RL250 Suzuki

[Colin Jay]

At a Christmas function last night, an old guy came up to me and told me that he had an old Suzuki RL250, that was his son's in his shed. After describing the condition of  the bike, he said that he wants to sell it and asked me what it might be worth. The bike is supposedly in good condition, is still fitted with the original tyres plus still has the lights etc fitted, and the only no genuine bits are the handle bars and control levers. I take it that the bike is a non-runner and has sat in a shed for the best part of the last 30 years.

I told him that it was almost imposible to say what it was worth, and that it all depended on how much some one wanted to pay, being a bike that very few people would be interested in.

My problem is since talking to him I am slightly interested, I already have a 1975 Kawasaki KT250A, a 1975 Yamaha TY250B and two 199 series 350 Bultaco Sherpas. So, what would be a fair price range for the RL?  Also what is the spare parts situation for RL250s like now days?

CJ

[Doc]

Col, the RL unseen is worth anywhere from $400 for a complete 'barnfind' to about $1500 for one in really really nice condition. Fully restored and sold to a collector I have no idea but I can't imagine any RL250 selling for over $4k unlike some MX'ers. Have seen silly prices of late such as $2500 for a decent unrestored bike but this bike did not sell or even attract an offer. About $1000 is par for the course for a decent rideable runner I'd guestimate. Parts aren't too bad to get with the hardest probably the alloy tanks (which all split at the rear mount) and the dogleg kickstart lever. The rest is basically TM125 wheels/hubs, TM/TS250 outer cases, crank, clutch and some tranny internals. Input/output shafts same as TS/TM, forks, frame, seat, swingarm, 1st and 2nd ratios, cdi box, flywheel, exhaust and top end are uniquely RL but the rest is quite common to TM and TS. RL carb is a debored TS item so yup..fairly easy for bits

[Colin Jay]

Thanks Doc, all that I have to do is talk the wife into letting me go and have a look at it. Since I had two bikes given too me on Saturday, taking the tally to 46, it is hard to justify getting another, even with the "but they are a bit rare and you I din't have one of them".

CJ

[Hoony]

Col, don't tell her, do the deal and pick it up when she's out shopping for tupperware or a new manchester set
(you know, the stuff sheila's collect).

with 46 bikes in your collection she won't notice another one.

Good luck sport.

[holeshot buddy]

thats what everyone does isnt it
wheel them in amoungst the others
maybe through a tarp over

or you can do the old
gunna sell a couple to pay for her
off course you dont do that

[Colin Jay]

I wouldn't get away with trying to do a secret deal as the guy who has the bike is a member of the same Rotary club as the wife, it was the Rotary Christmas do, and I am sure she would find out.

I tried sneaking a newbie (Yamaha DT2) into the shed a few months ago and she noticed it the first time shed entered, I think it was the bright orange metalic paint work on the fuel tank that made it stand out a bit.  I have also tried selling a few, I got the collection down from over 50 a few years ago, but this year a few oportunities that were to good to pass up have just come along.

CJ

[Doc]

I know the problem Col I've half the amount but it continues to grow. Best way to sneak bikes under the radar is in pieces. A few weeks later you just happen to build something from all the bits you had and it just so happens it be something you've always wanted