OzVMX Forum
Marque Remarks => Suzuki => Topic started by: VMX247 on December 18, 2008, 03:20:03 pm
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Just wondering why one bike sells high and another doesn't. ???
being a 73 model and all :P suppose there is 3 hours to go :-\
thanks
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130274526961&ssPageName=ADME:B:WNA:AU:1123
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It's not a TM400, it's a converted TS400, looks good and would make a "fun" big bore entry level bike.
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So the TM are like rocking horse .... or the TS are plenty full,Even thought they are from the same era ???
thanks
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TM400's rank highly on many peoples all-time crappiest bike list for a number of inherent flaw that the TS didn't get such as dodgy ignition and interesting handling. Many people used TS parts to correct some but not all of these failings.
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It still intrigues me (if thats the right word) with Suzuki,just some(not all) little things they seemed to have missed on the production line,even now they(sales persons) are sometimes slow on the up keep of what peoples expectations are and they didnt make a 50cc like Doc was writing on earlier..
oh well, :-\ hope Chad Reed & 2009 brings them up a bit.
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Suzuki used the World Champion success with RH/RN works bikes as a selling feature for the TM line, implying that Joel and Roger were doing their stuff on bikes based on the humble TM you could buy at your local Suzuki dealer. With todays truth in advertising legislation they'd be busted for misleading advertising as there is absolutely no connection between the TM and RH/RN. They had five years to get the TM250 AND 400 sorted and competitive but still got it wrong in so many ways. Imagine if they'd put some of the RH's engineering brilliance into the TM instead of scamming the punters with false claims on an inadequate model. There isn't a more knowledgable Suzuki guy that our old mate Suzuki 211 and his assessment of the TM line, especially the 400 is pretty poor. That's why he now races Kawasakis. Thankfully, the Suzuki company redeemed themselves with the grounbreaking RM line in 1975.
I'm about to enter the world of the TM400 and have Guru Jens on the job of making the bike competitive. If it's 3/4 as good as my old Maico or even my old SC500 Yamaha I'll be rightly pleased. ;D
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correction Firko, they did get the TM250's 'almost' right, it isn't a half bad bike and very much underated. After riding Dodgee's stocker TM250 at Coffs (first time I'd ever ridden a TM250) I was more than a little impressed! Maybe a few kgs heavier than most 250 mx'ers of the era but it certainly wasn't far off the pace, the power delivery was very very useable and with a good rider it'd be a winner. The 400 on the otherhand was just a sheer animal and not unlike the Yammie SC500 (from the reports I've received). Too much power in a terribly ill equipped chassis but Eric Cheney seemed sort that problem out given a little time, some Reynolds tubing and a little machining ;) anyone spot that Beamish RL250 (325) on evilbay. I saw it first appear at $500(reserve not met) but it's now up over 3k I think with a few days to go..a very nice bike but also one that doesn't really interest me :)
btw, that TS/TM400 actually looks pretty damn good but it still needs an airbox, better shocks, alloy rims and blacked hubs to really look the part ;) maybe a pipe also but eh, at least it'll come in under the Db limit ;D $1800 reserve not met is a little expensive for a hybrid but someone may go for it :-\
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Yeah Doc the 250 wasn't as bad as the 400 but my irritation is the Suzuki ads alluding that Joel did his work on a TM.
A mate has just bought a Beamish roller that will recieve a TY engine for something diferent. It'll also have Wassell alloy Sherpa T bodywork. The rolling frame cost him 100 quid UK!
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This sad case is going to project build a TM/TS 250 hybrid ;D What ever became of the "on the cheap" build up one you did for the magazine Firko ? Cheers Tim
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oh yeah Firko I totally agree, I didn't read your post properly sorry, the Suzuki's had little if anything to do with the factory bikes until the inception of the RM series but the marketing never really meant anything to me until Gaston put his name to them..then I simply had to have one! :)..or several so it seems.. :P maybe because it's my era but I'd reckon Gaston sold more Suzuki's and influenced more potential buyers to hop onboard in Australia than RD and Joel combined.
Tim,there is a '73 TS/TM250 project about to commence here also, off the top I know of at least another 2 being built up ;) I love running the underdog tag so the TM's suit me down to the ground..excepting the 400..I leave that alone ::)
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My TM/TS is currently getting a rebirth with a Circle F pipe, works shocks and some other good stuff. My mate only has an evo 490 Maico and wanted a pre '75 bike. Seeing that he had donated the engine, it was only right that he got the bike. I felt a little guilty that I only ever rode the old bike once or twice. Expect to see it at Conondale in June.
