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View Full Version : OKD's new RE5



Igor
Wed Dec 24th, 2008, 02:26 PM
So I'm braving the before-christmas rush at wal mart when I get a call from a very enthusiastic ron...

His inquiry into a classified ad turned golden, and the guy accepted his offer since it was the first of very very many.

Since okd is in southern NM righ now, I'm on my way from pueblo to springs right now to pick it up.

Pics and all sorts of laughs to follow.

OldKneeDragger
Wed Dec 24th, 2008, 04:50 PM
Pics please... Nothing like sending somebody else to pick up a motorcycle that didn't even have a picture posted in the add. So what did I get,,, a basket case of hopeless parts or something that stands a chance of looking like a motorcycle with enough work????

OldKneeDragger
Wed Dec 24th, 2008, 07:06 PM
I know he is punishing me... I was on the road in the middle of New Mexico when I get this call about an 1975 Suzuki RE5 I had inquired about. I figure it was worth a chance and sent Igor to go pick it up while I continued my trip to see Mom for Christmas. So on Christmas eve he goes to go pick this thing up.

What does he do... he tells me that he has it but where are the pictures?

I'm dying out here just waiting...

Did it fall of the trailer?

Did he make it back home?

What does it look like?

For those that want to see what an Suzuki RE5 is, here is Jay Leno with his no cam shaft, no valves, no pistons Wankel engine motorcycle http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/cars/SuzukiRE5_shell.shtml

Igor
Wed Dec 24th, 2008, 07:21 PM
And we have pics! :yay:
It came with the front bodywork, which is really just a headlight bracket and some chrome turn signals. Also have the service manual and the original owners manual. It will be a project, but OKD has a Model-T so this one is just a baby as far as age is concerned. There are some rust spots here and there, but no major cancer that I could find.

IMO, it still looks fairly sharp in the sunlight given its age.

http://bnordman.net/img/re5.jpg

Edit: here are a couple more pics, with everything re sized for a more browser-friendly experience.

http://bnordman.net/img/re5-2.jpg

http://bnordman.net/img/re5-3.jpg

Tipys
Wed Dec 24th, 2008, 07:57 PM
Just watched the video and that bike is pretty bad ass IMO

gsxrscott
Thu Dec 25th, 2008, 04:24 AM
At least its the one with the cool gauge pod!

Mental
Thu Dec 25th, 2008, 11:28 PM
OMG Ron has a rotary bike!!! I remember see some racing one-off waaay back in the day. They couldn't keep an exhaust on it, becuase it ran hot and blew flames from the tail pipe.

BTW, Igor, you are a true biker friend. X-Mas eve picking up someone elses project?!? There is a special place in heaven for peaple like you.

GSXRJOHNNY
Fri Dec 26th, 2008, 08:20 AM
Way cool!!! OKD, you are truely a nut case!!! But, I mean that in the kindest of ways. I'm looking forward to see this on the road....sometime in the near future?

guessinthe2000
Fri Dec 26th, 2008, 01:53 PM
So I watched the whole video... is it really hard to find spark plugs for this or not really?

Igor
Fri Dec 26th, 2008, 02:20 PM
So I watched the whole video... is it really hard to find spark plugs for this or not really?

We havent really looked yet...

This is a popular collector bike, with a registry and a large base of people who just love to tinker with it.

I think there are parts to be found, its just a matter of finding the right people. http://www.rotaryrecycle.net (http://www.rotaryrecycle.net/) will be an invaluable source. I know that OKD can't wait to tear into that motor and see what makes it go zoom zoom (or what makes it go clunk clunk...).

It's currently stuck in 5th gear and hasnt run in over a decade. It also has no front brakes to speak of. That is just what I know from talking to the guy and loading it on the trailer. I know the exhaust is hot, but if mental is right and it shoots flames I want to see this thing running soon. :)

OldKneeDragger
Fri Dec 26th, 2008, 04:41 PM
I won't be back home until next week to see it for the first time so I have to take Igor's word for things. I remember this bike from when they were new and I had an old H2 (wish I still had that as well). The Rotary actually had very similar max power but was way over weight and radically different in the power delivery.

All the manufactures where trying to one up the other.

Kawasaki had the two stroke triples, Suzuki the GT750 two stroke 4 cylinder, and Honda came out with the big 4 stroke 750 Inline 4 so Kawasaki followed with the Z1 900 ending with the KZ1300, Suzuki went and did something really out of the mold with a NSU Wankel motor (Rotary for short).

While the Kawasaki and Honda's where only around $1500-$2000, the Rotary was over the top at something like $2500 as I recall. I only saw one new one in New Mexico back then. It took Suzuki some quick foot work to recover from the marketing disaster of the RE5.

I have things about ready to go on my 1979 KZ1300 as soon as the paint is done. The Suzuki RE5 will be a much more in depth endeavor. I want to see the corrosion on the engine and frame and look at the overall condition of the bike before I decide how big a project this is going to be.

Yes, plugs are only $35 (only one required) as long as they have any left. Apparently rotaryrecycle.net has purchased every single left over plug from the factory and every Suzuki dealership in the world. It was a custom plug with no substitutes ever produced. The electrode and tip (part that goes spark) was all recessed into the plug with nothing protruding beyond the tapered threads.

Mental
Fri Jan 30th, 2009, 02:40 PM
Got this link from a gearhead board, thought it would be interesting.

http://motorcycling.speedtv.com/article/vintage-suzuki-re5-rotary-no-pistons-no-valves-no-future/

OldKneeDragger
Fri Jan 30th, 2009, 04:14 PM
Nice find... Thanks

Although now trying to find parts it was sad reading this tidbit:

It was rumored that because the RE5 was so unsuccessful Suzuki dumped the remaining stock and parts into the Japanese sea.

gsxrscott
Fri Jan 30th, 2009, 06:06 PM
A good reason to have an Open Water Diver certification. :)