I bought this bike last year in anticipation of the 68th annual I-cycle derbi race. The longest running AMA race in the USA is held here in Minneapolis on Jan. 1st.
Bike was almost complete, missing a side cover. Looks like someone chased the wiring down to the stator area and gave up upon finding burnt/trashed charging coils.
I cleaned the carb, sorted through all the switches and wiring connections, new charging coils, tires, battery, chain, mirrors, an engine cover, seat cover, cleaned out the rusty tank with gravel, and threw in a bunch of elbow grease. Also had to apply for a title and got the plate! She's ready for the big race.
What a strange motorcycle. Rock crawler low gearing or switch to fan the clutch an push off in first highway gear. Funny. Also, the gear pattern is three down so that gets longer to get used to than I thought it would. Braaap.
TC-120 ready to race.
Moderators: oldjapanesebikes, H2RICK, diamondj, Suzsmokeyallan
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TC-120 ready to race.
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- On the street
- Posts: 31
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- Country: usa
- Suzuki 2-Strokes: AC50, GT550K, TL1000S, Z1B, G3SS, CB750, R5,
Re: TC-120 ready to race.
Here's how I got it.
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- Suzuki 2-Strokes: AC50, GT550K, TL1000S, Z1B, G3SS, CB750, R5,
Re: TC-120 ready to race.
Electrical fun
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Re: TC-120 ready to race.
The first bike I ever rode. It was yellow just like the first pic. Once they got me going I didn't know how to stop, hit a fence and killed it - no damage to anything... I figure it is better to learn how to stop before learning how to go. Lovely bike. I don't think they were fast, but ?dual range transmission? I know when they were in low gear they could climb just about anything.
1975 GT550
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Re: TC-120 ready to race.
I would like to post pics of the race, but keep getting an "attachment quota met" error. Am I doing something wrong?
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Re: TC-120 ready to race.
This site no longer has room for pictures on the server. You must upload them to a photo hosting site and then link to them here.
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- On the street
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- Country: usa
- Suzuki 2-Strokes: AC50, GT550K, TL1000S, Z1B, G3SS, CB750, R5,
Re: TC-120 ready to race.
Bike still runs well. It finished its third Icycle derbi this winter. The race started below zero but warmed up to a balmy 3 degrees F. I wish I could find 6volt grip warmers for next year. Brrrrrr.
- jabcb
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Re: TC-120 ready to race.
Congrats.
Google “heated snowmobile gloves” to find some good options. The alternators on these old bikes are rather skimpy. So you should also do some research on a battery to heat the gloves.

Google “heated snowmobile gloves” to find some good options. The alternators on these old bikes are rather skimpy. So you should also do some research on a battery to heat the gloves.
BAS (Bike Acquisition Syndrome) - too many bikes but have room for more
Suzuki:
GT750 2x75
GT550 72 & 75
GT380 72
T500 69 project & 73 project
T350 69 & 71
Honda 85 CB650SC & 86 CB700SC
09 Triumph Bonneville SE
Suzuki:
GT750 2x75
GT550 72 & 75
GT380 72
T500 69 project & 73 project
T350 69 & 71
Honda 85 CB650SC & 86 CB700SC
09 Triumph Bonneville SE
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- Country: usa
- Suzuki 2-Strokes: AC50, GT550K, TL1000S, Z1B, G3SS, CB750, R5,
Re: TC-120 ready to race.
Good thinking! Thanks.