Suzuki RGV250SP returned to life ....a real dry clutch VJ22FL

[busa1300]

Originally a home market only bike, this RGV went to Australia several years after being used in Japan.
Used and abused in Australia, it was later shipped to USA with several others to be used as race bikes and parts....
Then time stopped luckily for the RGV.
Pulled out of a shed in Virginia, after not seeing light for over 10 years....



Loaded in the van on Thanksgiving day 2013, with a bunch of parts and another RGV250...a VJ21 basket case. Ready to head back to Indiana.



Sitting in it's new home waiting for it's initial check up, to see what I'm in for....




These 250's were the hottest thing happening in Japan back int the day...production as well as F3 racing

[busa1300]

This tag shows its the real thing....a close ratio SP.
I checked the engine over a bit, and seemed to be all there except the pipes. It all looked good, and the compression was great in both cylinders still.



Put the bike together enough to see what I was missing, and to see if I could get it running.
I used the original chambers just to make it easier to get the carbs set up using factory specs.



Got some fuel in the carbs, made sure the oil was going through the pump, plugs were sparking....
Only one thing left to do..... fire it up.... after about 5 good kicks, it lit up for the first time in well over 10-12 years at least.
Spring came around slow, but I had to get it outside to check the trans and clutch....all working as designed 



Knowing the bike seemed solid....I decided to do a good cleanup, and go through the chassis/suspension parts
And started digging deep in Japanese auctions to get the correct missing parts.

[busa1300]

Finding, collecting, original paint body parts took quite a while. I went through all the wheel bearings, and suspension bearings, new chain, rebuilt the master cylinders and put on GSXR front calipers.



Also got a RF600 front wheel (3.5x17) so I could put 120 and 160 tires on it.



Fork seal were changed also. These are first design USD forks, which have a 2 piece outer tube....which became a problem when trying to get new seals in...

[busa1300]

Got the tires, spare wheels with new bearings, and fork all back where they should go. Tires have the slightest bit of daylight by the chain run and fenders...but they fit and look like they mean business.
This pic also shows the SP only aluminum rotor carrier on the front.
And the angled spark plug hole in the lower cowl V section for the straight plug SP only heads





Have most of the bodywork now, correct footpegs, handlebar ends, chambers, kick lever, and many other parts that had been misplaced or changed.
But still need a original paint gas tank, and the correct SP specific graphics on tail and headlight area.

[busa1300]

Finally got a tank (long boat ride from Japan....)



Sitting with my RS250

[busa1300]

Correct decals on tail at last....



Along with an original nose with the SP front decals...its official now 

[busa1300]

This is how the bike has sat for several years now





But the engine has never been pulled apart, and as rare as some of the internals are....I haven't rode it much so I could save it until a rebuild.

Due to the fact of what the bike is, collecting the correct parts for a rebuild has took some time....as well as other projects getting in the way.
But I have a NOS crank, as well as SP pistons,head and base gaskets, big pin powervalves, dry clutch plates....and a few other items to make the bike useful and entertaining





Only thing left are a pair of Sugaya KIT pipes....and a lot of jets

[boars]

Mate that looks gorgeous, prefer white wheels myself but other than that, what a stunner.

[busa1300]

Thanks 
I still have the original white wheels up on a shelf.
But black wheels have always looked more business like to me.

At some point when I have the engine out for rebuild, I will pull it all apart and soda blast the frame and swingarm back to new.
I might go back to white just for originality.....?

[boars]

Go with what you like, nice to be able to switch to original if you want though.
Also white gets a bit dirty and black still looks good.

[SoCal250]

Wow, quite a find! It looks great!

[Clem]

Your garage must be round because Busa, you do not cut any corners. Great looking bike! One of these days I am going to give moto2 a call.😒

[busa1300]

Thanks guys 

There are still quite a few project strokers in Japan that can be found at a good price.
It's all the money and work to get it into your garage that is the hard part....
As I have been saying (now that I am way past 50) They will never be cheaper and I am only getting older.

There are a few more I would like to have.....but I think I am at my limit.
I just need to take care of the ones I have

[OnlyCrimnson]

Of the 250's that is absolutely the best looking imo and yours is a primo example

[rd400greenhorn]

god, this is a beatifull 250. Perfect!