1968 t200

[giantrobot]

Hello,
Southern Michigan. Just got a 1968 Suzuki t200 as a winter project.







She's gonna' be pretty come spring!

[VermilionX]

ooooohhh classic!

i look forward to the finished project.

[Loonette]

Woo-Hoo, Bronson, Michigan!! I was born and raised in Coldwater!! My bio-dad still lives in Coldwater. He rides an 90-something Royal Enfield Bullet as well as an early-80's Honda CB500 (I think). Anyway - nice to hear from someone who is familiar with my old stomping grounds.

Good luck on your project there - it's in pretty good shape, eh? Welcome to our little forum world.

Cheers,
Loonette

[tex1230]

great looking bike - you going to restore to original or change it a bit?

[XJRJohn]

nice looking project.sort of thing i always intend to do but never quite get round to.got an old cx500 and a superdream plus an escort trike project stuck away.one day i might get round to it.anyway good luck with yours.xjrjohn

[giantrobot]

I just got back from Coldwater. D&D cycle. Took Central to Fremont Road. You know the way! As you can see from the pic I live on Matteson right across from the Library. Grew up in Athens. Came back to MI after living in Seattle. I'm in Bronson for a job but plan on moving back to Seattle or Portland, OR in the next couple of years. As you know there is not much to do around here. Winter project was needed for sanity.

Bike was collateral for a loan to a friend in a bad spot. He moved to San Diego, I got the title and a great place to vacation in Feburary (also needed for sanity).

Mechanically the bike is in very good shape. The electrics, however, are complete poo. Due to a jury rigged plug cap and 38 year old wire I got the shock of my life. The right wire was arcing to the head. Liberal application of mastic tape solved that for now. The carb sync was way off also. Left was about 1/3 open while the right was closed. Runs a lot better now!

The only damage is a couple of small dents on the chrome tank panels and the stator cover. As you can see from the pic the front mudguard is in fairly bad shape. The good thing is that it looks reversible. I'll probably trim it back and flip it. Though only for later sale.

I've put about 500 miles on it in the past couple of weeks. Bike is more than a little under carbed. Engine wants to turn faster but can't. I weigh a bit less than the bike and even with a larger than stock rear sprocket it zips up to 60 very quickly but 70 is about it. No tach but I'm guessing not any more than 6500. Old points, old coil, bad wires, weak (22mm) carb. All easily fixed.

Original? Well... The mudguards will be restored but not reattached. All new electrics and NO MORE POINTS. Clubman bars. Different headlamp(s?). Chrome tank, tank sides, and side covers. Recognizable, but not completley original.

More later.

[RTR]

Welcome to the board.

[Loonette]

I'm in Bronson for a job

There are jobs in Bronson?! JK... The last time I was in Bronson was for the Polish Festival in 1979. I've maybe driven through the town since then, but that's about it. I haven't lived in Coldwater since 1982, but I still visit my bio-dad and an uncle once or so every year. It makes me sad when I return and have to pass all the buildup out by I-69 - those end-of-town businesses have ruined the downtown.

Good luck with your project bike. I think the front fender will look better once it's flipped and trimmed - it will even match the rear fender more. Keep us posted on your progress.

Cheers,
Loonette

[BAJACRUISER]

I will like to see your bike again, when you finish your project....

[MonkeyMaw]

Oh, very nice ride! I can already see the finished product, all that chrome glinting in the sun. Good luck with the project and be careful of those electrics. That's the one thing that scares me away from a true project bike.
Welcome, welcome.