Bandit Build

[Lupin]

So recently why looking for something to get my as on fairly cheaply I decided to buy a bandit that was advertised as not running.

Pic from Ad.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/22557925/Suziki/%24_57 (4).JPG

Was attracted to it mainly for the price and the fact that it already has a few things done I was planning anyway, clip ons, tail chop, led lights and stuff like that.

So once getting it home the inspection started.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/22557925/Suziki/IMG_1259.JPG
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/22557925/Suziki/IMG_1258.JPG

Damage on the tank
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/22557925/Suziki/IMG_1260.JPG

And stripping it to see whats actually going on.
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/22557925/Suziki/IMG_1262.JPG

So after charging the battery, a bit of time thinking and looking at stuff and putting the firing order back in the correct order, and hooking the coils up correctly it fired up after only a couple of spins and purred like a kitten. I suspect it has a faulty fuel tap which is just pouring fuel into the carbs. If that's all it is then its all going to be and easy fix.

Plan from here is to get it running correctly, tidy up a lot of the wiring, change all the fluids, put a tire on it, then vinyl wrap everything to cover over all the defects.

Will keep things updated as best I can.

[Gix11]

Great first post mate, welcome aboard. That's a 250 yea?

[Tony Nitrous]

I always liked the look of the little Bandits.
Frame has a Harris sort of shape to it.

..... and it's a Suzuki,

that's a double Win !

[Lupin]

Yes it's a 250. Will do for a short while till I get bored with it.

Pulled off the carbs and cleaned out all the crap. Still couldn't get it to start with out a little fuel down each carb. So gave all the fuel lines a good blow though with the compressor and got it stated. Worked out after a little while that the throttle cable was stuck somewhat open. It does seem its got the wrong cable on it, or its jammed up somewhere as its about 10mm to short. So once that was out managed to get it to start nice and easy. So it needs a new choke and throttle cable, which is no big deal. Also found the headers had one bolt holding them on. Once all 8 were in its was much quieter. Discovered the throttle cable was just incorrectly installed. But it still seems a little tight so won't risk it will just order a new one.

So next step is lots of cleaning before getting it ready for paint.

[Gitzy]

Welcome Lupin, I love the little Bandits. I had a 400 before I got my 1200.. I agree with Tony the frames look great.. You look like you'll fit right in here Mate.

http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr292/Gitzy84/PC080212.jpg

http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr292/Gitzy84/PC080213.jpg

[Gix11]

Is it the angle of the video or is that the sqauerest tyre I've seen in a long time? What was the last guy doing with it, just highways?

[Lupin]

Think the last guy never got any sort of lean on the bike at all. No tread in the middle and heaps on the side. Either that or he liked doing burn outs.

[Tony Nitrous]

Interesting project.

I've been following the build of a 400 version in the UK....
http://i58.tinypic.com/33574uv.jpg

http://i59.tinypic.com/25g9oh3.jpg

http://i58.tinypic.com/2nk54wi.jpg

[xa-mont]

i used to have a lil B250.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c287/xacoupe/GSF250%20Bandit/for%20sale/29032009079.jpg (http://s29.photobucket.com/user/xacoupe/media/GSF250%20Bandit/for%20sale/29032009079.jpg.html)
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c287/xacoupe/GSF250%20Bandit/for%20sale/29032009078.jpg (http://s29.photobucket.com/user/xacoupe/media/GSF250%20Bandit/for%20sale/29032009078.jpg.html)

[Lupin]

I was thinking of painting it white. But not sure. Kinda like the black as well.

[Tony Nitrous]

Did you spot the extra frame rails added on the one I posted ?
Looks more like a Spondon / Harris and they line up with the lower subframe rails...

http://i60.tinypic.com/29kte35.jpg

http://i62.tinypic.com/fkya6r.jpg

http://i58.tinypic.com/2mwic1g.jpg

[Lupin]

I was looking at it wondering why it looked different around the engine. Thought it was just because the exhaust was off it.

[Gix11]

That looks great hey Tony?

[Lupin]

Not much to report basically been ordering bits I need to get started.

Have removed the headlight to try out some painting.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/22557925/Suziki/IMG_1281.JPG

And have had these delivered so far.

