:eek1:eek1:eek1 I think I actually feel a tingling sensation in my nether regions looking at this picture ! *<cLicK>[desktop image]
I was a little boy, riding with my siblings in our '65 Ford Country Squire station wagon and we drove past a park where a guy was out trailing around on a powder blue Rickman. Probably about 1971. Etched in my mind. Just looked like the most fun a person could have.
[/IMG] I have this exact bike that I got for Christmas brand new back in early 70's. This one in better shape than mine is right now, mine is in dire need of restoration. 72 Suzuki TS125J. Many many miles put on this bike at places like Clear Creek and Pozo. I think the following year (73?) Suzuki came out with their first version of the RM125. I still lust after that bike
I have a TS185, in 1971 vintage. I'll try for a pic when it stops raing here. The 1973 125cc racer from Suzuki was the TM125 [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-3] I had a '74. First RM was 1975 [/SIZE][/FONT]. RM 125 1975 Overall Length: 2,040 mm (80.3 in) Overall Width: 860 mm (33.9 in) Seat Height: 901 mm (35.5 in) Ground Clearance: 245 mm (9.6 in) Wheelbase: 1,360 mm (53.5 in) Dry Weight: 86 kg (190 lbs) Engine type: Air-cooled 123 cc single-cylinder 2-stroke piston valve. 23 hp/ 10,500 rpm, 1..7 kg-m (12.3 ft-lbs)/ 9,500 rpm
I had one exactly like this in 1972. I traded my well used '72 125 Pursang for the Duster and $300 to a kid who just had to race. From a fun factor, it's one of the best deals I ever made.
Raced motocross from Sept 1971 to 1980. Motocross Park East in Clayton, NC, Devil's Ridge in Sanford, NC, Acapulco Lake in Lillington, NC Rolling Hills cycle park, NC Lake Sugar Tree, VA U.S. Nationals, High Point Raceway, PA Winter Nationals, Orlando, FL Bikes: Alot. Mini trail 50, Honda sl70, xr75(several), Cabella 125, Indain 100, Indian 70 (several), Suzuki rm80, 100, 125. Honda elsinors. These are some of the older bikes. I've ridden since 1970 and have owned over 50 bikes and loved all of them. I've come full circle to end up with a Honda xr650L and we are best friends. Riding is just plain fun. Any old riding buddies out there? Respond. Below, Lake Sugar Tree, VA
Looking back, it's amazing how bullet proof that bike was. Never had one single problem with it and I rode it off road just about everyday all through middle school and high school. Living in the Santa Maria area at the time our house was a block away from acres and acres of fields I could ride in. Of course those fields now are track homes
I really wanted a TS 125 when I was a kid, too! Finally got one a couple of years ago. Lots of work to do!
Keeping with the vintage Suzuki theme: My 1971 TS185R Waiting to be shined up and get it running again All I need is a rear brake cable. (scarce as hens teeth) and stock mirrors. Last saw action at 7139 miles. The guages are beautiful. One known problem with vintage TS Suzukis was that the gauges yellowed to the point you couldn't read them.
I found this thread quite fascinating, having skimmed I think 15 pages out of 100+. I have nearly nothing to add here... But this: when I was in H.S. (72-75) lots of my friends rode dirt bikes, out at the "power lines". This was in NE Florida, Jacksonville County. They were scared of the the Honda Elsinore. Not sure which size, but one of my friends younger brothers got hurt bad by this bike's (unexpected) power. My own personal shit the pants moment involved a 500 cc Kawasaki on the street. Yeah I didn't really contribute much but "Honda Elsinore" rings a bell. great read. -Peter
Speedy has a new gallery up of awesome pictures! https://picasaweb.google.com/116846912127803823294/TorontoMotorcycleShowJan2012#
Riding on dirt roads and bumps is the most fun you can have or a motorcycle. Much more fun then then my sport bike was ever, probably more safe as well less tickets too. I accidentally Ii road my DRZ400 on the dirt that I have as much fun on that bike jumping as i have jumping my self in winter on ski slope. I sold my CBR1000RR kept my DRZ and bought R1200GS 2012. no bags and no fuel and no 6th gear good for the track but bad for touring. DRZ weaknesses are R1200GSs strength probable fixed.