21-06-2022, 04:29 PM
Came across this bike on the Swiss ebay equivilent - ricardo.ch.
![[Image: 5t06vug.jpg]](https://i.imgur.com/5t06vug.jpg)
It was sold by a small garage. The ad said they'd taken it in as part exchange and just wanted rid of it. They could start it with a spare battery but that was as far as they would go. They showed me it running, but as the battery they used was too big for the bike they couldn't put the seat on and let me have a quick ride.
I paid about £650 for it, so there was little financial risk for me as I'd probably get most of that back breaking it should I have bought a lemon.
Anyway, it's a SR42A from 1990. It's only done 30,000km, and most of that was almost certainly early in its life as the rear tyre (a michelin) has plenty of tread on it yet is 21 years old!
The front (a Continental) is only 14 years old.
Its last Swiss MOT ran out two years ago. Swiss MOT's last 2 years so it was last tested in 2018. Swiss MOT's are done by the council and are pretty strict so it was definitely in reasonable condition then.
I have reason to believe it hasn't been stood for 2-3 years though. Its last owner lived in the Alps close to Italy. My guess is he ran it on private land after the MOT expired as the tank is damaged yet there isn't much corrosion on it, so I don't think it was done more than 2 years ago. Also, the brakes are not binding and have firm pedal/lever. The battery is flat, but it's a 6 year old battery anyway. This is just me guessing though.
There is corrosion on the lower part of the frame and the swing arm.
![[Image: 3pOpCRR.jpg]](https://i.imgur.com/3pOpCRR.jpg)
The rear suspension is also corroding up.
![[Image: 1FWTLtj.jpg]](https://i.imgur.com/1FWTLtj.jpg)
The foot pedals and pegs and the side stand are all corroded. The side stand is pretty stiff.
![[Image: 0Xk5xoj.jpg]](https://i.imgur.com/0Xk5xoj.jpg)
The exhaust is also corroding. I'm not sure if it's already been welded?
![[Image: lxDy22p.jpg]](https://i.imgur.com/lxDy22p.jpg)
Just pushing it around the brakes seem ok, but I haven't ridden it yet so they may need stripping.
![[Image: FRs8f00.jpg]](https://i.imgur.com/FRs8f00.jpg)
![[Image: xWTtem5.jpg]](https://i.imgur.com/xWTtem5.jpg)
The right fuel tank will need some treatment.
![[Image: EER6HJE.jpg]](https://i.imgur.com/EER6HJE.jpg)
My plan is to put a new battery in it (I've ordered a Motobatt) and take it for a quick spin just to see the obvious problem with it. I'll then decide how far (or not) I want to go in getting it road worthy. My philosophy with the bike is I don't mind it looking a bit tatty and worn, but I want the corrosion treated and it to be in good condition as regards brakes, suspension, engine, tyres, drivetrain.
So I plan to treat the corrosion as best I can without removing the engine, stripping it and getting it repainted. I like the existing colours so I'm going to order some new paint from a firm in Germany. The frame is 28W. I don't know what the code for the red is, or the swing arm. Any ideas?
I will remove all the suspension and get it properly sorted. Same with the brakes depending on what they look like.
I'm not sure what to do with the fuel tank. I like the graphics, don't mind the dent and scrapes, but I don't want it to corrode. I think I'll touch up what I can and then spray the area with a clear plastidip. Maybe I will later find a matching tank.
I think I'll just paint the exhaust. All exhausts have to be type approved in Switzerland so a new can would be maybe EUR 350, which is too much.
The chain is likely +20 years old and I have no idea how +20 year old O rings behave, so I will likely replace it and the sprokets. Maybe also the cush drive rubbers.
I will give the engine a big service, including the balancer chain tension. Here's a strange thing though. The registration document has power at 29kw, which is < 40bhp. Doing a bit of research this was the case with all Swiss DR800's. On the German forum no one seems clear if: -
a) This was a paper de-rate and actually they're just the same as the German bikes.
b) They run exhaust gas recirculation to do this, and it's really easy to unplug it.
c) There's a throttle stop in the carburetor.
d) A combination of b and c.
Either way I certainly plan on taking my full quota of bhp!
Anyway, I'll keep you posted with how I get on with it. Next update will be when the new battery arrives. Any of you guys have some help and advice it would be gratefully received.
