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Author Topic: TM 400  (Read 18589 times)

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Doc

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Re: TM 400
« Reply #45 on: December 29, 2008, 08:58:48 pm »
yup, the extra flywheel weight is only part of the cure. There used to be differing weight available in the day but nowdays it's a relatively easy fix utilizing TS400 flywheel/stator and PE175 CDI. If you find a mythical TS400 full circle crank then fit that also by all means ;D
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Offline VMX247

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Re: TM 400
« Reply #46 on: December 31, 2008, 06:44:04 pm »
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Offline VMX Andrew

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Re: TM 400
« Reply #47 on: December 31, 2008, 07:27:58 pm »
had a ts400 back in the late 80s
man what an awesome bike
it was a 76 model from memory
had a racing pipe to go with it pretty much the same as whats on that bike but the end bit was a touch longer
silly me i gave that pipe....yes gave it away for zilch to a bloke named peter fisher who now lives in sydney..
peter i want that pipe back... :)
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Offline VMX247

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Re: TM 400
« Reply #48 on: February 21, 2009, 10:07:37 pm »
quote=Jody Weisel USA.
The 1973 Suzuki TM400 had a lightswitch engine attached to a spaghetti frame. The Cyclone came on so suddenly that it would scare you, and it swapped so bad that it would frighten flag men on the side of the track. Once, at a night race on a '74 model, I thought someone was trying to pass me on the left–it turns out that the back of my TM400 was swapping so bad that I could see it in my peripheral vision.


http://www.motocrossactionmag.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=news&mod=News&mid=9A02E3B96F2A415ABC72CB5F516B4C10&tier=3&nid=E6A65C35AA6C449A9BCA818312F30AC0

thanks mx250
« Last Edit: February 21, 2009, 10:09:09 pm by vmx247 »
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Offline pokey

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Re: TM 400
« Reply #49 on: February 21, 2009, 10:54:39 pm »
Have "experienced " the TM400 and thats yhe only word
. those factory riders who got results must have worn thier undies on the outside ala superman.

lots of formulas floating about to tame the cyclone but what actually works? any data on what someone has tried before?

 First step is to melt the frame and make sinkers from it.
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Offline Maicojames

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Re: TM 400
« Reply #50 on: February 22, 2009, 04:34:01 am »
IME, the 71 TM400 was really tough-we changed the swingarm suspension, ignition-and added even more flywheel weight. Just not a decent chassis IMO. Years later i rode a 1974 TM400 a few laps. It had aftermarket suspension( works shocks, longer swingarm, ceriani forks), TS ignition, 34mm mikuni-and aftermarket pipe( ace racing I think)-and was a sweet ride.

What year was the frame changed ( 73 or 74?). BTW the 71 shifted so smooth and the throw was so short you actually bumped up gears when you didn't intend to.
This could be since we were racing MX Yamahas, and 74-75 KTMs at the time, but we were also riding some modern bikes ( 92 YZ250, 92 KX250, and 93 CR250).
I thought the whole 74 bike was much improved-and didn't deserve the bad rap it held form the 71s reputation...though I personally know two people who pretzeled frames on then new 71 TM400s. 
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Offline VMX247

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Re: TM 400
« Reply #51 on: February 22, 2009, 12:50:27 pm »
Thanks for posting up that interesting read oldschool..

This bloke seems happy enough with his, so I'm thinking maybe they aren't all that evil  ;D ,not that I'll saddle one any time soon :)
Re:TM 400
I have a real one and to help remove the crappyness it has a TS crankshaft to tame the power spread and also a different ignition and has been tuned by Jens Olsen and it goes like a blurr.
Harro

cheers Alison
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Offline oldyzman

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Re: TM 400
« Reply #52 on: February 22, 2009, 04:57:00 pm »
Good story oldschool,
Had a recent similar event on a yz250h which i had work on for a while- smashed me the first ride. Sold it ASAP that bike was the only one that i sold for this reason. Is it possible the burst of power could be attriburted to the carby leaning out due to lack of petrol gettin into in the bowl?
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Offline VMX247

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Re: TM 400
« Reply #53 on: April 09, 2009, 10:15:53 pm »
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Offline Grunter215

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Re: TM 400
« Reply #54 on: April 11, 2009, 08:52:03 pm »
So a TS ignition will tame a TM...does the opposite apply, a TM ignition will give the TS a bit more kick??
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DR

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Re: TM 400
« Reply #55 on: April 15, 2009, 05:32:48 pm »
hmmm :-\ me thinks people are getting the TM400 and the TS400 confused. The TS400's never had the ignition woes or upredictable advance curve the TM suffered and are infact quite a slow revving plonka type motor being 'almost' safe to ride (excepting with a trials universal on the front :D). Short shifting using the torque is the best way to get these heavyweight old beasts mobile. Firko's Boyd and Stelling project is infact a TM400 not a TS. Not a lot of difference excepting the engine numbers, cylinder, head, ignition and an some cases some TS400's had the 'better' full circle crank. Makes me think I should dig out my old beast and give it a spruce up ;)

My first 'vmx legal' project was a TS400 I paid 200 clams for, at the time I was dubious about my purchase but in time I've grown quite attached to it..warts and all 8)


Me at Nudgee '06


As I found it.


Oldfart contesting the 07 Oz titles


The legends who ride these beasts..Big Lozza the Giant and Oldart the Brave (He whom laughs at the prospect of pending danger!)

Kiwi, I'd like to try an internal rotor ignition on a TS but maybe not specifically a TM400 ignition ;D
« Last Edit: April 15, 2009, 05:47:55 pm by Doc »
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oldfart

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Re: TM 400
« Reply #56 on: April 15, 2009, 05:55:13 pm »
Tried to tame it and came away with brocken ribs. Honestly it was a blast to ride and had a shit load of torque, ah the momories come flooding back. The bike required a fair bit of respect and would catch you off guard if warn't  100% focused  :-X . firk that bike was heavy  ;D
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mainline

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Re: TM 400
« Reply #57 on: April 15, 2009, 06:49:21 pm »
Oldfart doesn't look that bloody old at all, or has that photo been airbrushed?
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Offline Lozza

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Re: TM 400
« Reply #58 on: April 15, 2009, 06:49:50 pm »
Stew you needed to ride mine which has about 2 x power , 100 X suspension and about 0.1% of brakes of Doc's ;D. I had a blast riding Doc's 400 it was tame and docile as a one eyed house cat.I forgot to snap a pic but there was a pristine TS 400 at the Barry Sheene show and shine on the weekend
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oldfart

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Re: TM 400
« Reply #59 on: April 15, 2009, 07:37:05 pm »
 Mainline, Like a good bottle of wine  ;D   
 Looza , no thanks mate .....twice the power maybe for young Frosty but not for me  ;D
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