new bike and member in UK

[nickb st]

just bought a bridgestone imported from the US in need of full rebuild



comes complete with Evil kneivel paintwork

chrome is pretty good but some parts have been butchered !



why would you cut perfectly good pipes and make the bike a seize monster ?



a few bits have been lost along the way



and all the rubber is shot !



the engine turns over and compression can be felt - so hoping the 6000 miles
has not thrown some surprises.....



out came the angle grinder again !



so a mostly there bridgestone BS180DT frame and engine numbers are recorded
as matching (TA103417) 1969 vintage.

its had a low speed prang at some time. Causing bent headlight and ears and
still has its original brick hard OEM tyres ! Did early jap tyres ever wear out ?
they never seemed to grip the road ......



I have restored a few bikes before - but any advice will be welcomed
anyone have any of the bits I need ?

[slawsonb]

Condolences on the chops, but all in all not bad. Look in the classifieds on the site for parts (they come and go) and Richard Clark (site owner) has an impressive inventory of parts for all models Bridgestone. You can contact him through the "click here for parts" button. (and of course there's ebay)
All the members here are ready and willing to help. There are many in the UK. So, welcome and good luck. Keep us posted.
...bert

[BRT-GTR]

  Hi Nick,
              Welcome to the BS sickness, addiction, call it what you will !!. Bike looks reasonably complete, pity about those pipes.There are about 6 BS restorers, mainly 350s, here in the UK currently active on this site. You'll soon get to know us. Manuals, Parts Lists etc are available on the forum.
           Your best source of parts in the UK for the 175 is Brian McDonough, bikeaddict@sky.com , 01793 783327. He advertises in 'Tansha' the VJMC magazine. Otherwise the parts have to come from the US which can make them expensive with postage, Vat, import duty etc. You will find plenty of help here on the forum. Good luck with the restoration and keep us informed how you are doing.
     I'm pleased to see another UK, BS restorer join the forum. The company you bought from bring in possibly 6 Bridgestones  a year, somebody buys them but very few appear on this site.
 Brian the Brit.  I'm near Blackpool, where are you.

[nickb st]

thanks for the replies.....I live in Hertfordshire - so miles away....

will chase up all the leads re spares....

[ddog71]

I don't see anything on ebay right now for ebay seller "bsaddict". I purchased many NOS parts from him last year (Aug & Sept 2014). I think he was trying to get rid of most of his parts. I currently have 3 175's and 3 200's. Also have a 1973 Suzuki GT750. Best of luck with your Bridgestone. I guess we Bridgestoners" a bit crazy when it comes to our Bridgestones.......  Tim

[slawsonb]

I guess we Bridgestoners" a bit crazy when it comes to our Bridgestones.......  Tim

You said it, Tim! 
...bert

[nickb st]

I love 2 strokers  - so I like bridgestones !

here is a latest picture on the stripdown - the engine is very nice
6000 mile condition - but oily - that's good because it protects.....

the engine turned over nicely - with compression of sorts
- I found the reason today !



the previous owner decided it would run better with just one ring in each bore !

the barrels are fantastic - no scratches on the bore and chrome intact !

did bridgestone produce only one size of piston ? and rings ?

[OldSwartout]

did bridgestone produce only one size of piston ? and rings ?

Yes, only one size for any of the bikes with chrome bores, since they couldn't be bored oversize.

[BRT-GTR]

Nick,
          Good barrels and crank is a great start on the restoration, wife might not be too happy about that floor though.  . Lets hope the previous owner hasn't done any more 'performance' mods.  Some cycle parts are interchangeable between 175/350, IE front brake, handlebar controls, footrests.
   Used to have relatives in Baldock, Hertfordshire on my mothers side but have lost contact over the years. We UK, BS owners do seem to be well spread out geographically.
  Brian.

[slawsonb]

We UK, BS owners do seem to be well spread out geographically.
  Brian.

Clustering insanity is probably not advisable. 
...bert