Avoiding the pig in the poke – Part 2
Once more common sense allied to someone who knows about older Japanese motorcycles will normally set you on the right road. Rule No.1 has to be this – if you can hear it running, witness it getting to operating temperature and nothing goes squeak, groan, screech or bang you’re onto a winner.
Minor fluid leaks can normally be sorted but if oil or water are pouring out look deeper. A dried up oil seal, dying or leaking coolant pipe is not the end of the world. Seriously cracked crankcases, cylinders or heads will cost substantial money to repair or replace. Assuming the motor is a goer what’s next? If it’s possible, see if the clutch works and if it does will the bike select all the gears? If everything works like normal this is hugely encouraging but if the clutch doesn’t free off this isn’t a show stopper. It’s easily fixed and can be used as a bargaining chip so barter… hard. If the gearbox won’t select every gear then either bargain hard again or walk away.
Rule No.2 – if the engine doesn’t run the bike is still likely to be viable. However, if the spark plugs are missing or the cylinder head is off then pretty much everything inside is likely to be toast. This bike is what’s known as a spares machine or donor bike and its only value is the fact that it might have parts you need for an ongoing project. Its worth is only what you or someone else is willing to pay for the parts you or they need.
So we’ll assume that the bike has all the key parts and that the engine is complete and turns over but won’t run. Now it all gets a little more complicated. It’s possible to buy a non-runner, clean the carburettor, fit a new spark plug, check/reset the point and/or timing, fit an auxiliary tank then go for broke. Many a barn find or abandoned machine has literally been kick-started back into life via this route. The author has personal experience of three such machines and they’ve all worked fine. You will still need to sort out tyres and tubes, change the oil, service, grease and clean but many an old Japanese bike has been given a second lease of life. If it runs and then dies at least you’ll know it’s not a total dog.
If the engine won’t play ball under any circumstances then chances are it will need more serious examination. This is where one of the VJMC’s die- hards comes in. These are the people who know your bike better than they know their own families, can point you towards the likely issues and get you sorted. They are your friends; trust them and take on board what they tell you. If you have a time served bike engineer who knows about older stuff then they may well be able to advise but if not, join the club, and bend the ear of one of us… please!
Should your engine/gearbox need to be rebuilt then be prepared to be amazed. Japanese motorcycles have always been designed and built along logical lines. Every bolt has a purpose, each wire/pipe/passageway is there for a reason and if it won’t come apart you’ve either overlooked a bolt or corrosion is holding it all together. Never, under any situation, either pry something apart or hit it with a big hammer. Japanese motorcycles do not respond kindly to butchery, bodgery, blind ignorance or crass stupidity. There’s always a reason for the problem you face; this is Rule No.3.
If your engine needs bench-top surgery here’s Rule No.4 – clean everything first. A wipe down to remove road dirt is a good start but if the engine is covered in oil and grit set to with something like white spirit in an old washing up bowl and an old brush. Change the cleaning solvent when it’s filthy and aim to get back to bare metal; only then start considering breaking out the spanners and screwdrivers.
From here on take pictures, make notes, label and document. Old plastic takeaway dishes, strong cardboard boxes, stacking trays and zip-tied plastic bags are all good ways of storing parts. Work methodically and try to keep like parts in one container or location. Oh and one last rule – don’t rush; the bike hasn’t worked for decades so a few more days/weeks/months isn’t going to make any difference whatsoever!