RM370 restoration

EL Sammo
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166
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5/19/2014
Location
AU
5/19/2014 11:53pm Edited Date/Time 5/12/2016 8:26pm
Hello everyone, i have been reading through this forum looking at all the beautiful work being done and decided to join and share some pictures. Not sure if there is a introduction area? I'm Sam, 30 years old from australia but now live and work in china across the border from hong kong with occasional trips to india and other interesting places.

I have a 2002 YZ250 in australia that i ride about once a year but my favourite bikes are mid 90s CR125 & 250 as i raced as a teenager.

My Father raced a RM370 before i was born and i managed to find a reasonably complete example about ten years ago with the intention of restoring it for him as a gift, time got in the way and with me being overseas nine months a year he has now take over the restoration himself, with the intention of me riding it at some VMX events once its finished.

This will be a slow thread as i wait for Dad to email me pics of progress then post them up.

Here is the RM as i found it, missing wheels but reasonably complete and intact-
RM 370 as found (2) by EL Sammo, on Flickr
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EL Sammo
Posts
166
Joined
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Location
AU
5/19/2014 11:59pm
This is what is is supposed to look like, having wheels looks like a good idea i think i will go with that.
1976_RM370_sales1a_800 by EL Sammo, on Flickr


I found some wheels and incorrect axles just so i could wheel it around, with a new plug and the carby cleaned i got it to fire up, sounds like it has a lot of built up anger and will most likely kill me the first chance it gets. Motor ran well but was a little rattly so only ran it for a short time.
20140213_171058 by EL Sammo, on Flickr
EL Sammo
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166
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Location
AU
5/20/2014 12:04am
At this point i took it to my Dads place, he was super happy to see it and we talked for a while about what they are like to ride, apparentley in their day they were amazingly good and very reliable and easy to work on.

He started by stripping the bike and making a list of what parts were required to get it all back to original, a lot of the parts were sourced out of america.

19-3-14 by EL Sammo, on Flickr

Hubs back from powdercoating
30-4-14 by EL Sammo, on Flickr

Hubs and brakes rebuilt
4-5-14 by EL Sammo, on Flickr
EL Sammo
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166
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Location
AU
5/20/2014 12:12am
My good mate Marto had a very tidy original tank at his shop, it took a lot of arm twisting and several beer bribes but eventually he donated it to the build rather then have it sit on a shelf, top bloke!

Hoping to have the original tank repaired and use it plus some pro tapers when i ride it, then put it back to standard for display, do many people do this with vintage MX bikes? I want to race it so crashing is inevitable.

4-5-14 by EL Sammo, on Flickr

Heres Dads 370 back in 1976 when it was setup for desert racing with a ugly larger plastic tank and super tall gearing good for a easy 160kmh (100mph) so he says, not sure it that's a "back in my day" story or not.! haha.

RM370 by EL Sammo, on Flickr
EL Sammo
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166
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Location
AU
5/20/2014 12:18am
We are experiencing technical difficulties! do not adjust your TV set- HERE is Marto and the tank.
20140317_112402 by EL Sammo, on Flickr

New seat and cover from the US and the base is being powdercoated
19-5-14 (1) by EL Sammo, on Flickr

Frame, swingarm and assorted parts back from powdercoating and ready for new bearings etc

19-5-14 (2) (1) by EL Sammo, on Flickr

The Shop

5/20/2014 1:15am
The bike looks great.
Love the condition of the 'new' tank with the wear on the edges. That's history right there.
EL Sammo
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AU
5/20/2014 1:51am
The bike looks great.
Love the condition of the 'new' tank with the wear on the edges. That's history right there.
Cheers! yes i was very happy finding that, still has the 20:1 premix sticker!
vet323
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2934
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7/31/2010
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Lead, SD US
5/20/2014 7:04am
I've got a '76 RM250 that I may start restoring (well, race restoring) this summer. I will watch this thread closely for hints-it looks like your old man has got a great start!
PN27416
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1018
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Coopersburg, PA US
5/20/2014 7:25am
Looks good, keep the updates coming!
jtracing6
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11/26/2009
Location
Dundalk IE
5/20/2014 1:51pm
Lovely bike and great story. I had one back in 1978, it was my first real MX bike but being young and poor I couldn't afford a bike and a car/van to get around so only got to ride it a couple of times.
OW38B
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3030
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8/17/2006
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Coto de Caza, CA US
Fantasy
148th
5/20/2014 8:26pm
Very cool!
A 1977 RM370B, I need to get one to sit next to the 77 RM250B I restored last year.

Surprisingly many parts are still available from US Suzuki.
EL Sammo
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166
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Location
AU
5/21/2014 6:20pm
Thanks guys! Will try and keep this updated as more pics come in
Hudweiser9
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445
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4/8/2014
Location
Ormond Beach, FL US
5/29/2014 8:33pm
I have an '77 RM370B that I race, It has been modified with updated suspension and Circle F pipe / silencer. My avatar pic is my bike. Keep the updates coming on yours.
EL Sammo
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166
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Location
AU
6/6/2014 10:56pm
Some more progress, fasteners back from zinc plating, suspension being re hard chromed and should be ready for assembly next week.

