'New' aquisition. Suzuki T200 Invader.

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Alan H
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'New' aquisition. Suzuki T200 Invader.

Post by Alan H »

From 'over there' so a real Invader!! 1967 US import, pity I don't have any details of the original owner(s), but heyho....

Lovely little thing innit? Just been up and down the street on it today, lots of crud coming out of the pipes, so it looks like it has done a lot of garage running and not much else for quite some time.
I'm looking for a left side T20/250 handlebar switch block with lights and indicator switches on it as there aren't any indicators on the bike and I do like then for safety! I'm also looking for either 'new' lever perches or individual mirror clamps for the 'bars, so that I can fit a pair of mirrors. That should make it non-standard enough to annoy the purists anyway.
I think it'll just get a good dose of fettling and not restored to any degree, as they're only original once - and the paintwork has been done anyway.
There's an issue with the wiring too, Terry (last owner) did mention that it ran nice when the lights were on, but only on one pot (right) when the lights were switched off. I think it's just a bad connection somewhere on the ignition circuit and 'shouldn't' be too difficult to sort.
The ignition/light switch connects extra charge coils from alternator to rectifier when in the 'lights' position, but the battery voltage doesn't alter even though the lights do get brighter, so that'll be the first job. Might just be a case of all connections stripped and remade. Whistle see.
It's a lovely little thing and quite quick on the street. Looking forward to getting out on it when it's registered.
(Although I do have a spare rear number plate off one of the insured and registered 550s 'in case of road test emergency' requirements.)
Not that I would do such a thing, of course..........

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karl pa
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Re: 'New' aquisition. Suzuki T200 Invader.

Post by karl pa »

Great bike :clap: I love the early styling
76 GT185
77 GT250
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76 GT500
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73 GT750
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Alan H
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Re: 'New' aquisition. Suzuki T200 Invader.

Post by Alan H »

More details here - http://www.kettleclinic.co.uk/kcforum/v ... 17&t=11559" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - and I liked it so much, I bought a TS200 as well. Pics there too.
Lovely little things, with a surprising amount of chuckability and performance.
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Last edited by Alan H on Thu Jan 17, 2019 9:15 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Flywheel
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Re: 'New' aquisition. Suzuki T200 Invader.

Post by Flywheel »

Both are sweet machines Alan. Nice finds. Sub 250cc machines imo don't get the love as their bigger cc brethren, but are just as fun to own and ride.
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joolstacho
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Re: 'New' aquisition. Suzuki T200 Invader.

Post by joolstacho »

That's a delicious piece of design work.
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Alan H
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Re: 'New' aquisition. Suzuki T200 Invader.

Post by Alan H »

Well, the Invader had wiring issues, eventually sorted with a new wiring harness - which wasn't 100% correct as some of the connectors that should have been female were male, and vice versa. I suppose it's the way of the world now, that sort of thing......... :?
A new ebay special rectifier sorted the charging issue and all is now well in the electrickery department.
I was going to strip and refurb the rectifier, but 'correct' diodes are a tenner apiece and this -
rectifier.jpg
- was just under £2. It's out of sight and rated at 15A, so a no brainer which one was getting fitted.
Changed the brake and clutch perches so that I can fit 'standard' Suzuki mirrors and still looking for a 'correct' light/indicator switch so I can fit period indicators for safety!! Sent all the stuff away just over a week ago to get the bike registered and rang up the Gov't agency today that deals with that sort of thing, to check progress.

Spoke to a nice lady at the DVLA today (after 3 minutes of useless 'press this number', 'press that number') and another seemingly age waiting, that the T200 is registered and the docs were sent out last Friday. As they must have got them the Friday before, very quick service, so full marks for that bit.
However (there's always a 'however' isn't there?) they can't tell me what the registration number because of data protection.
I said 'But it's my data, and I promise not to tell anyone'.
'No, sorry, we can't do it so as to keep your information secure' said the very welsh voice. 'Is there anything else?'
I said 'no thankyou' and hung up. Image
WTF is wrong with people who work in government departments?
I nearly said 'organisations', but that would imply being organised I suppose.
My head hurts and there's a dent in the wall now. Image
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Re: 'New' aquisition. Suzuki T200 Invader.

Post by sportston »

Perhaps we should all cover our number plates while we ride, for data protection.... :? I mean, surely if it is not acceptable for you to know your own number plate, it must be even worse for other people to know it! :shock:
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Re: 'New' aquisition. Suzuki T200 Invader.

Post by joolstacho »

Haha Sporton you've got it 100%
Trouble is, in this neck of the woods you'd probably get pinged an $800 fine for 'Not displaying a current number plate'
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Re: 'New' aquisition. Suzuki T200 Invader.

Post by jabcb »

Sweet bikes! The high pipe versions of those early bikes are better looking. Congrats on finding bikes that nice.

A service bulletin deals with daytime charging problems on the T250/T350. It may also apply to your bike.
http://www.ozebook.com/compendium/techb ... mpress.pdf

Best bet is to install a modern rectifier/regulator & connect the alternator for full output all of the time. You can then switch to a modern sealed battery or AGM, and protect that nice chrome from the dreaded battery acid marks. Plus your light bulbs should last longer.
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Alan H
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Re: 'New' aquisition. Suzuki T200 Invader.

Post by Alan H »

Fitted a modern 4 diode rectifier plus a wiring harness to the T, and all seems well now. I'll keep an eye on the TS, but if it don't need mending, I'll leave it be. With a couple of LED bulbs and no indicators (yet) there should be plenty of daytime charge capacity there.
Thanks for the link though, I hadn't seen that one before.
Think of how stupid the average person is, then realise that half of them are more stupid than that.
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