2004 Suzuki GZ250

[beatr911]

Old Mech, Having read your 3 wheeler thread yesterday I wish you good luck in working out all the niggling details to a great result. I have great respect for people like you that actually build what's in thier head.

Like most, I have lots of ideas but very little time/money/family support/whatever to get started, much less finish. I'll be watching!

Seeing you got the GZ led me here. The GZ is so dead simple. Probably the least complex bike on the market in the last decade or so. Kinda refreshing after riding a multi cylinder bike with bells and whistles. It's actually very close to essence of what motorcycling is all about, IMHO.

Stay safe!

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by beatr911

The GZ is so dead simple. Probably the least complex bike on the market in the last decade or so. Kinda refreshing after riding a multi cylinder bike with bells and whistles. It's actually very close to essence of what motorcycling is all about, IMHO.

Higher-feature motorcycles are nice, but I may admit that I actually like compact no-frills motorcycles too.

[user removed]

First fill, just over 80 MPG. Looks like a keeper. Twenty miles of that was in rain (out of 96.8). Also some 47 degree (F) riding. I doubt it will get better with winter temps here, I generally avoid riding below 40 degrees (F), but it seems to run great, even down to 25 MPH in 5th grear, which is a pretty good indication that the fuel delivery is proper. I did notice the odometer reading might be a little low, maybe 2-3%. I'll double check that on my normal route which averages 19.8 miles on just about every other vehicle I have owned.

regards
Mech

[sendler]

Fuelly shows about 70 mpgUS for the GZ250 which puts it right on par with the CBR250R. And way ahead of the Ninja250. The Suzuki has lots of wheel base for some foot forward pegs. It might make a nice streamliner. Small fuel tank though.

[cosmic_kid]

I'm in the same boat as beatr911 where I live, but I'm still optimistic I'll find a deal like one of the many you've found. You give us hope! That and inspiration from your trike project and hydraulic drive train invention. Keep up the good work!

[user removed]

You sound like my wife. I really didn't think he would accept the offer I made. Find one in the DC area for less than $650. There was a GZ listed on DC craigslist, asking price over $2000. Mine is easily worth over twice what I paid, with half the miles.

I just wish I could get the wife to STOP running the garbage disposal with spoons in it (yesterday), and setting the smoke alarms off with her curling iron (this morning at 6:45 AM).

regards
Mech

[user removed]

5200 miles on the odometer going on to 2k since purchased. I did a "cheater" valve lash today. The exhaust valves have their own cap, you don't have to remove the valve cover, just the cap.

I rolled it in 5th until I saw the valves close and again, then measured the distance and moved it half that distance on the next cycle. pulled the fake rocker covers off for better access for my sixe 12 ring finger hands, started out at 10 and a half at age 20. Didn't touch anything else.

Checked them with a .003, barely got it in both. Set both to a tight .006 (max spec is .005). I did not have an .005 feeler.

Most air cooled bikes see some exhaust valve recession but little intake issues. I can probably go to 20k on this adjustment, do both intakes and exhaust at that time.

Next is the $59 rear tire, but that will be maybe 2k miles more.

85.22 MPG on the last tank. 1.766 gals and this thing is fun.

regards
Mech