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Being 18 and restorating my dad's RX100

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  • Being 18 and restorating my dad's RX100

    Being 18 and restorating my dad's RX100

    ​​​​Back story
    I have always been fascinated to bikes and automotives in general. Since my dad was a former motocross rider so we would be called to watch a lot of events and that's where I first came to know about RX's potential, a light weight, powerful and agile machine. Back when I was in 5th or 6th grade the bug of riding the RX hit me harder than ever and after a lot of convincing dad let me ride it. He started it and put it in 1st gear while holding the Clutch and telling in to sit at the front while still holding the clutch. While on the my first time riding the bike (1st bike I ever rode) I only had the control of the accelerater and nothing else. Even after that short ride I wasn't satisfied and the itch to ride alone hit even harder. The bike was in main stand and there was nearly 7-8 inches gap between my feet and the ground. I started kicking the kick starter the way my dad would to start the bike in almost half a kick, but to my surprise nothing happened. I didn't know what was wrong, and then came our gardener who was saying something like "its in gear pull the clutch and kick hard" , i didn't hear what he was speaking but i followed as much I could hear and after doing so after the 3rd or 4th kick the bike roared to life in gear. Next what happened is, i was at top holding the handle and half of me in air and the bike spinning on the ground like I was doing donuts of some sort. I was like i was riding a angry rodeo with my life on the line. After two or three spins the bike hit a tree sideways and i went flying to the ground. Thats the day I understood why the RX being such a small capacity and old bike still dominated the motocross scene here this was back in 2013 if I remember correctly.

    More about the bike
    Its a 1987 model RX100 bought by dad in 1991 from a family friend. It was daily driven by the previous owner and by my dad too. It did most commuting duties till 2015 after which it has been sitting idle most of the time only being riden by me on few occasions in 2018 after which I started the restoration process. As per my dad the bike has clocked more than 2lakh kilometres in the past 34years but the odometer is stuck in 36xxx after turning back to 00000. The bike still has the original G2 bore running 2nd or 3rd oversize pistons. I don't know properly.. it has .48 or 0.48 marked on the top. One strut on the block was cross threaded and was leaking air-fuel mixture until recently. The head was not in good shape either. The chassis was good overall but had to rusted a bit and made a little hole (1mm in diameter maybe) in the sub frame below the seat. Dad say it because of a cousin who took the bike to participate in a motocross event and didn't was it after the event for a month or so and there was cakes of mud when I removed the seat and the tank. But I suspect flood damage as it was under water for a day or two during the monsoon of 2014 when flood water had risen almost 4 and a half feet above the ground in our area. The bike still has 6 volt electrics but its not the original CDI that came with the bike, dad says he changed it was changed with a OEM 6 volt CDI in the late 90s due to a misfire issue but the issue was with the carburettor where a O ring wore out. Meters are original RAJDOOT meters made by pricol. And as much as I know they are the ones that came with the bike. But i heard that RAJDOOT meters where made by yenkai or yenkei or yenkey of Japan. The bike runs premix since the a long time and has RXZ plastic mudguard at the front.

    Too me and our family to be specific it was a perfect and good running RX100. But now looking at it from from someone elses perspective I feel that it looks to be an absolute junker and that is why I want to take up this restoration job. And its not for the status symbol or the "build not bought". To be honest cosmetics don't really matter to me but I want to relive what the previous generations lived and show how great of a generation it was and how raw and enjoyable it machines of that era were. And being 18 and out of school just recently its not easy to source parts and fund those parts or even afford to do a proper full blown restoration at once especially when my parents aren't that much supportive in this matter. But after a lot of convincing, dad has given the green signal to the restoration but only if I do it with my savings and my pocket money. I have put my life savings on the line for this bike and i will complete it and document everything in this forum.

    To be continued..​​​​​
    Last edited by Ck__x; 09-16-2021, 04:47 PM.

  • #2
    Topic approved.

    Comment


    • #3
      Starting the restoration
      Circa 2015, dad bought in a brand new suzuki swish scooty which finally marked the retirement of our family's daily driven RX100. Starting office duties in 1987 at the hands of the previous owner and then from 1991 onwards in the hands of our family. From 91' till 95' in dads, travelling all over assam. In Delhi in 95' - 96' where it had its first rebore job then back to assam in 97' from then till now, having the 2nd rebore in Guwahati again in the early 2000s. This time it was more of a badly done restoration. The original CDI got pulled out after being suspected for a misfire issue after which the whole CDI kit got changed but the issue could not be solved. Later the issue was found to be a worn out O ring in the carburettor. The mechanic messed up the gearbox because of which gears get stuck till this day.

