End of the line....The last Suzuki 250 street stroker...

[busa1300]

I love two strokes....
And I realize that this forum is mainly for Suzuki's from the later 60's to the mid 70's.
But I like Suzuki's from the other end of the spectrum.......

Many people on here...(at least from the States) thought Suzuki stopped building strokers after 76/77.
That is actually when they started rethinking strokers all together and really started to build some screamers.
.......and at the end of that long list of street 250 strokers......
.......is in this crate in Japan, being readied to ship my way......



And after some major cleanup and reassembly....I hope it looks like this again.
The street version of the XR95, with a production run of only 7 months..... the RGV250SP VJ23T



With a project story of some type to follow

Some two stroke history....
http://blog.daum.net/realproz/7865405" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Warehouse1001]

Very interesting. How did you find it?

[busa1300]

A breaker in Japan I have been getting parts from for a few years, has decided to try and ship complete bikes if in worthy condition.
99% of the Japanese population refuse to ship outside of Japan with Yahoo.....It has taken quite a few years for me to get to this point.



The second picture appears upside down on my phone, but right side up on laptop
Are both pics right side up?

[Mencie]

I briefly owned an RG250V.

The thing went like crazy, handled really well and could stop on a sixpence.

I regret selling it, mad but fun and almost a classic even while it was still being made.

Following your progress....

[Warehouse1001]

Both pics are right side up. Color me envious!

[tz375]

Sweet. Nice addition to the fleet. What sort of HP did they make? Early RGV were around 58 IIRC. Our RS250 Aprila Cup bikes were in the 59 region for a good stock one and ours made 65 on race gas, blueprinted and selectively assembled but stock ports, compression etc.

So to compare it to a GT750, it weighs half as much and makes a few more HP and it handles like a dream - and stops too. That's progress.

[F5]

Std they are restricted to 45ps but with pipes and cdi made a nice 60hp on a conservative dynojet which would rate earlier vj22 at say 52.

Its a mates bike but its fun to ride. Sounds great.

[busa1300]

Thanks guys...
It is a T model, which is home market restricted... 1858 T models were produced.
The V model was an export, which 358 total were produced...that version was not restricted
Was rated at around 55HP from factory.
As all two strokes... It can only go up from there with the right parts
Still trying to dig up history on the XR95 and VJ23, and how deeply they are related.
XR95 was Suzuki's last factory racing 250 GP bike.

[Drewski]

I'd like to be you when the delivery man drops that off, well done sir

[busa1300]

I'd like to be you when the delivery man drops that off, well done sir

The engine should be at my door on the 22nd.... the rest of the bike will be in Chicago around the 19th of August (I have to pick it up from customs)
Engine was shipped separate to avoid EPA/DOT regulations.... And make getting a title easier.

[tz375]

It's OK. I am familiar with customs at O'Hare. Only 45 minutes south of here. I'll pick it up... Of course I might not deliver it, but I could save you the drive..

Pick up at O'Hare is fairly simple as long as the customs forms are all hunky dory. My last one was a complete bike and that was fun getting EPA clearances etc. It should have been a no brainer as it was exempt as a race bike and because of age and therin was problem number 1...

[busa1300]

Thanks for the offer....
But it's only about 2 hours for me, hate to burden you with another bike to put together
Engine was on the doorstep today.... One concern out of the way

Had a possible large issue, somewhat resolved today....
Seller indicated on paperwork that I was bringing in a bike and parts... Meaning big EPA issues.
Importer had EPA forms that I was to fill out... I kinda started to freak out.
But got it straight now, and crate states that I am just bringing in motorcycle parts... (No engine in crate)
So I'm hoping I can get the PARTS past the inspectors and get it home.
Then to be REUNITED....as the song goes.

[busa1300]

On my step after work......
This is where things start getting real.



First time I have ever seen one in captivity....
Time to get dirty....



Looks a bit complicated for just a two stroke

[dude99]

Does it have a dry clutch?

[Drewski]

Does it have a dry clutch?

That cover wouldn't hold much oil by the looks of things so I hope so

VJ23 SP had dry clutch as standard.