I'm helping another mate clear his shed today and he has a TM250J basket case that he's talking of offloading. Who knows what I may bring home. ::)
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Thanks a lot folks interesting reading,but I still don't get the TS bit :-\
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VMX the TS is only a trailbike loosly based/styled like a TM. The TS are more plentiful but it's like comparing a DT Yammie to an MX or an MT Honda to a CR, a KE to a KX. They all sorta look similar but they were built for totally different markets and hence have a different following and collectability status. Usually a stock original TS125/250/400 with the lights and original road gear will command a far better price than a TS wannabe TM.
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Re:TM 400
I have a real one and to help remove the crappyness it has a TS crankshaft to tame the power spread and also a different ignition and has been tuned by Jens Olsen and it goes like a blurr.
Harro
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Ah the TS /Tm 400 ::) Yep I was going to tame this beast alright ;D came away with three brocken ribs me pride a little in tatters and the bike gained a shit load of respect .
Firko be warned they bite
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oh stop exagerating, they do not oldfart!! :D you were caught unawares ::) mind you, first time I took it up to Nudgee it tried to kill me too :o first and last time I ever rode it..hmmm, on second thought, yes that's good advice!! Be frightened! ;D
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cheers, pure classic TM250 it is then. ;D
Being born and bred pre 75, I'm still learning this what happened after 1975 bit. 8)
modified
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I read somewhere the reason the TM's were so far removed from the RH/RN's was that the racing dept never passed on info to the production dept for fear of the competition finding out what they were doing.
The production guys were left to turn modified trail bikes into factory look-a-likes.
With the RM's the info was passed on hence the massive difference between TM's and RM's.
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You have probably seen this before,but for those that haven't and are newbies,its pretty good. 8)
http://azmikesvmxbikes.com/id72.html
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http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Suzuki-TM-400-1974-Suzuki-TM-400-restored-racer-vintage-motocross_W0QQitemZ110327099234QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_motorcycles?hash=item110327099234&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=72%3A727|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318
TOTALLY SEXY,well it will be, when it gets dirty :)
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what happened after[/i] bit. 8)
Is it me or does this post not make sense ???
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nice TM400 alrighty but it doesn't look as thugh it'll reach reserve :-\
Brent, I'd reckon you are spot on with your Suzuki proddy verses works bike explaination. That is most certainly exactly how it appears to me. The TM's are basically nothing more than a hotted up TS which begs the question I've always asked 'which came first' the chicken or the egg? for mine it was undoubtebly the kitted TS's and the TM's were derived from these models as the RN's and RH's were so very far removed from both the TM and the TS except for the colour. With the inception of the RM's things changed dramatically as seen by the results from the mid '70's on.
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Nice TM but what with the white guards, whats the story?
As for the 400 DeCoster tested one in 74 I think for Cycle world (I think again) and I dont think he was that impressed, I know having owned one and riding it and an RN 400 is like as different as black is to white.
I would love a TM400 in the collection but I wouldnt ride it, too many bad memories!!!!
211
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There's a picture I remembered seeing and am chasing, of me aged about 4 sitting on my uncle's old suzuki dirt bike back when it was pretty much brand spankers.
When I asked him to dig me up a copy of the photo and asked him what the bike was, he told me that it was his then new TM400 with a nickle plated Eric Cheney frame. He also said it was "lethally quick and with all the stability of a rabid dog on a greasy lino floor"
I'll post a copy of the pic when it turns up.
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Would be great to see that picture mainline of the lethally quick rabid dog on a greasy lino floor.
Don't get to see old photos of new/old bikes much,only the old adverts.
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VMX247 if someone offers you ride on a restored to original specs TM400 , DONT!!!!!! I owned and rode one way back when and have to agree that it was the most stupidly dangerous unpredictable loose cannon MXer sold to the public. Strong tractable 400 grunt with especially evil handling one moment then f**k me dead it has brain explosion and tries to hit 18000 rpm even though you have not twisted the throttle at all !!!! and that's how they came to you from the showroom...! Ever ridden a modified Kawasaki H2 750 triple in a stock frame :o basically the same sort of undie shitting deal :-[...... Did love the TM125 we had though. :D Cheers for the festive season Tim
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Tim what your saying isnt detering me i spose it will take a big crash on one to but probably not even then im after something like that to race pre 75 on i like my suzuki's and one of them would sit nicely next to the pe400 dad had a tm125 if anyone knows of a pre 75 tm400 or 250 preferably very cheap i might be interested thanks Michael. :)
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Deterring??? Hell no! Find one buy one! ;)Just maybe warning you of possible inconsistencies in the forward motions of the mechanical device. I would have another if I could too. Oh comparing the PE400 with the TM 400 Cyclone is like a sweet juicy orange to slimy yellow avocado guts. ;)
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thats what im after to race pre75 sooner or later im going to be doing some vic vinduros on the Pe next year but hopefully i can find something like that cheap and be able to race pre75 thanks Michael :)
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Michael....you're a nice young bloke and it's refreshing to see a sixteen year old so keen on old bikes. I'd love to see you stay in the vintage movement for the long haul rather than on the way through, enroute to other activities.
