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Yeah, this is a Suzuki, model-specific forum, but we all started somewhere. Me being a motorcycle noob, I have precious little brand loyalty (opens my purchase options up somewhat).
I read a lot of advice, and decided that a mild-mannered bike would suit me just fine, so I started keeping an eye out. I posted on the Fiero forum I've been a member of for a long time that I wanted to trade my Fiero-shaped lawn ornament (it ran alright, I just didn't drive it much anymore) for a respectable first 2-wheeler.
This little guy came up:
Yeah. Very LOW miles (6800 when I got it, 8500 and counting now), just needed some carb love, and seeing as it's only got one, how hard could it be?
To be honest, it was quite easy to get running. About 2-3 hours time had the carburetor off, torn down and largely degunked. Another 45 minutes or so had the questionable (though it's fine so I really need to convert it back) petcock converted to gravity feed only instead of vacuum actuated.
Pull out the choke, hit the starter button (jumped off the car, dead battery) and "whirrrrrrrrrr...."
Yeah, the weakness of the Ascot, the starter not always liking to engage. And no kick-start. So, add in 2 more hours of figuring out the starter engagement mechanism, cleaning, lubing, cleaning, lubing, reassemble and... !
LIFE!
That was the hard part, the rest is maintenance and tuning. Long story short, new tires, up the jets a couple sizes (+8 on the pilot, +4 main, to compensate for lean factory tune + gutted muffler) and I've been getting 50-60 mpg on my 400lb thumper since April or so
I have no basis for comparison, but this is a very, very easy motorcycle to ride. Good torque (seriously, 500cc single), reasonably smooth ride, light weight (South end of IN 135 anyone?) and predictable handling and power delivery. No speed demon for sure, but will run 60 all day comfortable and handles short bursts of 70+ with ease. If I ever get around to putting the correct front sprocket on, 70+ will be all day
I read a lot of advice, and decided that a mild-mannered bike would suit me just fine, so I started keeping an eye out. I posted on the Fiero forum I've been a member of for a long time that I wanted to trade my Fiero-shaped lawn ornament (it ran alright, I just didn't drive it much anymore) for a respectable first 2-wheeler.
This little guy came up:
Yeah. Very LOW miles (6800 when I got it, 8500 and counting now), just needed some carb love, and seeing as it's only got one, how hard could it be?
To be honest, it was quite easy to get running. About 2-3 hours time had the carburetor off, torn down and largely degunked. Another 45 minutes or so had the questionable (though it's fine so I really need to convert it back) petcock converted to gravity feed only instead of vacuum actuated.
Pull out the choke, hit the starter button (jumped off the car, dead battery) and "whirrrrrrrrrr...."
Yeah, the weakness of the Ascot, the starter not always liking to engage. And no kick-start. So, add in 2 more hours of figuring out the starter engagement mechanism, cleaning, lubing, cleaning, lubing, reassemble and... !
LIFE!
That was the hard part, the rest is maintenance and tuning. Long story short, new tires, up the jets a couple sizes (+8 on the pilot, +4 main, to compensate for lean factory tune + gutted muffler) and I've been getting 50-60 mpg on my 400lb thumper since April or so
I have no basis for comparison, but this is a very, very easy motorcycle to ride. Good torque (seriously, 500cc single), reasonably smooth ride, light weight (South end of IN 135 anyone?) and predictable handling and power delivery. No speed demon for sure, but will run 60 all day comfortable and handles short bursts of 70+ with ease. If I ever get around to putting the correct front sprocket on, 70+ will be all day
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