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Project Pepsi RGV 250

Discussion in 'Your 250cc Projects' started by Josh_676, Nov 19, 2018.

  1. Josh_676

    Josh_676 Member

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    My Bike:
    RGV 25
    Manufacturer Suzuki
    Production 1988–1998
    Predecessor Suzuki RG250
    Class Sport bike
    Engine 250 cc (15 cu in) two-stroke
    Power 62 hp (46 kW) (unrestricted)[1]
    Transmission Six speed manual
    Brakes Drilled vented discs front and rear
    Wheelbase 54.3 in (1,380 mm)
    Weight 305 lb (138 kg) (dry)
    345 lb (156 kg) (wet)

    The Suzuki RGV250 (Gamma) was a Suzuki high performance sport bike which had a great number of its features and design cues based on Grand Prix technologies and ideas. It is a race-replica based on Suzuki's 250 cc (15 cu in) GP bikes from 1987 to 1998, the RGV Gamma V-2 racer. This motorcycle replaced the RG250 Gamma, which employed an alloy frame with a two-stroke parallel twin engine. The bike produced over 50 bhp[citation needed] in a narrow power band between 8,000 and 11,000 rpm. The dry weight ranged between 128 kg (282 lb) (1989) to 140 kg (309 lb) (later models) dry weight.[citation needed]

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki_RGV250
     
  2. Josh_676

    Josh_676 Member

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    I like the RGV, as it was the first bike I ever had (that one seized and ended up scrapped).

    I have two RGV's now, one VJ21, and a VJ21, the 21 is a genuine 'Pepsi' and the VJ22 is a 'Team Suzuki / Lucky strike (Moto GP replicas).

    YR0byOw.jpg

    I picked this one up for 2000 dollars, it had obviously sat for a long time. The uptick is that the fairings are original (and the exhausts are OEM as well). The Exhaust on the Pepsi are a black shiny type homogeneous to this model only, and very hard to find without road rash.

    RFl5T2E.jpg
    Other side

    0FOr075.jpg

    I took the fairing and tank off.

    m0Zvgfr.jpg
    Brakes have seen better days. (the fluid has leaked onto the front guard, messing with the paint
    3LfBt8N.jpg
    Fuel tank a bit leaky, good news is degreaser and scrubbing removed most of the staining.
    0wlXs7S.jpg
    Dusty as. (and some interesting repairs)
    1bjYRKl.jpg
    The subframe shouldn't look like this, an interesting repair job.

    ZFp7JoC.jpg
    Let me introduce you to the screw that is stopping me dropping the engine, it is stripped.
    whVUWZ9.jpg
    Needs a clean up.
    Hbb8roi.jpg
    HYHvXWl.jpg
    Magneto has seen better days
    MH0X93d.jpg
    Don't have a chain breaker, so I improvised
    5OfIYRp.jpg
    Any suggestions how to neaten these up?
    S9CLiqZ.jpg
     

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  3. Josh_676

    Josh_676 Member

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  4. kiffsta

    kiffsta Senior Member

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    The vj22 was a better bike , but if you are going to own a vj21, a Pepsi is the holy grail, so congrats on picking up something so awesome. 2 stroke values in general have gone nuts of late with an 8 out 10 rgv250 vj22 fetching $12,000 at Shannon’s auctions earlier on in the year, we saw a heap of bikes jumpnfrom $5k on gumtree to $10k overnight. So you know what you have is quite valueable.


    The subframe failure is quite common, they just vibrate themselves apart, I’d try and track down a replacement. To answer your question about ideas to help you, my suggestion would Be to look at the top end first and see what condition everything is in , ie barrels pistons and powervalves the good news is all of it is still available from Suzuki. With the barrels off, you can check for any play in the rods which will help you determine if the crank is any good.

    Cool bikes mate . My 2c is keep it original as possible, it will run better and be worth so much more. And once you have it back together, pay someone who knows their stuff to help setup the powerrvalves and the carbs so it runs like it should
     
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  5. Josh_676

    Josh_676 Member

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    Thanks for the reply, that was my thinking. I have a VJ22 M model (Lucky Strike with the bannana swing arm) that I threw a few K at to get back in good condition. I'm hoping I can do the labour (removing engine, cleaning stuff) and I'll leave the re-jetting and rebuilding up to a guy I know who is really good with them.

    I am hoping I'll get away with a top end only, I have a set of aftermarket power valves, which don't have the 'pin dropping' problem.
     
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    Last edited: Nov 19, 2018
  6. minimac

    minimac Active Member Premium Member Contributing Member

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    Nice purchase. Take your time and do it right!
     
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  7. ruckusman

    ruckusman White Mans Magic Master Premium Member Dirty Wheel Club

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    Only bike I ever owned new was a Red & White VJ21 - wish I hadn't sold it for obvious reasons

    I sat on a VJ22 and much preferred the shape of the tank, never got to ride one though.

    Both are wonderful bikes

    Good score, looking forward to seeing the progress.

    One thing which does come up on the twins is the labyrinth seal between cylinders leaking and causing problems, so depending on the state of the top end, it's worth doing a leak down test to check to verify it's condition if you don't go as far as getting the crank rebuilt
     
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  8. my67xr

    my67xr Bike Enthusiast Staff Member Premium Member Contributing Member

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    Welcome to the forum,
    Nice Bike's too!
     
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  9. XCite Bikes

    XCite Bikes Parts and Accessories Staff Member 250cc Vendor Contributing Member

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    Looks like a nice project. If you need new fork tubes (aftermarket), let me know.
     
  10. Josh_676

    Josh_676 Member

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    Thanks for the comments guys, I'll be having another crack at getting the engine off on Saturday or Sunday, in the mean time I have a video, it at least runs...

     
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  11. Josh_676

    Josh_676 Member

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    I was going to take the leads off engine side, however that didn't work out, here is how today went.

    IMG_20181124_112623.jpg
    Stripped screw on the magneto, defeated by

    IMG_20181124_112639.jpg
    Threaded screw remover from Bunnings, it worked really well.

    IMG_20181124_115733.jpg
    Couldn't remove all the cables from the magneto (Didn't have the tool to remove it), so I removed the battery holder (white box under the seat), to do that had to remove a bunch of screws from this silver thing, and a black box ( I don't know what they do.)

    IMG_20181124_120441.jpg

    IMG_20181124_120903.jpg
    It's out...

    More bitching swearing and cursing, eventually...
    IMG_20181124_131944.jpg

    I had to leave the carbies in there, as I couldn't get the throttle cable off (I'll work on that later).

    IMG_20181124_131949.jpg

    IMG_20181124_132447.jpg

    Looks messy!

    Now for the money shots,

    IMG_20181124_132756 - Copy.jpg

    IMG_20181124_132812 - Copy.jpg

    IMG_20181124_132824 - Copy.jpg

    IMG_20181124_132949.jpg

    IMG_20181124_133527.jpg

    IMG_20181124_132949.jpg

    IMG_20181124_133539.jpg


    IMG_20181124_133602.jpg
     
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  12. Josh_676

    Josh_676 Member

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    Anyone with more knowledge than me wanna comment on those barrels? To me they look better than I Expected... Also any suggestion on how to clean the engine up?
     

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