busa1300 Posted December 21, 2016 Posted December 21, 2016 I have been a Suzuki lover since my first one back in 1982. It was a 78 GS1000E, and after my first ride home on it I was hooked on Suzuki power. I also loved two strokes since my first one back in 1984 (RZ350)....But Suzuki stopped selling two strokes in the States back in 1976 At the end of the year in 2007, I bought myself a modern stroker (RS250 Cup) for track days. And since that had a Suzuki VJ22 based engine, I thought that was as close as I could get here with sporting Suzuki power. But as I got wiser I found a few RGV's here in the States, as I looked for RS engine spares. I now had a VJ21L, a VJ22FL, and a VJ22N.....but I really wanted the last of them all....the infamous VJ23 And one day I had a call to pick up a crate.....drove to Chicago to pick it up and brought it home.....wondering the condition of it's contents inside. after the long trip from Japan. Two weeks before, I had a smaller box on my door step.... 1 Quote
busa1300 Posted December 21, 2016 Author Posted December 21, 2016 When I opened the smaller box, I was happy to find exactly what I expected....a dry clutch 70 degree v-twin stroker motor waiting for it's carbs, exhaust, and frame. A bit crusty, but looked unabused, at least from the outside 5 Quote
busa1300 Posted December 21, 2016 Author Posted December 21, 2016 Time to open it up..... .........and see where my $$$ all went........ 6 Quote
busa1300 Posted December 21, 2016 Author Posted December 21, 2016 I also picked up some parts for my basket case VJ21 that I have hiding in the corner I have VJ21 SP forks for it, a RF600 3.5 front wheel, and now have a GSXR400SP braced rear swing arm for it, and a VJ22 17x4.5 rear wheel...and some tuned cylinders.... 2 Quote
busa1300 Posted December 21, 2016 Author Posted December 21, 2016 After pulling all the parts out of the box, I had to see if everything was there.....what better way to do that than bolt it together... Engine was all there too..........but I didn't bolt that in, It's getting a thorough rebuild before It gets reunited. 4 Quote
busa1300 Posted December 21, 2016 Author Posted December 21, 2016 Why was it shipped in pieces you ask...? Because this is the US, and our laws are screwed up. A bike that does not comply with DOT/EPA must be 25 years old before it can be allowed into the country. If it's not 25 years old, then it must be considered a race only bike, and it can never be titled under it's serial number. So.....I took the hard road....and got the bike in as parts, since the engine was not in the same box as the frame, I got it home with no EPA/DOT issues with my serial number. Quote
busa1300 Posted December 21, 2016 Author Posted December 21, 2016 A couple glamour shots before it gets completely pulled apart for a sympathetic restoration....Suzuki's first dry clutch SP beside Suzuki's very last dry clutch SP version. 7 Quote
busa1300 Posted December 21, 2016 Author Posted December 21, 2016 (edited) Here it is on a trailer going to the DMV to get it's VIN checked....and the first phase of trying to get a legal title...engine not needed at this point. Edited December 21, 2016 by busa1300 1 Quote
Captain Chaos Posted December 21, 2016 Posted December 21, 2016 Every day when you step into that garage you must have that "Fuck yeah" feeling. 5 Quote
Gixer1460 Posted December 21, 2016 Posted December 21, 2016 Its not a garage - more of a one room house with no furniture! How do you cope with the lack of space? LOL! ps The earlier 22 looks 'racier' - I like the spannies to exit on one side. 1 Quote
SiBag Posted December 21, 2016 Posted December 21, 2016 I do like a nice 2 smoke, was lucky enough to pick up a 1994 vj22 a month or so ago. 2 Quote
busa1300 Posted December 21, 2016 Author Posted December 21, 2016 (edited) I've owned bikes since 1981....so I have had some time to collect a few things Kids are long gone and no more ex wives to deal with...I can finally burn up some $$$ on me... There are are many days I walk into the garage though and think....fuck....what do I have fix this week instead of ride..???..........But the good does outweigh the bad for sure If I need to clear my mind, I just go out for a smoke Edited December 21, 2016 by busa1300 5 Quote
Captain Chaos Posted December 22, 2016 Posted December 22, 2016 10 hours ago, busa1300 said: Kids are long gone and no more ex wives to deal with that explains a lot 1 Quote
busa1300 Posted December 26, 2016 Author Posted December 26, 2016 (edited) I have been collecting NOS parts for the VJ23, and have it up on the operating table. Just trying to find the motivation to get moving on it after all the time I have burned up on the GS1000, which is about 98% done....and the CBX, and SR projects I finished during the year. Hate starting another project when I have more than one still needing attention.....like the vj22 that is on the other operating table, basically in suspended animation (untouched for years...) But I'll slowly get to it after I get back from vacation, as it needs to be done before mid May....I did get the engine soda blasted clean, need to get into engine a bit deeper also. Edited December 26, 2016 by busa1300 3 Quote
matt7 Posted December 30, 2016 Posted December 30, 2016 Garage of dreams ! - very fortunate man, by the by your bikes are in Jan's pracitical sportsbikes readers ride section ! Cheers Matt 2 Quote
busa1300 Posted December 30, 2016 Author Posted December 30, 2016 Thanks guys My subscription comes a few weeks late living where I do, but I'm dying now to have a look... Quote
clivegto Posted January 3, 2017 Posted January 3, 2017 I only have one thing to say and that is WOW. 2 Quote
busa1300 Posted January 4, 2017 Author Posted January 4, 2017 ...It's an addiction.... Trying to get parts collected before I dig in, but undecided on the direction I want to go. The smart and easy route would be back as close to 100% original (but not restored) since I have a VJ22 I will be building up, to beat the hell out of... But I was also thinking RS250 wheels so I can run 120x70 and 160x60 rubber. Stock front wheel is only 3 wide, RS MK2 is 3.5. And then if I do that I should get a set of pipes ($$$$$) and unrestrict the ignition ($$$$) I guess it depends on how soon I can find a cheap set of RS wheels...? Or if I find something better to burn my money on..... Quote
busa1300 Posted January 11, 2017 Author Posted January 11, 2017 (edited) After about 4 months of trying to get this bike legal, I finally have paperwork that proves it.... Now I have some incentive to get back at it in a couple of weeks, as soon as my next box of parts shows up. The good....they got the serial number and year right The bad...they forgot the V in RGV, and wouldn't accept that I changed the speedometer reading to miles instead of kilometers. Edited January 11, 2017 by busa1300 1 Quote
Jonny Posted January 12, 2017 Posted January 12, 2017 Can I come and live in your garage? Pleeeese?? 2 Quote
KATANAMANGLER Posted January 12, 2017 Posted January 12, 2017 Sun shining outside, lot's of room for your indulgences inside and that fine collection of machinery. You sir, have got your shit together. *Tips hat in your direction. 2 Quote
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