First time bike owner (in Arizona)

[Ramblerman]

Hi all. I purchased my first bike a couple of weeks ago (a '99 GZ-250) from another forum member who had engine troubles last year. I have done a little riding on a VERY trusting friend's 2006 Kawasaki Mean Streak 1600! I know the 250 is going to be a LITTLE less powerful. :biggrin:

The previous owner could not make himself part out this great looking bike (since the engine needed rebuilding), and I agree it would be a shame. I purchased quite a few OEM Suzuki engine parts from my local dealer and I hope to start the rebuild in a few days. Hopefully, if all goes well, I will have a running complete bike soon!

I have been reading the forum this past couple of weeks and see that everyone is a big help to each other. This forum is a wealth of knowledge!

Thanks,
Daniel

[Water Warrior 2]

Welcome Daniel. When I saw Ramblerman I thought you might collect Ramblers. You seem to have a more exotic taste in cars. You will enjoy the GZ once it is up and running. They are great little bikes with a very forgiving nature and only want some TLC now and again.

[Ramblerman]

Thanks for the welcome! Actually, you are correct about the origins of my username "Ramblerman". My first car was a 1964 Rambler American. Since then I have owned several Ramblers and AMC's. I guess they were my first automotive love. :) Gullwing cars, like my DeLorean and my Bricklin are my current interests (and have been for many years now)! I can see myself very easily getting into other motorcycles as well!

Daniel
http://www.ramblerman.com

[alanmcorcoran]

Is it just me or is this forum crawling with DeLoreans? Oh, and welcome. Post about your rebuild. Curious to see what is involved.

[blaine]

Welcome aboard.I have always loved A.M.C.'s. I've owned everything from a Gremlin to a Pacer.
:) :2tup:

[Water Warrior 2]

My first car was a 1964 Rambler American.

Daniel
http://www.ramblerman.com
Had a 64 American 330 4 door sedan. My first new car and it was excellant. My second was a 67 American with a V-8 and 4 speed. After a couple tweaks it was more than fast enough to get arrested.

[Ramblerman]

Wow. I did not know there were so many AMC/Rambler fans on this forum! In the past I have owned four Rambler Americans, a '66 Classic 770, and a '78 Pacer with the factory 304 V8!

As far as the rebuild on the bike: I have purchased a new piston (old one was destroyed), piston rings, piston pin, valves (one was broken, two were bent), necessary seals and gaskets, and regular tune up/oil change stuff. I am hoping to have the time to start the rebuild this Sunday. I have rebuilt car engines before, but have never touched motorcycle stuff until now. Hopefully, with manuals in hand, it will not be too difficult of a task! :skeptical:

Daniel

[blaine]

Wow. I did not know there were so many AMC/Rambler fans on this forum! In the past I have owned four Rambler Americans, a '66 Classic 770, and a '78 Pacer with the factory 304 V8

Daniel

My favorite was a 1974 Gremlin called "Short & Sassy" with a 360cid "police intercepter", with a 4 speed.That was one fast little car.Local cops hated it with a passion.
:) :cool:

[Ramblerman]

I think Gremlins are awesome, especially ones with V8's! I even have a couple of diecast Gremlin models! I do not know why they get such a bad rap!

In the new CARS 2 movie that is coming out soon, the two bad guys are played by a Gremlin and a Pacer! :??: Whatever!

Daniel

[alanmcorcoran]

Ramblerman - more than a few folks posting on here have blown their engines (in various ways, but generally destroying the piston.) For me, if that should happen, a rebuild is out as I don't have the skills, desire or experience (or, probably the tools!!) but for the mechanically minded (of which there are many) it'd be good to get a general idea of costs and labor time.

The GZ being a relatively cheap bike to acquire, I would think you'd have to be able to rebuild it in a couple weekends max for it to be worth the time, tools and parts. Keep us posted.

I've heard the Deloreans are maintenance nightmares, but I can tell you - I'm not a big car buff, but whenever I see one on a parking lot, I definitely check it out and I'm not alone. People still get a huge kick out of the stainless and the doors alone. And all of us, of course, have to offer the owner our coffee grinds and banana peels for the Mr. Fusion Home Energy Reactor.

[Ramblerman]

My general concern was putting more money into the bike than it will ever be worth. As we all know GZ-250's are not that expensive when new, and when purchased used they are generally very inexpensive. If I paid for the labor to rebuild the engine (instead of doing it myself), I think I would have far too much invested into the bike!

Based on what I have discovered this past couple of weeks: The parts to rebuild the upper half of the engine (assuming your crankshaft, connecting rod, etc. are all okay) you will probably spend around $300-$350 on new parts from a dealer. This depends on if you have a contact there who will make deals and work with you. It also is assuming that you do not have to replace the cylinder head.

If your cylinder head is beyond repair, you are looking at $100-$200 additional for a used head, and about $400-$500 (or more) for a new head. OUCH! :shocked: I will try and keep everyone posted about the success (hopefully) of my rebuild.

The DeLorean upkeep and maintenance is not too bad. With the exception of a few parts, almost everything is available for the car. Once you take care of the required recalls and updates, it can be a somewhat reliable vehicle. :lol:

-Daniel

[mole2]

Welcome to the forum from South Carolina. Ride safe.


:)

[Ramblerman]

Thank you, mole2!

-Daniel