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1964 Suzuki T10 (Project Bike)

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14K views 45 replies 26 participants last post by  charger712002  
#1 ·
Well, I got a vintage bike today as a project bike. The bike is compete, need lots of clean-up and I am sure some engine work.

The one I got is white, vs. this image of a black unit:

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Lots of surface rust and salt pitting, but very salvageable. Interesting thing, in doing research on it, I learned it is the FIRST SUZUKI model ever brought to the US.

Here is the info:

1964 - Suzuki T10
1964 Suzuki T10. In 1954 the Suzuki Loom Manufacturing Company introduced its first true motorcycle, the CO, which launched it into the motorcycle business, the early models being marketed under the Colleda name. The Suzuki T10 is the first Suzuki motorcycle ever brought in to the United States. The T10, sometimes known as the TC 250 El Camino, is a 250cc, two stroke, two cylinder, and electric start street bike. Suzuki recognizes 1963 as its Anniversary year in the US. This motorcycle was sold to the seller as a 1964, which would make it one of the first two years of import and highly collectable. History of these early Japanese bikes can be sketchy and, as the seller understands it, they weren't actually designated as model years until the '70's, but from the research the seller has done, 1964 seems to jibe with the features of the bike (possibly an early '64, since it has a mechanical rear brake, but cast iron cylinders. The '63 TC250 is listed with a hydraulic rear brake and the '64 T10 is listed with an aluminum engine.) This model gave rise to the vaunted T20, a.k.a. X-6 Hustler, in 1965.
 
#7 ·
That choice will have to depend on condition. At some point it is just not practical to do a complete and proper restore.

That is where I am at with my CBX, it would cost way more than it is worth to properly restore it. I am going to cafe it.
 
#10 ·
that looks like a bike my dad had when i was a very young kid. i was just thinking about it the other day...how i thought it was so cool when i saw it in the garage. it was packed away and never ridden...i think it was broke when he bought it. but when i got old enough he got it running so i could ride it. to this day i still think it was a cool looking bike. ill never forget the rubber matts on the side of the tank.
 
#11 ·
Ok, so here are a couple of shots of my actual bike. As I said, all the parts are there, which is a miracle in itself. Need to do a lot of chrome work, rewire the bike, relace the wheels, redo the cables and brakes to start with.

Will of course need to redo the engine as well. But here is the starting point:

Image

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#12 ·
That's gonna be fun.

Here's a source for you for old Suzuki two stroke stuff.
http://www.sundialmotosport.com/index.html

Eric's a bright guy. Personable, and he'd probably love to be involved. I raced a T500 for him several years ago at one race. He had it in a different chassis. Couldn't win on it, but it was fun.
 
#14 ·
I think you really scored on that one. The exhaust pipes don't even look rotted out or anything.

How bad's the inside of the tank? POR-15 makes some nice stuff to clean and seal that up.

The little carb covers look cool, but maybe a pain. Get a good impact screw driver...LOL! You're gonna need it if you don't have one already. :bow
 
#17 ·
Did you get anything for me :)
 
#19 ·
I have no plans, just thought it would be a fun project. I love learning, best way to do that is to put myself in situations that require it.
 
#20 · (Edited)
Use this stuff on the chrome. Try this stuff before you try steelwool. It is the best product I have used for vintage chrome. I used it alot on baloon tire bicycles from the 40's. The chrome on alot of those parts looks to be in realy good shape. The paint may also clean up with a light buffing. Try to preserv the orignal finnish where ever possible.

That thing looks great!
 
#21 ·
Very cool bike! My cousin picked up a Honda 69' CD175 from a friend. Very good condition also, but not as original as yours from what I can tell from the picks. Got a text from him yesterday, he took it on his first ride and said it was awesome. I'll post picks when I get a chance.

Wink, that bike looks like it's in such good (original) condition if I were you I'd just make it mechanically sound and leave the nice patina it has aquired over the years.
 
#22 ·
Thanks for the tips guys. My current intent is to leave the original paint, but to get all of the surface rust off the aluminum and the chrome. I was going to use Flitz, but thanks Sqrly, I'll give that stuff a shot.

Spent a ton of time cleaning all the grease and grime off this weekend, she is already looking much better. The aluminum and chrome is gonna take quite a while though. I'll get started on the mechanical stuff last probably.
 
#26 ·
If you use the neverdull on the aluminum, be prepaired to use alot of elbow grease. I used it on my Aprilia frame and it was alot of work to get off. Pollished the hell out of it though, and looked great.

On chrome it is the best stuff I have ever used. It dissolves the rust without scratching the chrome. Rub it on, wait 5min for it to turn milky, whipe off, done. I use old sweat pants for rags.