revtothelimit - motorbike forum

EDIT - seems that the photos won't link.


Just over a week ago I became the proud keeper of this:
Old timers from the original place might remember this on Surrey Scrambles - Diablo's Suzuki TL1000R. It's a 2000/W reg with 35k miles on the clock. It hasn't been started in 8 years due to throwing up a fault code and needing to be recovered. It was taken to a dealer who supposedly fixed the issue but it still broke down on the way home, at which point it was put on a workshop stand and not quite forgotten about.

It's showing its age with some scars, scuffs and cracks on the plastics but everything is there including the seat hump and pillion seat. With a full battery and 8 year old fuel the it still started on the first touch of the button though it took the second go with some revs for the engine to keep running (I forgot about the fast idle lever). The lights and horn work, there is plenty of life in Dunlop D207 tyres though they are badly squared and need replacing. Even the engine oil is clear and appears brand new. There is a Baglux tank cover but the clips are very faded and brittle which usually means they're about the break.

No idea on what the fault code was, Diablo thinks something to do with fuel injection. Otherwise it seems that I just need to get paperwork in order before it can be ridden on the road.

I last rode this bike almost 20 years ago and remember getting 30 minutes into a ride and my wrists begging me to stop, I can't imagine it's any easier now so my only plan, in the loosest sense, is to maybe fit flat bars to it to make it more comfortable. Aside from the flat bar I'll need a second top yoke and upper fairing as I want to keep the original parts if possible.
The fuel cans sound lovely.

The rotary damper is still in place. On all my other bikes I've changed the standard suspension for something more weight appropriate but even if I put top drawer Ohlins on this bike I think I'd struggle to be as comfortable and confident on it as I am on my GSA or Tiger.
Some of the ageing scars:

Blimey! That's a blast from the past!

20 years eh? Where did they go?

This little fella was lurking in the seat hump and forgotten about.

Happy new/old bike day.

If the cause of the breakdown hasn't been resolved,you can be sure time hasn't helped.

What class of bike is it and what's the engine configuration? I can't tell.

Congratulations. It's errrrm .... Ummmm



Lovely

The Reindeer's in great nick!

ChrisW wrote: Wed Jul 23, 2025 8:07 pm The Reindeer's in great nick!

It doesn't have antlers, it's a dog?

Count Steer wrote: Wed Jul 23, 2025 7:12 pm Blimey! That's a blast from the past!

20 years eh? Where did they go?

To be fair, it's 20 years ago next year. That doesn't make it any easier though, does it.

Skub wrote: Wed Jul 23, 2025 7:55 pm Happy new/old bike day.

If the cause of the breakdown hasn't been resolved,you can be sure time hasn't helped.

No, time rarely heals these things.

Mr. Dazzle wrote: Wed Jul 23, 2025 8:00 pm What class of bike is it and what's the engine configuration? I can't tell.

Chuckle chuckle.

weeksy wrote: Wed Jul 23, 2025 8:01 pm Congratulations. It's errrrm .... Ummmm



Lovely

Not a fan?

weeksy wrote: Wed Jul 23, 2025 8:10 pm

ChrisW wrote: Wed Jul 23, 2025 8:07 pm The Reindeer's in great nick!

it's a dog?

Enough about the bike, opinion the stuffed toy?

ChrisW wrote: Wed Jul 23, 2025 8:15 pm

weeksy wrote: Wed Jul 23, 2025 8:10 pm

ChrisW wrote: Wed Jul 23, 2025 8:07 pm The Reindeer's in great nick!

it's a dog?

Enough about the bike, opinion the stuffed toy?

It needs a name.

Beancounter wrote: Wed Jul 23, 2025 8:27 pm

ChrisW wrote: Wed Jul 23, 2025 8:15 pm

weeksy wrote: Wed Jul 23, 2025 8:10 pm

it's a dog?

Enough about the bike, opinion the stuffed toy?

It needs a name.

Ralph.

Count Steer wrote: Wed Jul 23, 2025 8:31 pm

Beancounter wrote: Wed Jul 23, 2025 8:27 pm

ChrisW wrote: Wed Jul 23, 2025 8:15 pm

Enough about the bike, opinion the stuffed toy?

It needs a name.

Ralph.

That was my father's name!

I approve

Well it's what dogs say when they get excited.

Ralph! Ralph!

Erm, what a lucky boy you are.

I think.

I loved the look of the half faired version - but that is an aquired taste

Blimey, not seen one of those for many years. I had a 1997 model TL1000S which I loved to bits, but wasn't quite so enamoured of the looks of the R. But by all accounts they had a monster of an engine.

@Mr. Dazzle it's a 1000cc 90 degree V-twin.

I like it. A proper bike for proper men (who couldn't afford a Ducati and disliked Fireblades).

mangocrazy wrote: Wed Jul 23, 2025 9:22 pm Blimey, not seen one of those for many years. I had a 1997 model TL1000S which I loved to bits, but wasn't quite so enamoured of the looks of the R. But by all accounts they had a monster of an engine.

@Mr. Dazzle it's a 1000cc 90 degree V-twin.

He's taking the piss. It says 'V-Twin Superbike' on the tail.