Topics

1

Suzuki / RM400T shocks...

« on: January 11, 2021, 12:42:18 PM »

WTB a set of shocks for my RM.


Or, recommendations - YSS vs GAZI?
Can I get my hands on a set of older Ohlins that will do the job or maybe some Fox Airshocks?

All info greatly appreciated.

2

Wanted / 1980 PE or RM 400...

« on: June 19, 2017, 02:41:39 PM »

My last attempts at this VMX malarkey on vintage Euro machinery didn't go so well.


So, I figure I might get back into it with something less esoteric, and with plenty of other Suzukis in the garage try and find something I'm more familiar with.

I'm looking for as much as possible an original (yeah, I know) PE or RM, complete, running but condition not so much an issue as I'll be doing a resto or at least getting it up to some sort of race standard.

As stated, I'd prefer a T, but will settle for an N - I don't really want to go back much further than that as I want to race (as competitively as possible!) in Evo.

Please PM me if anyone has a bike they're wanting to sell, or knows of one.

3

KTM / Thinking of selling the old girl...

« on: November 13, 2015, 11:08:10 AM »

I reckon I've come to the realisation that, especially as I get older, I'm probably not cut out to ride MX.

So... I'll soon be putting my '81 495 up for sale:







It's fully restored and is running well with wear and tear expected of a season's worth of racing, i.e. some marks on the frame, a couple of stone chips and a bit of surface rust on the pipe.

Is there a bit of interest around at the moment for The Great White?

Are they fetching decent money or has everyone moved on?

Should I hang on to it as a collectible or have they had their day?

Does anyone here wanna buy it before I release it to the eBay and/or Gumtree hordes ?


Any opinions greatly appreciated
Cheers
Paul

4

KTM / Type 563 nylon clutch release covers...

« on: March 28, 2014, 02:48:31 PM »

Blokes,

If I said I could possibly get a small quantity of those pesky nylon clutch release covers CNC-machined in aluminium (or perhaps stainless steel), would anyone be interested in one if the price was right?

I don't know exactly how much they'd end up costing, but it wouldn't be hundreds of dollars.

Thoughts? 

5

Suzuki / Tell me of RM400's...

« on: May 31, 2013, 01:02:38 PM »

To those in the know,


I've got my eye on such a bike on eBay at the moment.
Regardless, I know very little about this RM, and RM's in general, so I'm hoping the experts can give me a bit of a rundown on their pros and cons.

I currently (attempt to) ride a 495 Kato, so I'm thinking an RM400 will be similar if not a bit easier to handle, and I want to stay in Evo open.

I'm a long-term Suzuki owner, and I would really like to add an MX to my current collection of Suzuki road bikes.
Hopefully familiarity with the breed will keep things simple for repairs and parts.

Any info greatly appreciated.


Ta
Paul

6

KTM / Nice VMX write-up Adrian!

« on: February 08, 2013, 11:53:38 AM »

Do yourselves a favour and grab the latest edition of VMX mag and turn to the middle to see the great article and pics of Adrian's '81 495.


She came up really, really nice mate, and it's fantastic that there's some much-needed exposure been given to this very iconic model.
Of course I'm insanely jealous that it was your bike (instead of mine) that's plastered all over the place, but there you go.

Congrats!

7

KTM / WANTED: '86 500 sidecovers

« on: July 02, 2012, 11:50:21 AM »

Well, specifically the locating tabs/knobs on the inside.


I've installed a full DC Plastics kit on my '86 500, which apart from being a PITA to fit (because it doesn't FIT very well at all ) I've had to retrofit the locating knobs off my old, busted-arse original sidecovers onto the DC sidecovers as they aren't moulded with any.

This is all well and good, but I only have three useable knobs and I need another one.

If anyone has some old OEM sidecovers they no longer require (the covers themselves can be damaged - I only need the knobs) I'll take them off your hands.


Ta
Paul

8

KTM / Case cover gaskets...

« on: March 17, 2012, 11:12:31 AM »

I've been having leakage issues with the clutch and countershaft covers on my '81 495 ever since I put the old girl back together.


I'm sure fellow early-eighties 350 - 495 owners experience similar, especially from that ridiculous nylon countershaft cover that flexes every time you pull the clutch in...
The sealing surface on the clutch cover is pretty narrow also - mine always leaks at least a little and I've tried everything to try and stop it, but it eventually fails.

