1988 Suzuki RM 250J Resto Project

Suzuki88
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Suzuki88
Edited Date/Time 12/14/2013 12:42pm
Hey Guys,
This is a post project summary of a bike that I always had a thing for back in the day.
The 1988 Suzuki RM 250J aka " the bike that Bob (Hannah) built".
For some reason I always like the distinctive one year only look of this model and therefore picked up this fairly straight machine off a guy from San Diego,thanks to a good mate picking it up for me -he knows who he is.


The story goes that the guy I brought it off got it from a guy who had a supercross track in his backyard,the real bonus was the genuine bob Hannah rear shock that was in the bike -it's engraved "Buckwheat and BHS" on the top of the body and is a really lucky score.

After collecting a load of NOS parts over the last three years,the bike was stripped and rebuilt with new rod seals bearings etc etc etc.I was fortunate to get my hands on a load of new stuff that will remain in the box until the day comes to retire and put the bike on display so I have brought a pro circuit pipe answer silencer etc to use in vintage mx races and the odd modern event down here.
I need to finish the bike off by rebuilding the wheels and getting the swing arm polished but that can wait to the winter,I want to get out and ride this puppy!
Anyway thats enough from me here's some photos below Cheers CT













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BM255
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BM255 11/11/2013 2:18am
11/11/2013 2:18am
Your bike looks awesome, great work!
Cool story to go with it too, especially with the bonus of the Hannah shock.
It's amazing to see all these old bikes getting the attention they deserve and a second life so to speak.
MXM
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pickstick BD
MXM 11/12/2013 6:54am
11/12/2013 6:54am Edited Date/Time 11/12/2013 6:57am
Nice RM 250! I restored a 1986 model this last summer, however I left it mostly original because it was in great shape already. 1986 was the first year Bob officially rode for Suzuki even though I don't think he raced much that year. Not many nice Suzuki's around from this era so it's nice to see your bike.

Suzuki88
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Suzuki88 11/12/2013 10:05am
11/12/2013 10:05am
Right back at you MXM that 86 is a sweet machine !
Suzuki88
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Suzuki88 12/7/2013 11:32pm
12/7/2013 11:32pm
Finally got out on my bike a few weeks ago.It has really sweet linear power.

The Shop

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reded
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reded 12/8/2013 6:39am
12/8/2013 6:39am
I raced one of these back in 89-90. The motor was raved about by all the mags but I honestly thought that my '88 CR had a way better pull to it.

I also replaced the fenders with Acerbis CR copies, that humpback rear still makes me cringe. C'mon Suzuki, what were you thinking?

The bike had great suspension though, would soak up damn near anything and keep on trucking.

Your resto looks great and brings back a lot of fond memories.
ktmbraap
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Binghamton, NY US
ktmbraap 12/9/2013 8:57am
12/9/2013 8:57am
Here's one for sale in the Baazar.
queen of spodes 12/12/2013 4:37pm
12/12/2013 4:37pm Edited Date/Time 12/12/2013 4:38pm
Here is my '87 RM250 restoration from many years ago.

Before


After
Harry Backmon 12/12/2013 6:31pm
12/12/2013 6:31pm
Nice! I had an 88. I only have one picture of it, and it's that good of a picture. I bought it used in 89. I was the second owner. It was bought originally by a guy that was slower than me, so it was almost new. I do have a couple more pictures of it buried somewhere that are better than this, but I've not been able to dig them out of the massive pile of old photographs that one builds up in 30 years of marriage.
Harry Backmon 12/12/2013 6:34pm
12/12/2013 6:34pm
Also, as I remember it, it was completely stock. I'm looking at that blue crossbar pad and it's throwing me for a loop. I guess it is stock as I don't remember ever changing it. I never did anything to that bike but set the sag, put numbers on it and go race. I liked the blue engine era.
CamP
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CamP 12/12/2013 7:14pm
12/12/2013 7:14pm
Suzuki88 wrote:
Right back at you MXM that 86 is a sweet machine !
Hey Craig, that RM looks great!

The misses and I are thinking about a trip to NZ next year. What would be the best time to come?
Suzuki88
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Suzuki88 12/13/2013 9:48pm
12/13/2013 9:48pm
Hey Cam Jan February best weather mate let me know when you get it confirmed Craig
MaxPower
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MaxPower 12/14/2013 12:42pm
12/14/2013 12:42pm
You know in school when there was a chick you never really wanted to poke and the longer you knew her the more in time she actually became good looking to you? No? It's happened to me . Well after looking at these fresh 89s I think they are cool looking bikes. Other than the 81 CR , most bikes look good in thier own way.

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