Popular Post yoeddynz Posted January 30, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted January 30, 2023 Picked up this a couple of days ago from our neighbour in return for doing a service on their car. They've had it in storage for 8 or 9 years with the intention to restore it but life etc did its thing to that plan. So now its ours (Hannah's already smitten with it) Last rego in 2009. Pretty low mileage for its age? This is the first motorbike Ive ever had in NZ. When I was doing the UK living thing we both got our CBT licences and I bought a classic 1976 Honda SL125 while Hannah bought a 1978 XL125. Then I bought a CL125 and used that for commuting. Once back in NZ we'd both had ideas about getting bikes but just never happened. Then this turned up and it'll do for a bit of fun. I have looked on the nets and not found much info on these. Not sure what the difference is between this F50 and a FR50? I'd love to know more about the history of them. Wiki has nothing really. We both thought it best to crack into it and see if it runs. First off Hannah gave it a bit of a clean and removed the cracked fairing. Then I modified the lock barrel to accept a Bedford truck key which happened to be sooooo close to working already. Neighbours will no doubt find the original key now. Then put some two stroke mix in. Just some chainsaw mix and I think 50:1 so probably a bit lean? I'm not sure but its probably like the 'which oil weight to use' question. It has a oil tank on the side but for testing purposes I left that empty. I don't even know what oil goes in there- just 2 stroke stuff yeah? 2 stoke m/bikes are a whole new thing to me! Lots to learn. Gave it a kick over and on the 5th kick it started! Wow. Neat. Sounded great. But learnt that the carb was leaking... Took the cover off- weird place for a carb Looks clean in there but a sticking float needle needed sorting. I first removed and cleaned the fuel tap. It has a vacuum operated diaphram valve on the side that is meant to close off the tap unless the engine is running. Is this common? Tap was ok but could do with a new rubber sealing washer between it and the tank outlet stub. Then the carb. A little bit tricky to get out as I didn't want any split hoses but all seemed fine. removed the bowl and cleaned out the valve. Works good now. Bowl had a bit of gunk in it but not much considering the time the bike has sat... Put it all back together and started it up then took it for a hoon up the drive and back along the road. Fuck its cool. Much more of a giggle than I was expecting. Its like a tiny engine with a big turbo. Nothing nothing nothing and then powerband. Gear lever is bent and fucked if I can downshift with my heal. Checked the plug and its not a bad colour.. Took the cover off above the carb and adjusted out the slack in the cable. Odd size - needs a 7mm spanner. Lubed the twist throttle end and its much nicer to use. Brakes seem fine and tyres are holding air plus have good tread and not perished. Then went out for more hoons up and down the road. Goes well. Quite fun. I best check/change the fuel mix before I fuck it though. 40:1? So I'll sort the gear lever out, fix the fairing cracks, sort out the broken indicator lenses (any ideas on where I might find them ? They look like trailer lights but are the originals) and get a new spark plug. Then it needs new rego and plate so I'll pop in and do that bit of paperwork. Keen on a workshop manual but cant find anywhere to download one that suits this model ? 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Gruntfuttock Posted January 30, 2023 Share Posted January 30, 2023 Sweet... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raizer Posted January 30, 2023 Share Posted January 30, 2023 Sweet score! F is the successor to the U series and predecessor to the FR models. You'll want to fill that side tank with 2t oil and bleed the pump ASAP, old Suzuki's have what they called CCI lubrication, the left crank bearing is oiled directly by a line from the pump and not from fuel. Depending on year it also is the main oil source for the big end bearing too, injected on the left of the left bearing, makes it's way through that into a plate that is pressed into a hole in the end of the crank pin. 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Hill Posted January 30, 2023 Share Posted January 30, 2023 6 hours ago, Raizer said: Sweet score! F is the successor to the U series and predecessor to the FR models. You'll want to fill that side tank with 2t oil and bleed the pump ASAP, old Suzuki's have what they called CCI lubrication, the left crank bearing is oiled directly by a line from the pump and not from fuel. Depending on year it also is the main oil source for the big end bearing too, injected on the left of the left bearing, makes it's way through that into a plate that is pressed into a hole in the end of the crank pin. This is spot on. There's been the death of many CCI 2ts, from Barry doing a premix only 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yoeddynz Posted January 30, 2023 Author Share Posted January 30, 2023 Great advice. Cheers. You've both probably saved my bike from certain death! I'll get some oil today. Could be any 2 stroke oil? or is there a specific recommended oil for this type of setup? Also - how do I bleed the lines? I really need to find a manual for it eh. Its all new to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goat Posted January 30, 2023 Share Posted January 30, 2023 Any 2T oil will do. Maybe not marine.. hah. Bleed the lines, you should be able to find the oil pump, its often behind the sprocket cover on my small suzukis anyway. I usually just fire it up on some premix, and let it idle, but pull the pump throttle on max, you should be able to see oil moving through the lines with a torch. Mind you, Ive never come across an old 2stroke where the lines are empty. So probably fine to just fill up the oil tank, pop a bit of premix in the fuel tank, fire it up, and hold the oil pump WOT for a couple of mins. