Reader's Bikes

This page/section used to be called Bike of The Month featuring interesting bikes I've seen but I've had a few requests from visitors to the site to show pictures of their bikes and I think this will be a more interesting feature. If you own an 'interesting' bike and would like to see it featured on this site for all the world to see then send photos to me at the contact e-mail address shown in the menu bar on the left and I'll do my best to feature them. Bikes I would consider of interest would be over 5 years old, particularly from the 1960's through to 2000, unusual or rare bikes, two-strokes, modified, rat-bikes etc. Send in your details and photos and let me know about the bike, how long you've had it and what you think of it. Also let me know if you might be interested in selling it and I can mention that too.

Reader's Bike: Suzuki GT250 X7 Owned by Tony, Near Bridgenorth, UK

These are some of Tony's immaculate examples of the Suzuki X7 past and Present. Tony's had the white one shown in these pictures since 2003 and took 2-years to complete a full rebuild. At one point Tony had as he calls it a 'full set' of X7's - a red, white and blue one which you can see in the photo on the right. He now uses the white one as often as possible, venturing out on trips over 100 miles long. I hope he has break-down cover or spot-on jetting !

Reader's Bike: Suzuki GT250 X7 Owned by Nigel, Alberta, Canada

Nigel sent in this photograph of his immaculate Suzuki X7 that he runs in Alberta Canada. Nigel moved to Alberta 9 years ago from the UK and made the wise decision to take his X7 with him. I think this is a great looking X7 with a tasteful paintjob that looks inches thick, Allspeed exhausts, sleek looking plastic/composite aftermarket front mudguard (that Nigel thinks was from M&P), braced handlebars and what looks like a Micron fork brace. The amazing condition of this bike is helped by that fact that Nigel only rides it a couple of times a year due to the short riding season (summer) where he lives. He explains that the bike was tuned by ARD Racing in 1990 and still pulls past the end of the speedo now even at 3500 ft above sea level ! He doesn't know of any other X7's in Canada !

Reader's Bike: Suzuki GT250 X7 Owned by Mark, UK

Mark sent in these pictures of his 1981 Suzuki X7. Like many current X7 Owners (me included) Mark had an X7 when he was 17, back in 1980. You never forget your first performance bike ! Mark lives between Nottingham and Doncaster (UK) and his local bike meet is the famous Matlock Bath.

He's got a pair of Gibson pipes on order and is looking forward to getting them fitted once delivered. In addition to these pictures of his current X7 Mark sent in the brilliant pictures below of himself with his 1st X7. I reckon this is the only photo of an X7 doing a wheelie on the internet but I plan to get a couple more this spring ! Thanks for the photos Mark. Click on the thumbnail photos to see full size.

Reader's Bike: Suzuki GT250 X7 Previously Owned by Andy, UK

Site visitor Andy sent these photos in of himself with the X7 that he owned some time ago. This Suzuki X7 was fitted with a special and extensive aftermarket fairing and bodywork with single seat unit which looks a bit strange today but was the the dog's bollocks in the late 70's. Anyway, these great pictures were taken of Andy's bike where he used to live at the time in Matlock.

The bike had been resprayed in the silver (dream racer?) by Andy's brother and was previously in the Barry Sheene replica colours also shown below. With regret that is familiar to most of us Andy wished he never sold this bike and would really like to get it back or find another one like it. So if anyone knows there whereabouts of an available X7 fitted with this type of fairing or even just the fairing kit, let me know using the contact link on the left of this page and I'll pass the details on to Andy. The reg of Andy's bike was FRB 917V so if anyone knows the wherabouts of this bike, also let me know. Thanks for the pics Andy !

To Buy Genuine New Suzuki, Yamaha, Kawasaki and Honda Spares Online Visit CMS.

Reader's Bike: Suzuki GT250 X7 Owned by Hamdan, Kuala Lumpar, Malaysia

Hamdan from Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia sent in these great photographs of his previous Suzuki X7 and a classic bike meeting in Kuala Lumpur where 16 Suzuki X7's got together for their annual meeting. Hamdan is a member of the Retro Malaysian Riders (RMR) club and explains that the X7 is quite a legendary model over there and has some really fanatical owners. Haman reckons there are about 30 X7's running in the area but it is difficult to get them all together at the same time. The X7 was used by the military in Malaysia in the 1980's but these day's Hamdan explains that it is difficult to get hold of parts and that the CDI / Rectifier cause problems (perhaps the humidity !) and they have to find replacements from more modern bikes that don't work as well. Hamdan's X7 is particularly interesting because it features a paint scheme that was not used in Europe so is probably new to most visitors of this website. I think it looks pretty good. If you want to visit the website and see what these guys get up to, go to http://www.activeboard.com/forum.spark?aBID=119591&p=3&topicID=26877946/ then select the search link near the top of the page and enter rmr.