BUT if you really want to race pre '75 and remain keen on old bikes, the TM 400 Suzuki is NOT the bike for you, no matter whether Dad rode a TM 125 and you're the biggest Suzuki fan on Earth. They are evil, ill concieved paralysers. As cool as they look and bearing in mind youthful thrill seeking, the TM400 will very quickly turn you off old bikes forever. If your mind is set on pre '75 and it has to be a Suzuki, be kind to your body and get a nice TM250. That way you'll at least be able to enjoy your 21st birthday without the need for a walking frame. Merry Christmas mate.
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man they sound evil
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yeah thats what i was thinking firko a nice tm250 125 is to small im probably to big for that now and i weigh about 75 kg's so tm125 isnt probably ideal but if a 250 or 400 comes along ill get it and atleast if i get a tm400 and it spits me off you can say i told you so i understand the 400 mx being a totally different type of 400 to my PE with the PE its fairly calm unless you ring its neck i will see how i go im hoping to ride a little next year and get into it more the next year after that because im still playing footy but next year might be my last footy season anyway if i get a chance to get a pre75 to do up i might get to a couple of events next year Merry Christmas and i hope to see some guys off this forum at either at the vinduros or maybe pre75 thanks Michael. :)
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Paul they are. TM125 bags of reliable fun, TM250 lots of pleasure to lots of people., TM400 Universally regarded as the worst ever. Check all the old magazines (and new ones too) the Cyclone wins the worst easily available MX bike all the time. They do look the go, and can be tamed I believe, but in stock trim they were horrendous. I thought only mine had a crazed mind of its own till I found out from excellent sources at the time ( Bert Flood telling me springs to mind) that the lunatic power output was the norm.
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better get one for the next doors neibours kid who teachining self the DRUMS
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The salesman who delivered my spanking new RM400 to me in '78 when I was only 16 looked at my diminutive size then said these words to me.
This is NOT a childs toy! Use your head and not your fist!
I survived ;) the TM is not an RM but the same philosophy applies regardless ;)
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Interesting to note that reserve was lowered.
Was getting on passed $5600 Australian. :o
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Best comment I ever read about TM400 mods was from the irrepressible Super Hunky: "Jack up the gas-cap & wheel a Maico under it"!!!
Having said that, I have a mag article here somewhere detailing electronic mods inside the the CDI box to tame its electrics/advance-curve & hence power delivery.
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fit a PE175 cdi box ;)
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Can get most CDI's overhauled/repaired/doctored by an electronics engineer/guru, get a graph and ali at reasonable prices(ie non-commercial).
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Lawrence - pointers / names please!
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There is a catch he only accepts Zimbabwe dollars(5000000000000000000000000000) just to look at it. ;D ;D ;D Send me an email as he is a highly prized 2T Inst contact. ;D
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Forget the mind games Luke. Just ring Jens Olsen..........Wk 0242 281688 Mob 0413 212750
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::) That's a private joke firko which Luke will understand well enough and Jen's unfortunately isn't as good on electronics/ignitions/stator/rotors as this bloke.
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Thank you Mark - I may that follow up.
But in the meantime, I do need to chat with Lozza about certain South African transactions and his shady contacts - the currency requirements of the 2T Institute are exhausting my shelf of oddball notes!
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Steve at www.bettabikes.com in Adelaide can do CDI repairs, testing, manuafacturing etc ( analogue and digital) hes real good and knows his stuff.
