Converting a Ts250 into a TM250

[Simo63]

Need a bit of help from the brains trust here.  I'm building a TS250 into a replica TM250 for the 2012 Nationals in June.  I've got a really good 1974 TS250 as the base start bike.  Already has had the motor rebuilt and still running the autolube system (which I intend on keeping) and I've also a donor 76 bike.  I intend to do the following and was hoping for some advice or tips on my plans:

• Use the donor 76 frame and remove all the unwanted brackets etc (would like to keep the 74 frame original as it's just so good and even has the original instruments all working.  Speedo only shows 10,000 kms)
• I have a NOS TM250 CDI ignition that I plan to fit.  Looks like it's plug and play as the connectors are exactly the same.  This way I'll lose the heavy flywheel and hopefully it will spin up a bit quicker (relatively speaking of course  )
• Use the 76 alloy rims and footpegs
• Keep the standard pipe and just remove the rear baffle as I don't think I can put a TM style downpipe on it due to the brake lever that looks different to the TS
• Use the 76 model clutch cover and TM styule clutch actuator (thanks for that tip TMBill  )
• Looking to fit an XL250RC seat to get rid of the wide and heavy standard item
• Rebuild the konis that are fitted
• Usual going through bearings, brakes etc
• I note the front brake arm on the TS I got has a much longer one fitted and when I spoke to the seller he believes it s a rear GT750 SUzuki arm.  He tells me it would never pull up so he fitted the longer arm for greater leverage.  Sound reasonable I guess but interested to hear from others as I though that the one thing these old girls had was good brakes standard
• Paint up yellow
• Fit aftermarket TM front and rear guards

Not sure what to do with the side number plates though ... any ideas as the TM replica ones won't fit around the stnadard up pipe and autolube oil reservoir?

ANd any ideas/tips for the rest of the bike please.

Cheers
SImo

[Simo63]

Sorry a couple of more questions.

1. Where do I get footpeg return springs from? and
2. What sort of gearing should I be looking for.  At the moment it's road gearing so quite high.

Cheers
Craig

[vandy010]

2. What sort of gearing should I be looking for.  At the moment it's road gearing so quite high.

it all sounds good to me Simo,
as for gearing,
if you can figure out something close to what you'd use at Brisbane Nudgee track, you'd be pretty close for the Nationals

[Gerard De Ruyter (Twistandshout)]

simo, how'd you go with this conversion?  any tips for someone wanting to do something similar for a 69 ts250?  (not for mx tho - dt).  footpeg return springs???

[suzuki447]

i just fitted 82 rm125 footpegs or pe175 footpegs to my tm125.they bolt straight on .just need to fit a small stopper for return spring.maybe your brackets will take same footpegs.

[Simo63]

simo, how'd you go with this conversion?  any tips for someone wanting to do something similar for a 69 ts250?  (not for mx tho - dt).  footpeg return springs???

Jesus that was a while ago ... umm well I didn;t do anything more than fit the TM250 ignition then decided I was running out of time for the 2012 nationals so purchased a TM250 ... but that is another story altogether.

I returned the TS back to standard (ie I put the original ignition back on it) and plan to leave it that way.  I now have a healthy collection on TM250's in all states of repair ranging from race bike to parts bikes.

Footpeg return was sorted by fitting RM125 (from 1979 to 1986 I think and probably PE's as well) footpeg with return spring and welding on a lug for the return spring to leverage off.  A very simple mod.

Good luck with your project.

[saint]

Have you seen this one Craig?
Another TM variation for your collection?
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Hagon-TM-250-Suzuki-Dirt-track-Speedway-/251149185855?pt=AU_Motorcycles&hash=item3a79a8733f