Reader's Bike: Suzuki GT250 X7 Owned by Mart, Turkey & Tewkesbury UK

Mart sent these photos in of his X7. Mart spends his winters in Turkey but summers back home in Tewkesbury UK. This X7 is an interesting one as it is in an original paintscheme not seen elsewhere on this site and not very common. The round amber reflectors on the front forks make it look like it might be an import from outside the UK. Whatever it's origins it is good looking example in great condition. Even better, Mart is planning to move to Bewdley UK which is just down the road from the Stourport 7 X7 bad boys (see Suzuki X7 club page) so if we can all meet up with Mart this summer 2010 then we should be able to get 10 X7's together without too much trouble. Anyone else reading this in the area who owns an X7 get in touch ! Interestingly, Mart took these photos at the annual Sandwell Historic Vehicle Show at Dartmouth Part, West Brom (West Mids). It looks like a pretty good show with a nice looking Vincent Black Shadow, Norton Commando and a Matchless of some sort. In the second picture you can also see Marts Friend's Honda MBX125 which is a rare and pleasant beast on today's roads, particularly in the condition this one is in. Thanks for the photos Mart and hope to see you in the spring/summer.

Reader's Bike: Suzuki GT250 X7 Owned by Steve, Evesham, UK

Steve from Evesham sent in these pictures of his newly acquired Suzuki X7 (November '09). A few keen X7 owners will have seen this bike on Ebay prior to Steve taking the plunge and buying it. It stands out for being pretty much unused and in as-new condition save for the fact that it has done a fair amount of sitting around for the last 28 years. Steve bought it with just 612 genuine miles on the clock and put the extra 139 miles on taking it to 751 (as seen in the picture) by riding it home to Evesham from the dealer in Manchester from whom he bought it. I've never seen an X7 as original an perfect as this one and plan to meet up with Steve in the Spring so we can exchange notes. You have to give steve credit and respect for shelling out the small fortune he did for this bike and thinking it was worth it (which I do), for being brave enough to ride it 140 miles home (with his wife following a safe distance in the car) and also reaching speeds of 85 - 90 mph in the process. He quickly discovered that the tacho cable/drive needs some attention as the needle was jumping around a lot and having got home after attempting to remove the left hand engine casing to check the oil pump settings he's found that the Allen bolts have seized in place. Despite attemps with an impact driver he can't get them to shift. If anyone has any cunning methods to get these out without resorting to a blowtorch then e-mail me with your suggestions. These pictures of such an original unspoilt example will be usefull to anyone wanting to know exactly what an original looked like including seat cover pattern, style of shocks etc. Thanks for sending them in Steve and see you next Spring.

Reader's Bike: Suzuki GT250 X7 Owned by Wayne, Bedfordshire, UK

This is one of the most immaculate and interesting Suzuki X7's I've seen, albeit in photographic form only. Wayne sent these photographs as 3 meg files which are big enough to zoom in and see the excellent quality of this restoration job. Wayne bought this X7 nine years ago (about 2000). In the process of the full nut and bolt restoration Wayne fitted the Ebay sourced original Dunstall fairing and a rare Micron Swingarm to complement what looks like original Micron exhausts. The bike was impressivley sprayed using spray-cans and while the black X7 wheels look great Wayne's future plans include fitting wire wheels and also an upgrade to carburettors from the Suzuki RG250.

Reader's Bike: Suzuki GSX550ES / GSX600ES Owned by Lasse Kangas in Finland

Lasse Kangas from Finland sent in these pictures of his great looking Suzuki GSX600. I really like these bikes having owned one my self 18 years ago. I think these are nice looking bikes, the engines are strong and have a good turn of speed with a revy nature and get up to a top speed of 120 - 125 mph pretty quickly. If I remember rightly they even have a gear indicator which is a really useful addition now coming into fashion again.

You can pick these up for peanuts today although you might be hard pushed to find one in good condition. Lasse has managed to do just that though as his bike looks to be in really good condition. I think it might be an Italian import which helps explain the condition as used bikes do tend to come out of Italy in pretty good condition. Interestingly, the UK versions of this bike were called the GSX550 and had an engine displacement of 572 cc but Lasse's is called a GSX600 and has a capacity of 581 cc (as stamped on the barrels).

I can't think why Suzuki would release two versions with such a small difference in capacity but it seems they did. If I could get one of these in this condition for less than £ 1000 I'd keep it forever as I think they are really good representations of 1980's bike technology, feature a bit of the styling from the classic Katana's with a bit more of a sporty slant and good strong engines easily capable of distance work. Thanks for the pictures Lasse !

Reader's Bike: Suzuki GT250 X7 Owned by James Devereaux - Kirkcaldy, Scotland

James sent in these pictures of the Suzuki X7 that he has restored with a "nut and bolt rebuild". The picture on the left shows the poor bike as he got it with a really nasty cut-down seat, silver painted frame and braced handlebars, poorly matched black plastic front mudguard, mismatching early model clocks and indicators with later model front brake fluid reservoir and ram-air type air filters.