Cycle world issue December 73 has article on taming the TM 400. they fitted a Competion Dynamics flywheel which they said smooths out the power delivery
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yup, the extra flywheel weight is only part of the cure. There used to be differing weight available in the day but nowdays it's a relatively easy fix utilizing TS400 flywheel/stator and PE175 CDI. If you find a mythical TS400 full circle crank then fit that also by all means ;D
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and again,,get your free advertising right here on OZVMX ;)
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Suzuki-TM-TS-400-K-1973_W0QQitemZ130278362181QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Motorcycles?hash=item130278362181&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2|65%3A1|39%3A1|240%3A1318
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had a ts400 back in the late 80s
man what an awesome bike
it was a 76 model from memory
had a racing pipe to go with it pretty much the same as whats on that bike but the end bit was a touch longer
silly me i gave that pipe....yes gave it away for zilch to a bloke named peter fisher who now lives in sydney..
peter i want that pipe back... :)
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quote=Jody Weisel USA.
The 1973 Suzuki TM400 had a lightswitch engine attached to a spaghetti frame. The Cyclone came on so suddenly that it would scare you, and it swapped so bad that it would frighten flag men on the side of the track. Once, at a night race on a '74 model, I thought someone was trying to pass me on the left–it turns out that the back of my TM400 was swapping so bad that I could see it in my peripheral vision.
http://www.motocrossactionmag.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=news&mod=News&mid=9A02E3B96F2A415ABC72CB5F516B4C10&tier=3&nid=E6A65C35AA6C449A9BCA818312F30AC0
thanks mx250
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Have "experienced " the TM400 and thats yhe only word
. those factory riders who got results must have worn thier undies on the outside ala superman.
lots of formulas floating about to tame the cyclone but what actually works? any data on what someone has tried before?
First step is to melt the frame and make sinkers from it.
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IME, the 71 TM400 was really tough-we changed the swingarm suspension, ignition-and added even more flywheel weight. Just not a decent chassis IMO. Years later i rode a 1974 TM400 a few laps. It had aftermarket suspension( works shocks, longer swingarm, ceriani forks), TS ignition, 34mm mikuni-and aftermarket pipe( ace racing I think)-and was a sweet ride.
What year was the frame changed ( 73 or 74?). BTW the 71 shifted so smooth and the throw was so short you actually bumped up gears when you didn't intend to.
This could be since we were racing MX Yamahas, and 74-75 KTMs at the time, but we were also riding some modern bikes ( 92 YZ250, 92 KX250, and 93 CR250).
I thought the whole 74 bike was much improved-and didn't deserve the bad rap it held form the 71s reputation...though I personally know two people who pretzeled frames on then new 71 TM400s.
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Thanks for posting up that interesting read oldschool..
This bloke seems happy enough with his, so I'm thinking maybe they aren't all that evil ;D ,not that I'll saddle one any time soon :)
Re:TM 400
I have a real one and to help remove the crappyness it has a TS crankshaft to tame the power spread and also a different ignition and has been tuned by Jens Olsen and it goes like a blurr.
Harro
cheers Alison
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Good story oldschool,
Had a recent similar event on a yz250h which i had work on for a while- smashed me the first ride. Sold it ASAP that bike was the only one that i sold for this reason. Is it possible the burst of power could be attriburted to the carby leaning out due to lack of petrol gettin into in the bowl?
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http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Suzuki-TS-TM-400-engine-1972-1974-VMX_W0QQitemZ130298884784QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Motorcycle_Parts_Accessories?hash=item130298884784&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2|65%3A1|39%3A1|240%3A1318
re listed with a cut of ten dollars. 8)
Cheers Alison
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So a TS ignition will tame a TM...does the opposite apply, a TM ignition will give the TS a bit more kick??
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hmmm :-\ me thinks people are getting the TM400 and the TS400 confused. The TS400's never had the ignition woes or upredictable advance curve the TM suffered and are infact quite a slow revving plonka type motor being 'almost' safe to ride (excepting with a trials universal on the front :D). Short shifting using the torque is the best way to get these heavyweight old beasts mobile. Firko's Boyd and Stelling project is infact a TM400 not a TS. Not a lot of difference excepting the engine numbers, cylinder, head, ignition and an some cases some TS400's had the 'better' full circle crank. Makes me think I should dig out my old beast and give it a spruce up ;)
My first 'vmx legal' project was a TS400 I paid 200 clams for, at the time I was dubious about my purchase but in time I've grown quite attached to it..warts and all 8)
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-1/923869/tn_TS400nudgee1a.jpg) (http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-1/923869/TS400nudgee1a.jpg)
Me at Nudgee '06
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-1/923869/tn_Suzuki76-TS40020-3-05.jpg) (http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-1/923869/Suzuki76-TS40020-3-05.jpg)
As I found it.
