Posts
166
Joined
5/19/2014
Location
AU
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
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
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.
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.
Hubs back from powdercoating
Hubs and brakes rebuilt
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.
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.
New seat and cover from the US and the base is being powdercoated
Frame, swingarm and assorted parts back from powdercoating and ready for new bearings etc
The Shop
Love the condition of the 'new' tank with the wear on the edges. That's history right there.
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.
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!
Pit Row
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.
Lookin' good!!
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!
New rims and stainless spokes laced and trued
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.
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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