1979 RM80N Roach

[Richo52]

Fantastic work Alex.......that is exactly as I remember my brand new one back in 1979, that went on to place and win a round in the WA junior championships on a completely stock motor,just with suspension mods and DG gold rims ......it was a rocket :-)

[malcolm1]

Congratulations on a brilliant job...that was the bike I loved in '79. Btw...does anyone know if you can still get a brand new RM80B rear tyre - the same 'Gripper' tread tyre as per the 1977 model? That's all that's left for my RM80B...thanks Mal

[SUZUKI311]

Malcolm, I am waiting on a IRC  3.60X14 Gripper style knobby from Ficeda in NSW. Apparently they are on backorder but are still available, I purchased a front just recently, 2.50x16.

[alexbrown64]

Hi Mal, since doing the rebuild, i am having trouble confirming if the B back tire i have on the bike is indeed the original.  I was told it was and the bike was hardly used but i am not sure.  My gripper tread pattern is 5 knobs then 6 knobs, 5,6 5,6, etc... but the pics in the magazines seem to have 4,5,4,5 tread pattern very similar to this one.. http://www.ebay.com/itm/IRC-122166-Mini-Cross-Motorcross-Tire-45Z-360-14-MX-4-PLY-/231279134945?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item35d94f88e1&vxp=mtr
Suzuki311 may be on to it with the tire he is looking at.  I will do some more research and get back to you... does anyone have a close up of an original rear wheel?
Cheers,
Alex

[alexbrown64]

Well, took the boy out for his first run on the RM80N today.  He is used to riding a ktm50 which is auto and has only had 1 quick ride on a manual 65cc.  So, it was a learning curve for him today and he did well and really enjoyed it.  Just running the bike in using first and second gear at the moment.  Bike is starting and running well considering it is the first time it has been ridden in years, as the previous owner had it in a shed and when i got it, it was completely rebuilt.
Initial impression:  Motor is still tight with a bit of a bog off bottom.  Front wheel squeeking like a mouse even though i have new wheel bearings, brakes and seals in there.  There is a rattle coming from the engine somewhere.
Everything else is fine.  When we got home, i washed and dried it and covered it in WD40 and put her away for a while until i have time to go through it all.
It was great to see the boy riding around in his Suzuki gear and seeing an "N" going around for the first time in 36 years.
Cheers,
Alex

[tony27]

Nice shirt on your son, really matches the bike. Looks like he really enjoyed himself

Is it possible that the internal spacer between the bearings is a little bit short causing the squeak?

[steve7406]

That's a very nice little bike and your son is a very lucky boy

[ITDOG]

wow my inner 13 year old is just loving that bike ....back in 79 again cool

[Richo52]

Looks awesome Alex......takes me back to 1979 when I owned mine ;-)

[alexbrown64]

Thanks fella's for the comments.  Yes the lad loves it and cant wait to go again.  The jersey is vintage and he got it for xmas.  I suspect the squeaky front wheel is the spacer.  The spacer is tight in between the bearings.  When i got the axle re-zinc plated it was a tight fit, so i suspect the spacer is rotating and squeaking against the bearings.
Richo, the bike is the same but the boy needs a few years yet to get up to the speed you run yours at.  Glad it brought back memories.  The grin on my face was as big as his. 

[YZ250H]

Love it !!!  Awesome job man.  The smile on the kids face says it all 

Fantastic resto.  A credit to you

[Richo52]

Alex you are a restoration maestro! Im glad your son likes it and the happiness it brings you both ;-)

[shelpi]

Great Stuff, brings a tear to an old man,,,, Im over it now well done and keep up the good work

[Rossvickicampbell]

how did the rear springs go - they always looked light?

[alexbrown64]

Thanks for the compliments guys.  The rear springs were perfect.  They are light but the lad is only 9 and weighs 27kg.  You can get heavier springs for the Betors, and when he is bigger and faster that will be an upgrade i can perform.