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9/14/2014
Location
Erie, PA
US
tomm55x
11/30/2016 4:54am
11/30/2016 4:54am
Edited Date/Time
2/17/2019 5:45am
I recently had an opportunity to purchase a 1979 Suzuki rm250 for practically nothing. I am wondering if there is anything I need to lookout for on these bikes, as far as I know it is stock, I had it running and it sounds good but I am planning on a total tear down of the entire bike as it needs some serious tlc everywhere lol. It's been a 1 owner bike for the last 34 years or so and only really been ridden the last few years by the previous owners kid who just beat the death out of it. Here are some pictures of it.
The Shop
The 'C' had a steel swingarm, aluminum tank, and was lacking power compared to the other 78' OEM's.
The 'C2' was released later (kind of like KTM's factory editions) and was a step in the right direction, with more motor, plastic tank, and aluminum swingarm. But the other Jap bikes of 78 were still slightly better.
Still a cool bike, and a big part of Suzuki's history.
1) Swingarm pivot, left side: (a) bearing not being maintained -> pivot bore deteriorates (b) chain defense no. 1 not maintained -> chain saws through swingarm (b) outboard weld cracks where left side joins pivot tube.
2) Swingarm, left side: somone puts on longer shocks, leaves kickstand installed -> kickstand rubs on bottom, outboard, left side of swingarm -> metal gets worn away.
3) Swingarm shock mounts: cracks in welds
4) bottom motor mount bolt: bike is run with loose bolt -> cracks develop in bottom frame tubes near motor mount
5) expansion chamber, belly section: pipe gets dented, fatigue cracks develop along edges of dents
6) rear hub, sprocket side: bike run with loose bolts -> lugs crack
Good luck!
And btw Phil,did u get my email ? , I need another set of the RM125C engine mounts ,since Ive seemed to have misplaced one of my sets !!
83/84 front forks duel pull brakes, I still have a complete setup available. I like to install the metal RM125 tank, pretty simple mod to make it fit.
Strip the frame have all weld adressed
I have a post showing cylinder mods and tank on this site.
Good luck
changes are Exhaust, cdi boxes
The 77mid, top end ripper
C,C2 mid range, torque engine( pipe , cdi)
Run the 77 pipe, huge difference
weak spot's - 2nd, 3rd gears- teeth fracture, break off
main seals, bearings wear fast, ( crank on right left hand threads)
replace all the small springs, detents, shoes in the shift
mechanism
buy a Suzuki manual( original)
I think this brand of shock was used with a little success in the early 70's, but by the late 70's they were outdated.
The stock shocks with the remote res' were probably better.
Pit Row
What length are they? (eye to eye)
I have Ohlins with remote reservoir that might fit, just have to dig them out and see if they can be brought back to life..
They will work great up to a fast MX pace on a modern track. If you're a front runner in MX you would need to spend more $$$.
I ran them on a few builds and they are way safer that worn out stockers!
My 77B:
pics are not the best, ill try to take better ones as I go!
I have quite a bit of info on the 76,77,78 RM250's and hopefully can answer some question you might have. Plus many other in here are very knowledgable on these type of things also. Have fun!
Swingarm before:
The spacers:
The bearings were still intact, although rusty and the same color brown.
After cleaning and cleaning and cleaning and cleaning and a quick inspection:
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