Suzuki Stinger T125 restoration

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As with my other restoration flip/photo albums on TH-cam this was never originally intended to be uploaded on here, the photos were simply a personal reminder of my restorations and as a possible reference to help others in the classic bike fraternity, now anyone remotely interested can view my restorations on TH-cam.
So why the Suzuki Stinger T125? Looking for another classic bike to restore I decided to restore a small capacity Japanese model, preferably a twin cylinder model and while trawling the internet for something different I came across the Stinger, the model from the early 70s that I'd completely forgotten about, I did a bit of research and noted that parts were more readily available in the States (usually the case) especially NOS rather than in the U.K. and so decided this was the model I would restore if I could find one in need of restoration that is?
I took my time and checked eBay regularly to find a Stinger in need of a restoration, no such luck, I even posted a request for one on the Suzuki forum but nothing at first then a couple of weeks later I get an email from a guy in Scotland who had a Stinger for sale but claims it's already been restored, not really what I wanted.
I ask for photos so I can study them, by this time I've done a lot of research on the Stinger so I know what's right and what's not right, yes from the photos it looks to have been restored but on closer inspection there's no way it's been restored even closely to how it left the factory in Japan so definitely not good enough to show at Stafford, but it's a good base starting point and shouldn't be too difficult to bring it up to Stafford spec, so I thought?
A big bonus was that it ran but needed some fine tuning though, I was also told it would go through the gears no problem, I noted from what I could see from the photographs certain parts not being original and were indeed a disappointment but yeah they could be replaced, another big bonus was that the seat, tank, exhausts and frame looked to have been restored to an acceptable level, this would save big money on any restoration and on that I decided to go for it, a deal was done and I met up with the guy while he was with his family on holiday in Blackpool, we put the Stinger on my trailer then headed home to South Wales.
Once home and pleased with my purchase I began a proper investigation, straight away I noticed the rear wheel rim was Chinese, as were the passenger foot pegs, the horn, the gear shift changer and possibly the front mudguard (fender).The rear suspension units were not correct for the Stinger, or the tail lamp bracket, the cables were wrong as were the grips, the handlebars were also wrong and the switchgear looked to be off something like a smaller Suzuki but definitely not right for the Stinger after consulting my parts manual. I also noticed that most screws were not JIS and some rubber items were either missing or perished, later I looked inside the air filter box, an old filter was present but the inside was covered in flaking rust. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry when I discovered that the brake hubs had been painted inside where the shoes expand and grip when braking. Had I been stung by the Stinger?
At this point I decided to completely strip the bike and start over, so I had a decent restoration after all but with a bit of help, I was able to sell the many parts removed on eBay.
From the photo album it shows how the restoration went, I spent a lot more money than I anticipated getting everything just right, many of the items replaced to be honest would have gone unnoticed but for me it had to be right, one thing that bugged me was the front mudguard (fender) was it correct or not? Well looking at the Suzuki Stinger T125 brochure it wasn't the same so I had to have that one, I think it took well over six months to find one, it was quite expensive and I had to have it re-chromed, now everything was as on the brochure and correct to the parts manual, the Stinger was now complete and restored to what I call Stafford standard.
The bike was a joy to ride around South Wales but struggled two up on the steep hills in the valleys and it surprisingly liked a drink, when once parked up amongst fellow bikers a comment was overheard by someone admiring the bike who said "I see, a new bike made to look like an old one" he was politely told by another onlooker that the bike was actually over forty years old at the time.
The bike was very successful when shown and also appeared in Classic Motorcycle Mechanics, I
sold it to take on another restoration, definitely a piece of eye candy that I miss.

[@geoffnoyes520]

Lovely restoration!!
I had a Suzuki T90 'Wolf' here in NZ, same colour.
Enormous fun, similar to this 125 stinger, but had speedometer only and low pipes.
What a wonderful bike and restoration, many thanks:).

[@leeandjancruise]

Simply eye candy, I'm pleased that you liked the bike and appreciate the work involved as in any classic bike restoration.
Have you seen my other restorations?

[@kennethm.pricejr.8921]

What a beauty!

[@scrambler69-xk3kv]

Didn't know it was going to be a damn slide show.

[@leeandjancruise]

If only you'd have read the first line then you would have known, If it's helped anyone out there then I've achieved what I set out to do.

[@petergerritgroen3157]

Jammer

[@Remington597TVP]

My son is currently restoring my 1971 Suzuki T125R. Would you know where we can find a headlamp for it. We are having a really hard time finding anything that will fit. Do you know if they make a retrofit for the headlamps.
Thanks.

[@leeandjancruise]

I've had a look on line and there's none available in the U.K. or the States, is there no other small Suzuki that uses the same or similar headlight, checked cmsnl?
May I suggest you look everyday on eBay and if one does come up no matter what the cost buy it. You could also possibly contact any other Stinger owner who you see has fitted an alternative headlamp and ask what it's off, just keep searching, this is how restorations are with parts drying up as time goes on. Good luck.

[@jezztech]

Is this engine " inspired" shall we say from the Italian Rummy?

[@leeandjancruise]

A card game?

[@jezztech]

@@leeandjancruise Rumi. Moto Rumi

[@leeandjancruise]

@@jezztech Quite possible, there's also a Portuguese model that's very similar but I forget the name.

[@jezztech]

@@leeandjancruise there was the Portuguese Famel, the entire bike looks incredibly similar to the stinger but its powered by a Zundap 125 cc twin, but the barrels are not horizontal like the Rumi or Suzuki.

[@antoineteixeira6721]

Salut👍 o. Rezervoar. E. 👏XF. 17. Não. Melange

[@leeandjancruise]

Hi, think I've worked this post out? The Zundapp Famel XF 17, yes the petrol tank is similar to the Suzuki T125s. Didn't know about this bike.