My J Buffalo has arrived - First questions

[MikeH1A]

Hi Guys,

She has arrived and I'm a pretty happy chap She's certainly not perfect but I bought her to play with as well as ride.

I shall post pics on the weekend when the light is better. Prior to starting her up, I thought I'd charge up the battery and change the plugs. Then I'll give her an oil change before I try to ride her.

Questions please:

What plugs are you guys running in these bikes? Mine has Champions in - ? NGKs instead but what rating

Changing the oil - I'm assuming a GL5 rated gear oil will do the trick?

I don't think she's been run much over the last couple of years, so anything else I should check or do before trying to run her?

Thanks, Mike

[Coyote]

NGK B-7ES
Might want to check the condition of the coolant

[Suzukidave]

This site has everything you need http://www.3cyl.com/mraxl/gt/index.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and more . I will be surprised if you didnt need to rebuild the carbs as they really get gummed up while sitting .

[MikeH1A]

Thanks for the info guys. With the coolant, am I better to drain whats in there and start again? Th PO said it has always had anti-freeze in there but of course the stuff may be a few years old now.

Question: What do you fill her up with again, once the radiator is drained? I briefly saw in the service manual that a mixture of anti-freeze and coolant (to stop boiling) is appropriate. What do you put in and in what ratios/amounts?

Thanks for any advice.

[Suzukidave]

The coolant can be drained out the drain at the lower front of the engine on the points side . And then refill with a 50/50 mix antifreeze and distilled water .. fill back up thru the cap under the flap on the front of the gas tank . You can see a bar across the fill tube down inside and this is where you fill the system to . Start the engine after filling and putting the cap back on and let it warm up shut off the engine and then recheck the level .. add more if needed .. if not your good to go .

[MikeH1A]

Brilliant Thanks for the timely response. I'll feel better when I've checked the basics and then can look at seeing how she runs.

[Suzukidave]

Dont be too surprised if you will need to clean out the carbs beffore it will run good . After sitting the gas dries up in the bowls making a mess that has to be cleaned out . If you have access to a ultrasonic cleaner its even better as it really gets into the very tiny passages . If you can purchase " Lime away " there its great for dipping the brass jets in to get them clean .. the pilot jet http://www.3cyl.com/mraxl/gt/manuals/gt750man/sr66.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; is really one that can cause problems so make sure that one is clean and the passages from it .

[TheMarkedMan]

I wanted to add that when you choose your coolant, make sure it's something that's approved for aluminum systems. This is VERY important. Otherwise you'll end up with heaps of BS
You're better going with something that's premixed and aluminum approved!
Get those pics up! And vids if you can!
Welcome to the obsession that is owning one of these!

[MikeH1A]

Thanks for the tips. I'm going to change the tranny oil this weekend while I'm tinkering. Are there any little traps for the unwary on this bike? I soon learned on the T500 that one had to undo 2 quite seperate bolts to fully drain the oil. Anything lke that relevant here?

Thanks

[Suzukidave]

The 750's also have 2 large bolts on the bottom , both looking like drain bolts but really remove just the rear one as the other holds in place several small parts ( spring and pin ) that are parts to the neutral holder that holds the shift drum in the neutral spot . Its not life or death if you do remove the wrong one you just will need to fish the parts back out out of the oil pan .

[MikeH1A]

Aaarrgh, what a beeping mess with the oil change The drain plug is sitting right over the main stand, what's that about??? Got most of the oil in my bucket but about a litre went all over the garage floor! How do you guys do it without a big mess?

I put the new NGK plugs in and she started up after 3 prods of the electric start (never had a push button bike before ). There was a bit of smoke that cleared but she seemed to need a fair bit of choke to run. Went down the road briefly and was impressed by the acceleration - these aren't big slugs are they? The clutch feels like it needs some adjustment and I shall pull the carbs for a clean. The one thing I did notice is that the rubber boot from the airbox to the carbs doesn't sit correctly. It still feels pliable but the rubber only just makes it on to the throats of the carbs. My mate turned up on his J model and his boot sits right up on the throats of the carbs. Any thoughts on what might be going on here - could the rubber have shrunk that much?

Thanks, Mike

P.S. Have taken pics and uploaded to Photobucket, so hope to post tomorrow

[Suzukidave]

Mike just use the side sand when changing the oil and as it gets near empty stand the bike up to ge it all out . A little smoke at startup is pretty common .

[Coyote]

You can make a simple 'duct' out of aluminum foil. That's what I used.

[Suzsmokeyallan]

Also you can buy a flat oil drain pan that just fits between the centre stand.
Slacken the clamps and pull the boots forward onto the carb bellmouths then draw up each one while holding it in position.