Bandit 1200s rebuild help

[brockmub]

Originally Posted by Grainbelt

PR3 is supposed to be better in the rain, otherwise I think the PR2 is as good.

I've been running BT023 since they are cheaper, and I still get 10k out of a rear and 15k out of a front, never had a 'moment', wet or dry. That set would be $230 at DennisKirk.com in those sizes.

Thanks for the tip Grainbelt but DK also charges a $5 per tire fee as well as a minimum of $38 for shipping.

[Grainbelt]

Originally Posted by brockmub

Thanks for the tip Grainbelt but DK also charges a $5 per tire fee as well as a minimum of $38 for shipping.

Must be an out of state thing. I get any order over $100 shipped for free.

my bad

carry on.

[brockmub]

Originally Posted by brockmub

Someone pointed out that the Motorcycle-superstore.com has the PR2 set @ $285 and the PR3 set @ $317 shipped.

Just called both local dealers and they quoted me $200 more for the set of PR2s. If I brought them in $35 per tire to have them mounted. Come On Man!

I'm ordering from the superstore right now.

[mikenj]

Thanks for the tip Grainbelt but DK also charges a $5 per tire fee as well as a minimum of $38 for shipping.

I checked and its only $5 per tire added........

[Jimmy the Heater]

I've run the Pilot Road 2's and 3's and what was said before matches my experience. 3 is a lil better in the rain, not quite as long a life as a 2. Otherwise very similar. Love them!

[brockmub]

Originally Posted by mikenj

I checked and its only $5 per tire added........

I see what happened, I only looked at the air shipping option. You're correct. $5 per tire. My Pilot 2s should be in on Friday afternoon, hopefully they get delivered when I'm home so I don't have to go pick them up.

Have a crazy busy week/weekend starting today. Then Monday plan on jacking up the bike and getting the wheels off. Will look at the sprockets then as well. I'll check the chain and lube it well if it can be saved. Hopefully it doesn't snow soon so I can leave the Jeep out of the garage and continue working on the bike.

[ragtoplvr]

I often ride my 2002 BMNWR1150RS on gravel and dirt roads, just ot get to where I am going nothing difficult. The best tire I have used is Shinko Ravens. They have deeper tread, and wider grooves. The center groove on the front might wander more on pavement grooves, but if you get on gravel or even easy wet dirt, it steers better. And they are cheap. Stick well on pavement and rain, and last a long time. Just remember, they have very slick mold release, it takes over 100 miles to scrub one in.

I love them, on my third set and the 4th is in the garage. I have touched foot pegs, once on a damp day even, road was dry but just after a rain there were some damp spots. I have been in what we call Frog drownwers, no issue. They are great.


Rod

[brockmub]

Was able to get into the garage today to work on the B12. The tires will get done soon, but wanted clean up the front end a bit. Started taking off the fairing on the dropped right side, man it was bad, didn't even take pictures of it. The inside of the right side had so much plastic glue and putty that it went straight into the bin.

Got the rest off so I could take a look at the fairing frame. It confirmed what I suspected, the inner frame was pretty well bent up. It came off surprisingly easy. There were some tabs broken but not as many as I expected. The large front mount was bent to the right, while the right side mirror mount was bent down and in. The amount of work it would take to straighten out would be better spent cleaning up the bike and the headlight.

Does anyone need some extra front end parts for cheap?







Here is an old Kawasaki headlight that I had laying around. It doesn't have a bucket and the factory gauges would be mounted above it. I think there would be room to mount a touring screen if I felt I needed one. The final pic is the bike as it sits right now. Yes those are wires showing on the front.

[mikenj]

Does anyone need some extra front end parts for cheap?

I could use some rubber bits........

[brockmub]

Originally Posted by mikenj

I could use some rubber bits........

Mikenj I PM'd you.

I also forgot to mention that I tried starting the bike to help me move it around the garage and it wouldn't start. Just backfired twice. I'm not terribly worried about that, should I be? It's been super cold lately even though I had a heater on while working on it.

[Grainbelt]

Put the battery on a tender and stabil in the gas tank, then drain the float bowls, if you're not going to run it til spring.

They sold the bandit with a headlight in other markets, you might be able to get the stock parts still.

[aftCG]

I think you were in the cheap bikes thread too, right?

That bike is a great 10 footer, but does look a bit rough up close. Regardless, it's a Bandit and as such is bulletproof. I have no idea what would cause you to sell it next spring, but I'm biased.