(http://abhzmq.bay.livefilestore.com/y1phsh1CowFdeoWD3nzd1jnmTSw3ibmVtEsaKkWV5CEz_r3_7O8Hvas9g14X5EIh1BDtxBgdYs71x_pvjRY-WW15g/Stewart%20on%20Docs%20TS400.jpg)
Oldfart contesting the 07 Oz titles
(http://osyeig.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pU2iahRHHTX-SI7Yh4HMcDzVTd-DIyDJIx3Qa6QXepazkhzRJxjLAcu7MJ_C3bPXhqBMnif4_AYYL2TmrMBpwDQ/TS400%20pilots%20Lawrence%20aka%20Big%20Loz%20standing%20and%20Stewart%20Oldfart.jpg)
The legends who ride these beasts..Big Lozza the Giant and Oldart the Brave (He whom laughs at the prospect of pending danger!)
Kiwi, I'd like to try an internal rotor ignition on a TS but maybe not specifically a TM400 ignition ;D
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Tried to tame it and came away with brocken ribs. Honestly it was a blast to ride and had a shit load of torque, ah the momories come flooding back. The bike required a fair bit of respect and would catch you off guard if warn't 100% focused :-X . firk that bike was heavy ;D
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Oldfart doesn't look that bloody old at all, or has that photo been airbrushed?
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Stew you needed to ride mine which has about 2 x power , 100 X suspension and about 0.1% of brakes of Doc's ;D. I had a blast riding Doc's 400 it was tame and docile as a one eyed house cat.I forgot to snap a pic but there was a pristine TS 400 at the Barry Sheene show and shine on the weekend
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Mainline, Like a good bottle of wine ;D
Looza , no thanks mate .....twice the power maybe for young Frosty but not for me ;D
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Lozza - so now another face to a name. Thanks for the photo Doc!
Rossco
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:P a picture says a 1000 words ;D hope the memories aren't too painfull Stew :D
(http://osyeig.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pvZQgHAQPpiyjss1ei8O0Cnk206Onq4qs62vDdwXrdCQRwz-vm7ipt0nKJPOkj-70qpf8kF5m21kqEIhUZJIC1TWChY0R4qOr/oldfart%20styles%20it%20up.jpg)
http://osyeig.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pvZQgHAQPpiyjss1ei8O0Cnk206Onq4qs62vDdwXrdCQRwz-vm7ipt0nKJPOkj-70qpf8kF5m21kqEIhUZJIC1TWChY0R4qOr/oldfart%20styles%20it%20up.jpg (http://osyeig.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pvZQgHAQPpiyjss1ei8O0Cnk206Onq4qs62vDdwXrdCQRwz-vm7ipt0nKJPOkj-70qpf8kF5m21kqEIhUZJIC1TWChY0R4qOr/oldfart%20styles%20it%20up.jpg)
(http://osyeig.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pGpGnCp4tv5QtgvzY-LzrZjz7ejJH9EpabhVHiLG85h6XekxzmxZXAAKlYHah0m6lc3kPfIUIuzbpoAhANEhMig/Lawrence%20Lozza%20pre75%20TS400L.jpg)
Lozzas' Mighty TS400
http://osyeig.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pGpGnCp4tv5QtgvzY-LzrZjz7ejJH9EpabhVHiLG85h6XekxzmxZXAAKlYHah0m6lc3kPfIUIuzbpoAhANEhMig/Lawrence%20Lozza%20pre75%20TS400L.jpg (http://osyeig.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pGpGnCp4tv5QtgvzY-LzrZjz7ejJH9EpabhVHiLG85h6XekxzmxZXAAKlYHah0m6lc3kPfIUIuzbpoAhANEhMig/Lawrence%20Lozza%20pre75%20TS400L.jpg)
(http://osyeig.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pODGuw7x1oDjh6zLudeQU5GBgkIdxD48ZWxRKmgIxGbe4EMqih8zoK0cSKiZPBjmSNpnyU9lk5wxko_nsZtn7vxIPN6gM0iZL/Lozza%20feature%20race.JPG)
Lozza on my Mighty TS400..so versatile isn't he! ;D
Loz, hope you or oldfart don't mind the mugshots but eh, they've been in the public domain for a few years now :P why I'll even put up one of moi doing my Magnum PI impersonation less the Ferrari ;)..errr..when I can locate it that is :-[
ahhhh..or should I say arrrgh! :o tis me and the mighty TS in a relaxed moment 8) dork!