Mirrors
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/22557925/Suziki/IMG_1282.JPG

Chain and sprocket.
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/22557925/Suziki/IMG_1283.JPG

And I was missing the center stand
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/22557925/Suziki/IMG_1284.JPG

[Gix11]

Wow, intersting that someone would ADD a centre stand?! I guess you don't have a paddock stand at home?

[Tony Nitrous]

I thought the same. Normally the first thing I bin.
Weight, looks, ground clearance.

However..... on my old Bandit 12 I had a bolt that slotted into place,
Slightly thinner than the original fitting bolts, so it just pushed in.
This let me fit the centre stand in seconds when I wanted o use it,
and it was removed in seconds as I pulled the pin/bolt out again.

[Lupin]

Wow, intersting that someone would ADD a centre stand?! I guess you don't have a paddock stand at home?

Correct and don't really have the room to leave it on one. This will just make life easier for the moment then once its all build it will come off, and it was cheaper than a paddock stand ;)

[Lupin]

I've been looking at boots and shoes for 4 weeks now. All of a sudden a wild pair of boots appear and its all done.


https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/22557925/Suziki/Photo%2012-07-2014%207%2048%2020%20pm.jpg

Got a new rear tire hugger as the old one had been cut up. So cleaned and painted it.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/22557925/Suziki/Photo%2013-07-2014%203%2050%2026%20pm.jpg

Also painted the gauge cups and headlight back

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/22557925/Suziki/Photo%2013-07-2014%203%2055%2020%20pm.jpg

Happy with the finish might even do the whole bike in the same satin finish yet.

[GammaBoy]

I thought the same. Normally the first thing I bin.
Weight, looks, ground clearance.

However..... on my old Bandit 12 I had a bolt that slotted into place,
Slightly thinner than the original fitting bolts, so it just pushed in.
This let me fit the centre stand in seconds when I wanted o use it,
and it was removed in seconds as I pulled the pin/bolt out again.

Fuck. what a great idea. pity I ground the mounting tabs off the kat frame...

[Lupin]

Well once I got under the bike, the bolts for the centre stand where still in there, problem is the right hand one can't come out with the exhaust on. So in the end I decided $130 for a pair of paddock stands was OK, and after all I need to get the front and rear wheels off soon for tires.

Other than that, I have started smoothing over the rear cowl. I've basically decided not to wast too much time on it as no matter what its going to look a bit crap. Also balanced the carbs.

[Tony Nitrous]

Lupin, this is the UK bike with the radial front end and the extra frame rail
that I posted up earlier.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pn7SlS6hOw

[Lupin]

Thats not the one that he converted to EFI is it?

[Lupin]

Been doing a bit of work. I'm suffering from a little bit of a sore back at the moment so can't do a real lot.

Moved the bike out under the pergola so I can get the wheels off and do the chain and sprockets. The front sprocket was fairly buggered luckily the shaft is reasonably OK.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/22557925/Suziki/IMG_1322.JPG
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/22557925/Suziki/IMG_1324.JPG

Also started to make a cover to fit under the seat to make it a little neater and house the electrics.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/22557925/Suziki/IMG_1323.JPG

Will get some new tires this week and then I think I'm starting to see the light.

[ThunderDownUnder]

Hello Lupin

Nice to meet...

Just joined the forum myself and this thread caught my attention.

I recently purchased a 2000 GSF250V similar to yours as well.

I am in the process of rebuilding it and will be following your thread with interest

On a separate note - do you know what pod air filters fit these bikes carbs?

The carb on mine is oval approx. 52mm x 57mm

6000

6001

Cheers

Marc

[ThunderDownUnder]

Hello Lupin

Not sure why My last post didn't register.. Maybe i'm still a newby?

I have been reading your posts with interest as I have also just (in May) bought one of these little Bandits.

Great bike and great project base.

The one I bought is a 2000 model and I plan to make it into a bit of a cafe racer.

6009

Do you know what Pod Filters fit the carbs on these bikes ?

The carb is oval shaped approx 52x57mm

6010

Thanks

Marc

[Lupin]

I haven't looked at pod filters as yet, but I was planning to once I have this thing on the road, which should be fairly shortly.