It's comfortable and has serious balls, so for me it's a great touring bike.

There are many naked conversions and the maximum suzuki forum will guide you well. For me, it looks great being naked, but the wind beats the crap out of me above 80 for any stretch. Er, km/hr

I'm going with PR3s next because I live where it rains a lot and I don't put my bike away. Battery tender?

Oh, does it smoke? If so then read up. Mine is too old to smoke. It just hauls a**.

[YJake]

I too am working on polishing an early Gen2 bandit

1) Do it! I got mine in August from another inmate and just got around to changing the oil for the first time. Dark but no metal shavings at all, and 33,000 miles to boot!

2) Lots of good street options out there.

3) Mine has dual-sport bars with hand guards on it, nice upright riding position and less windchill on the hands in winter.

4) I like the stock ones.

6) A 'Busa rear shock raises the rear slightly (1" I think) and is better from what I hear.

7) If you go nekkid, any cheap windshield will work.

8) The stock seat is actually pretty good, the Lady friend loves it.


You're gonna love this thing after you sort the carbs and fire it up in the spring. I have a windshield, 45L Givi boxes, and Givi rack with top box for commuting. The bike accelerates the same whether it is naked or loaded with luggage and riding 2-up. Gobs of low and mid-range torque that keeps you smiling the whole way to work!

I got lucky and scored a nekkid version, love the retro look. The parts are out there to convert it and it is not very hard.

Best of luck to ya and don't give up on it before you get a chance to flog it hard around the neighborhood! Just don't keep track of your MPG

-Jake

[brockmub]

Originally Posted by Grainbelt

Put the battery on a tender and stabil in the gas tank, then drain the float bowls, if you're not going to run it til spring.

They sold the bandit with a headlight in other markets, you might be able to get the stock parts still.

I've got a tender that I'll use after I run the stabil through the tank.

I'll most likely go with a Aztec8 headlight set up, or something similar. I was looking at the wiring diagrams and even if it was a naked Bandit headlight, there would still probably be some rewiring done.

Originally Posted by aftCG

I think you were in the cheap bikes thread too, right?

That bike is a great 10 footer, but does look a bit rough up close. Regardless, it's a Bandit and as such is bulletproof. I have no idea what would cause you to sell it next spring, but I'm biased.

It's comfortable and has serious balls, so for me it's a great touring bike.

There are many naked conversions and the maximum suzuki forum will guide you well. For me, it looks great being naked, but the wind beats the crap out of me above 80 for any stretch. Er, km/hr

I'm going with PR3s next because I live where it rains a lot and I don't put my bike away. Battery tender?

The naked conversion is the way to go for me. It's too ratty of a bike to consider putting so much effort into rebuilding the front fairing. I never would have picked out a 1200 for myself I'm really going to shy away from the high, high speeds.

The wheels are coming off tonight so I can get the PR2s mounted tomorrow. Rain? It only rains enough in South Dakota to grow brown grass. You don't like battery tenders?

Originally Posted by YJake

3) Mine has dual-sport bars with hand guards on it, nice upright riding position and less windchill on the hands in winter.

7) If you go nekkid, any cheap windshield will work.

You're gonna love this thing after you sort the carbs and fire it up in the spring. I have a windshield, 45L Givi boxes, and Givi rack with top box for commuting. The bike accelerates the same whether it is naked or loaded with luggage and riding 2-up. Gobs of low and mid-range torque that keeps you smiling the whole way to work!

Best of luck to ya and don't give up on it before you get a chance to flog it hard around the neighborhood! Just don't keep track of your MPG

-Jake

What dual sport bars do you have on it? The bars I have on it now should be able to be adjusted to the posittion I want them, that's of course one of the next things to get sorted out. In case they don't workout, it would be nice to know what you're using. I'd love to see a picture of your set up, it sounds like how I'd set my bike up for touring.

I'm keeping the bike and not going to sell it. I've sold two bikes that I regretted later, my original B6 and an XS650 chopper (see pic) that I had put a lot of time into. If I need something different for touring or better mpg, then I'll pick up a Strom or cruiser.

[30Bones]

Start an ebay parts search, replace only what is needed and you should get your $$ back if you choose to sell. Sadly these great bikes have a terrible resale value and good shape runners can be had for 2500-3000 bucks. Just don't want to see you jumping over a dollar to pick up a dime.