1973 Suzuki TM400 Cyclone

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  • Опубліковано 29 вер 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 195

  • @gregm1621
    @gregm1621 5 років тому +2

    I had this bike, set up for hill climbs, was amazing ., won many comps, bike was very powerful, big primary sprocket gave me advantage ... love these bikes...

  • @bongofury5924
    @bongofury5924 5 років тому +39

    The bike that started the “Injury forces sale” qualifying statement....

    • @twoweeledsoto6072
      @twoweeledsoto6072 4 роки тому +4

      Too freakin funny! I'm old, and I remember exactly that. This bike would come on the pipe, and you'd better be pointed in the correct direction, and not sideways! Yeah, Roger handled it, but my name isn't Roger. The powerband of a 125, but on steroids. I rode an open class bike to escape this type of powerband. Husky 400's and even a 450. Shift when I want too.

  • @gerald4027
    @gerald4027 4 роки тому +3

    I owned one back in 76.ported,42 mm carb,a better expansion chamber and Wisco piston and rings.about 46 hp.lots of fun.

  • @mickjagr3538
    @mickjagr3538 6 років тому +1

    i own a 1976 Suzuki TS400...original paint...title ..key...and got it very cheap...nice....love these old bikes

  • @korymanuel6759
    @korymanuel6759 4 роки тому +4

    She's a gem

  • @TXLorenzo
    @TXLorenzo Рік тому

    Got to ride one of these when I was 14. What a rocket!

  • @johnjriggsarchery2457
    @johnjriggsarchery2457 5 років тому +21

    14 mosquitoes disliked this video.

  • @SteveHacker
    @SteveHacker 6 років тому +1

    LOVE IT! I had this as a plastic model on my shelf as a kid. Never got the real thing...

  • @Sparkjumper59
    @Sparkjumper59 5 років тому +1

    I was a hundred pounds wet and 14 years old when I rode one. I couldn’t start it so the owner kicked it to life and handed it to me. I blasted down a gravel road and along the edge of a field a few times. I thought I was a motocross star in training lifting the front wheel in the air with every shift. After a few trips along the field I thought I better take it back , I didn’t want to but knew it was time. On the far end of the field when turning around to take the beast back, I stalled it and pushed it back to his house after trying again to kick start it without any luck, although I don’t think luck was what I was lacking.

  • @frankmartiniii6270
    @frankmartiniii6270 5 років тому

    I used to have a 75 dt80 XTREAMLY MINT all origanal really miss that bike man

  • @tomnekuda3818
    @tomnekuda3818 5 років тому +1

    Hell, yes, original.......the guy probably rode it for 10 minutes, had to empty his pants, and never touched again. Evil as hell, all motor and hurt a whole lot of us guys. My hat's off to anyone who could ride these stock. Even with DeCoster's skills the bike was heavily modified. Maybe I'm a "sheep" but I've ridden about everything in 50+ years. This thing reminds me of the SC500 Yam that could distort it's cylinder walls, your perspective, and your bones.....all in one ride. Thank God they're in museums!

  • @scottgolden2766
    @scottgolden2766 6 років тому +10

    3 hours of original ride time I wonder if I scared the crap out of the guy

  • @royculleton6223
    @royculleton6223 3 роки тому

    It's hip to be square Ken!!

  • @Bigdog302V8
    @Bigdog302V8 6 років тому +4

    The 1971 to 1974 TM 400 was widely known as a widow maker. the bikes of those model years were notorious for having ignition systems that would go from 0 degrees for starting all the way to 24 degrees advance all at once and a change in ambient temperature would change when the advance would hit which made this bike unpredictable. the 1975 TM400 got a different ignition system which mellowed the bike out quite a bit. sadly by 1975 the reputation of the TM400 was damaged beyond repair. to sum it up in a quote "possible injury forces sale". some savvy people put on the ignition from a TS400 and it was a big help, no more thundering smack somewhere in the midrange where with the stock ignition advance curve would vary 200 to 500 rpms. the ignition from the TS400 did not have this problem. there was also the condenser trick but was very risky of frying your CDI box if done wrong.

    • @randystowe147
      @randystowe147 5 років тому

      As I recall there was an aftermarket flywheel kit that made this motorcycle a little less pipey.
      But you're right, this model discouraged a lot of aspiring motocrossers.

