Hi all,

Chris In Milwaukee checking in. Just bought a 2002 R50 with CVT auto for my daughter’s 16th birthday. It’s got 148,000 hard Wisconsin miles on it, and I’ve currently got it torn down for inspection and repair. Pretty much everything that can rust has, and ever rubber thingy on it is torn and slinging grease. I’ve replaced the power steering pump on it and it still doesn’t work, so as long as I have the vehicle torn down and subframe out, I’ll be inspecting every system down there. I’ve read the CVTs can be a challenge, so hoping I can keep this one going for a while.

Parts acquired so far include power steering pump, all control arms, ball joints, and bushings up front, front hubs, front axles, crank sensor seal, oil pan gasket, and door hold-open thingamajig. I’ve removed the subframe and treated it for corrosion and will give it a shot of paint shortly.

Everything came apart surprisingly easy from a process standpoint. Very modular, I’ve found and all makes sense. Breaking through the rust is another thing entirely, but systematically it’s been a good experience. The time suck has been the corrosion.

I’m looking forward to reading through all the forum sections to see how others projects are going!

~Chris