FAB738S

[stevewharton]

First can I say what a brilliant forum this is, well done Baz for providing us with a site where we can get expert advice and opinions, friendly chat and banter and help from others who have "done it before." I bought my "A" model in 1987 for £500 and with 63000 on the clock, not a bad price for a kettle that looked very tidy but needed a major engine overhaul. I personally think that anybody with loads of money can buy a classic and then get a Suzuki dealer or somebody else to restore it, with no expense spared on repairs and NOS parts, but doesn't that defeat the object of owning a classic? I know that sometimes we all have to buy NOS parts to keep our bikes on the road but isn't it great fun to be able to fix it yourself, especially with the feeling of self satisfaction and achievement that goes with it. My area of expertise is engineering/machining but when it comes to electrical problems i'm useless, I suppose we are all good at something, so when I stripped my engine I realised that there were repairs needed that would really challenge me, but being a fitter/turner by trade I decided to tackle them myself. Some of these repairs were to prove interesting and some downright scary, i'll start with one of the interesting tasks. The centre cylinder had been damaged beyond what a rebore could fix so I had to remove the cast iron liner and manufacture and fit a new one, a very interesting job, with all the ports having to be reproduced. Next came the scary task, the dreaded crankshaft refurb'. I was advised by several workmates that it was a specialist job, but being a stubborn sod I insisted on tackling lt myself, "fool". I started by making a split support clamp that went between each crank section to enable it to be pressed apart on a hydraulic press. The pressure required to achieve this was so high I was beginning to think that it had been welded and when it eventually split it did so with a crack so loud that I almost needed to change my undies. With the new seals and bearings fitted and the crank rebuilt I experienced that great feeling of satisfaction that I mentioned earlier, but I can definitely say that I never want to attempt a crank refurb' again. The engine restoration continued and eventually it went back in the frame and over the last 23 years i've had a few ups and downs but generally speaking shes been a great bike to own. Shes done 135000 now and I wouldn't dream of selling her, i've had about 14 other bikes during that time, including two new ones but they've all gone and shes still here, I think theres something addictive about owning a kettle, dont you? So thats my restoration story, i've never gone for the total nut and bolt, top to bottom restoration, just kept her looking as nice as possible and ride her as often as I can and with the help and assistance of the admirable Kettle Clinic I hope to continue doing so for a very long time. CaptainKettle.

[stevewharton]

Confuscious say "man who can use a keyboard whilst wearing a straight jacket is more certifiable than he thinks"

[yeadon_m]

Capn' Kettle - I enjoyed that history! roll on the next 23years between you and the specially numbered Kettle (I recall reading about it in the mag a while back).
I've had the same GT380 since 1978 and while I can't claim the engineering feats you've done, I too have tear-jerker history with my old smoker. It is to be buried with me.
Cheers!
Mike

[didge]

Mr C, do you have a heart of steel ? how can that not touch you, bearing in mind you're already "touched" of course. ;)