7-6-14 by EL Sammo, on Flickr

7-6-14 (2) by EL Sammo, on Flickr
EL Sammo
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AU
6/6/2014 10:56pm Edited Date/Time 6/6/2014 10:57pm
Hope this link works.... this should give you heaps of info on the 370 Racing Model
Thanks!! a lot of good info in there!
EL Sammo
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166
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AU
6/6/2014 10:57pm
Hudweiser9 wrote:
I have an '77 RM370B that I race, It has been modified with updated suspension and Circle F pipe / silencer. My avatar pic is my...
I have an '77 RM370B that I race, It has been modified with updated suspension and Circle F pipe / silencer. My avatar pic is my bike. Keep the updates coming on yours.
Nice, this will be all standard but rebuilt, i was thinking of running another tank and modern handlebars for racing it though.
Hudweiser9
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Ormond Beach, FL US
6/7/2014 10:10am
El Sammo,
Looking sweet! I run a beater tank for the races. The one on it is just for show. Yours is coming along nicely, it should be a real looker when it's finished. Keep us posted on your progress!
EL Sammo
Posts
166
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Location
AU
6/17/2014 7:48pm
Some more progress, the suspension is rebuilt as per standard, i will ride it then decide if i will go with some internal upgrades, any recommendations on gold valves and such for the forks?

14-6-14 by EL Sammo, on Flickr

14-6-14 (2) by EL Sammo, on Flickr
BigAl
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266
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7/7/2012
Location
Prichard, WV US
6/18/2014 7:57pm
I have a few 370 parts and a locked up 370 motor if you are missing anything.
EL Sammo
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166
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Location
AU
6/18/2014 8:30pm
BigAl wrote:
I have a few 370 parts and a locked up 370 motor if you are missing anything.
Thanks mate! Will keep that in mind when we get to the engine, i had the original engine running and it selected all gears so hopefully it will be a god base for a rebuild.
EL Sammo
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166
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5/19/2014
Location
AU
6/22/2014 11:51pm
Suspension all rebuilt with stock springs, oil weights/heights.

Any advice on riding this thing? Will be getting it out on some grasstrack races, the lack of front brake and suspension makes me think of keeping it smooth and just using the motor to drive it out may be the way to survive?

Any riding tips for a open class vintage MXer? I don't expect it to be like a modern bike so want to ride it as intended.

20-6-14 by EL Sammo, on Flickr
Zeke27G
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1220
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Ascot Park, CA US
6/24/2014 3:42pm

Lookin' good!! Cool
EL Sammo
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166
Joined
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Location
AU
11/3/2014 3:15am
Progress was very slow over the winter months due to Dad not being keen to freeze out in the shed!

Have new rims and spokes now as the original rims were too far gone to be used so will start to forge ahead.

Found some reproduction suzuki 70s style pants and jersey in modern material that should have me looking cool as i cartwheel through the hay bales!

006 (1) by EL Sammo, on Flickr

005 (1) by EL Sammo, on Flickr

11/5/2014 9:42am
Good thread, thanks for sharing. I lost my dad at 15 YO, would of loved to do stuff like this with him. At least I got the machine shop and am earning my livelihood from it 30+ years later. Keep posting, the late air cooled Suzuki's were awesome !
markit
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1/10/2013
Location
Bogalusa, LA US
11/8/2014 2:00am
EL Sammo wrote:
Progress was very slow over the winter months due to Dad not being keen to freeze out in the shed! Have new rims and spokes now...
Progress was very slow over the winter months due to Dad not being keen to freeze out in the shed!

Have new rims and spokes now as the original rims were too far gone to be used so will start to forge ahead.

Found some reproduction suzuki 70s style pants and jersey in modern material that should have me looking cool as i cartwheel through the hay bales!

006 (1) by EL Sammo, on Flickr

005 (1) by EL Sammo, on Flickr

That 370 should put you u well over the bales. Lol great build mate!!
EL Sammo
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166
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5/19/2014
Location
AU
1/26/2015 4:36am
24-1-15 by EL Sammo, on Flickr

New rims and stainless spokes laced and trued

25-1-15 by EL Sammo, on Flickr

Tyres will be fitted this week and we will have a roller! Engine is the next major part of the restoration, really happy with how it is all turning out so far.
newmann
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24444
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US
1/26/2015 6:55am
That thing sure is looking good! Hopefully you'll still be willing to throw a leg over it a put some laps on it when it is done.
EL Sammo
Posts
166
Joined
5/19/2014
Location
AU
1/26/2015 7:34pm
Thanks guys! It is coming up quite nice but i will be racing it for sure! I think with a spare tank for riding and a detail after each race it should stay reasonably tidy.

Also go hold of a RM125 that i think is a 79 or 80 model, the first of the plastic tanks that will just be a tidy up and get running.

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