Suzuki 2 Strokes

Hello, needing help with a problem on my Suzuki TS400. I live in UK but here goes. I believe the TS400 was never imported here by Suzuki dealers, yes the 250 and smaller TS models. So any TS 400 here in UK has been imported "privately" I bought my 400 from a specialist importer that makes his living by importing bikes from USA. I have invoice, customs/excise duty form, been paid. I am rebuilding the bike and will soon be approaching the finish line. Here in UK we have the DVLA where we have to apply to get registration/no plate. I have frame/chassis no but only the first part of engine no=TS400 ?????
There is no way the number has been filed down, filled in etc, it was never there. I know this model had the fault of throwing rear chains and breaking crankcases, destroying the engine number lug. I understand the owner then would drop the bike off at some dealership and he would order another set of cases from Suzuki and then stamp the old number onto the new cases. Sounds OK so far to me but could my set of cases be a set that for some reason the dealer did not stamp the rest of the number from the old cases? I have seen complete bikes on ebay for sale and also engines/cases with only half the engine number caused by this throwing rear chain problem. Anybody had this problem or confirm? Thanks

Hi, I'm also doing a restoration on a TS400 I'm not sure its along time ago that I did business with DLV but I thought you only needed the frame nr engine nr is not relevant what on the registration document?

Andy

GT500Andy wrote:Hi, I'm also doing a restoration on a TS400 I'm not sure its along time ago that I did business with DLV but I thought you only needed the frame nr engine nr is not relevant what on the registration document?

Andy

That has been true for every state in which I have registered bikes.

Let me know if you guys want to buy some TS400 parts. I have a few cylinders, electrical system, complete bottom end, TM400 crank, NOS oversized piston. On-of-a-kind reed valve cylinder (Aylor). The cylinder would need to be bored, and have a piston ported to match.


Lane

I think the previous advice is correct vehicles are recognised by there vin or chassis number not engine number. If you want an age related number you will need a dating certificate from a club or similar authorised to issue them. For an age related number all components should be from the appropriate era. So you might be unlucky and get someone who would see the lack of a engine number as a barrier to dating the engine as correct to the age of the rest of the bike and a Q plate might be the result. (worst case)

Interestingly if you read the DVLA web pages on this topic is says vehicles made up of new or replica parts don't qualify for age related registration and might not be eligible for Mutual Recognition scheme for EU type approval and need an individual vehicle inspection. I couldn't find practical advice as to what this means but given some parts are only available from the after market as new replica parts, potential for pitfalls seem there.

DVLA site says: "To keep a vehicle’s original registration number
- A rebuilt vehicle can keep its original registration number if you can prove you’ve used:
the original unmodified frame (motorbike)
You must also have 2 other major components from the original vehicle from the following lists.
- forks
- wheels
- engine
- gear box"

Being not too far away for applying for registration of my project, I hope I get an easy passage too have the (imported) bike dated, and might choose to avoid saying too much about all parts that are new or replica just in case!!

As a further bit of data. I replaced the c/cases on my T500 restoration with a NOS pair. The engine number area only had "T500-" stamped on it. I assume you are meant to stamp the rest of the number yourself. As stated before the main ID for UK bikes is the frame number so the engine number is not usually an issue.

Cheers Geoff

Thanks for the intertest,
that reed valve cylinder from Lane sounds interesting, would like to see a foto of that. Looks like the T500 of Geoff's had the same problem re half engine number.
I believe that to be correct re chassis no is the main one for DVLA. just wondering why I only have half a number and the theory of chain throw is correct. I am going to use the VMCC to obtain a dating certificate and have obtained the forms. They charge £27 for a successful aplication. They need to see a foto of each side of the bike when finished, [to compare it to the original sales brochure] wheels and brakes, engine and gearbox also forks/suspension, unmodified frame should be original [style] As mentioned just what the dvla stipulate. Spoke to the lady in the office at VMCC on various things re the registration, very helpfull. I have also obtained the forms from DVLA for registration.
My sales invoice from the importer does not mention engine no.
Once again, Thanks for the advice/interest

This was my TS400, "The Screaming Yellow Zonker". It's still running around the area I'm told. I will have to dig out the reed cylinder.....