![[Image: 5t06vug.jpg]](https://i.imgur.com/5t06vug.jpg)
It was sold by a small garage. The ad said they'd taken it in as part exchange and just wanted rid of it. They could start it with a spare battery but that was as far as they would go. They showed me it running, but as the battery they used was too big for the bike they couldn't put the seat on and let me have a quick ride.
I paid about £650 for it, so there was little financial risk for me as I'd probably get most of that back breaking it should I have bought a lemon.
Anyway, it's a SR42A from 1990. It's only done 30,000km, and most of that was almost certainly early in its life as the rear tyre (a michelin) has plenty of tread on it yet is 21 years old!
The front (a Continental) is only 14 years old.
Its last Swiss MOT ran out two years ago. Swiss MOT's last 2 years so it was last tested in 2018. Swiss MOT's are done by the council and are pretty strict so it was definitely in reasonable condition then.
I have reason to believe it hasn't been stood for 2-3 years though. Its last owner lived in the Alps close to Italy. My guess is he ran it on private land after the MOT expired as the tank is damaged yet there isn't much corrosion on it, so I don't think it was done more than 2 years ago. Also, the brakes are not binding and have firm pedal/lever. The battery is flat, but it's a 6 year old battery anyway. This is just me guessing though.
There is corrosion on the lower part of the frame and the swing arm.
![[Image: 3pOpCRR.jpg]](https://i.imgur.com/3pOpCRR.jpg)
The rear suspension is also corroding up.
![[Image: 1FWTLtj.jpg]](https://i.imgur.com/1FWTLtj.jpg)
The foot pedals and pegs and the side stand are all corroded. The side stand is pretty stiff.
![[Image: 0Xk5xoj.jpg]](https://i.imgur.com/0Xk5xoj.jpg)
The exhaust is also corroding. I'm not sure if it's already been welded?
![[Image: lxDy22p.jpg]](https://i.imgur.com/lxDy22p.jpg)
Just pushing it around the brakes seem ok, but I haven't ridden it yet so they may need stripping.
![[Image: FRs8f00.jpg]](https://i.imgur.com/FRs8f00.jpg)
![[Image: xWTtem5.jpg]](https://i.imgur.com/xWTtem5.jpg)
The right fuel tank will need some treatment.
![[Image: EER6HJE.jpg]](https://i.imgur.com/EER6HJE.jpg)
My plan is to put a new battery in it (I've ordered a Motobatt) and take it for a quick spin just to see the obvious problem with it. I'll then decide how far (or not) I want to go in getting it road worthy. My philosophy with the bike is I don't mind it looking a bit tatty and worn, but I want the corrosion treated and it to be in good condition as regards brakes, suspension, engine, tyres, drivetrain.
So I plan to treat the corrosion as best I can without removing the engine, stripping it and getting it repainted. I like the existing colours so I'm going to order some new paint from a firm in Germany. The frame is 28W. I don't know what the code for the red is, or the swing arm. Any ideas?
I will remove all the suspension and get it properly sorted. Same with the brakes depending on what they look like.
I'm not sure what to do with the fuel tank. I like the graphics, don't mind the dent and scrapes, but I don't want it to corrode. I think I'll touch up what I can and then spray the area with a clear plastidip. Maybe I will later find a matching tank.
I think I'll just paint the exhaust. All exhausts have to be type approved in Switzerland so a new can would be maybe EUR 350, which is too much.
The chain is likely +20 years old and I have no idea how +20 year old O rings behave, so I will likely replace it and the sprokets. Maybe also the cush drive rubbers.
I will give the engine a big service, including the balancer chain tension. Here's a strange thing though. The registration document has power at 29kw, which is < 40bhp. Doing a bit of research this was the case with all Swiss DR800's. On the German forum no one seems clear if: -
a) This was a paper de-rate and actually they're just the same as the German bikes.
b) They run exhaust gas recirculation to do this, and it's really easy to unplug it.
c) There's a throttle stop in the carburetor.
d) A combination of b and c.
Either way I certainly plan on taking my full quota of bhp!
Anyway, I'll keep you posted with how I get on with it. Next update will be when the new battery arrives. Any of you guys have some help and advice it would be gratefully received.