Okay, here’s my blog post about working on the 1983 Suzuki Tempter GR650:
So, I got my hands on this 1983 Suzuki Tempter GR650. It was, uh, let’s just say “well-loved.” It had been sitting for a while, and it definitely showed. My goal? Get this thing running and looking respectable again. No crazy custom stuff, just a solid, clean-running bike.
The Initial Assessment
First thing I did was just look it over. I mean, really look. Checked for obvious stuff like rusted parts, cracked hoses, and any signs of major damage. The tank had some dents, the seat was ripped, and the chrome… well, it wasn’t very chrome-y anymore.
Getting it Running
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Started with the basics: the battery was deader than a doornail. I Got a new one, hooked it up, and… nothing. Not a click.
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So, I moved on to the carbs. I pulled those suckers off, and man, were they gummed up. I mean, seriously, it looked like someone had poured molasses in there. I Took them completely apart, soaked all the jets and passages in carb cleaner, and scrubbed everything until it was sparkling.
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While the carbs were soaking, I checked the spark plugs. They were pretty fouled, so I replaced them with new ones. Always a good idea.
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I also drained the old fuel tank. There was some nasty-looking stuff in there. I rinsed it out a few times with fresh gas to make sure I got all the gunk out.
Putting it Back Together
After the carb cleaning, I carefully reassembled everything. It’s kind of like a puzzle, making sure all those tiny parts go back where they belong. I Put the carbs back on the bike, connected all the fuel lines and cables, and double-checked everything.
Fingers Crossed
With the new battery, clean carbs, and fresh plugs, I hit the starter button. It cranked for a bit, then sputtered, and finally… it roared to life! It wasn’t perfect, it needed some fine-tuning, but it was running! I adjusted the idle and the mixture screws until it was purring like a (slightly rusty) kitten.
What’s Next?
Of course, there’s still plenty to do. I Need to tackle the cosmetics – fix the dents in the tank, get the seat reupholstered, and try to bring some shine back to that chrome. But the biggest hurdle, getting it running, is done! It feels pretty awesome to bring an old bike back from the dead. I will keep you posted.
