Jonny

I’m going to drive up on the Saturday morning anyway. So if anyone else is planning to be there, we can meet for a coffee or bacon butty.

No I didn’t send them the email. I just filled out the V62 form and left the reg number out. I sent a covering letter explaining that I’d bought it without a V5 and I knew it hadn’t been on the road for 20 years. The Harris information told me it was an 81 bike and would have had a 1000cc engine in it. Just to be clear, they sent me the V5 with the original number. They didn’t issue a new number. I’ve done it before and I’ve always found them very helpful. They didn’t even cash the £25 cheque!

I always buy these from Suzuki. I’ve had problems in the past with rebuild kits where these small seals seem to be the wrong size. It might be because of the plethora of combinations between specific carbs, or just because they’re cheap.

It’s really for @Bow to tell. I only heard about it when I picked it up.

Here we go then. The cover from another bottomless pit has been pulled back to reveal... a Harris Magnum. This is the remains of the Magnum from Bow’s infamous ‘Harris in the hedge’ story, many of you may know. I bought it from him a couple of weeks back. Along with the frame, swingarm and tank, I got a shock, a Hel oil cooler and bracket, loads of Goodrich oil lines, stainless headers, side-stand, most of the loom and a few boxes of bits. It seems pretty unmolested – the frame has a couple of extra bits welded on, but more importantly, nothing removed. The tank is an original Harris alloy tank that is in really good shape without any noticeable dents. (I may have the wood-chip paint job to thank for that). The first thing I did was emailed Harris, who told me it was a GS1000-designated frame kit ordered in late 1980 and delivered in early ’81. This was enough information for me to apply for the V5 document, which arrived a couple of days ago. The bike has an age-related X-plate – which is nice, but interestingly it was first registered in 1998 and with an 1100cc engine. (An EFE unit judging by the motor code.) ‘What the plan then?’ I hear you ask… It’ll be another resto-mod*. I plan to use the original tank, mount an original/replica Mag 2 fairing on it and possibly an F1-style tailpiece. The running gear will be modern, with 180/120 tyres. Power-wise, I’m leaning towards an 1127, as it’s lighter than an EFE motor. Then hopefully, Havoc can do me a nice period, race-bike style paint job. This is not going to be a quick build. As well as collecting all the parts, (none of which I have), I’m going to be making all the brackets and mounts needed for a road bike. Plus, I will be moving house soon, so I’m not even going to get started on this for a few months. So, watch this space, but not too closely. *Details correct at time of going to press. Plans are subject to change without notice. The term ‘plan’ is used in the loosest possible sense.

I believe that the Frame kits for Suzukis came with wider swing arms than the Kwaka ones, so thats maybe why. Will you be selling the JMC then?

Nice! Will you be re-fitting the original swing arm as well?

I’ll be coming for the day - in the car!

I have an Akrapovic system on mine. Not sure what bike it was made for but it wasn’t a slabby. I think it may be for a slingshot. The only thing I needed to do is cut the fairing lower back by about an inch at the bottom, as the pipe exits the fairing earlier. If Dezza is right about slingshot down pipes, it may not be a slingy exhaust as I didn't have issues with the sump plug or oil pickups. I have seen a few original exhausts recently at bike jumbles. They normally go for £400-£500. There were at least 3 at Stafford last month!

Cheers Paul! Will do. And thanks for the sticker on my headlight. I forgot to take it off before I left and got to see it in my rear view mirror all the way home.

Great weekend lads! Thanks for having me along. Thought I’d add some of my photos of Suzukis at the event below>

Yes, they came like that from the factory. I have two screens just like that.

I'm using a set of Mikuni BST36mm from a Mk1 Bandit with K&N twin oval filters on my 1230cc EFE motor. No problems with them at all and they give a lot more midrange power than the 36s fitted originally.

The spring rate is dictated by the weight of the bike plus the rider. Different bikes will have different geometry and weight so it’s not a universal calculation. You should be able to find out from Ohlins what the spring rate should be for your body weight on a Bandit. Bear in mind if you have (for example) put a lightweight 4-into-1 on, that might need to be considered. As a comparison, I have an 1100 slingy with an Ohlins on it with a spring rate of 90nm. I weight 14st and that feel about right. It had a 75nm spring when I got it which may be the ‘standard’ spring rate. I’ve seen quite a few with that spring on for sale.

Does anyone know where I can get a rebuild kit (seals and gaskets) for one of these? One of mine has sprung a leak at the top. There was someone on Eblag a while back who rebuilt them, but they don't seam to be advertising there anymore. Can't find anything on tinterweb either...