How much $ for optional RM125B alloy s/arm?

[John Orchard]

I have a friend that owns a wreckers, he has a genuine Suzuki 'optional part' alloy swingarm to suit an RM125B, it has the tab for brake-stay arm.  How much should I pay for it?  Is it cool to have such a part?  I haven't seen one before.

[Doc]

John, the only difference between the C model alloy arm and the A/B 'optional' alloy arm is little tabs for the brake stay. In saying that it really makes the optional part no more valuable than the standard '78 arm. Have seen the '78 arms sell for as little as $50 and up to $150 so the price depends on how much you'd like it, condition and so on I suppose. Yes they were a trick part back in the day but given very few people knew of them most opted for the aftermarket items.

My '78 400C came new fitted with optional arm as it too had the brake stay tabs underneath. My guess is there were some '78 125C's that had them from new also. If the arm has bushes instead of needle rollers at the pivot then it surly is the optional A/B part.   

[Tahitian_Red]

He's asking $45us

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260858905456&viewitem=&sspagename=ADME%3AB%3ASS%3AUS%3A1123

There's no pic of the underside, but the early 1978's came with the leftover 125B optional arms. 

[John Orchard]

He's asking $45us

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260858905456&viewitem=&sspagename=ADME%3AB%3ASS%3AUS%3A1123

There's no pic of the underside, but the early 1978's came with the leftover 125B optional arms. 

If you scroll to the bottom there are another 5 pics which show the bottom..... no tab.  I bought the one I was interested in; it does have the brake arm tab, paid $90 plus shipping for it.

[Doc]

Some not so nice dents on the top near the left pivot of the eBay item..ouchy! I guess that explains the seemingly good buy now price

[suzuki27]

If this optional swingarm has the brake stay arm tab (non-floating) and is run that way on an RM250B, is it pre-78 legal?

[oldfart]

YES..... as it is/was listed as an option  back in 1977.

[Doc]

I vaguely remember once asking much the same question about the optional RM arms eligibility and being scorned for even the mere suggestion it should be legal. not going there again!!

Althoughhhhh, on a side note, the floating rear brake setup was around long before 1978. A couple of prime Japanese production bike examples being the '68  DT1 Yamaha's and the '73 F11 Kawasaki's. Even the RM250/370 sales brochures and magazine adverts in Australia circa 1976 showed them. The Factory Fox and FMF RM125 based racers also had the option of floating or non floating. Why should anyone worry about something that by 1977 was old school technology that has absolutley no proven advantage A PP No-Dive on the front is basically the same thing regardless of what era it is run.

[Tahitian_Red]

Doc,

Here is an ad from the July 77 issue of MXA.  This company offered a floating brake kit for the RM-A&B's.

[Doc]

Thanks Red! I've never seen that kit before, available for the '75 models too I see

[asasin]

I had, still have , the one my old man got for me in late 77 , it has the little stay , which he cut off as he had fitted his own design full floating brake in early 77 on the bike from new, when he saw one on somthing else . ( he was a cleaver bugger, rest his sole  ) .On the one I have which is a optional one the welding is not a neat as the later production ones.
I think someone should take a case to the powers that be and get a review of this combination for the 125 B in pre 78 racing.

[Marc.com]

I vaguely remember once asking much the same question about the optional RM arms eligibility

Hell I remember they were warming the tar and plucking the feathers, however keeping the discussion on a higher level. It was really interesting how connected Suzuki was with its privateer racers during where the good shit like mag hubs and brakes, alloy arms etc were trotted out pretty much as fast as the Japanese could produce them.

[Doc]

  the feathers did start to get a little ruffled at the time Marc but luckily the fire went out before the goose cooked

[monaro308]

I think Chris appeared on "Australia's Most Wanted " after that saga with the "optional B arms"...how much more proof could Doc muster up?

[Doc]

  my final piece of evidence was never submitted Mario  a sales receipt from 1977 from a guy in the US who had the optional swingarm fitted before he took delivery. He sent me the pics of the arm below but I've long lost contact with him and he never got around to posting a hard copy of his documents