I've got a 1971 Suzuki TS250 that I am going to attempt to completely restore this winter.  The 04F is fun on the road, but it kinda lacks when it comes to riding around the farm.   Anyway, what are your favorite sites for restoration ideas and tips, sites that have parts for older bikes and such.  Currently all I have is a Clymer service manual to help, but it covers 125-400cc from 1964-1981, so it's pretty generic.  Any help would be appreciated.

I can think of no generic restoration sites, but I guess it depends on how restored you want to go.

I have been looking for simple information like metal polishing. Haven't found the "Metal Polishing World" website yet.

Try Google and pick topical words and phrases. Who knows? Someone has probably done it already.

I have an '81 project. I could not find a specific but I found some Yamaha and cruiser sites that were helpful a little.  I asked some specific questions on here and got some help but found that the best way was to get out into the world of breakers yards and local mechanics. I managed to find a couple who specialise and one in paticular has been very helpful, he has done some jobs for me and tracked down parts and given advice freely on the things i can do. I intend to go to my local motorcycle club but have not yet made it, they meet on Sunday nights and I am often commited elswhere. Talk to bikers and not just on websites.  

One of our moderators has a vast experience with lots of different bikes and gave me some info in a PM that answered a question for me, he often giver non-GS advice, I'm sure you will figure it out.

Quote from: starwaltI can think of no generic restoration sites, but I guess it depends on how restored you want to go.

I'm thinking about complete ripping the bike apart, polishing/painting/cleaning everything, rebuilding the engine and clutch and replacing some partts (plastics, wheels, fuel lines).  Sounds like the only choice is to just rip it apart and search for help piece by piece.  Maybe I'll document some of it and post a web page for others going down this road.

Thanks for the info.

Hey! I've got a 1980 TS250! Cool! Mine's blue!

The vintage japanese motorcycle club (VJMC) will be of some help.  If I remember correctly ther url is //vjmc.org When i was rebuilding my 67 Yamaha they were really helpful on that site. There's a ton of knowledgable guys on there.  For example, they put me onto a place right here in PA that is the US's largest NOS dealer for Yammie parts.  Check it out.

jake

http://vjmc.org

hopefully this one will work.

jake

QuoteI have an '81 project

this the XS400 or XJ650 you have? cal?

It's an XS400 US Custom special (I think) A few of them were imported into the UK to fill a shortfall in demand. As far as i can see the only differences from the UK version are just cosmetic plus the UK model had a kickstart and the US did not. The casing is the same with the appature for the kick start plugged with an aluminium plug. I am looking around to get a kickstart and spindle. This model has no dipstick or oil pressure light but has a window in the casing.

www.thegsresources.com

Alot of those guys have that same bike. Try the tech forum.

tigard motorcycle recycle  has a ts400 that I sold them had a really nice tank and seat on it   503-968-0298  ask for Troy he's the one running the show over there.   and Mikes cycle parts in Salem is now open again. (they are the largest salvage yard on the west coast) so if your looking for spefic parts they have them. http://www.mikescycleparts.com/  they claim over 1 million parts in stock.  but it's alot closer to two.

Quote from: AlphaFire X5Hey! I've got a 1980 TS250! Cool! Mine's blue!

Cool, here are a couple of pics of my '71.










or if they load too slow, links to the pics are...


Right Side View

Left Front View

Left Rear View

Thanks for all the links everyone, I'm starting to create a webpage to journal my restoration process in and will put them on the page.