Yamaha SRX 600

[longdogcymru]

Hi, I have recently become the "proud" owner of a 1987 Yamaha SRX 600. It was going to be dumped or broken for spares. It is complete, but partially stripped and in need of some TLC. Initially, I intended to just get her running, (she actually started within 10 kicks after lying idle for 8 years!!!). I think she deserves to be restored properly. However, I have never undertaken a restoration before. Any hints 'n tips will be more than welcome!

[beeman]

If it ain't broke don't fix it. If the engine wasn't noisy leave it well alone that will save loads after all if you strip it the engine is ALWAYS worn so ? what is acceptable.
I'd change the oil and filter, clean the air filter.
If the forks and rear shocks OK just clean them. Tyres may need changing if cracked/worn BT45s are the usual fit and stick to the recommended sizes as the handling gets much slower with wider tyres.
The carbs might want taking off and be careful with the inlet rubbers as they are easily bu**ered and are expensive to replace. remember a good carb cleaner works wonders to get carbs clean but not so when you have it in your eye!!!!

The fuel tank rusts at the bottom seam due to the fuel tapper being higher than they are so empty the tank to remove any water. if in doubt petseal or similar to prevent this.

Much of the parts are from the yamaha bits bin so check the links on this site for compatability. for example oil filters fits loads of different bikes. it is also useful if you have a list of bits to try companies such as Kedo in germany (web page) If you ring them they speak good English, although they say they don't as far as i am concerned it beats my German and they are cheap. Try them for plugs and filters.

Sorry about the ramble but try not to go overboard until she is running properly then by riding you should find out any problems that there is.

good luck.
beeman

[Steve Lake]

well...........good bike to start with, parts readily available from breakers, and new from yamaha. You didn't say whether it is a UK bike or grey import, but it makes little difference where parts are concerned.

I have just completed a very similar job, (see 'number four makes her entrance') we (my son and I) have spent a couple of months and about 600 quid (on top of the purchace price (£300) to end up with a bike that is essentially as good as new.

and to be perfectly honest, we could have done it for half the price, but as the engine was in bits (and as Beeman says) you tend to see all the worn bits ( which don't really need replacing) so a rebore, new piston and new oil pump, gasket set, new tappets etc etc is £200 up the pipe straight off!

so get it roadworthy and mot'd, then see about prettying it up later

and good luck

you'll find plenty of advice/help/ pi55taking here

SteveL

[guest27]

Tyres - change them - they go hard after a coupel of years and I have thrown a couple of bikes up the road (slow learner) because the had slid when I was sure they would be OK - both were on old tyres and both were fine with a new set of boots - however if you are rebuilding leave the tyres to last - that way you can roll it about the shed on thenold ones and not worry if they get oil / petrol / cat pee etc on them

R

[Steve H]

Theres some useful info on www.srx600.net. Are you in Wales ?

[peterj]

To add to the above list (which all sounds sensible to me btw), after an 8 year lay up I'd change the brake fluid and have a good look at the pads. If the brake lines are still the original rubber ones I'd think about swapping them at the same time (if you're doing it on the cheap something off a recent bike from the breakers will do fine). I'd also drain the oil very quickly after it's first short run and then change the filter and clean the secondary filter that lives in the oil tank outlet.

Something that might save you some unnecessary work is to give the oil seals a few sprays with armorall. It's surprisingly effective at lubricating and generally rejouvenating hardened seals, particularly fork seals where it can sit covering the seal for a few days.

Also I'd have a good look at the chain to make sure you haven't got any seized links - believe me you don't want a broken chain in an SRX. The cush drive rubbers will probably be hard and ineffective. Changing them makes a noticable difference to transmission smoothness, and I suspect helps maximise the life of your current 5th gear.

My one survived a 3 year lay up with no mechanical ill effects.

[Mike Hamilton]

Thank to all who replied. The bike is a UK SRX 600 with a genuine 19,000 miles on it. I has been laid up for"over 6 years". It needs tyres changing, a new chain, a battery and the brakes overhauled before it goes near a road. I was thinking of riding it for a spell to assess what needs to be done, it will do the bike good as well!

It has a pair of non-standard clip ons that look and are crap, so I'd like to get a genuine pair for it too. To be honest, I was really surprised that it started at all after so few attempts!

Oh! By the way, yes, I am in South Wales, near Swansea. I was riding along the A4067 near Clydach a few weeks ago and I spotted an identical one in that Burgundy Red going the opposite direction. Anyone on here?

[longdogcymru]

Thank to all who replied. The bike is a UK SRX 600 with a genuine 19,000 miles on it. I has been laid up for"over 6 years". It needs tyres changing, a new chain, a battery and the brakes overhauled before it goes near a road. I was thinking of riding it for a spell to assess what needs to be done, it will do the bike good as well!

It has a pair of non-standard clip ons that look and are crap, so I'd like to get a genuine pair for it too. To be honest, I was really surprised that it started at all after so few attempts!

Oh! By the way, yes, I am in South Wales, near Swansea. I was riding along the A4067 near Clydach a few weeks ago and I spotted an identical one in that Burgundy Red going the opposite direction. Anyone on here?

Hah! A good start! I forgot to login before posting!

[guest27]

In wales and a fan of lurchers I would guess...?

R (Near Port Talbot)

[longdogcymru]

In wales and a fan of lurchers I would guess...?

R (Near Port Talbot)

Spot on! Lurchers and Greyhounds!

[longdogcymru]

In wales and a fan of lurchers I would guess...?

R (Near Port Talbot)

By the way, do you have an SRX?

[guest27]

Nope not me - but a fan of longdogs, lurchers, sight hounds etc.  Would love to know what a English / Welsh medievel Alaunt was really like.  I get the feelings that a deerhound cross English Mastif shrunk a bit would be in the region, ...


SRX nope - would not mind a go on one though.

R