The picture on the right and below shows the bike now. James has sympathetically restored it with black frame, genuine front mudguard, matching later model clocks, indicators and brake reservoir and he's put the standard air box and filter back on which is not a bad idea if you want to avoid running lean. It looks a lot better now James - good job ! What's that lurking in the garage by the way ? Looks like the back end of a Yamaha XS or RD ? Thanks for the pics.

To Buy Genuine New Suzuki, Yamaha, Kawasaki and Honda Spares Online Visit CMS.

Motorbike Of The Month August 2009: Suzuki GT750

This is an immaculate original example of Suzuki's famous GT750, their biggest ever two-stroke. Also known as the "Kettle" or in the USA the "Water Buffalo", names given on account of it's advanced (at the time) water-cooled engine and sizeable weight and girth. This is a biiig bike but also beautiful. This actual example is a stunner, owned by a long term owner for over 20 years it is immaculate - cleaner than most bikes of just a few years. Whilst 2-strokes are often considered as sports bikes due to peaky performance and light-weight engines, the GT750 was positioned by Suzuki as a Tourer (Grand Tourer - hence GT). The bikes specifications give it a dry weight of 214kg and 70 bhp. This bike and model is special as a large capacity two-stroke but also because of the engine's links to racing: the engine was a basis for the factory Suzuki TR750 Grand Prix racers that produced over 107 bhp and were raced by legends including Barry Sheene. Look for images of TR750's on google and you will see the clear resemblance to the road bike's engine. This is what make's this model special while the original and immaculate condition of this example makes it a very special bike.

Motorbike Of The Month July 2009: Yamaha RD250

This is the Yamaha RD250. Yamaha's air cooled 250 two-stroke twin predecessor to the legendary RD250LC. Yamaha's RD250 was the Nemesis to the Suzuki X7 so is a necessary inclusion on this website. Not only that but despite a personal favoritism for the X7, the RD250 is still one of my favorite bikes. It's the yellow colour scheme, the Yamaha Speed Block graphics and the 'Coffin' shaped fuel tank that do it. This model pays a stronger homage to the legendary Kenny Roberts than the X7 managed to do to Barry Sheene and this is one of the big reasons it's so special. It was also the basis for the big grudge match of the time between Yamaha's RD250 and Suzuki's X7. Yamaha's RD250D model (with cast alloy wheels) came out in 1977 and was the undisputed king of the 250's. Then in 1978 Suzuki launched the X7 which might not have been quite as powerful as the RD but was significantly lighter (the X7 weighed 282lb/128kg versus 340lb/150kg for the RD250). The X7 was also less expensive at £ 780 versus £ 934 (May 1979) and with its weight advantage was reputed to feel quicker and have sharper handling. The proud owner of this actual RD250 lives just a few miles from me so I am planning a modern day shoot-out between the two bikes and with his consent an opportunity to ride each others to bike to try and give as fair and objective review of the two models 30 year's after the original dispute. I'll be posting all the results and photos after the event.

Motorbike Of The Month June 2009: Suzuki GS1000

I came across this interesting Suzuki GS1000 in a works car park near West Bromwich West Mids. In many ways its a real minger. The red handlebar grips, white grabrail/rack, oval brake light, crash bars and tank mural are horrible. But the GS1000 was a great, nigh on legendary motor. I love the K&N type air filters and the slash-cut exhaust pipe and I reckon with a paint job and clean up this could be quite a nice tidy bike. Although this particular model appears to be one of the factory customs with raked out forks and stepped seat (if it's original) the tank doesn't meet the side panels which makes me think the tank is not original. I would fit the longer flatter tank from the standard sports model and a flat seat. As it is it I reckon it qualifies quite well as a rat bike which is not an insult. Remember I said on the home page I love almost all bikes and that includes rat bikes. So well done to the owner of my June Motorbike of the Month.

Motorbike Of The Month May 2009: Yamaha RD500LC

I found this beautiful Yamaha RD500LC in Speedaway Motorcycles in Blackheath, West Midlands. This is a showpiece bike in the Speedaway showroom and belongs to the shop's owner who is an RD500LC fanatic. While the bike is not advertised as being for sale I am advised that he would part with it for £ 6000.

Those with a keen eye may spot that this isn't actually a UK model RD500LC but a Japanese model RZ500LC, the main difference being that the Japanese RZ model has an alloy frame rather than the steel box-section frame on the UK RD500LC model. This particular example is also fitted with aftermarket exhausts which I was advised make it sound like a 500 MOTO GP Bike

Speedaway Motorcycles is a dealer for Aprillia, Moto Guzzi and KTM and is a great shop with friendly staff who are happy to talk about the great range of bikes they have which includes some good used motorbikes as well as the new European models in which they specialise. See their website at http://www.speedaway.co.uk/