  • @timhays4290
    @timhays4290 5 років тому

    These had a lot of problems with the electronic ignition. It would advance the spark without notice. Most guys racing these were tossing the electronic ignition and replacing it with the points ignition system for the Suzuki 400 Bighorn. With that in place these were great bikes. I rode CZ back in the day.

  • @alanshumway2541
    @alanshumway2541 2 місяці тому

    STRAIGHT freaking arrow! WOWAH

  • @herrfinke1
    @herrfinke1 Рік тому

    That bike sucked the nuts up into my teen-age gut!! And he's right. The pipes took a beating. The replacement Bassani pipe cracked not long after it replaced the short lived stock pipe.

  • @noreaster4194
    @noreaster4194 4 роки тому +4

    Our founding father of deathtraps 💀

  • @lbbradley55
    @lbbradley55 5 років тому +1

    I owned one of these bikes
    The guy who stole it BROKE HIS LEG ON IT...🤣🤣🤣
    HE FOUND OUT I HEARD ABOUT IT & HE JOINED THE ARMY TO KEEP FROM GOING TO JAIL
    I first had a T-S 250
    A T-S 400
    Then a T-S 185
    Enjoyed every one of them.

  • @grahamchilds821
    @grahamchilds821 Рік тому

    The start of the times when japanese two strokes smelt so good

  • @Ford_Raptor_R_720hp_V8
    @Ford_Raptor_R_720hp_V8 Рік тому

    *Definitely Subbed*

  • @weshoyt2322
    @weshoyt2322 3 роки тому +1

    Bad Ass!!!!!!!!

  • @husq48
    @husq48 3 роки тому +1

    Thinking about getting one, this or a 71.

  • @kreggeason494
    @kreggeason494 3 роки тому +1

    Montrose Jams.

  • @elcapitano1972
    @elcapitano1972 Рік тому

    😻

  • @jmzochsnrtr
    @jmzochsnrtr 2 роки тому +1

    Turn the sound off when viewing. Very loud distracting music playing!

  • @twinstickwizard3941
    @twinstickwizard3941 5 років тому

    Bought one new in 73. Scariest thing I ever rode. Traded it the next year for a Husqvarna 250. Way better bike.

  • @markcdeyoung3118
    @markcdeyoung3118 3 роки тому +1

    Thats some pretty click footage kinda a cross between On any sunday en heavy metal Cinderella I cant drive 55

  • @frankmcbride6158
    @frankmcbride6158 2 роки тому

    I had TM 400 in Canada and nobody wanted me to ride in front because would spit rocks on people behind

  • @dman9579
    @dman9579 5 років тому

    I rode one of those ,,,,THINGS,,scared the life outta me,i was all of about 125 pounds then,like a sardine on a whale that had been up all nite doin coke!!that thing was freak nasty fast.brakes sucked too.

  • @yamahaxs6501
    @yamahaxs6501 3 роки тому

    I'm watching this in 2021, been watching Kaplan America for about a year...who is this guy? he sounds like Ken Sr, but sure doesn't look like the same guy! This guy looks like he was a computer programmer or something! haha. just kidding. the original widowmaker, the TM400 cyclone

    • @KaplanCycles
      @KaplanCycles  3 роки тому

      Yes I was in computer industry for 25 years.

    • @yamahaxs6501
      @yamahaxs6501 3 роки тому

      @@KaplanCycles I know, man, just having a little fun. keep livin the dream!

  • @jw5356
    @jw5356 4 роки тому

    Anyone know if a ts400 engine will fit in a ts125 frame?

  • @billbright1755
    @billbright1755 4 роки тому +16

    Danny Chandler had a Suzuki TM 400. One of the hardest charging competitors ever.
    He only knew attack attack attack on the coarse. A true champion motocrosser.

    • @darrenalmli7931
      @darrenalmli7931 4 роки тому +5

      Danny was the Greatest! Sad his Injury changed his life and because of that ended it early

  • @mikezieman4451
    @mikezieman4451 5 років тому +20

    Lots of these around. Very evil bikes that ended MANY careers.

