I’m picking this 1976 GT250 up on Saturday, it’s a German import so I’ll be having a fun time with the DVLA at some point, first though will be to assess what’s good and what’s not, it’s not intended to be a show winner when completed, just a useable bike, I had one of these when I was 17 so it’s a nostalgia trip as much as anything, anyway here’s the starting point, cheers Mark.
I have been - on and off - keeping a bit of a look out for one of these so will be interested to follow your exploits. I missed one a while ago that had been put off the road before its first MOT and then sold to a dealer once over 40 years old - in other words, it had never been MOTed, nor would it ever need an MOT.
Could have sworn I just got a wiff of Castrol R & the ringing of expansion chambers in my ears !! I'll be watching this thread with interest, I checked on the DVLA web site & my '74 GT380 is still registered, although not currently taxed !!
I seem to remember something about castrol R not being a good idea in autolube systems, it clogs up?, dim and distant memory but I’m sure there was something in MCN about this years ago?
Maybe I have the Castrol variety wrong - perhaps it wasn't Castrol R? My "partimers" is possibly kicking in... It was Castrol something LOL. Now my TS185er has Castrol Power 1 Racing 2T Motorcycle Engine Oil. Sadly the smell is not as pungent, and it smokes less than the oil of yore...
Just found this, evidently this smells identical to castrol R, it’s called castrol R40, but carries this warning; not sure why the photo with the torch appeared but I can’t edit it out, oh well.
I merely mentioned Castrol R, or Castrol R40 to give it it's full title as a hark back to a time I'd almost forgotten. I was not recommending you use it, use it as a pre-mix, use it in your oil tank or any other use you might want to put it to. I was merely day-dreaming, it had/has a unique smell & one that you never forget.
Using modern oils on old bikes can be a real problem. I used modern engine oil on my 1980 TS185 and the clutch slipped continuously as a result. I only use Dinosaur products now, specifically "Gamma Oil" made by Rock oils. Its mineral oil and the clutch is now back to normal. I suppose there are other similar products available but this was recommended to me by a Classic Suzuki guru, so thats good enough for me.
yes, best of luck with it, crashed my brains out on mine in the 70's, the days of 250cc and L plates. Can't remember the reg. or the year, when did Suzuki drop the "ram-air"? RE; Castrol R, seen some of the British classic owners put a few drops in the fuel tank, just for the whiff.
My GT250 was the Ram Air model on a N plate I think. I know my mates 250 Hustler was faster, and so was the GT250 A that came afterwards. I did some crashing on mine too.
DVLA will need it to be on NOVA or they won’t touch it , you’ll also need a dating certificate from Suzuki or an approved owners club VJMC etc . Other than that is v straightforward . If it’s not on NOVA you’ll need to complete a NOVA1 form and send to HMRC . I’ve done loads , so shout if you run into issues
Thanks M@tt, the seller says he has the NOVA and all the original German docs, I joined VJMC at the weekend, I think they charge £30? for the dating cert, I will still get in touch if I need help though, thanks for the offer.
