'88 RGV250 VJ21A Model J

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Straycat
Posts: 36
Joined: Sun Aug 03, 2014 8:32 pm

'88 RGV250 VJ21A Model J

Post by Straycat »

I bought this 88 RGV from a fiend and fellow forum member a few months back, this is a Japan only model, imported to Canada a few years ago. I finally started to tear it down to start the resto. No real surprises so far, its generally a clean bike with just over 9000km on the clock. The only yuk moment came when I drained the cooling system and the contents looked like they'd been dredged from the bottom of the Takahashi River.

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not sure how far I will get this year, but I dont expect to finish it until sometime next summer. Here's where Im at, more tear-dow still to do

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2014 Honda VFR800
2015 Yamaha FJ09
1985 Yamaha RZ500
1986 Honda NS400R
1985 VF1000R x2
2000 Ducati 748 Desmoquattro
2000 Kawasaki ZRX1100
2000 Honda Firestorm VTR1000
1988 Hawk GT 647
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busa1300
Posts: 223
Joined: Tue Jun 25, 2013 10:13 pm
Location: Indiana

Re: '88 RGV250 VJ21A Model J

Post by busa1300 »

RGV250's are great bikes to play on.
Looks like a good clean bike to start a resto on.
73 TS/TM400 Supermoto
78 GS1000E
80 KD80
82 Katana
84 RZ350
84 RZV500R
86 GSXR1100
86 1100 sportster
88 FZR1000
89 RGV250SP VJ21
90 RGV250SP VJ22 FL
91 TZR250SP 3XV2
96 RGV250SP VJ23 T
99 RS250
02 Hayabusa
16 KTM 390 Duke
17 KTM 1290 SDGT
21 RSV4 1100
Straycat
Posts: 36
Joined: Sun Aug 03, 2014 8:32 pm

Re: '88 RGV250 VJ21A Model J

Post by Straycat »

Not posted in a while, lots of progress. Fork legs re finished, new seals etc. Wheels re-painted and new bearings, new tires, new brake callipers and pads, swing arm re finished, new sprockets, etc etc

Engine rebuilt with all new OEM Suzuki engine parts, Crank bearings, pin and seals, rods and bearings, pistons and rings, gaskets etc. ready to go back in

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bodywork off to the painter to finish...

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Last edited by Straycat on Fri May 26, 2017 9:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.
2014 Honda VFR800
2015 Yamaha FJ09
1985 Yamaha RZ500
1986 Honda NS400R
1985 VF1000R x2
2000 Ducati 748 Desmoquattro
2000 Kawasaki ZRX1100
2000 Honda Firestorm VTR1000
1988 Hawk GT 647
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2smoke
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Posts: 1005
Joined: Fri Dec 11, 2009 9:56 pm
Location: Niagara Ontario Canada

Re: '88 RGV250 VJ21A Model J

Post by 2smoke »

Awesome work as always! :smt023 :smt023

Congratulations on your recent RZ500 purchase by the way. :smt001
Colin
79 RD400F Daytona Special
81 RD350LC
89 TDR250
75 Kawasaki H1 500
77 Can-am Tnt250
Straycat
Posts: 36
Joined: Sun Aug 03, 2014 8:32 pm

Re: '88 RGV250 VJ21A Model J

Post by Straycat »

Hi, thanks Colin, ill be happy when she's running, this one has fought me every step of the way, but im looking forward to riding it.

The RZ500 is a fun bike, i feel fortunate to have gotten it, thanks to John for making the connection for me. I just need an RG500 now as the final jewel in the triple crown :smt029
2014 Honda VFR800
2015 Yamaha FJ09
1985 Yamaha RZ500
1986 Honda NS400R
1985 VF1000R x2
2000 Ducati 748 Desmoquattro
2000 Kawasaki ZRX1100
2000 Honda Firestorm VTR1000
1988 Hawk GT 647
Straycat
Posts: 36
Joined: Sun Aug 03, 2014 8:32 pm

Re: '88 RGV250 VJ21A Model J

Post by Straycat »

All finished, full resto and full engine rebuild. I have a nice set of stock silencers, but thought Id try the lomas ones:
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2014 Honda VFR800
2015 Yamaha FJ09
1985 Yamaha RZ500
1986 Honda NS400R
1985 VF1000R x2
2000 Ducati 748 Desmoquattro
2000 Kawasaki ZRX1100
2000 Honda Firestorm VTR1000
1988 Hawk GT 647
hondaror
Posts: 2828
Joined: Mon Mar 03, 2014 8:44 pm
Location: Alberta, Canada

Re: '88 RGV250 VJ21A Model J

Post by hondaror »

Very nice!
Rory
2 1984 RZ350s
1985 RZ350
9 1986-1990 RZ350s
2000 ST2
2005 749
2005 749 with 999 engine
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gammaguy21
Posts: 232
Joined: Mon Apr 23, 2007 4:06 pm

Re: '88 RGV250 VJ21A Model J

Post by gammaguy21 »

Well done!

How does this ride/handle compared to the rg250?
Straycat
Posts: 36
Joined: Sun Aug 03, 2014 8:32 pm

Re: '88 RGV250 VJ21A Model J

Post by Straycat »

Hi Guys, thanks a lot.

From the little riding ive done on both (the RGV is still not safetied due to my lack of time), the RGV feels much more like a race bike, power comes on harder and, riding position is more aggressive (you sit in it rather than on it, and the clip-ons are very low). I suspect it will handle much better (i say "suspect" because I havent really had chance to put enough time in on it yet).

The way time is now it will be next spring to get it safetied and on the road.

Too many bikes and not enough time it seems
2014 Honda VFR800
2015 Yamaha FJ09
1985 Yamaha RZ500
1986 Honda NS400R
1985 VF1000R x2
2000 Ducati 748 Desmoquattro
2000 Kawasaki ZRX1100
2000 Honda Firestorm VTR1000
1988 Hawk GT 647
User avatar
busa1300
Posts: 223
Joined: Tue Jun 25, 2013 10:13 pm
Location: Indiana

Re: '88 RGV250 VJ21A Model J

Post by busa1300 »

Straycat wrote:
Too many bikes and not enough time it seems
I know exactly what you mean...
Bike looks beautiful, hope to get at my 21 one of these days..(years?) ...soon.
73 TS/TM400 Supermoto
78 GS1000E
80 KD80
82 Katana
84 RZ350
84 RZV500R
86 GSXR1100
86 1100 sportster
88 FZR1000
89 RGV250SP VJ21
90 RGV250SP VJ22 FL
91 TZR250SP 3XV2
96 RGV250SP VJ23 T
99 RS250
02 Hayabusa
16 KTM 390 Duke
17 KTM 1290 SDGT
21 RSV4 1100
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