    • @bexmaxwell
      @bexmaxwell 4 роки тому +1

      Not sure we’re your from but here in nz they are rare as hens teeth

  • @daleadmire1451
    @daleadmire1451 6 років тому +13

    Nothing like the sound and smell of a 2 stroke, especially when you run bean oil through it.

    • @williamcox4910
      @williamcox4910 5 років тому +2

      AIN'T NOTHING THAT SMELLS LIKE CASTOR OIL

    • @danspiro231
      @danspiro231 4 роки тому +2

      Klotz smells 80s

    • @ianmangham4570
      @ianmangham4570 3 роки тому +1

      CASTROL R here in England in my Last model Pe 175, I loved her.

  • @genelauve2220
    @genelauve2220 7 років тому +10

    The world champion bikes were nothing like the bike sold to the public, they were factory works bikes, raced by sponsored riders. The tm 400 sold to the public was faster then the euro bikes but did not handle. The frames also broke on these bikes.

  • @hankschrader149
    @hankschrader149 4 роки тому +6

    My first bike was a 1974 TM 75 oil injected. That cyclone tho!! 🤤🤤🤤

    • @fieldinglover
      @fieldinglover 2 роки тому +2

      my first was a 74 TM 125 , still have old pictures of me riding it , I had the TM400 and then made the smart move to the RM after that , what a difference a suspension can make ! I am lucky I never got hurt on mine , used to have wheelie contests all the time and twenty times everything is fine and that one time you would it that extra powerband and the bike would flip ! then you let your hands and knees heel for a couple of days then do it all again ! great fun

  • @MarkAlan-no7mb
    @MarkAlan-no7mb 4 місяці тому +1

    I'm 52. My father raced this exact bike in 1973 Ohio district 11. We have a few pictures of his 1973 tm 400. This is awesome. I dedicate this video to you dad. Thanks for teaching me and my two brothers how to ride 2 strokes. Love you dad. 👍

  • @JimBob-oz5ls
    @JimBob-oz5ls 6 років тому +5

    I paid $400.00 for one when I was 16. My friends called it Total Madness! What a beast.

  • @sudrnchakra
    @sudrnchakra 4 роки тому +5

    Running tooo rich or a crack seal is broken, I saw these race back in the early 70's they did not smoke like this one, awesome bike.

    • @RDEnduro
      @RDEnduro 4 роки тому +1

      Ya I bet it's just the crank seal since it's running well enough. Or maybe both! If I had the funds I wouldn't be scared of this thing though it looks like a pleasure to work on everything will be nice and clean and noone else has gone in there before you.

  • @jchavins
    @jchavins 7 років тому +5

    factory rated at 36hp...weight 235..... the "TM" on the top of the gas tank wasn't there on mine and I bought mine brand new....great motor if you add a LARGE flywheel....brakes were almost nonexistent

  • @32103045
    @32103045 6 років тому +7

    Aren't these classed as the worst mx bike of all time ?

    • @johnwilkerson1535
      @johnwilkerson1535 5 років тому

      The original 1971 was. Had a lot of the bugs worked out by this model

    • @listenupfools731
      @listenupfools731 3 роки тому

      That would be the 79 yz 125

    • @davidrussell6184
      @davidrussell6184 2 роки тому

      @SekaCity ....... Did you own and ride every model ?? I own and race the 73...it was fixed by then !!

  • @stp479
    @stp479 7 років тому +5

    If the tires don't work you know they are original-terrible rubber on the TM! Great looking piece of history you have there!

  • @chrisreynolds3204
    @chrisreynolds3204 3 роки тому +3

    I had one!!! I can't believe you are showing one of these! This thing produced most of its HP in a very small power and. I found it very hard to ride. Best channel on UA-cam.

  • @thomasowens6041
    @thomasowens6041 4 роки тому +1

    No Mosquitos were harmed or killed during the filming of this posting.....yeah....actually they're all dead!

