1968 Suzuki T500 Cobra
The Suzuki was in much worse shape when I got it. I tore the engine down, and found that the piston skirts (which were windowed in '68') had grenaded. The case was frozen together, and the engine was pretty much a disaster. I was at an auto junkyard getting parts for something (Victory Auto - not known for motorcycle parts) and saw not 1, not 2, but 3 Suzuki T500 motorcycles against the fence. 20 minutes of spinning wrenches and $100, and I had a complete engine for the Cobra. Based off the serial number and the case stamped 1400ml, I believe this to be from a '75. So I rebuilt the engine, and got it running, and then it sat (it didn't have a title). The next time I tried to fire it up, the vacuum petcock had given up and filled the exhaust with a couple of gallons of gas. So off came the carbs, and it sat, and sat and sat. My son tried to get it running, but it needs the inner seals replaced on the crankshaft. This was all 25 years ago as well, so the whole bike needs a rebuild now. Good news is I have all the parts I need to get it finished, just have to find some time to do it.
More pics here.