Another one gone?

[Sno Jet]

I was walking into a Pizza shop this afternoon as the delivery guy was walking up to his car parked by.  He noticed my Bridgestone sticker on my truck and made a quick comment that he used to own a GTO.

As I was eating, he came back in the shop afterwards.  I then asked him about it as I was surprised by his age(early twenties) that he even knew about Bridgestone's.  He explained that it had been his first bike before he got a Suzuki Gixer.   

I mentioned that GTO's were going for a good sum and he acknowledged and said that he had sold it "running" to someone for $500!  I did not say anything and continued to listen.  He said that he later bought it back for $10 as something had gone wrong with it.  Now I don't know if the other person crashed it, seized it  or lost interest but it probably was not an easy fix as he then SCRAPPED it for $25!  It was one of those plants that shred it all up, not a junk yard.  He really did not show much interest in it to be honest.  Not exactly a "chick" magnet in his eyes.  I was a bit disgusted.

Probably an appliance now.  We have lost a lot of bikes and classic cars to these metal scrappers.  They are thick as flea's on Craigslist.

[RayK]

Sno Jet
Thanks for the interesting story.  I have heard some horror stories re old bikes here in Oz. The latest was from a fellow that worked for McCulloch who took over the parts distribution for Bridgestone in Sydney from 1969-1975 from Yamaha Australia. He told me that McCulloch threw out all the remaining BS parts held at 1975 into landfill. 

Older Japanese bikes are now very sought after in Oz e.g. on Ebay at present there is a BS 90 Mountain without motor with one bid at $350. On the weekend I was at the Goulburn swap meet where there was a 1961 Suzuki Colleda for sale @ $800.  It had been found in North Queensland and showed the obvious effects of 50 years of coastal rust. A huge restoration job for the buyer.

RayK

[reed]

Sno Jet
I just found this Yamaha 305 and with a engine and it was about to the scrap yard.
And i will do something with it.
Thanks.
Steve.

[Sno Jet]

RayK, I would imagine there were a lot of NOS parts destroyed to make way for new product on the shelf.  Company "write off".   From Bridgestones to tractors.  Luckily, many times a lowly worker took a detour to his shed instead of to the dumpster.



Steve,  good job.  That was a wake up call for me yesterday.  I mean, I have always known it was happening but it has been out of mind.  One man's junk, another man's treasure.

[ziggy stardust]

When Suzuki changed their RE5 M models to A models in 76 in an effort to improve sales the dealers were told to destroy the parts removed from the M models, thankfully some of the exchanged parts did find their way to the mechanics home or were left on the dealer's shelf or basement.

It's also rumoured that Suzuki dumped a batch of unsold RE5s at sea.

Z

[scrambler]

Hey Steve,

I have worked on quite a few of those 250 and 305 Yamaha's. I still have a few parts even. At one time I have about 10 of them in rough condition.




Kicker ok on your? They are known for shredding teeth.

[reed]

Scrambler
When i get some time i will check out the kick start etc.
I also have just found this Kawasaki 100.
Thanks.
Steve.

[ztnoo]

Older Japanese bikes are now very sought after in Oz

Well here ya go.....a fairly decent Yam YL1:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180797571435&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:1123

[Harry]

Hey Sno Jet.  I know how you feel about loosing another BS or any other old bike.  I have been restoring a 1967 Bridgestone 350 GTR and am almost done.  It's not done with all the new chrome parts but I tried to keep it as stock as possible thanks to Richard @ Bridgestone parts.com.  I still have a question which I'm sure you or someone else on the forum can answer.  When I installed the rebuilt engine the two bottom of the engine bolts don't line up with the holes in the frame.  How can I get them to line up properly without putting too much strain on the other engine mounts?  Another question:  With the rebuilt motor what type of break in oil should I use and how careful do I have to be and for how many miles.  The current odometer reads 2970 miles only.  Pretty good for a 45 year old 350.  Thanks for helping me.  I'm looking forward to getting it on the road by spring.  HarryV

[reed]

Harry,
I always start the 2  bolts under the engine first just too get them started.
Then i work on the frame mounts etc.I always put some two stroke oil in
The fuel tank before i start the engine and check the settings on the oil pump.
Per workshop manual.
Thanks.
Steve.

[RayK]

Ztnoo
The Yamaha YL1 did not sell -? starting price too high ($1500).  Also it was in Adelaide, South Australia -long way from Sydney/Melbourne.

Today's collectables 21 January from Ebay Oz - note the Marusho Lilac on page 3

http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/Motorcycles-/32073/i.html?rt=nc&Product%2520Type=Classic%252C%2520Collector%2520Bikes&_catref=1&_dmpt=AU_Motorcycles&_fln=1&_ssov=1&_trksid=p3286.c0.m282

Cheers
RayK

[ztnoo]

Ray,
That's an interesting link on Classic, Collectible Bikes in Oz you provided.
There's some pretty nifty machinery.....TZR Yams, a Laverda, several Ducatis, a James, Bonnevilles, Nortons, CB 750s,  a couple of CBXs.

That Lilac link is actually here:
Marusho Lilac LS18 250cc V twin shaft drive 1960 part restored. Rare classic
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Marusho-Lilac-LS18-250cc-V-twin-shaft-drive-1960-part-restored-Rare-classic-/200701729317?pt=AU_Motorcycles&hash=item2ebac15a25

Looks like it had a problem with some errant rings in one of the bores.
I understand this was a fairly common problem, along with some weak tranny internals on some.
Lots of these never made it beyond a couple of thousand miles before one of these glitches cropped up and then the bikes got parked and never repaired.

[scrambler]

That Lilac is now on my watch list.

I spent most of yesterday working on the Lilac. I made a set of top end gaskets among other odd things. I think it should have compression now as soon as I finish of lapping the valves in the left side head.

[disc_valve]

I'd second Reed's comment on fitting the bolts under the engine first. Don't forget that all the front and rear engine plates bolt on to the frame, so make sure that you loosen the bolts holding the engine plates  before attempting to position the engine.

If the bottom bolts still won't line up, maybe the engine plates have been switched left-to-right at some stage (this would probably change the position of the engine in the frame.

A final thought - the bottom bolts are a different thread to the other 10mm bolts in the bike. (They are 10 * 1.5mm pitch instead of 10 * 1.25mm). If you try using a 10mm fine thread bolt it won't screw into the crankcase hole.

Graham

[Harry]

Thanks, Steve for the info on installing the 350 engine. I haven't had time yet because I'm not in country.  Will attempt when I return.  Thanks also for the info about the 2 cycle engine oil mixed with the gas in order to get the oil pump dialed in.  HarryV

[ztnoo]

The Oz Lilac sold.
Winning bid:   AU $1,832 = $1,918.87 USD.
I'd say that was a decent buy considering how much work has been done on it and the rarity of the bike.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Marusho-Lilac-LS18-250cc-V-twin-shaft-drive-1960-part-restored-Rare-classic-/200701729317?pt=AU_Motorcycles&hash=item2ebac15a25

[Harry]

Hi to all you BS 350 GTR guys and gals.