(http://osyeig.bay.livefilestore.com/y1puvbWUqHuV_TDimBfUAU_mbw3MkErDXMA3UfU_T-d79ai9Cj6IMCD1Auv6hC33LFu2Yyg7LSLy6jM4xHntn3uUPhsz_tkKOoT/Doc_2005.JPG)
glad you liked my brakes Lozza, bout the only thing going for my bikes is they do have good stoppers ;D
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jeepers, she really spat you off the back Stew
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Nah that was a controlled wheel stand .......anyway that's the way I see it ;)
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toe drag ;)
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followed by face plant :D sorry stew, i'll crawl back under my rock now :-X
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Yep ...too much stick over the table top and bingo I hit the dust ....if only me legs would of kept her up it would of been a brilliant save ;D
Chris, It's all good part of the fun
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no worries bloke..it was really impressive stuff that you rode the rest of the weekend all busted and bleeding :o..oops ::)
an' if you think stepping off a perfectly good bike and trying to run at 50mph like Steve Austin in fun is fun then I personally don't see any issues either so long as you don't break the knobs off my levers ;D
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Lozzas beast scared me silly at CD 5 i couldn't even open my eyes ;D
(http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e204/tmbill/tmbill2-1.jpg)
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hey stew did you do much damage when you did that wheelstand and what does tm stand for is it trainee madman ???
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;D ;D ;D
Stew tell em what the apprentice did with the jackhammer ;D ;D ;D
Bill you really look like your having fun too....... forgot how much fun and laughs I had at those 2 meetings.Thanks for the nice memories
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ahhh its the TM400 topic again ;D
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Suzuki_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2em63Q2el1177QQhashZitem3
ef4c37dd4QQitemZ270394424788Q
QptZUSQ5fmotorcycles
A collector in Washington is liquidating some of his vintage Off-Road bikes. Interesting
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Frosty .....read this
http://www.earlyyearsofmx.com/SUZtm400.html
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Fantasy Island. All sounds good until you start it. They;( TM 400's collectively) ; are f-cked.
Like a mistress in a bad dream , if you have ridden her, she will haunt your life forever!
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I have read that Stew I will post a photo in a sec of my tank I will run the original suzuki emblems rather than buy new ones the original have authentic battle damage. ;)
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I just hope you find a pipe for it so we can hear how good you break it in and tame it, or maybe it will be how good it breaks & tames you :D ;D
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(http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu283/frostype400/tm400tank.jpg)
I have a pipe Lozza special but I don't know if it will fit because it was made on a ts frame and the original owner of the bike Ray very nice bloke had a cheney framed bike he wanted the pipe for and he thought the pipe would work on it but it didn't fit the same as ts400 maybe on stock tm frame it will work something i need to look at but I like the look of the original unmuffled pipe. ;)
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I just hope you find a pipe for it so we can hear how good you break it in and tame it, or maybe it will be how good it breaks & tames you :D ;D
I think there will be only one way to ride this bike no stuffing around on it just as fast I can go on it I will have to sign up to CSC and get to some of the events on it, I don't think I will be able to ride it like I can my PE where you can go any speed or revs the tm will be fun,
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Should look a million bucks when finished ..... Ride it like it's stolen ;D
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I hope so but I still want to race it I have taken note of what Firko says re wheels being a major point of a restoration not just polishing them I will get the spokes zinc coated and have the akront rims rechromed.
I will have to get some 400 stickers etc etc it is pretty much a complete bike though, does anyone have any engine recomendations re what to look for I will replace as much as possible any way don't want to be pulling the motor out again.
Not to much needs doing saying that everything needs doing I can't see it taking anywhere near as long as the gt80 though I hope to have it done by the end of the year. ;)
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I found an old pic of the Cheney and my TS together. With the benfit of hindsight the Cheney swingarm looks to be at least 50mm shorter, the front rake kicked out and the engine carried higher.The differences are subtle and not realy visable without a TM/TS for comparison.Would explain why the pipe fitted on the TS had no hope of fitting on the Cheney. Would love to hear Eric's thoeries and ideas on the frame design.
There is a trick to getting the cases back together(and apart) there is a spring that goes from 1 case half to another. I just forget what it is now,maybe Zorroz/Doc can remind me. I think it is assemble the crank and gearbox in the left case half???? Replace the crank main bearings and that's about it. Gearbox is bullet proof so is tha rod/crank assembly.
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Mine is stock 71 frame so that pipe may just fit nicely providing that ts and tm400 frames are close. Mine also looks like it has different shocks I will have to keep a look out on us ebay for a stock pipe too if the one I have works I will use it though, thanks Michael.