  • @rmfun-qo3ge
    @rmfun-qo3ge 4 роки тому +1

    Awesome bike....BUT,what is the point of hanging it on the wall?I would bet that Suzuki of Japan still has a few of these in crates .good investment I guess....life is too short people

  • @davemonday5381
    @davemonday5381 5 років тому +3

    I don’t know how you find such fantastic examples time after time. I even love your Harley’s. Proper Harley’s With spoke wheels twinshock DYNA s. With big engine’s. It must be a ex motor x thing I’d like to see you take the Harley’s out like you did with the beautiful Yamaha rt360s Keep it up Ken

  • @fieldinglover
    @fieldinglover 2 роки тому +1

    I had one when I was a teenager , fast as heel but the suspension sucked , the RM was a big improvement over a TM

  • @mikestowe6136
    @mikestowe6136 4 роки тому +1

    lol the pipe would be smashed if it had dents in the frame lol plus ya look wierd without a beard n long hair of course im going threw all your videos watching them getting to the old ones now

  • @gdeisig
    @gdeisig 6 років тому +2

    I had one of these bikes. I swapped out the stator and flywheel for the heavier more forgiving TS-400 flywheel and stator. The tank was shot, so it got replaced with a PE-175 tank (Slight mod needed), and it had an aftermarket Circle F pipe, because the stock pipe was missing. But this bike was a trail beast. Good low end torque, great low center of gravity that was easy to handle, and would run forever on that big PE tank! Oh, and the oil injection was nice. Shame I don't have it any more, it was very dependable.

  • @mikesquire7731
    @mikesquire7731 4 роки тому +2

    Those were the Tasmanian devils of the day, ill handling spine compressing and heavy plug eating monsters, by comparison a modern bike (80's onward) handle better, more power, easier on the body and parts too, my love fest for 70's bikes ended the first time I rode an 86 RM250, it seemed like going from a farm truck to a Cadillac.

  • @peteraustin370
    @peteraustin370 4 роки тому +2

    Back when bikes were real!! Had a t500 myself still in bits needs rebuild! This one needs crankseal checkout otherwise they're bulletproof!! Best wishes from Plymouth UK!!

  • @jerrylawson6905
    @jerrylawson6905 3 роки тому +1

    Bullshit. The throttle works both ways. If a guy is not good enough to ride this bike he should not.

  • @bongofury5924
    @bongofury5924 5 років тому +1

    Full throttle will straighten out the head shake at speeds over 70 m.p.h......
    Trust me......

  • @karlmorrison7933
    @karlmorrison7933 4 роки тому +3

    "BACK WHEN MEN WERE MEN AND SHEEP WERE SCARED"??? DUDE WE SCARED THE CRAP OUTTA THE FARMERS!

  • @l.a.raustadt518
    @l.a.raustadt518 6 років тому +3

    That was the model and cc that wasn't competitive in it s class without a complete suspension change. The 250/125 that year were race ready out of the box. Collect it and ride it carefully, or just look at it. Clean and pretty!

  • @chrismoody1342
    @chrismoody1342 5 років тому +2

    Straight out of my time frame. I owned with a friend the first two 73 Honda CR250m Elsinore’s. Raced both 250 class and open class never felt upstaged by anyone. When I was shopping, I tried them all; Ossa, Bultaco, Husky. Came down to the YZ and Elsinore.

  • @holoholohaolenokaoi2299
    @holoholohaolenokaoi2299 6 років тому +3

    had a poster of Roger DeCoster on that back then. Thanks for the memories

  • @brettroberts9254
    @brettroberts9254 4 роки тому +2

    T M stands for Text medic...1st prize a tm 400...second prize 2 tm 400's...had a 125 ..very good bike..125 was 74.

  • @badgersworldofmotorsports511
    @badgersworldofmotorsports511 5 років тому +2

    Had a 73 400!! With a Bassini exhaust,red line swing arm,ported etc!! I was 15 yrs old racing the open class!! Loved those old TM 400's

  • @squarebodychevyoverhauls6982
    @squarebodychevyoverhauls6982 4 роки тому +7

    It's in prisine condition cause nobody dare ride the thing ..... its a Devil Bike

  • @MatFlyinFoolHarris
    @MatFlyinFoolHarris 4 роки тому +2

    Friend of mine now dearly departed had a Widowmaker (yes a TM400, not an H2), I had a '74 Elsinore, and another guy took me to my first Unadilla had a then brand new Husky 250CR he raced. God These videos take me back...