      So after the new daily came in I started poking dad for fixing RX as parts where getting harder to source by then, only to be ignored till a year or so when the scooty broke only after 27 thousand kilometres and a year and a half after being bought. So out went the scooty to a buyer and in came the good old RX. This was circa 2017-18. Finally my voice of getting the bike fixed was heard. First thing we did was get the bike started, putting the wheels on( the wheels were removed to be fitted on a RX135 5speed which dad bought, kept for a month and sold to a family friend, will keep this story for another post) and started kicking the kicker to start. And in came a big bad blow. The bike didn't start. The last time it was started was around a year ago and it was running fine then. Pulled out the plug to check if there was any spark and as suspected it was something electrical. Most visible and suspected culprit of the problem was rotten and broken wires in the loom below the T-stem. Gone again few days. Next it was a Sunday afternoon, dad and i did a re-wire job, cutting old wires and joinin in new ones. The wiring loom had dried up completely and was is very bad condition. Still understandable for a 30 year old machine. After the wiring issue was solved it came to my notice that the head light always remained on. Good thing the day time running lights norm for 2 wheelers just came in at that time so people didn't really question much. Although we were pointed out quite a few time about the head light. This was the beginning. A month or so of riding, dad noticed that the bike wasn't really running as fine as before. Dad suspected gunk in the carb and as suspected it was it. Cleaned the carb and fitted it. Ran better but not like when it was used daily. Opened the the air filter box and it was empty. All that gunk in the carburettor was the air filter fiber. Went to a Yamaha parts shop, air filter wasn't available. While coming back saw a sofa shop from where we got a piece of foam, cut it in right shape and fixed it in the air filter box. Run a little lean but after a tune ran like before. A month later, bought in the original filter and it ran perfect.

      Circa 2018, dad and I opened up the block and fixed the cross thread issue in a lathe shop. When we opened the block there was a piece of broken spark plug about 0.5cm² big. Result= uneven head squish area. And result of the loose/cross threaded bolt = head got tapered at a corner( in a flat surface the head doesn't sit flat. It sits like a chair with a short leg, moving in up-down motion) new head gasket fixed the later issue. But I am still looking for a new/used good condition head.

      This was a major score for me. Opening the block knowing things, this was when it turned into a father-son project, full moral support from dad. But he is a busy man so this restoration will take time. And finance is a factor too. We don't earn so much to do a proper restoration job at once. And i am liking it this way, learning new things, exploring the market, opening up the bike.

      December 2018, we bought a new FZ25 rode it for sometime, ( i learned riding a bike properly in this bike) and it was good light clutch ( RX's clutch got hard), better brakes, better everything but still i wanted the RX since always, occasionally rode the FZ and sometimes the RX. RX is always a RX it cant be replaced. Wont go into technical pros and cons as its not comparable. The FZ is a great bike itself but my hearts goes to the RX.

      Fast forward December 2019, opened the tank and the side covers, took the tank to a dent remover, next day pick it up, was as good as new ( in shape ). Didn't go for new tank as it does come in the colour our bike was ( cherry red ) new came in maroon and black in yamaha made once, and aftermarket ones had other options. But heard that new ones are not as good so kept the old one. Next day drop it at the paint shop. The painter made the colour by taking sample from the below the L shaped chrome covers on the side panels. Then assam was under curfew of 2 weeks or so because of CAA/CAB protests. Weeks past, got the tank and the panels on first week of January 2020. 11th grade final exams came near so went back to studies. By the time i was done with exams, two things started, covid and 12 grade. And being an indian 12th grade is so overly hyped everything else is put aside. Fast forward may 2021 exams got cancelled i am back into restorating the good old RX again. I got my driver's license, but looking at the RC i found tax hasn't been paid since 2010. Don't know how much it would cost to get the papers done if anyone from Guwahati or assam has recently done up paper works do post, i would like to know the process. In the mean time i hav collected a few items
      •new tank cap and lock (sparks minda made) as old one is bad since i remember, dad opens it with a screwdriver and only he knows how to, i never got a hang of it, not only me no one got the hang of it in my knowing till this day.
      •new wiring harness (sparks minda made, in yamaha packaging, packed in December 2020, didn't know they where still being made)
      •IND style aluminium number plates, lots as original as does from the DTO but they dont have any laser engraved code as the ones from the DTO. Got this because of papers issue and because our RX's number in 3 digit but DTO nowadays makes old 3digit numbers 4 digits by adding a 0 before the numerical part of the registration.



