RGV250 VJ21 - a project of love and awesome

[Rocky]

Well, there we were, drinking and talking about motorbikes (a regular occurrence) and the wonderful lady of the house says "I'd like to buy a motorbike".

Don and I, looked a little like this at first.








But after coming to terms with it, we were more like this.









After chatting about it, discussing what she would like, and what we could have a wonderful time tinkering with, we came to a decision. We'd either look for an Aprilia RS or a Suzuki RGV. Reason being, we wanted something she could learn to ride on (yes, I know, not the perfect bikes to learn on, but sometimes life just smiles on you and you take what you can get), and all three of us wanted something we could restore, put blood, tears, and more blood, then tears and blood, to have as a project.

Much to our pleasure, 2 weeks later, we have this in the garage, bought from a lovely chap off PSB.


It's a 1988/1989 RGV250 VJ21 with a banana swingarm conversion.
It runs wonderfully, is mechanically very nice, and no visible signs of it being hurt or abused at all. A lovely example of this little bike. It rides like a dream. No serious dents in the exhaust, or structural damage at all. We're excited, very excited to have the chance to restore this little beasty.







Our intentions are to bring her back to tip top condition. The engine is fine, but we'll probably rebuilt it in 5000km's or so. We've stripped her down now, to find out what exactly needs fixing/cleaning/replacing/love/crying etc.

The first day of serious work went in today, and we started sanding down the fairings for the re-spray that we're doing ourselves. I'm looking forward to giving her a beautiful new paint job, and our ideas are plentiful and photoshop is working overtime at our place.

Don got to work on the exhaust cleanup, and the lady and I worked on the two side panels today. Overall a wonderful day of hard work. So it begins














Next for the panels will be some 240 wet and dry, then running it over with some 400, followed I imagine by some heavy primer, and then another sand to see where we're at.

Things to come in the immediate future will be more exhaust cleanup, probably new rotors, a massive clean for everything, re-wiring for some things to make sure everything is like new, and finishing off the fairings to get them ready to paint.

Fun times ahead.

[RIPLEY]

looks like the start of a great project and nows the perfect time! My first sports bike ride was an rgv250 lucky strike and i will never forget it! On another note how much does whoopie goldberg charge for sanding work?

[Rocky]

looks like the start of a great project and nows the perfect time! My first sports bike ride was an rgv250 lucky strike and i will never forget it! On another note how much does whoopie goldberg charge for sanding work?

Haha, it's hard work but it'll pay off for sure. Such a wonderful bike to ride, I fell in love with it the moment I kick started her (the bike, not Whoopie). Whoopie charges by the hour, but also accepts kahlua and coke or red wine as payment

[Gangus]

Show the scooter some love
fresh pistons and rings, followed by a good caustic bath for the chambers and clean out those carbs. Finish with some correctly adjusted pv's and top it off with some fresh plugs.
Best of luck with your resto!!!

[Rocky]

Ahh many thank yous Gangus, those are some great recommendations and we'll definitely be giving the engine some love over the period of restoration.

[Rocky]

The look of the bike has been discussed at great length. We want to make it unique, but also not too wanky or flashy. Needs to maintain it's race-bike heritage, but hopefully with a bit of a difference.

Initially, we're going to probably paint the bike pearl white, with gold trims (levers, grips, rotors, rearsets etc.). This might be temporary, depending on how good it looks, but we'll probably be adding some decals.

If anyone can give me some tips on how to spray the bike with vinyl/decals in mind, I would greatly appreciate it. I have noticed that many seem to be 'inset' into the paintwork, and I really lack the knowledge on this process.

At the moment, the final colour scheme is to incorporate black/purple/gold. We're not sure how it will fit together, or whether this tri-colour will work at all. Plenty more photoshop to go around yet.

These are some ideas I've put together quickly. They are just ideas at the moment, and are by no means what will make it onto the bike. The final image is just a picture we found of an RGV that makes most of us excited in the pants.

[Benno #03]

It's a no brainer for me mate. The Suzuki white/blue/blue. Pays tribute to it's past with a modern style.

[rgvlee]

Are you looking to use the TYGA body work? As the tail piece requires the TYGA subframe, and on the 21 the subframe is part of the frame itself.

[Rocky]

We'd love to use the Tyga body kit, but it's not going to happen for a while. The new paint will go on the existing fairings, they're in great condition.
Eventually we might try and see if we can adapt the tyga kit. There is an example of one that has been used on a VJ21 on the TYGA site, and the chap said it required very minor modification. So we'll have to see. At the moment, we just want to get it back to original tip top condition, then worry about fancy bits Although we tend to love fancy bits...so it's usually a concurrent process... :S

[Gangus]

As it's a vj21 look out for pepsi theme.
Paint it all white and apply the decals...
True racing spirit!!!

[Loud]

Good stuff! The factory Suzuki colours were waaay better than the Aprilia ones, like the Pepsi and Lucky Strike. I do like the white/blue/blue a lot too.

[SIR sparks a lot]

Paint it then add decals then clear coat over the top should be a good build

[Slipin]

The white blue blue Suzuki with the tyga fairings looks verey nice !! Altthough I'd like to see the white pearl and gold rims . Specialy if u could anodize them gold some how.
Little tip bit . When I used to have my rgv I remember alot of talk about pre 95 mdl's having issues with the power valves droping into the engine ? Easy fix with a set of newbys . But just somthin to keep an eye on .

Good luck on ur build !! Like the gp style exhaust's as well . Side by side . Maybe even chrome dip them !! Then again . Proberly falls into the flash catagory .

[F2thaK]

cool project!

this paintjob looks the goods!