  • @richardcarpenter7750
    @richardcarpenter7750 4 роки тому +2

    How much $$$

  • @ianmangham4570
    @ianmangham4570 3 роки тому +3

    The timing has a mind of its own 👹

  • @husq48
    @husq48 3 роки тому +1

    They never let us know what they sell for...

  • @ericrouse8188
    @ericrouse8188 3 роки тому +1

    Look at you 4 years ago.!
    Chuck Ruff is the bass player in your open song .Thats my Circle of friends Bill is even on FB .Sammy ect too big !!! Lol
    Like You n Kenny one Day.

  • @larryfry1310
    @larryfry1310 5 років тому +1

    I bought a new TM400K in 1973. Raced it for two years....or tried to. I had sold my 400 Maico when I went to work at a Suzuki/Kawasaki/Norton dealership in Southgate, Michigan, and purchased the TM. Put a 4lb flywheel on the TM and Koni shocks. It was still a terrible handling motocrosser even after moving the shocks forward, and yes the brakes were not good.
    Sold it and bought a Husqvarna....best move I could have made. Still have found memories, though, of that Suzuki effortlessly lofting the front wheel through three gears.

  • @garygillette9584
    @garygillette9584 3 роки тому +1

    Ken, I love these bikes, they do demand precise throttle control but so does my kx 500. My first tm400 I purchased as a basket case and built for my father who did not like to ride it so it became my bike. eventually I purchased a 83 xr500 and modified the frame to accept the engine and built a custom pipe for it to make it more rideable.

  • @717rocket
    @717rocket 7 років тому +4

    Cool.. complete with period music.

  • @MrChassmith
    @MrChassmith 3 роки тому +1

    72 model was the scariest bike I ever rode...made an 03 KTM 250SX look tame by comparison.

  • @richardcronch2011
    @richardcronch2011 3 роки тому +1

    I'm glad when I watch your videos you're not playing hip hop or rap or something I wouldn't waste my time and watching your videos if you did thanks brother

  • @dougkubash8673
    @dougkubash8673 6 років тому +2

    A friend of mine owned a 1971 TM400. Had a orange tank instead of yellow. The throttle was more like a electrical switch - (on or off) Tons of power a blast to ride.

    • @deborahchesser7375
      @deborahchesser7375 5 років тому +3

      Doug Kubash right, the first electronic ignition systems advanced to abruptly that’s why they called them the widow maker

  • @brucegillies1694
    @brucegillies1694 4 роки тому +1

    Writing the tm400 was very exciting but not that fun , too much work , can be modified to be smooth power !

  • @sonnyseabury4051
    @sonnyseabury4051 Рік тому

    SR has awesome taste in music! Gotta love Montrose. Sammy Hagar has always had an amazing voice. Montrose and Van Halen. Much better voice with Van Halen, compared to David Lee Roth, although I think Diamond Dave suited Van Halen better, for a front man. Year I was born....1973….One badass dirtbike. I heard many people used to get hurt on them, and that Suzuki made these, until they came out with the RM that replaced this model. Who is that riding the dirtbike? Damn Sr, with short hair, looked like a NFL Football Player. Lol...When Men were Men, and Sheep Were Scared! 😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😲😲😎

  • @keithrheault5110
    @keithrheault5110 3 роки тому +1

    I had one and it would scream wide open on it's own with no warning. A real trench digger. Fun but scary.

  • @Bitterstone3849
    @Bitterstone3849 Рік тому

    Less than 3 hrs. WOW ! Understandable considering it was if not THE No 1 most dangerous dirt bike ever made. Be careful. It's been waiting 50 yrs to plant somebody.

  • @weshoyt2322
    @weshoyt2322 3 роки тому +1

    Roger DeCoster!!!!! Yes!!!!

  • @bella0167
    @bella0167 3 роки тому +1

    Smoke.

  • @ME-ru4hv
    @ME-ru4hv 3 роки тому +1

    One of my best friends, a bike nut in NY, last name Kaplan. No one can tell me he isn't a cousin he was too cool.

  • @philipkclay
    @philipkclay 8 років тому +2

    I had one of every year from 71 to 74.
    I was only missing a 75 which are very rare due to lower production numbers.
    love these 2 stroke thumpers.

