Welcome back to our 2020 search for the best special/ resto with Bridgestone tyres!
Spotting the B120 on an ebay advert, I jumped quickly at the chance to own a motorbike which would bring back many happy memories for my family...
Looking at a time-ravaged photo showing my father, Tim, in his younger years on a Suzuki B120 in the same scheme, I was eager to bring back some memories and entered into a bidding frenzy to win it! Why? Well, sadly, my dad suffered a life-altering medical emergency, so severe that his own B120 was sold. This would be the only motorcycle he would own and ride.
I was determined to seal the deal on the B120, and with the clock ticking down I managed to jump in with a final bid which captured it.
Unsure of what to expect, I trundled off with a friend to pick up the bike. Arriving at a garage, wheeled out was a little B120 Student, which visually looked the part, but it was clear from the clunking of the chain and screeching of the wheels that it had seen better days.
On the way home the fragrant smell of petrol wafted around the van and a puddle began to emerge beneath the bike.
Now, I confess I am no motorcycle mechanic, so I looked for an old Haynes manual and as it happened a local bookstore had one, grease prints and all, for a few quid. Studying the pages and diagrams, and with the information to hand, I set about bringing the bike back to some semblance of working order.
Pulling the bike out into daylight, it was clear it was well used. The gear lever was stripped; the engine was leaking badly; the brakes did not work; and petrol was pouring out of the carburettor. As worrying as these things were, with further investigation the extent of the issues was clearly apparent. The oil pump was leaking badly with a stripped banjo bolt; the exhaust was pouring oil out; and the chain and sprocket resembled an anchor!
I was certainly in over my head, but nonetheless, I was determined to finish the task at hand. I researched and found a local two-stroke expert by the name of Raccoon Rebuilds, less than a mile from home! Having not taken an engine out of a frame before, I studied the Haynes manual in some detail before starting, making sure I clearly labelled the wires as I went. Out came the engine and off I trundled to Raccoon Rebuilds with it. Mark there was particularly helpful as he explained the engine and bike further than any manual could. Around a week later I arrived back to find the engine in immaculate condition. Mark had fully rebuilt it and even spruced up the cylinder head and bolts so it seemed like it was 1976 all over again.
Carefully hoisting the engine back in the frame, watching as the mounts lined up, then connecting all the wires, and it was ready to fire up, counting the steps down from my trusty Haynes manual. After a few kicks it smoked into life! The engine leaks had gone and it was beginning to resemble a functional commuter bike once more. I replaced the chain and sprocket, having had to pry the heavily bent chain-guards back into shape. Luckily, I found a UK B120 owners group via social media, which is heavy with knowledge of such machines. After much discussion I found a local contact who was breaking a B120. I managed to find a pair of carburettor covers and a spare Mikuni carburettor!
My regular mechanic Keith Dube (who raced two-strokes throughout the 1990s) gave me some background on the running of and maintaining a two-stroke. He also sorted the brakes (they now worked) and showed me how to inspect the timing and points, as well as lending a hand while I soldered a new condenser in place. This was the sort of 'real-world' stuff you can't get from a manual.
With the chain and sprocket sorted, the engine rebuilt, and the tyres and brakes renewed, I was feeling confident. However, with further issues revealed it was clear it was going to be a full rebuild with nothing held back. I opted to source some NOS parts, including a new oil pump, air-box and gear lever, some of which had to arrive from overseas. The incorrectly fitted indicators which were now swinging off the frame were replaced with the correct pattern versions and the faulty rectifier was replaced.
With all parts in place, it was looking very promising. However, a short ride showed not all was well and it was struggling to bust 15mph. Slightly disheartened, I scoured the bike for possible problems. I decided to pull the exhaust off and the answer was clear as the smoke came out the opposite end of the exhaust; it was heavily blocked and cocked up, so much so that the classic blue smoke was still within the exhaust. It was beyond repair without chopping it, and with the lack of the original baffle I decided to look elsewhere
Luckily, a local breakers yard had a Suzuki B100 P exhaust, which uses the same engine. Okay, so it was a tad rusty, but a bit of elbow grease would sort that out! With it fitted, the ride was instantly better, ticking through the gears and gaining speed far better. Strangely, at higher engine speeds it would stutter and lose power.
Experimenting with the carb settings and reverting back to Suzuki factory settings made little difference, even after a carb rebuild kit was fitted.
I opted to ultrasonic clean the existing carburettor and on fitting it back in place, it fired into life instantly and finally the engine remained strong all through the revs. The bike was now functioning and running perfectly. This was handy as I'd opted to use it for my daily 30-mile commute and now I had more faith in it arriving at my destination.
The little Suzuki handled the commute well and was surprisingly smooth to ride. Having been used to larger motorcycles, it was pleasant reverting back to such a lightweight, small machine. Its simple design echoed the basic concept of a motorcycle and that to me is why it's so enjoyable. With the commutes I opted to fit a pannier rack, which certainly assisted in carrying those little essentials.
The outbreak of coronavirus meant that I needed reliable transport to work throughout and I had ful I confidence that the B120 wou Id provide that. Using it regularly, it has provided essential transport for me and that was always the intended plan. After all the work to get the bike running, I didn't want to preserve it and simply see it as an investment. Rather, I am keen to see it used and to enjoy it.
Kicking the engine into life each time brings enjoyment and transports me almost to a time in which motorcycles didn't offer everything, but simply most things. This purchase turned out to be a lengthy lesson. However, it offered much in return.
Seeing my father sit once more on the bike that offered much to him, and the sound and smell that take time away, was enough of a result for me!