ts400

[noisy toy]

I can email the suzuki frame list to someone who can post it on here for all to have. It is not just for TS , but PE, RM,TM,DR,DRZ and some road bikes too. Went to local wrecker(dean) for a scrounge but still no piston or exhaust pipe. Just about everything else though. Might be a good source if anyone is looking for some old stuff. He doesnt really know exactly what old stuff there is, have to go and have a dig. I think i saw some early Maico and Husky engine bits, but not much really. There is an early Maico 250 engine concreted into Arnos wall at Winton.....

[monaro308]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SUZUKI-NOS-VINTAGE-PISTON-RINGS-TM-TS400-STD-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem3a618115e1QQitemZ250743952865QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SUZUKI-NOS-PISTON-TM-TS400-1971-77-STD-SIZE-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem5196de000bQQitemZ350423482379QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

[DR]

Suzuki frame number ID '71-'94

http://cid-86267c09a3452a71.office.live.com/self.aspx/Suzuki%20Old%20School%20General%20Technical%20and%20Specifications/Suzuki%20Frame%20Numbers%201971%20-%201994/page1.gif

Firko, I'd love to know the reasoning behind the switch also. I think in 1976 they (suzuki) switched the TS185 and 250 models to the twin downtube type also, the smaller TS125/100 remained unchanged. The 185 and 250 also had an engine redesign incorporating the RM styled case/reed induction. It was major re-tooling for the 400 as you say. Considering the design was virtually the same in all other aspects since '71 this change commanded a top end and exhaust change also (they also changed the carb from '76 on I think). Maybe this is why they ran the 400 up to 1977 in this design, trying to get a maximum return before the model got dropped from the line up. Would make for a good read

[firko]

Are there any opinions in the press coverage as to whether the centre port cylinder made any significant difference to the bike JC? I'd assume the twin downtube frame was introduced to accommodate the centre exhaust port rather than the opposite.....there must be some sort of engineering reasoning behind the switch.

[211kawasaki]

Mark
what ever Suzi was thinking back then must have been clouded in haze 'cos twin down tube or no twin down tube the bike at any speed over walking pace on the dirt has only one objective - and thats to kill the unsuspecting rider without notice.
The only difference between the TM400JK and the TS400 engine wise is some porting and stick it in a heavier frame with awful forks more flex than Elvis and there's going to be trouble.
Insert Maroubra story here Mark, (still regarded as a text book example of why not to own one by this reader)
Tanner

[Lozza]

Just would have been cheaper to produce I would very much doubt any solid engineering reason was behind the change.

[noisy toy]

Thanks for the links, MARIO308, i have sent him an email.Just what i need. Just need to find a centre port exhaust pipe, TS or TM i am not too fussed. Thanks for the link to the listing Doc. The sheet listing i have is from a Suzuki book and seems to have a more comprehensive frame no. listing, as in it has the TS4003- prefix before the number, for most models. Happy to e-mail if anyone wants it.
You would think a centre port would be better, but i suppose air doesnt care which way is up as long as it flows well. Maybe it would allow for a slightly longer primary section? That science is a bit beyond me!
There was a website that had some sort of program for making your own expansion chamber with printable templates, does anyone know of this?

[JC]

Are there any opinions in the press coverage as to whether the centre port cylinder made any significant difference to the bike JC? .

Text only mentions raised C.R. (7.3 vs 6.8:1), more finning on both cyl & head, & diff (wider) gear ratios for 1st & 5th. Engine has incredibly flat torque curve.
New frame (27.5 Lbs) was said to be same geometry, rake, w'base, but longer forks & bigger fr wheel & they hated the effect of the changes.

I've often wondered what 1 of these engines would be like in Maico frame, or even AJS stormer frame(!)

[JC]

There was a website that had some sort of program for making your own expansion chamber with printable templates, does anyone know of this?

Ian Williams Tuning site IIRC

[firko]

I've often wondered what 1 of these engines would be like in Maico frame, or even AJS stormer frame(!)

Lew Davis in Penrith club actually raced a TM400 powered AJS Stormer and reported it to be "fu*king awful". I almost bought it for $400 on the side of the road back in 1989 but Lew beat me to it. As for putting one in a Maico frame.....you should be ashamed for even considering it! .

[DR]

No offence to the vmx purists but this would be a great option for the TS400 in my veiw Although these Vic Camp (UK) bikes pictured are TS250's the same could be and probably was applied to the 400. What I like is they used the standard TS frames. I know he made an SP370 version also and there have been numerous guys over the years racing the TS400's on bitumen both here and UnZud.











The Blurb..
During 1975 the former UK Ducati importer Vic Camp created a new lightweight 250cc racer based on Suzuki's popular TS 250 trail bike. Although the choice of base motorcycle may seem somewhat strange the result was a very effective clubmans racer which proved to be popular. The basic engine, which had a five speed gearbox, was effectively half a T500 twin for which a great deal of tuning information was available. It had also formed the basis for the TM 250 Challenger which delivered 30 bhp in comparison to the 23 bhp of the TS and Suzuki had marketed a tuning kit in the States for the TS that effectively took the engine up to the TM's state of tune. The standard TS frame was fitted with shorter forks from the Suzuki range and a disc brake was fitted. A full fairing, racing tank and saddle together with clip-ons,rear-sets and an expansion chamber completed the conversion. In all it is believed that 48 Vic Camp TS 250s were built, but other specialists, inspired by the success of the Vic Camp machines created similar motorcycles.

[Lozza]

Would be easy to wring 60HP out of the engine, there is a Kiwi built running round somewhere that has 75hp at the wheel on methanol.

[Davey Crocket]

Thats probably Pete Sales bike, started life as a TM400, Pete and his son have raced it from new.....very, very fast...barrell has alot of welding.

[DR]

75HP! would be intersesting to see the bottom end on that engine

[noisy toy]

75hp!! Do they have a website? Sounds like fun....or pain...... depends what you are in to!