Sp600 Stories

[tdrrally]

very cool

[stussels]

ive been tinkering with one through winter. had alot of electrical problems, mostly just corroded components. replaced some that were too far gone.
cleaned out all its connections and switches, relubed em up and everythings good for now.

currently having the clutch cover welded, had a hairline crack near a bolt hole. hope to get that back soon and get it out of my living room!

cant wait to ride ol girl. heres some pics, she cleaned up well i thought.

[tdrrally]

very very nice

how far are you from wv?

i want to ride with you

[Tudelum48]

If its anything like mine let me give you a heads up on starting it.
Gas ON
Key OFF
choke ON (it has 2 settings, all the way out choke,first click out fast idle)
kick it 2 times easy to prime (slowly)
find top dead center (where the kicker wants to stop)
just barely bump it past (maybe 2-3 inch's on the kicker)
bring the kicker all the way up for full kick
Key ON
Kick it like you mean it.

Normally starts on first kick. Mine always started better priming it first with key off. It always started better just barely bumped past the hard spot on the kicker. Just barely bump it off Top Dead Center. Then all the way to the top of the kicker.

Hope this helps. They can be a beast if its not done right. Your bike looks like its pretty well stock. There good bikes, mine or rather my sons now has almost 30K miles on it. It uses no oil and runs really well. He had it out this past weekend.

Glad there is another (SPUD) running around.

[LawrenceTheCat]

Originally Posted by tdrrally

look for 90-91 dr650 parts
i beleive all the plastic and tank are the same

i have been thinking of painting my dr650 plastic and tank to match an sp600

i wonder if the sp/dr600 head flows better than a dr650 head?
the 600 head has dual exhuast ports and the 650 has a single port
i think the cam is the same as well as the head gasket

Hey, I was wondering where you disappeared to! Did you see the link I posted for you about the '85 SP in Jersey- kicker spring broke, just make an offer? It's back in the pre-06 pages, a few weeks, maybe he still gots it. I got the large girl ('90) in my garage now, it's looking like a good find...even had a Progressive shock tucked up under, didn't see that till put it on my lift. I put a pic up on the pre06 thread, don't want to hijack here Still thinkin about Laurel Fork. Looks like a hoot

[stussels]

hey thx for start tips but it didnt give my 145 lbs any trouble. when i got it it had some old gas in it which i drained from the tank and carb.

i had it together once before i realized the cover was cracked. i originally thought it was leaking due to a poor silicone job done prior.

with fresh gas it started after 4-6 kicks. sounded good but was still pumping oil out of that crack so i havent ridden it yet. started easy first kick when warm.

original owner hogged out the stock muffler so its pretty much hollow. also claimed to have rejetted. but we will see how it runs once the oil leak is remedied.

[greendude]

good looking bike Stussels. i am surpised the electrical connectors were a problem with the the rest of it in such a well kept condition.
Worth checking and regreasing the rear linkage and headset bearings if you have not already as it looks like you put some hours into it.

[stussels]

i was too. the previous owner kept it outside a bit before i got it and thats all it took. it actually looks better in the pics since ive cleaned it up too.

the tank paint has some slight fade to it and the frame has surface rust. the switches on bars were full of green crud. the tires are cracked up and showing signs of weathering as well. id planned on greasing things up but i want to see what kinda state the engines in before i go that route.

couple of questions, how important is the lower chain roller on these? im missing mine. also, what kind of range on a full tank can i expect? seems it should go 200+ miles or so or is that too high? either way im stoked to get this thing going with the weather warming up!

[Tudelum48]

(couple of questions, how important is the lower chain roller on these? im missing mine. also, what kind of range on a full tank can i expect? seems it should go 200+ miles or so or is that too high? either way im stoked to get this thing going with the weather warming up!)

Stock. Thats the way I ran mine. I would replace the lower chain roller. I bet one for a DR650 would work.

As far as gas range, if anyone goes with you they will need it before you.

If you got the bike started you did well. If you have no prior knowledge of starting a big thumper or Harleys you did really well. I repeat (READ THE START UP) it will be a one kicker.

[Tudelum48]

Hey TD is it just me or are those old SP's better looking than our DR's?

If someone had told me that a Red,Blue,White,Black with Gold wheels color scheme would work I would not have expected this.

I came real close to giveing the SP alot of TLC and not buying the DR, but man that magic little button on the right is so nice for my old leg.

[greendude]

200miles easy. get about 420km + or -50 from my 600 open trails and road

[tdrrally]

i do like the red
but maybe with a blue frame
here is my 91 sp650

its a looker (in its own way)

[stussels]

Originally Posted by Tudelum48

If you got the bike started you did well. If you have no prior knowledge of starting a big thumper or Harleys you did really well. I repeat (READ THE START UP) it will be a one kicker.

ive had a couple of big hondas over the years to prep me, xr500 and a xl600. ill use your process next time and see if i cant get it to start with one good kick though. i just figured since it was completely drained it took a couple kicks just to get it primed through.

that fuel range is gonna be great, my streetbike only gets about 100 or so miles and im flippin to reserve.

tdr, your bike looks great. and youve surely got better brakes than whats on the sp. im not too far from wv being in columbus ohio. maybe if i ever get this thing going ill head over that way sometime.

thx for the pic of your bike, i can study it and see what parts may be swappable. would be nice to fit the rear wheel and brake from a dr to the sp but it seems like it might be too much hassle to be worth messing with. ah, ill just ride it and be happy.

its really for the girlfriend so we can ride two-up, shes never forgiven me for making my streetbike a solo seater.

[Tudelum48]

I think after you ride it some the only thing you will want to change is the oil every 3000 miles.

It really is a good all round bike. Does nothing to brag about and nothing badly.

My son and his wife take his out every now and then and he leaves his Street Glide home. Its no Street Glide but he doesnt have to back down from a back road either.

The only thing I did to mine was build a luggage rack for it.

Smiles for the miles and cost its hard to beat.

Keep us posted.

[Tudelum48]