Suzuki TM250 / 1968
The 1st Japanese Motocross bike! In 1966 the Suzuki Factory sent two engineers and a road racer to Europe to begin developing a motocross bike. Though a single cylinder and a twin were tested, they soon settled on a single cylinder design that was heavily influenced by the 1965 CZ Twin Port model.
Early GP results were dismal, but Suzuki came back with an improved machine in 1967 dubbed the RH67. The power was peaky and handling was sub-par to the European built machines from Husqvarna and CZ. Despite this, the factory decided to build 200 production bikes based on the RH67 of which 65 came to America.
The TM250 as it was called was raced in America by riders Preston Petty, Walt Axthelm, and Gary Conrad with some success. The TM was sold with a complete parts kit that included pistons, rings, replacement clutch parts, gearing, and carburetor jetting.
This example was restored to like new condition by Chris Carter and may be one of the nicest remaining TM’s in the World.
Suzuki TM400 / 1971
The American motocross market met the TM400 with much anticipation and excitement. After all, Suzuki had just won the 250cc World Championship with Joel Robert and the 500cc World Championship with Roger DeCoster. Customers expected a production machine similar to the championship machines.
The TM400, with its “feather-trigger” power proved to be almost unrideable for all but the best racers. The handling was just as unforgiving and the TM’s were much heavier than the bikes of Robert and DeCoster. Unfortunately, the TM’s were also prone to frame and engine problems.
The most common modifications to make the bikes more competitive and “less deadly” was installing a heavier flywheel and lowering the engine in the frame.
Restoration was done by Jeff Weier and the machine now resides in the Owen Vintage Motorcycle Collection.