So, I managed to track down a local guy who manufactures gaskets from scratch.
You give him the parts and he makes the gasket in whatever material is best suited to that particular application.

I'm going to get a few gaskets made in different thickness materials to try and keep my bike oil-tight.

It's possible that a run of twenty of more could be made - are there any fellow owners who'd be interested in gaskets?

I've no idea on price at this stage, but I'll keep y'all informed when I get mine sorted.

9

KTM / Would've thunk it...?

« on: October 02, 2011, 02:41:54 PM »

My rotten '86 clutch cover has been giving me some angst as y'all know, so I've been on the lookout for another (the NOS one from the US fell through).


Well, it seems I've lucked it in a big way.

I spotted what appeared to be a good one for sale on fleaBay in the States about two weeks ago and snapped it up.
It turned up a couple of days ago and I've only just now had a chance to unpack it and take a good look at it.
It's in particularly good nick, and feels and looks 'heavier' somehow.

Where there's bare metal it's shiny (instead of dull gray). Hmm.

It doesn't have 'magnesium' moulded into it anywhere, but it is otherwise identical to my original crappy one.

I reckon it's aluminium - no more corrosion!?
If this is the case, happy as a pig in shit, I is!

To completely ease my mind, can anyone confirm if KTM got smart and went aluminium with their clutch covers in about '87 or '88?


Cheers
Paul

10

Bike Transport / WA to QLD?

« on: August 21, 2011, 12:44:56 PM »

Has anyone moved a bike across the country recently?


I've managed to secure a restored Suzuki T20 (road bike) and any info about reputable and reasonably priced transport would be greatly appreciated.


Ta
Paul

11

KTM / Magnesium rot...

« on: August 15, 2011, 01:27:49 PM »

I opened the can of worms on the weekend.


Not content to let sleeping dogs lie, I popped the cover off the waterpump of my newly acquired '86 500 on Sunday morning only to discover a fairly advanced case of corrosion within (even though it had been painted or coated or such like).

Now, as it happens, I've sourced a new LH engine cover and I want to mitigate the corrosion in this cover as much as possible.
What has anyone else tried in the way of any coating or other procedure in their cover to prevent or curtail the dreaded rot?

I've been told the anti-corrosive coatings this mob make are very good, but I'm curious to know what else has been tried.

Any info greatly appreciated.

12

General Discussion / Was it just me, or...

« on: July 04, 2011, 09:18:26 AM »

Did I spot Craig Lowndes at Rocksberg yesterday?


Not sure if he was racing or just spectating.

I hear he does a fair bit of dirt riding in his spare time, has he seen the light and gotten into VMX?

13

Wanted / Acerbis enduro headlight lens...

« on: June 25, 2011, 03:42:47 PM »

I have two of these classic Acerbis enduro headlight thingy's and both of them have cracked lenses.


If anyone has a spare, uncracked lens somewhere in their collection of bits, or an entire headlight/plate they no longer require, I will gladly take it off your hands.

It's part number 2 in the pic below:




Thanks
Paul

14

KTM / 500 on eBay - advice required...

« on: May 26, 2011, 09:49:26 AM »

Keeping a very close watch on this:
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220789165380


Can any of the true Kato devotees give me a quick rundown on these later water-cooled models?
I'd like to go in with eyes open if I can.

And, is this a fellow inmate's machine or does anyone know the owner?

15

Yamaha / IT advice...

« on: May 04, 2011, 08:07:56 PM »

I may have a lead on an '84 IT490.


I've seen pics of the bike and it will require a bit of work to restore to the point where I'd be happy (not concourse but near original and rideable) - especially in the area of plastics and decals, but I see DC is now making repros of both.

I have no idea of its mechanicals other than the current owner was riding it regularly before its layup a couple of years back.
It's filthy and seemingly unloved but under the dirt it looks like it could be quite good given the number of still in-place rubbers and bits and pieces.

My questions are:
How much is a 490 worth in a tatty but almost original, unrestored state?

I see Dead Dog had one advertised for $4500 just recently.
Could I offer as low as $1500 (there's scope for another two or three grand to be spent on it) or have they taken off a bit lately?


Ta
Paul