[Cruisecontrol]

If you go to pods it means more air in. This needs to be balanced with more fuel in and more exhaust out. So to do an air intake mod with nothing else will only make things worse.

[Lupin]

Slowly getting there. Don't seem to be able to find the time to get much done at the moment.

Got some tires fitted, have replaced front and rear rotors and pads, and new chain and sprockets.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/22557925/Suziki/001.jpg
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/22557925/Suziki/004.jpg
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/22557925/Suziki/003.jpg
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/22557925/Suziki/002.jpg

Strangely after sitting for a week or so it only running on 3 cylinders, just hoping its a blocked carb and nothing worse.

[Lupin]

Back to running on 4cylinders again. Seems I must have damaged a plug putting them in.

Got a bit done today, brakes bled everything bolted back together so now just need to sort out the tail section.

Also thinking I might change the clipons for something else. The riding position is just a little to low.

[Cruisecontrol]

Drag bar. Just enough weight on the front end to know whats going on but high enough to be comfortable.

[Lupin]

That's exactly what I'm thinking. Been trolling egay to see what's around.

[Cruisecontrol]

MCAS has em for $27. Forget eBay

http://www.mcas.com.au/motorcycle-accessories-road-handlebars-barends/scorpion-dragbar-handlebars-7-8inch

[Lupin]

Getting so close now. Have ordered a set of drag bars, and paid for express postage so they should be here shortly.


Got almost everything back together now, just have to tidy up the seat a little, and complete the wiring for the tail lights and indicators and I think its all good to go. Also remembered that I'm really crap at painting and really should just pay someone to do it.


https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/22557925/Suziki/Photo%2018-08-2014%2010%2031%2047%20pm.jpg
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/22557925/Suziki/Photo%2018-08-2014%2010%2031%2032%20pm.jpg

[Lupin]

Drag bars are on, also fitted the standard mirrors for the RWC.


https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/22557925/Suziki/Photo%2021-08-2014%2010%2003%2000%20pm.jpg


A quick trip to spotlight for a bit if vinyl for the seat.


https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/22557925/Suziki/Photo%2021-08-2014%2010%2001%2042%20pm.jpg


And I think were good to go for the roadworthy


https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/22557925/Suziki/Photo%2021-08-2014%2010%2002%2034%20pm.jpg

[Gix11]

Good on ya mate. How good does that feel?

[ThunderDownUnder]

Hi Lupin

Where did you get that rear Hugger from ? Is it standard or aftermarket?

Mine doesnt have one fitted..

Cheers

TDU

[safighter]

well done mate ,after roadworthy get rid of those mirrors though ,they will slow you down man

[Lupin]

Good on ya mate. How good does that feel?

At the moment reasonable, will feel better once number plate are on it.


Hi Lupin

Where did you get that rear Hugger from ? Is it standard or aftermarket?

Mine doesnt have one fitted..

Cheers

TDU

Standard part. Have a look on ebay at some of the ones being wrecked, mine had a cut down one on it when I got it.

[Lupin]

Now in full roadworthy mode.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/22557925/Suziki/Photo%2023-08-2014%201%2010%2028%20pm.jpg
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/22557925/Suziki/Photo%2023-08-2014%201%2010%2036%20pm.jpg

Test ride revealed a flat spot just off idle, hoping it was just the bike not quite up to temp.

[Lupin]

Well roadworthy all passed, booked in at Vicroads at 8.30 tomorrow. ;)

[MuZ]

My first road bike was a 250 bandit, great little bike, actually wish I had kept it. Honestly reckon it was the most reliable bike I've had to this day, must have done about 60,000 km's on the little fella and didn't miss a beat.

[Lupin]

I know what you mean, I did plan to move this one on fairly quickly, but I do think maybe I'll hang onto it for a bit longer and maybe get it repainted in the winter next year.

Kinda love the fact you can flog the ass off it and not get over the speed limit.

[Lupin]

So the last 3 months have been fairly pain free. Had the muffler break off, but was easily fixed. Have had some starting and fuel issues but after cleaning and resetting the carbs again it all seems OK.


Now I'm getting started on a new rear cowl. I've elected to modify a GSF250V cowl to suit my needs.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/22557925/Suziki/Photo 24-11-2014 12 51 39 pm.jpg



Its going to take a while but I'll get there in the end