Educate me on a 67 Suzuki X6 Hustler please.

s1b

I've been looking at a 60s X6 Hustler. Possible title issue so been cautious about it.
Anyway. Can anyone educate me on these. Mostly about problems maybe they had. I'm mechanically inclined, so I'm not afraid to "turn a wrench".
Any guidance would be greatly appreciated! Would like to know before I make up my mind.

KirkN · Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2011 7:24 am Post subject:

Hi, s1b and welcome aboard.

The Suzuki X6 Hustler was one of the bikes that put Suzuki on the map in this country. It was a 2-cylinder, 2-stroke, 6-speed bike with Street Scrambler styling (upswept pipes). It was Suzuki's entrance into what was then a very hot class - the 250cc. Think of the 600cc street racers of today.

AFAIK, there are no real weaknesses associated with 'em. The specific condition of the one you're looking at will be much more important than any model-specific issues.

Others with much more first-hand knowledge of them will chime in, I'm sure.

Yeah, here in FL, you really want to be careful about no title. Some folks I've talked to seem to have no problems - the nice lady at the DMV seems to give 'em no hassles at all. For my OWN experience, I always get the cranky grouch who seems to think that asking to title a bike that you don't have the title to is one step worse than asking to molest her 8-year-old grandson... Rolling Eyes

Good luck with it, and welcome aboard!

Kirk

s1b · Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2011 7:41 am Post subject:

KirkN, the guy told me he has a old NY registration that matches the VIN. Will that make it any easier?

KirkN · Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2011 9:01 am Post subject:

Maybe...

In FL, a registration is the document that confirms the license plate for that vehicle. The TITLE is the document that confirms who is the legal owner of the vehicle.

A NY registration will just confirm that at some point, the vehicle was owned and plated by a NY resident. The bike may or may not have ever been transferred to FL.

I suspect that if you took this to the FL DMV, they'd search to see if that bike was currently titled in FL. If so, they'll tell you to get in touch with that official FL owner (somehow), get him to sign the FL title over to you (applying for a new one first, if he has lost that FL title). If the bike has never BEEN titled in FL, they'll tell you to go FIND the current registered owner (somehow) (in whichever state he's in - NY or wherever) and get him to sign that title over to you. Then, the FL DMV will sock you for ~$200 for an out-of-state transfer, which includes a mandatory VIN # verification by one of the DMV ladies. Bring the bike in to them. And they don't give a gnat's fart how difficult/impossible it may or may not be to actually FIND this mythical previous official owner...

That's how it would go for ME... Rolling Eyes

That all said, other folks seem to have the gift of shmooze with DMV clerks. I recently sold a title-less Hodaka to a fellow here in FL, and he waltzed in with a bill of sale, a form from a police officer verifying that the VIN # didn't come up stolen and his story and waltzed out with a title. Maybe the clerk was his mistress or something... Laughing

My own son recently did something similar and he was told that now in FL, if the bike is 30 years old or older (pre-1981), they "don't worry" about you not having a title to transfer. If you have a bill-of-sale on a pre-1981 bike, and the VIN # doesn't come up stolen (and is so verified on a particular form), they'll just sweetly issue a brand-new FL title. I haven't tried this route, but I NEVER seem to catch a break like that. I'll believe it when it happens for me.

Sigh. Laughing

You're mileage may vary; certain rules and restrictions apply; not all buyers will qualify.

Kirk

dorT500 · Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2011 9:26 am Post subject:

Add the problem of probably impossible to find fresh center crank seals. I have never owned one of these bikes but here is a page of discussion that may help about the seals. If these links don't not show the right pages ..go to homepage-forum-spares wanted-- then go to second page for 'T20 inner crankshaft seals' and also 'T20 outer crank bearings' which mentions new ones are unobtainable but....

http://www.t20suzuki.com/

http://www.t20suzuki.com/
http://www.t20suzuki.com/
http://www.t20suzuki.com/

Jay Leno also has a video of his at 'Jay Lenos Garage'

I have not read on too much farther about the bike but I have to assume there are many other parts such as oil lines, pump, pistons,etc. Much more research on all parts availability would be best of course. It seems I have read somewhere about an inherant electrical problem. Not really sure so please don't hold me to that.. memory is vague on that.

Edit:
"I have not read on too much farther about the bike but I have to assume there are many other parts such as oil lines, pump, pistons,etc." (note to self Rolling Eyes

, finish thought)...that may be hard to find.

Rizingson · Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2011 10:15 am Post subject:

The T20 or X6 (1965-1967), as it's known in the States is an excellent choice for the collector, as it's still not to hard to find. As with all old 2-strokes, crankcase seals can be a problem and they are tempermental runners. But what a blast to ride.
You got the World's first 6 spd, first 250 to hit the "ton", and once upon a time the bonneville salt flats record holder for a 250 (I believe about 132 MPH) As for weak links, the tranny didn't have the best reputation and the charging system will eat bulbs if you have anything but a good battery in it. An oddity with the tranny that takes getting used to is the "positive neutral stop" on down shifting only. One more part that's impossible to find is the air pump attached to the right rear frame, but that only matters if your into showing. I'm still trying to sort tune-up issues with my 1966, which is an all original with 2700 miles, but had set for 39 years in a basement.
The 250 with high pipes was a TC250 and I believe was made from 1966-1968, also called an X-6 Scrambler.

s1b · Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2011 2:10 pm Post subject:

Positive neutral stop? Explain please.

Rizingson · Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2011 2:26 pm Post subject:

Positive neutral stop on downshifting simply means you can't downshift from 2nd to 1st without hitting the shift lever twice. Once for neutral and again for 1st (two taps) Upshifting from 1st to 2nd is one click (passes right through neutral). It will make you try to start out from a stop or slow corner in neutral and drive you crazy till you find a gear.
Honda c100's had a positive stop shifting both directions through neutral plus the pattern is upside down from today's standard pattern's. The '60s and some early 70's Japanese bikes had some weird patterns including some that were downright dangerous if you were'nt paying attention.

s1b · Posted: Sun Jan 09, 2011 12:33 pm Post subject:

Well guys, I'm going to pass on the X6 Hustler. If anyone wants to know how to get ahold of the guy with it. Look at the Daytona Craigslist. Ended up getting a Honda CB.

s1b · Posted: Sun Jan 09, 2011 12:35 pm Post subject:

Oh, also it has been in storage for 40yrs and still has the tire pump.