2009 Iron Butt Rally... on a 33 year old rotary Suzuki

[Slonishku]

Yep, I have a SPOT unit. I might have my wife log on with an update here and there. More likely, the best coverage will probably be through the IBR website. But the SPOT will be up and running for sure.

[Slonishku]

I finally got the rally bike running yesterday and took it for a couple of very short rides today. That resulted in the replacement of two fuel lines and three pieces of coolant hoses that were leaking. One piece of coolant hose flat out failed. But it's all fixed.

Can anyone recommend a good source for fuel and coolant tubing? I've been trying and trying to find something on Google with little success. I bought some at Auto Zone today, but I'm wanting something clear or translucent to use for the aux fuel cell on the tail.

[Bounce]

I've always used standard fuel line on fuel cells. Easy to find if you need a replacement and designed for the purpose so no worries about how it might react with long-term exposure to fuel.

[Slonishku]

True. Besides, I just got the new Dennis Kirk catalog in the mail today, and much of what I was looking for lies within...

Best news today: They still make the batteries for these things!
Worst news today: They can't be had for under $95.00. D'oh!

Once I've established some trust between me and the beast, I'll be taking it down to Ojai, CA for a new saddle. Then come the Chain Oiler, HIDs, fuel cell, heated grips, CB, GPS, marine fuse block, fork rebuild, Hagon shocks... Holy crap I got a lot to do!

[jwhite518]

And less than five months to do it. Hang the trust, get wrenchin', bud.

[Shhted]

I am stoked to follow your progress!  Do you have a rally fund or something to which we could donate?

[Bounce]

Then come the Chain Oiler, HIDs, fuel cell, heated grips, CB, GPS, marine fuse block, fork rebuild, Hagon shocks... Holy crap I got a lot to do!

in your considerations for an oiler, you may or may not be aware of the Hawke Oiler. it's made by a fellow LDRider/IBRer and over-engineered just the way be like them to be.

[Slonishku]

Shhted:

I have a rally fund, but it's just what I was able to save up while I was in Afghanistan. If anyone is interested in contributing toward some of the rally expenses such as tires, gas, etc., I wouldn't exactly refuse... I had thought of asking Sjipper if he'd be interested in doing a raffle or something to raise some funding, but never did it.

We now know where the checkpoints will bem but I had better check to make sure that the release of that information has been made public before I say exactly where they are. If anyone is interested in stopping by, I'd be happy to see you there. Because of the nature of the rally and the minimal time to plan and sleep, I won't be up for much. But it should be a cool thing to see.

[Slonishku]

in your considerations for an oiler, you may or may not be aware of the Hawke Oiler. it's made by a fellow LDRider/IBRer and over-engineered just the way be like them to be.

I've already picked up a chain oiler from that guy in Belgium... I'm blanking out on the proper name of the device and the guy. It was pricy, and I wrestled over the decision to buy it. In the end, I thought it was the best option, though. On the other hand, I don't remember if I looked into Hawke Oilers...

[doug5551]

Alex,

That would be a Pro-oiler.  I have one on my VFR.

[Bounce]

http://www.hawkeoiler.com/

[Blue Bye You]

True. Besides, I just got the new Dennis Kirk catalog in the mail today, and much of what I was looking for lies within...

Best news today: They still make the batteries for these things!
Worst news today: They can't be had for under $95.00. D'oh!

Once I've established some trust between me and the beast, I'll be taking it down to Ojai, CA for a new saddle. Then come the Chain Oiler, HIDs, fuel cell, heated grips, CB, GPS, marine fuse block, fork rebuild, Hagon shocks... Holy crap I got a lot to do!

The RE has a built in chain oiler!!!

[Blue Bye You]

HI, I just learned of your Rally plans on an RE5. I have 3 of these beasts and have had several others. I am also a personal friend of the guy who sold Jay Leno his RE. He is a former Suzuki RE5 mechanic and has several others of his own. He is close by in Riverside, CA. I have forwarded this thread to him and he will reply if interested in participating. I am also an Iron Butt member with 7 ride certs. 2 of my RE's are parts bike so I may have something you can use. I live in Reno, NV so not too terribly far away. PM me if you want more contact info. I may be able to provide some rally support if you come through this neck of the woods.

[Blue Bye You]

True. Besides, I just got the new Dennis Kirk catalog in the mail today, and much of what I was looking for lies within...

Best news today: They still make the batteries for these things!
Worst news today: They can't be had for under $95.00. D'oh!

Once I've established some trust between me and the beast, I'll be taking it down to Ojai, CA for a new saddle. Then come the Chain Oiler, HIDs, fuel cell, heated grips, CB, GPS, marine fuse block, fork rebuild, Hagon shocks... Holy crap I got a lot to do!

I have an aftermarket turing seat for an RE in your interested. It's the saddle style they used to call a king seat.

[Slonishku]

I have actually calle Mr. Leno's mechanic- it was right after I got back from Afghanistan, so it's a bit of a blur!

I am very interested in that touring seat... is it that double bucket sort of thing? I'd like to get your thoughts on a trade or whatever.

What do you mean about the automatic chain oiler?

I'm half-heartedly looking for some sort of tubeless tire rims that are a direct swap for those on the RE, but no luck so far.

[Blue Bye You]

I have actually calle Mr. Leno's mechanic- it was right after I got back from Afghanistan, so it's a bit of a blur!

My friend is not Leno's Mech. He is a former Suzuki Mech. that sold Jay's bike to him.

I am very interested in that touring seat... is it that double bucket sort of thing? I'd like to get your thoughts on a trade or whatever.

What do you mean about the automatic chain oiler?

The injection pump has a line that goes down to the drive sproket with a metered orofice. They some times made quite a mess and many people bloked them off. Sometimes they would become plugged up and not work on bikes that sat alot. If you have a service manual for the bike it's shown in there.

I'm half-heartedly looking for some sort of tubeless tire rims that are a direct swap for those on the RE, but no luck so far.

[Blue Bye You]

I'm half-heartedly looking for some sort of tubeless tire rims that are a direct swap for those on the RE, but no luck so far.


[/quote]

The 2nd gen GS wheels will bolt right up but you have to find some off of a bike that had a rear drum brake or convert the RE to a rear disc. I have done both and may still have some GS parts to do the  conversion. I think my friend I mentioned before has a set of wheels with the drum brake that he might part with.

[Blue Bye You]

OK, I can get you a set of Lester aluminium wheels made for the RE that are new in the box NOS. They look like the original Kawi Ninja GPZ wheels. He wants $350.00 for them.  

[Slonishku]

Really? Holy smokes. I'll send you an IM!

[Slonishku]

Woo Hoo!

Another headache solved. I got a new headlight rim today from KZ900.com. The headlight bulb for an RE5 is pretty peculiar, having a unique bracket welded to the lamp itself. Leave it to Suzuki to make sure every piece of an RE5 is tough to replace. In any case, I got an HID high/low beam setup that is supposedly universal... works on any 7" round leadlamp enclosure that's not an RE5.

I was trying like hell to engineer something half-assed to do the job, then I found a place that sells new aftermarket replacement headlamp rims for KZ900s. Got it in the mail today, and bada-bing, it's good to go!  

Plus, I got a replacement for the sealed beam bulb itself- a housing of the same size and shape that uses modern H4 bulbs. That way, if the HID goes kaput, I have a reasonable replacement ready to go in the saddlebags.