patina! Bet it could tell some stories Your interest in Suzuki's is not limited to just bikes, what year model is the Escudo?

Congratulations Troy Chadwick on being the new TY Champion!

Just sharing some photos of TY Challenge

Terry, Bruce, Troy, Ron, Don, Andrew, Donna, Greg, Mark, Robert and Bill

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Donna on her trusty TY175!

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A mate, Mick W. has just bought a TY350S off ebay and it is missing Bashplate, Rear Guard and Seat. Can anyone help as he is keen to come riding?

[straightpipe]

hi all, Greg - i thought it was rather subtle to have two suzuki's in one photo. The Escudo is an ancient 1991, but the 1974/75 RL250 replaced a 1961 Morris Minor. I think i may have some problem with liking old things . Cheers Ross

[Greg Harding]

Hi Everyone,

Ross, I had a 1992 SWB Escudo with throttle body injection and had a really good run out of it, they are better than the carby version of Vitara sold in Australia in the same era.

Just sharing where we are up to with the Italjet, back to bare frame ready for Steve to paint.

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Thankyou Mick Chadwick for the elusive rear silencer, Steve has burnt out the carbon and bead blasted ready for me to repair the dints behind the shock.

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The Fantic is progressing as well, looks like the swingarm pivot is stuck for now, the bushes are pretty good and I may have to cross that bridge in the future!

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Geoff, as you said there is a couple of cracks in the frame, midway down the back edges of the headset gussets which are a little thin.

[Geoff Lewis]

Hi Greg, Check the swingarm for twist as well, and the bottom , under engine tubes, if they are flattened the headstem gets more raked out. Good luck. I was quoted $1300 to jig and have my frame checked! OOPS! Needless to say I didn't bother and went by eye, which works much better after beer!
Regards, Geoff.