Suzuki B 105 Bearcat - Restoration Project

tenorjazz

Just picked up my "new" Bearcat last night. Hopefully can get some pictures today and will post them later. This will is my first
"vintage" bike, if I don't include the Yamaha 125 I owed back in '72', and my first attempt to restore a bike. Any advise would be appreciated.

Why a Bearcat?
1. First off, I don't know how much I'll like restoring a bike and didn't want to put too much money into the project. I got the bike for free, so that's a good start.
2. I understand that parts for this bike shouldn't be too hard to find.
3. I plan on riding it and have only owned "dual" purpose bikes, so I can keep with the tradition.
4. I wanted something small to compliment my other bike.
5. I like the name Bearcat Very Happy

- The bike was a one owner bike and was ridden till 1997 (last time it was plated). Since then it was stored under the eaves of a house with a tarp over it.
- The engine is not frozen and you can easily shift through the gears
- The clutch and front brake cables work, but are pretty stiff
- There is still some gas in the tank and I haven't looked inside to see if it's rusted
- The pet-cock is "frozen" closed and the gas line is broken off
- The tires still had some air in them

So where do I start?

There are 2 school of thoughts that I have heard and would like to have some more ideas before moving ahead.

School One:
Clean the gas and oil tank, replace the plug and put new tubing on it and see if I can crank it up. If it runs, then oil the cables, adjust the brakes and ride it a while.

School Two:
Take it all apart, clean everything, replace hoses, gaskets, seals, cables, fluids and tires. Then try to crank it.

So does anybody have a service manual that would work for this bike?

So there you have it.. Day one

Any and all help, suggestions, opinions and comments welcome and appreciated..

Les

MR.CHocko · Posted: Sun Sep 05, 2010 3:35 pm Post subject:

What is that you want do? Do you want to do a full concourse level restoration where you take everything apart and clean, replate, and repaint everything. Then you go and put all new parts in where needed. Or do you want to keep it as an original paint bike. Original paint bikes when they go up for sale at an auction usually go for a higher sale price then a restored one. Simply because with certain models of bikes original, unmolested models are very rare. Once again the decision as to what you want to do is up to you. From my stand point as someone who both sees a lot of bikes that are completely restored and often times over done at that. That it is the original paint bike that is becoming very rare. But once again it is your bike and it is your decision as to what you want to do with it.

tenorjazz · Posted: Sun Sep 05, 2010 11:57 pm Post subject:

I'm guessing, because of what this bike is, that even with a full out "concourse" restoration it still wouldn't be worth that much. I think what I want to do is make it look nice and have a safe, ridable machine, without spending too much money.

MR.CHocko · Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2010 2:33 am Post subject:

Believe it or not but the high pipe scrambler versions are extremely desireable to collectors. As they made less bikes of that model then they did of the standard models.

tenorjazz · Posted: Tue Sep 28, 2010 10:08 am Post subject:

Can anyone explain the 2 oil filler holes on the right side of the engine?

I read somewhere to ignore the front hole and put oil in the back. Doesn't sound like good advise???

Rizingson · Posted: Tue Sep 28, 2010 12:12 pm Post subject:

The front oil fill was added to the case only on the 120cc Bearcat as a more convienent filling option due to the high exhaust pipe. The B100P & B120 magnum (essentially the same engine) only had the rear fill plug as they had street pipes. Follow the advice on the previous post and you should have no problem. Use 30W or 10W40 oil and observe the level screw as pictured.

http://www.vjmog.com/ftopic-5825-days0-orderasc-0.html

tenorjazz · Posted: Tue Sep 28, 2010 2:52 pm Post subject:

Rizing Son, Thanks!!!

Now I just need to figure out how to hot-wire the ignition, I don't have a key.