Messages

1

General Discussion / Re: Any old boys still here ?

« on: April 21, 2025, 09:37:54 pm »

I still look in here occasionally but there's so much online stuff now that never used to around.
I started off following Graeme Mc when he had the "PETSHOP" site as I had an XT500 I was building up for VMX.
He had a VMX group page on YAHOO which was where I heard about Ray Ryan's passing. I joined this site as soon as it started and living in the top of nowhere this was my VMX lifeline.
The Turkish hackers had their go, and most people rejoined.

This site gave me the opportunity to find interstate events and when the chances arrived to travel to compete. I battled for last place up and down the East coast for 10 years or so and met a lot of people and was shown some great hospitality.
The trips have stopped (10-15,000km trips with accom and cost soon add up) but I still ride every chance I get.
The priority moved from VMX to Vintage enduros and now vintage trials.

I'll be cheeky here and say I must be one of the longest, continuously standing members. A lot had enough over time and left the forum but did return.

2

Wanted / Re: TL250 Honda

« on: August 04, 2022, 10:14:28 pm »

Long gone now but there was a guy in New Zealand in the late 70's, early 80's who made and installed replaceable bushes in XL/TL heads.
he used Bronze/Teflon bushes and they were replaceable.

I had mine done in about 80-81

3

Tech Talk / Re: PE250B shocker length.

« on: July 02, 2022, 11:27:32 pm »

Could be 362mm. that was a common length suzuki used back then.

That would make sense, 362 = 14.25"

4

Tech Talk / Re: PE250B shocker length.

« on: June 27, 2022, 09:13:40 pm »

The shocks on mine are 365mm eye to eye.
The stroke is 100mm to the bump stop and the bump stop is 22mm but looks to fit into a slight recess around the shaft

My shocks have the correct part number for PE250B

5

Suzuki / Re: RL250 flywheel side main bearing failures

« on: November 24, 2021, 07:12:24 pm »

And a bit more on RL flywheels and bearings.

My RL has been in regular use for nearly nine months and now I've added a flywheel weight of about 2 pounds.
If anything will test the bearing it will be this

6

Suzuki / Re: TM185 Sidepipe

« on: November 24, 2021, 07:08:19 pm »

TS frame is way lighter so if using that the Top rear engine mount could be sorted with a bit of ingenuity Brent as the TM engine is thinner and usually a tab gets welded to suit . "Perhaps" a length of pipe could be used as a long spacer with the TS long mounting bolt.

Not sure how a 185 would go in a TM frame.

I would score a TS185A  as it has better porting to start with and the better clutch and use two separate ported barrels and ignitions.

My post was a bit light on detail, I actually have a bit more than 80% of a TM125, that's my starting point. I've got the TM125 motor plus I've got a 185 motor lined up so it's going to be a bit of a mix and match special.
I built one in the 70's and I seem to remember the top rear mounts match, the bottom right, rear mount is 30mm wider on the 185 and three out of four front mounting bolts line up. I'll make a second set of mounting plates to suit and a 30mm spacer for the lower rear.

7

Suzuki / Re: TM185 Sidepipe

« on: November 22, 2021, 10:50:52 pm »

So funny to read this thread. I built a TM185 as an enduro bike in the mid 70's and I'm collecting the parts to build another one

With a bit of fiddling this one will be an "interchangeable" bike. TM125 motor with down pipe for fun VMX or a 185 motor with pipe for Vinduros.
I reckon the motors could be swapped in about an hour or so.

8

General Discussion / Re: Casting polyurethane components

« on: October 26, 2021, 12:09:06 am »

There was a guy on here quite a few years ago who made a range of polyurethane parts.
He ended up having everything wiped out in a fire.

I don't like to post peoples names online without their permission so I'll send a PM

9

Tech Talk / Re: powder coated hubs

« on: October 06, 2021, 07:36:35 pm »

I powder coated a pair of hubs years ago.
I masked the sprocket and disc mounting surfaces but found the powder coating cracked and flaked away where the spokes pulled against the mounting holes in the hub.

10

Wanted / Re: Suzuki TS185 motor

« on: May 18, 2021, 02:20:15 pm »

the 76 ts185a was the last of  piston port side port motor before the er 185 centre port motor's came out.ive got a spare A motor that needs a rebuild with cdi if that's any good to you.pm for more details

Thank you Matt, PM sent

11

Wanted / Re: Suzuki TS185 motor

« on: May 17, 2021, 12:12:18 am »

I've seen that add thanks God, waiting to see what it will cost to get them here

12

Wanted / Suzuki TS185 motor

« on: May 16, 2021, 08:39:51 pm »

I'm after a TS185 motor, I want the side port motor up to 76.
I'm not sure when the side port motor finished

Thanks

Brent

13

Suzuki / Re: RL250 flywheel side main bearing failures

« on: April 22, 2021, 08:53:11 pm »

To add a little to this thread.
I rebuilt my RL motor with a new Suzuki LHS main bearing with the oil slinger.
The RL cases are drilled and machined for both the oil pump and oil feed to the LHS main bearing. This is done from the factory.
The oil pump has no cable so stays in the idle position and pumps a minimal feed to the bearing. The original oil feed to the inlet is teed back into the feed line from the tank to the pump to prevent the un-used pump feed from building up pressure.
I'm using a Suzuki racing lit oil tank (which lasts about three tanks of fuel) and I run premix at about 50:1. I run MOTUL800 (in all my 2 strokes) and find it burns cleanly while leaving a film on everything.
i was lucky enough to score a TS250A motor from Firko, thanks again, which offered up the oil pump, lines and fittings and also the TM style clutch cover and release mechanism.

14

Honda / Re: Honda MT 125 KO 1974

« on: December 15, 2020, 09:48:02 pm »

My recollections of the MT125 from a long time ago.

Somewhat under powered, good brakes and it handled very well.

Looking at it from now at an older age and less concerned with racing one I think it would make a good vintage trailbike.

Good handling, good brakes and reasonably light. The lack of power probably wouldn't be a problem as you could just hold it open and it's not going to try and kill you or wear you out

15

For Sale / Re: Suzuki RL250 parts for sale

« on: November 25, 2020, 07:26:14 pm »

You have two!