RM125B incl spares.

[Ted]

Mark. Read my posts.

I did read your posts Ted. I wasn't writing about you're case specifically, I was generalising.

As I said earlier I don't know what's kosher about the RM125B alloy swingarm but I do know that our esteemed rule book has the over riding statement that to be eligible for a particular division the bike or major component must be of the "designated year" as described by the factory. Although there are a lot of discrepancies with the description, overall it's worked pretty well. For a long time Bultaco owners cried from the mountain tops that because the Mk8 Pursang was available in 1974, it must surely be eligible for pre 75. The reason it's not allowed is that the Mk 8 is designated by the factory as the 1975 model....end of argument.

Now, allow me to play the devils advocate for a moment. I think it's a given that the Suzuki RM125-B is legal for the pre -78 class using the factory steel swing arm. Would it be a possibility that the optional alloy swingarm might be a designated 1978 factory update? If that's indeed the case, I'd say that the swingarm is not legal by standards of precedent. I'll give an example, I can't use a 1" longer 1975 Maico swing arm on my 1974 model even though the 1975 model was released in late 1974. And another...you're not allowed to use a modified alloy Pro-Link swingarm from an 81 CR250 Honda on your 80 model twin shocker.

The factories often played the year pushing game by calling a particular updated part the following years part..i.e. the RM-B swingarm being touted as a 1978 update (even though it was sold in 1977). I don't have a strong opinion either way on this but if a precedent has been set by other situations, you have to go with the results of that precedent.

Following that train of thinking if i can prove that in a 1976 parts book that there was a alloy swingarm option available for a 1977 B model surely that would make it available and legal for the following year being 1977

[firko]

This is so simple, if you're going to ride the Nats take it to scrutineering and see if it passes. If it doesn't, the myth ends there .

[Ted]

Why would I waste my time ( maybe ) doing that. I will nip it in the bud as soon as MA opens its doors after xmas

[Ted]

JohnnyO.....PM sent

[JohnnyO]

Here is a page from an online parts book showing the arm, it's all i've got for now til i get a copy of the genuine Suzuki parts book..

[John Orchard]

Hmmm that is interesting the RM250A with a floating rear brake.

That sure looks like a 125B optional arm on Anthony's 370, they can be easily modified to fit.  I would have thought that they'd run 125B forks as so many back in the day did?

I love this crap coming up again, makes me smile  :-)

[Ted]

On Page 3 is the official Suzuki diagram straight from the parts book

[motomaniac]

When I say "a pic from 77" I mean I have seen a pic in a '77 Revs or AMCN of Anthony Gunter with the alloy arm.  I guess if you can see the printed date of the paper in the pic - game over.

That would be perfect if there are any around.

I already did that when this was on the forum some years ago.

MXA NOV 77 page 36/37. The article was by Jeff Keen.When I posted it way back then someone replied that all we need to do now is find this guy!

[JohnnyO]

When I say "a pic from 77" I mean I have seen a pic in a '77 Revs or AMCN of Anthony Gunter with the alloy arm.  I guess if you can see the printed date of the paper in the pic - game over.

That would be perfect if there are any around.

I already did that when this was on the forum some years ago.

Probably worth another shot now Brent.

[TM BILL]

Hmmm that is interesting the RM250A with a floating rear brake.

That sure looks like a 125B optional arm on Anthony's 370, they can be easily modified to fit.  I would have thought that they'd run 125B forks as so many back in the day did?

I love this crap coming up again, makes me smile  :-)

This is an optional arm for a 250 / 370 B 

[JohnnyO]

Hmmm that is interesting the RM250A with a floating rear brake.

That sure looks like a 125B optional arm on Anthony's 370, they can be easily modified to fit.  I would have thought that they'd run 125B forks as so many back in the day did?

I love this crap coming up again, makes me smile  :-)

The 250/370 had an optional alloy arm as well. They did run the 125B forks on Grunt's big bore bikes.

[TM BILL]

From RM 125 parts book 3rd edition  dated NOV 1976 

[JohnnyO]

Here's a couple of pics i had from back in the day of Grant McCrae and Stewart MacLauchlan using the optional alloy arm in '77 but unfortunately the pics aren't clear enough..

[Ted]

Great find Bill....Would it be possible to send me that book so as to take it to MA.

I will guarantee its safety and return it immediately after they view it. I will not leave it with them for clarification.

There is no forking way that any sane person can argue that this alloy arm came out first in 78 after the c model was introduced

Cheers

[motomaniac]

Great find Bill....Would it be possible to send me that book so as to take it to MA.

I will guarantee its safety and return it immediately after they view it. I will not leave it with them for clarification.

There is no forking way that any sane person can argue that this alloy arm came out first in 78 after the c model was introduced

Cheers

Whats the point? A friend of mine was told at the broadford Nats that his genuine FMF alloy arm on his RM125 was illegal and was made  to drive back home for a magazine ad for proof.