      Comment


      • #4
        Here's the paint on the tank and side panels and the jugaad front number plate frame with homemade clamps and kb100 number plate frame. Lot of work to be done. I have most of parts missing in the dismantled. Like keep posting with every update i make.

        Comment


        • #5
          I know I have made many jugaads/mistakes and i am aware of it. But my priority is get the bike ready. Even if it looks good from 20 feets away i am okay with that. I will still appreciate the roughness of the bike. What i want is a decent looking bike and not one which looks like it came from the factory the other day. I want to preserve the "old" factor in my bike, that's what i really want.

          Comment


          • #6
            Update
            •Welded front footrest
            •installed new headlight, lighting increased a bit because of clean lens •install new tank cap

            Comment


            • #7
              UPDATE!

              Couldn't really be there for the bike as college start but found anyway did few things.
              •Got golden tank pin strips custom made and installed in the tank.
              •Got the front suspension completely replaced(has its own story)
              So dad and I had been bugging a mech to sell his non running RX135 as scrap to us for almost three year. The guy initially qouted 10K for the whole thing but the bike wasn't running and didn't have any paperwork so we backed out. But then few days back got he sold us the rolling chassis (has everything except tank, seat engine and wiring) for 3.9K. We have plans for this one but now the focus is on getting our one ready. So we opened the front wheel and the fork removed from the T and packed everything tight and the next day I went to college and dad went to this mechanic who is like the best RX mech in town, with the fork and our RX100 and got everything done. Change the oil seals and the oil and got that set fitted in the RX100.

              We have plans to build a practice/pit motocross bike out of the RX135 chassis but thats for another time. Or maybe keep the chassis stocked for future use. Must say 135 chassis is in far better condition than ours. Only the left foot peg/stand mount area is broken.

              Another thing I noticed is parts are starting to get unavailable lately. I guess its a side effect of the pandemic because last time I visited the spares market almost everything was readily available.

              Almost forgot this.
              Rear tire punctured few day back and the tube was irreparable so changed the tube. Will change tires when i find new rims. Our rims are at the end stage of life.

              Comment


              • #8
                Originally posted by Ck__x View Post
                UPDATE!

                Couldn't really be there for the bike as college start but found anyway did few things.
                •Got golden tank pin strips custom made and installed in the tank.
                •Got the front suspension completely replaced(has its own story)
                So dad and I had been bugging a mech to sell his non running RX135 as scrap to us for almost three year. The guy initially qouted 10K for the whole thing but the bike wasn't running and didn't have any paperwork so we backed out. But then few days back got he sold us the rolling chassis (has everything except tank, seat engine and wiring) for 3.9K. We have plans for this one but now the focus is on getting our one ready. So we opened the front wheel and the fork removed from the T and packed everything tight and the next day I went to college and dad went to this mechanic who is like the best RX mech in town, with the fork and our RX100 and got everything done. Change the oil seals and the oil and got that set fitted in the RX100.

                We have plans to build a practice/pit motocross bike out of the RX135 chassis but thats for another time. Or maybe keep the chassis stocked for future use. Must say 135 chassis is in far better condition than ours. Only the left foot peg/stand mount area is broken.

                Another thing I noticed is parts are starting to get unavailable lately. I guess its a side effect of the pandemic because last time I visited the spares market almost everything was readily available.

