Convert a TS125 to TM125 is it worth it?

[dave]

Is it worthwhile converting a TS125 into a TM125? If so what needs doing and roughly what's it going to cost if I'm building it to race mx not restore. Thanks

[TT5 Matt]

sell the ts and buy a tm and save the head fark!!!

[cyclegod]

I agree, just buy a TM

[TT5 Matt]

and the other thing is it will have a higher resale value when you go to sell it compered to a tsm125 faker and a lot easier to sell

[frostype400]

I agree aswell try for a genuine tm i am stil trying to find a tm400 i can but wont make one out of a ts the most appealing part about owning vintage bikes is they are what they are why make a motocrosser out of a enduro i have resolved to the fact if I cant get a genuine tm400 i dont want one id prefer an original ts any day over a un original bike thanks Michael.

[DR]

A TS125 can be modded to dust off TM125's but it really does depend on few things

1. mechanical knowlege (ie. - the cases will need to be split for some mods)

2. parts availablity (TM parts that is)

3. patience (because it won't happen anywhere near as quick compared to simply hunting down a TM instead)

4. you need to be a little fanatical about the TS125's in the first instance

the ingredients you will need are,

From , either a complete motor as it's a bolt in swap or a TM125 Cylinder/head, Gear clusters or donor bottom end, TM125 Stator and CDI, TM or similar pipe and a decent carb. The rest basically comes down to serious you want to be with it. Alloy TM wheels swap over as do early RM but then there in not an overly huge amount of weight difference between the steel or alloy. 21' front wheel is a little more desirable then the stock 19'. Forks if the steel lower jobs could be replaced with some later items from either a TM/TS/TF125/100 or whatever else has 30mm tubes. Replacing the headset for a TM item is purely asthetical as the TS items weigh less but don't look as trick as TM. TM clamps require some mods to the stops also in order to fit. TM pipe more or less bolts straight on as does cylinder/head/gear clusters/carb. The motors run best using a simple pod type filter so ditch the stock airbox. The rest is simply fiddling with little things to suit yourself. Not really a difficult thing to do but you do need the parts availablity Keep in mind the TS125MX has been around in kit form 2 years longer than any TM125 so it really can be classed as a VMXer. If you wanted to race a Suzuki 125 in mx in '71/'72 the TS was the only available option.



 

this TS below has become my fav 'pre78 ride bike and is much quicker all round than the TM125. It may well dust off early case/reed RM125's also I can't complain about handling as again, it feels quicker to ride then the TM. For mine it feels like the quickest piston port 125 I've ever ridden. I also own a TM125 and RM125B/C for comparison and it also feels quicker than the RM I did utilize RM125S engine parts though not TM hence it's pre'78 not pre'75



Really does depend on the list of ingredients you have available. For most simply buying a TM is the better option but if you've some time for a project then the TS can probably be made into something a little better than a TM

[dave]

Thanks Doc! Nice bikes you've got there, looks like a lot of blood sweat and tears have gone into them. Anyone know how much a race ready (not a show bike) TM125 and 250 would roughly go for these days?

[DR]

Thanks Dave, my guess for race ready mainstream TM125 would be around the $2000-$2500. Unsure with the 250 as they're not as common but probably closer to $3000-3200 or more. If you hunt around you may come up with something a bit cheaper under 2000 but chances are you'd have do some work to have it up to scratch. 

[matcho mick]

Dave,i started flat tracking on a TSM125,TS125 with TM head,& barrell,std pipe,not sure about the box,think it's w/ratio?,i got a spare cluster with the bike ,so never bothered to check,it's got the TS flywheel (huge),but hey the inertia carrythrough the corners??,it's still fun which everway you go,resale value,shit guys he hasn't built it yet,let alone sell it,(get a life  ),

[Freakshow]

Dave remind me next weekend to send them pics of the started resto TM for you.

[dave]

Thank's fella's, lots of food for thought. Money is very tight, life is getting short and the wife and daughters are forcing me outta the house. I got an XT500 project under way which is for racing not for show. But, I'd like 2 bikes for different classes. Cheers Freakshow I'll try and remind you.

[Lozza]

A TM bottom end on a modified TS cylinder will be as good as you can get.
Is that silencer making another appearence Doc?

[DR]

nah Loz, CF RGV250 track bike items, picked up a pair for being in the right place at the right time. They work extremely well and cut noise considerably

[Curly3]

Hey Doc
You really are a Suzuki fiend.

[DR]

someone has to give the oddballs and orphans a home Curly