1974 TM400

GT Tim · Post by **GT Tim** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 9:01 am

For those who don't like their right leg, and have a death wish...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Suzuki-T ... otohosting

jaybob · Post by **jaybob** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 2:18 pm

That's a nice bike. Perfect for open class vintage racing. Tell me more I'm not that familiar with these old 400s. Rude crude and socially unacceptable?

Barry S. · Post by **Barry S.** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 2:50 pm

http://www.superhunky.com/articles/TM400.php

jaybob · Post by **jaybob** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 3:19 pm

Ok now I see.

Post by **Suzsmokeyallan** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 4:13 pm

At least it didnt detonate like the Yammy 400s, imagine that problem added to the issues it had.

GT Tim · Post by **GT Tim** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 4:31 pm

Suzsmokeyallan wrote:At least it didnt detonate like the Yammy 400s, imagine that problem added to the issues it had.

SC500, another monster, ate them both alive however...

jaybob · Post by **jaybob** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 5:16 pm

I used to have one of these back in the day. Good bike as far as i can remember

Yamaha IT 465

rngdng · Post by **rngdng** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 7:32 pm

The TM400 is even meaner than my TS400, and it'll kick you over the bars if you don't do it right.

Lane

Post by **Suzsmokeyallan** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 8:31 pm

The bike that amazed me the most for its time was the 73 CR250M1 Elsinore, looking long and low slung, with 36 brutal ponies and tons of torque for a two stroke.
It also took the award for being a PITA to start, im not sure if it was the internal gearing ratio of the kick starter, but a common phrase was 'if you can start it you can ride it'.
Still,, it was a beautiful looking bike that was very capable when compared to what else was around to buy at the time.

rngdng · Post by **rngdng** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 1:46 am

Suzsmokeyallan wrote:The bike that amazed me the most for its time was the 73 CR250M1 Elsinore, looking long and low slung, with 36 brutal ponies and tons of torque for a two stroke.
It also took the award for being a PITA to start, im not sure if it was the internal gearing ratio of the kick starter, but a common phrase was 'if you can start it you can ride it'.
Still,, it was a beautiful looking bike that was very capable when compared to what else was around to buy at the time.

Many people don't like Hondas, but when they decided to build a few two-strokes, they were top notch! I had a '74 125 Elsinore. That was an impressive little bike.

Lane

Post by **Suzsmokeyallan** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 11:26 am

Lane i had the opportunity of riding and partially helping a friend of mine restore a 74 Elsinore 125M1 along with my fully restored 75.5 RM125S.
The Elsinore was pretty damn good although lacking in suspension travel compared to the RM ( in those days a lot happened in a motocross year) AND it had the chrome-moly frame and aluminum tank while the RM didnt.
It certainly wasnt slow and it had a real sweet exhaust note, while the RM was a serious noise maker with its stinger pipe.
Of note here too is the slightly later made MT 250 and 125 versions which were derivatives of these first two Elsinore models
Hondas attempt at these 2 stroke enduro bikes was also first rate, and they were very good 'all round' bikes, definately sleeper bikes.

The two bikes together one day in 1983 for a photo...

H2RICK · Post by **H2RICK** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 12:42 pm

Of note here too is the slightly later made MT 250 and 125 versions which were derivatives of these first two Elsinore models
Hondas attempt at these 2 stroke enduro bikes was also first rate, and they were very good 'all round' bikes, definately sleeper bikes.

Sorry, Allan, we'll agree to disagree on this one. MT = Many Tons. Those suckers were seriously overweight AND underpowered as well. Very bad combination. They couldn't give them away with free whiskey in this end of the world once the word got around.
Give me a TS any day.
My .02....

Post by **Suzsmokeyallan** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 3:22 pm

Well Rick we sold them here on the island and while they were not light like a TS 250 which we also sold at the same time, i said they were good 'all round' bikes and very reliable.
If i had a chance to buy an MT250 in really good shape id seriously consider it.....why??? well because you dont see many, but theres plenty of TS models around.
Rick you know its all in the market regions, whats considered a low seller in some, really kicks butt in another with sales.
This is of course guaranteeing the product is good quality naturally.
We also disagree on the GREEN TS250 with the orange stripe on the tank, i think its not too bad while you think,,well i can hear you already,,,,
An example of this was this back in the early 80s, Honda made the C70 in a bright green and we brought some as a sample thinking they might sell.
Boy were we wrong, we could not get enough of these bright green things to sell to customers, it seemed everyone wanted one......
It was interesting as Honda wanted to know why the colour was so well liked here when they were planning to discontinue it due to low sales elsewhere.