  • @mikelauer8891
    @mikelauer8891 Рік тому

    Thought that was Ken's brother or someone else lol. I had a buddy that had one back in the day and after a few pretty good (or bad) crashes he literally left it laying in the woods and never went back for it. That thing could flip you off in any gear. Of course we only weighed a buck 30 in those days.

  • @listenupfools731
    @listenupfools731 3 роки тому

    Throw a dg radial head,extended swingarm,fox air shox,, a set of Simon's forks on that puppy.be RIGHTIOUS

  • @staffordduecker665
    @staffordduecker665 4 роки тому +1

    You need to take that thing to the track, put on some gear and try to go fast on it... Then you will see why this bike was hated...

  • @capomand45
    @capomand45 4 роки тому

    This MC is SO not the bike Roger won with, the TM400 was a hand grenade, no flywheel weight, the power band of a 125 and a chassis with a hinge in the middle.

  • @BikerBenny
    @BikerBenny 4 роки тому +1

    One day yer gonna have to get a Hoss for the museum
    BOSS HOSS 💪💪💪

  • @dennisyoung4631
    @dennisyoung4631 Рік тому

    Kykloen…. Winged Death…. (From fiction)
    Inspired by tales of *these.*

  • @trevinskiking2165
    @trevinskiking2165 3 роки тому

    Test riding without gloves & a crashhat is an accident waiting to happen. Remember untrained eyes are watching.Trev New Zealand.

  • @sicks6six
    @sicks6six 2 роки тому

    of all the bikes I never did get own but wanted the TS400 is high on the list, had a TS100 and TS250 which when it was in the power band it flew,

  • @evanjohnson5480
    @evanjohnson5480 5 років тому +2

    Beautiful bike. Good music in a dirt bike video for once as well. Nice.

    • @bongofury5924
      @bongofury5924 5 років тому

      Wide World of Sports had Creedence Clearwater Revival as background music for an airing of the Carlsbad 500cc Grand Prix once. We are now being forced feed thrash metal or (c)rap music for sports soundtracks....yuck!!!!

  • @stanlucas1932
    @stanlucas1932 4 роки тому +1

    I first climbed aboard one of these when I was 13yrs old. It was one of the most terrifying times of my life. The handling is terrible and the power is absolutely violent! It doesn't matter what you may have rode in the past, you want be ready for one of these on the first ride. I'm sure there's plenty of these in barns across the country in pristine condition as many people never rode there's twice.

    • @jordanblair5410
      @jordanblair5410 2 роки тому

      I had the same experience when I bought an '86 CR500 in the early 90s. Way too much power and starting it could be an ankle injuring experience.

  • @chicobicalho5621
    @chicobicalho5621 5 років тому +1

    Clearly this bike has never been raced. An amazing find, I'd say, and easily worth at least the 6 grand.

  • @jerrylawson6905
    @jerrylawson6905 3 роки тому +1

    Pilot too rich

  • @mikekopmanis2099
    @mikekopmanis2099 2 роки тому

    Wow, in 3hrs the rear tire wore down. Must be all street riding...😅 Nice bike though.

  • @timmoulthrop8510
    @timmoulthrop8510 4 роки тому +1

    Dad let me ride his tm400 a lot my 1st race bike was a tm100 the 400 hurt me more than once good memories

  • @miltonwinter2832
    @miltonwinter2832 4 роки тому +1

    My 1st bike 1972 tm 250 love it went like a scared cat owned in 1973

  • @anthonyaguilar6106
    @anthonyaguilar6106 5 років тому +1

    worst bike ever made

  • @daveg6220
    @daveg6220 5 років тому +1

    I had 73 125 looked exactly like that one except I mine had the suzuki with the rising sun graphic on the tank. Loved that bike. Ah the memories are coming back after view this vidjeo

    • @husq48
      @husq48 3 роки тому +1

      The rising sun graphics were on 75 models.

  • @trevinskiking2165
    @trevinskiking2165 3 роки тому

    Roger Decoster...those were the days & muscle cars & women without bras...

  • @brentroussin6777
    @brentroussin6777 Рік тому

    It's original ah ah ah ah you think ah ah ah ❤️😍🤣 nice old bike

  • @gerry3x
    @gerry3x 8 років тому +1

    How much? I raced them in the 70's 100 and 125.