                Almost forgot this.
                Rear tire punctured few day back and the tube was irreparable so changed the tube. Will change tires when i find new rims. Our rims are at the end stage of life.
                Latest update -
                Made the infamous mistake of using synthetic oil, not totally but just topping up and a month later and maybe 5-7kms later the seals are busted on the magnet side. Not sure if its from gear shaft, sprocket or clutch push rod but order a HTA oil seal kit and a lot of other parts too. Will write in a better way once parts arrive. From what i have heard orally and what i read online, SAE10W40 gear oil is used, some use mineral oil, others use semi Synthetic and some use fully synthetic too i guess, not sure. Since i was running a little low on gear oil i thought why not add some myself. I had a fully synthetic castrol 10w40 for our car at home so i used that. As much as i know i didn't overfill but who knows!?. I do feel guilty now but then never in these 35 years these oil seals got busted and so they where never changed. And i won't lie this bike has seen abuse. Such abuse no vehicle shall go through. I don't know when was the last time the oils where changed. I do remember my father topping off the oil once many years ago. And i only have these memories since I was always infatuated with this particular machine.
                ​​​​​
                Last edited by Ck__x; 05-22-2022, 06:30 PM.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Originally posted by Ck__x View Post

                  Latest update -
                  Made the infamous mistake of using synthetic oil, not totally but just topping up and a month later and maybe 5-7kms later the seals are busted on the magnet side. Not sure if its from gear shaft, sprocket or clutch push rod but order a HTA oil seal kit and a lot of other parts too. Will write in a better way once parts arrive. From what i have heard orally and what i read online, SAE10W40 gear oil is used, some use mineral oil, others use semi Synthetic and some use fully synthetic too i guess, not sure. Since i was running a little low on gear oil i thought why not add some myself. I had a fully synthetic castrol 10w40 for our car at home so i used that. As much as i know i didn't overfill but who knows!?. I do feel guilty now but then never in these 35 years these oil seals got busted and so they where never changed. And i won't lie this bike has seen abuse. Such abuse no vehicle shall go through. I don't know when was the last time the oils where changed. I do remember my father topping off the oil once many years ago. And i only have these memories since I was always infatuated with this particular machine.
                  ​​​​​
                  UPDATE, New parts arrived- HTA oil seal kit
                  natco carb repair kit
                  12v RR unit
                  Clutch Spring set
                  Clutch plates
                  Pressure Plates
                  clutch worm kit
                  Clutch bell repair (Rubber and repeat kit)

                  Costed around 1500 for everything. Bought from Motolegacy spares store based in Hyderabad. They provided few stickers too. Overall service is good and will recommend. Will update when i work on the bike but maybe i might collect all the parts and then proceed with a complete makeover as I don't really have the funds to continue now and parts are becoming scared too, so might as well stack all parts and then do a full makeover. I think i might need a new clutch bell as well but confused if i should get it online, its available in amazon by the road religion seller but not sure about the seller. Need the kick shaft as well(one which goes into the clutch cover) that too is available in Amazon by the road religion seller but a part worse than the current original worn out stuff is the last thing i want as i have heard crazy stories of how bad some aftermarket stuff is.
                  ​​​



                  Attached Files

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    The standard Carburetor in RX100 is not CV carb..The Picture of the Carburetor repair kit is for a CV carb...Hope other parts are as required.
                    Good Luck
                    When Was The Last Time,You Did Something For The First Time.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Originally posted by psr View Post
                      The standard Carburetor in RX100 is not CV carb..The Picture of the Carburetor repair kit is for a CV carb...Hope other parts are as required.
                      Good Luck
                      Thanks for your input.. the inside content is this in the picture. And last time i got the bike checked it needed a carb gasket only so wont be using other things. + Some of the things don't look like the original ones either and since i am a believer of "if its running, it doesn't need replacement" so will just use what is required only.
                      Attached Files

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        The Kit seems to have have all the Relevant parts for the RX100 carburetor , though it's specs are unknown.....The standard Air screw setting for the RX100 carburetor is One and a Half Turn out ( anti clockwise)after gently turning the screw clockwise till it stops. This is factory setting and works great with good FE and running.
                        Last edited by psr; 07-12-2022, 10:20 AM.
                        When Was The Last Time,You Did Something For The First Time.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Update:
                          Changed the carburettor gasket. Leaks seemed to disappear for few days and the started leaking again but lesser than before. Bike is running well now. Recently went to DTO to get the papers done but they quoted ₹50000 for everything so I stopped thinking of getting the papers cleared. I can get 2 RXs without papers or one with papers with that kind of money here in our region.
                          Oil leaking from magnet side seems to have disappeared but it does spill a drop or few sometimes. But Oil level seems okay so keeping it that way for know. These day the bike is being used almost regularly these days and one thing I noticed is it works great when used regularly.
                          ​​​

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