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raizer Posted January 30, 2023 Share Posted January 30, 2023 I'd run a half decent semi synthetic 2t oil if it was mine. Oil pump is under the same cover as the front sprocket, will be a screw or small bolt close to where the oil line from the tank goes in, you just crack it until oil seeps out consistently without air bubbles. Suzuki recommend in the A50 manual running a small amount of premixed petrol and taking it easy until you see oil in the line by the carb, but they are a pretty hardy pump so I doubt you'll have any issues with it. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yoeddynz Posted January 30, 2023 Author Share Posted January 30, 2023 Armed with the above advice I could not leave this little bike alone and had to check the oil system. I removed the outlet from the very empty dry oil tank and cleaned out the tiny bit of dirt residing in the bottom so removing any chance it could get into the pump.. After some brake clean and a bit of wooden dowel to free up the dirt.. I put some Penrite 2 stroke oil I use for the chainsaw in. It states its idea for industrial 2 strokes so it'll do for testing purposes I'm sure. Then the pump - hiding behind this little cover. I noted that the sprocket looks good with barely a sign of hooking showing. Cover off.. exposing a neat little pump arrangement.. It all looked clean and untouched in there. I pushed the bike outside and started it up. Minky the micra probably not pleased with this new 'moooore economy' mode of transport ... Removed what looked like the obvious bleed bolt as mentioned above by Mr Raizer and monsieur Goat and sure enough the oil did start to flow ... With the bolt back in place I could see oil being pumped in pulses out the two outlet pipes. I'll check the flow at the carb later but I feel pretty confident it'll be ok. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goat Posted January 30, 2023 Share Posted January 30, 2023 I'll be dipped. Bone dry oil system! Have never seen that in all my 2 stroke shenanigans. You can hold the oil pump WOT to get it to prime the lines faster while the bike is just idling. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kicker Posted January 30, 2023 Share Posted January 30, 2023 I use Motul 710 oil to help keep power valves clean but 510 would be good in your hog. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yoeddynz Posted January 30, 2023 Author Share Posted January 30, 2023 2 minutes ago, kicker said: power valve Ha ha - he said power Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HighLUX Posted January 31, 2023 Share Posted January 31, 2023 Check the exhaust for carbon build up and if its looking gunky then burning it out with an oxy acetylene torch with unlock more ponies 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Gruntfuttock Posted January 31, 2023 Share Posted January 31, 2023 Regards manuals, I've had success in the past searching online if I include 'forum' in the search terms. Have found a few links to pdf copies that way... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tumeke Posted January 31, 2023 Share Posted January 31, 2023 Oh Hi. With just a little angle grinder, a Suzuki a100 motor should fit in that frame, offering 4 speeds and more nangs. Here's one I prepared earlier on the earlier U50 model. Regards 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yoeddynz Posted January 31, 2023 Author Share Posted January 31, 2023 Oh like as if I'd get bored with the stock power and try to fit something else in... 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crash Posted January 31, 2023 Share Posted January 31, 2023 Try google-ing Carl Salter for lots of bike manuals. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tumeke Posted January 31, 2023 Share Posted January 31, 2023 https://www.oldjapanesebikes.com/mraxl_GT_Resource/manuals_page/index.php there is at least a parts manual here, and pretty sure the A100 shares same wiring etc. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yoeddynz Posted January 31, 2023 Author Share Posted January 31, 2023 Cheers Glen. Yeah I had found that one and book marked it already. Useful because I can at least make out how the bike fits together when I'm looking at a pile of bits on the floor. Got some bits this arvo. Picked up those brand new rear indicators for $5 each! They were clearing them out. I thought the lenses would surely not fit my chrome bodies but the went straight on! They actually have suzuki japan molded into the plastic. Bloody bargain considering bulbs were included. Took it for another hoon up and down our driveway. Must get a helmet - I looked at some at the bike shop but nothing really retro suitable there. But they can order various ones in and they look nice. I have a full face helmet from the UK but its just not befitting of a 50cc bike I'll be taking to the beach etc. Can't get used to the original gear lever. It's awkward to use (it being a bit bent doesn't help). I'm going to make a new one, a modern style, to suit. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yoeddynz Posted February 3, 2023 Author Share Posted February 3, 2023 Took this out for a longer test ride down to Marahau yesterday morning. Re-fitted the original mirrors it had come with and the leg shield. Pretty much all complete now and looks really neat. It goes so well. Was faultless but for the snapped speedo cable - the remaining bit of inner is stuck down inside the outer with neither end sticking out so I'll order a whole new one. So in order to check speed I wore my Garmin watch. It cruises along nicely at 55kph and hit 60 with a bit more to go but I was only wearing a pushbike helmet and it got a bit noisy. Ideal fun way to get to the beach for a swim though! (which I noted was empty but for two people even though its still holidays!) Must get it rego'd now and sort out a helmet. 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RUNAMUCK Posted February 5, 2023 Share Posted February 5, 2023 Welcome to being a small bike pest Alex! ONE OF US! ONE OF US! ONE OF US! ONE OF US! ONE OF US! 2 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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