TS125 hybrid project

[ss2fly]

Hi Guys, I have a 1972 TS125T that my father bought new and later gave to me... I have recently rebuilt the origional engine using the NOS parts i had in stock, goes beautifully too I might add..

I still have a NOS set of cases and barrel and I have decided to use this as a basis for another engine to fit in the existing frame for some more fun

What i want to know from you lot are ALL the options available to me using the cases at a minimum....

What it will need is the following:

RETAIN FULL LIGHTING CAPABILITY AS i USE IT ON THE ROAD AS WELL AS THE DIRT.

USE PERIOD PARTS ( AS CLOSE TO AS POSSIBLE...)

GO HARD!!!!!

Thats about it.

Pros and cons for RM / TM top end, piston, pipe etc...

What is the deal with primary drive swaps and all that other stuff people seem to go on about???

The engine is a 4 stud head with piston port control NOT reed control.

I am leaning towards a TM barrel, head and piston with the TM hop-up carb I have mated to a TM pipe of some description....

I dont think a RM top end will fit as the TS is ony a 4 stud set up???

What do you guys think? I am open to any option for this rebuild but i do want it to go HARD!!!! (for a 70's 125...) I dont race it but i do LOVE riding it.

Thanks

Andy.

I

[cyclegod]

TM barrel is the way to go and there are readily available aftermarket pipes too. Use a 28mm carb, forget about primary swaps just fit a TM gearbox (very little difference to TS box but uses the same shafts) most TM parts are "bolt on fit" . See Doc's projects for a little info and inspiration.

[LWC82PE]

a TS125 T is a 1980 model
a 72 TS125 is 'J' model

[Heikki360]

LWC, ordinarily you would be right but the TS125T was a 1972 model as well. It came to NZ too, I think it was a Japanese market model. It had chrome guards (front one low-mounted) and a different heat shield on the exhaust, horizontal slots rather than the big holes on the J (and L etc). I remember two colours, gold with black tank stripe and orange with white. So SS may well be right. Just my 2c worth...

[DR]

yup the 1972 TS125T is the rarest of all the TS125's. An inbetween model made for mainly the JDM in low numbers compared to the other models. The differences mainly due to Japans registration requirements at the time I believe. Very few came to Australia as we had the regular J model also but my neighbor as a kid had the 125T model. It would almost be worth restoring and buy another one to do with as you please. All the TM stuff will bolt on and simply swapping the cylinder, head, carb, exhaust, ignition from a TM and fit a pod style airfilter will have it singing. The internal gear ratios swap over also and the with the straightcut primary drive from the RM125 you will need to swap as whole assemble (primary gear and clutch basket) the kickstart gear is internal and doesn't run the idler gear to the primary drive like a lot of other models. Good luck with the project, I love any of the TS series but the pre'75 125's and 250's are my favorites

[LWC82PE]

i never knew that. How many were made? would it be worthwhile to keep it all original then?

[Heikki360]

Hey, it is faintly reassuring that I was right and not having a senior moment
There are quite a few of those TS125Ts in NZ.

[ss2fly]

Doc, you are right on the money as usual!
I have enough parts to virtually restore it and Im about to start soon.

I think I will go the TM route as it all bolts up.

I will fit a TM barrel and head with a new piston etc.... also the 28mm carb i have and a good pipe (vintage iron or similar...)

As for the gearbox, I will leave it standard as Im not going to race it I think the primary drive will be fine.

All I need to get started is a doner engine that i can swap all the parts into the new cases and a TM barrel, head and inlet manifold.... any one willing to help???

I will remove the existing engine and put it away as it is the origional and I want to keep it that way, therefore i wont be pirating any parts from it.

This bike will get a full restoration in the future but will also serve as a test bed in the mean time.

I am currently trying to negotiate another TS125T at the moment so will see how that goes...

Any tips / hints or long kept secrets regarding this conversion?

Thanks

Andy

[Lozza]

Forget a TM cylinder, a TS cylinder can be made to outperform a TM with surprising ease. The TM primary may be a different ratio that's why people would swap them.

[cyclegod]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cylinder-Jug-1974-Suzuki-TM125-TM-125_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ66Q3a4Q7c65Q3a10Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1318Q7c301Q3a0Q7c293Q3a1Q7c294Q3a200QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem250405625844QQitemZ250405625844QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cylinder-Head-1974-Suzuki-TM125-TM-125_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ66Q3a4Q7c65Q3a10Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1318Q7c301Q3a0Q7c293Q3a1Q7c294Q3a200QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem250405625321QQitemZ250405625321QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

[ss2fly]

Lozza, very interested in the idea of porting the TS barrel. I have a brand new unused on in the shed.
do you have the specs or details for this job. I have access to a fully equipped machine shop with all the necessary tools.

PM me if you want with as much info as you can or are willing to share!!

Awesome, thanks
Andy
 
PS, CG, I saw those items on Egay, not too keen to import stuff from the US at the mo, would rather get it from NZ (TMBILL? hint hint... ) or Aussie....

Cheers.

[DR]

the primary drive swap does have a little to do with ratios Loz as the primary drive on a TS is 16t/57t and on the TM it's 17t/57t. Both clutchbasket gears are 57T but it's also about replacing helical cut gears for the reduced drag of the straightcut type

[ss2fly]

So I take it the TM gears are straight cut? I know the TS ones are helical....

Whats involved in this swap?

[DR]

involved in the swap is finding an RM125S or M clutch basket with the matching primary gear, a new clutch cover gasket and 650ml of fresh oil I made an error too, while the TM125 has 17/57t primary it's still helical cut and it's only the RM125S and M thats straightcut with the ratio of 18/61t

[ss2fly]

Beauty! I'll start hunting now.....

Thanks mate