1974 Suzuki R&d Tm400l on 2040-motos

-NO RESERVE AUCTION-

1974 Suzuki TM400L

R&D Racing SoCal 400cc MotoCross

Please see my other no reserve auction - 1970 Hop Up kitted Suzuki TS250

1974 TM400L R&D Racing -FIRST OFF LET ME SAY THIS IS A VINTAGE BUILT BIKE. It was not built by me with a bunch of spare parts. This is a true R&D Racing SoCal build. I purchased this from a local VMX racer here in Phoenix who told me that he personally bought this bike from famed Suzuki modifier R&D Racing in SoCal many years ago. Supposedly, this particular bike was built back in the day for John DeSoto to race (who never actually raced it), and somehow R&D stored it in their rafters for decades. THAT'S THE STORY--and I have no way to authenticate this either. Please disregard or believe as you see fit.

A little history on R&D Racing: This was U.S. SUZUKI's local go-fast connection in SoCal. The techs at R&D worked closely with the Japanese Suzuki techs to prepare the works bikes for competition once over here in the USA. Much like HUSKY USA, WheelSmith Racing, Bertus Jawa-CZ, etc. these local go fast shops were heavily relied upon to help prep, store, and sometimes transport works bikes to competition motocross, enduro, and cross country/desert events around the south west areas. 

This bike sports some really amazing modifications. Powdercoated TM400 frame has had the engine lowered 2" in frame, along with a sano laydown shock position applied. Also, the swingarm appears to be approx. 1" longer than stock. Thin wall 36mm KYB forks from the semi-works RH250 (for 1975 Japan, Canada, Australia only--see last photo) w/DG air caps are super long travel. Newly rebuilt KONI remote reservoir shocks. Gigantic vintage aluminum 'DH' reed cage (welded on to cylinder) and monstrous 40mm Mikuni. Works type skirted piston for use with this reed setup. HEAVILY PORTED cylinder by R&D for works like horsepower. Bike still sporting original early IRC knobbies in good shape. Original wheels, rims etc with some supposed mods to improve braking inside hub. Custom built cone pipe in very good shape (almost no dings). Original '74-'75 style side panels. No airbox--New uni-filter. Oil injection has been removed and disconnected--PRE-MIX race gas only.

Remember: R&D had access to all the works Suzuki's that made it over here. This bike was obviously based off a production TM 400 frame & engine, but the techs had copied into it many of ideas and 'tricks' that the works bikes were using. Call this a works copy with some bitchin go fast tricks added, if you will. This appears to have been a shop built racer utilizing a production TM to very closely replicate the '75 RH bikes that Suzuki never saw fit to import here into the us (and I still don't know why they didn't bring them in here). See last photo of the '75 RH250 to see just how close this bike replicates that one.  

As expected, this bike is a rocket that will  pretty much roost anything. Way faster than a stock TM and NOT legal to ride in AHRMA pre'75 vintage (will need to race in Post Vintage class), but that's ok because it will probably roost just any RM370-400, YZ400D, or AW400 out there in the post vintage class anyway! Comes with a mint condition (this should be on a shelf as display--I would not race with it---too pretty) '73 TM tank that's been powdercoated and all graphics PAINTED ON with clearcoat on top. Tank is most likely worth $1K all by itself. 

SEE LAST PHOTO OF AN EXTREMELY RARE 1975 RH 250 SEMI-WORKS BIKE PRODUCED BY SUZUKI MOTORS FOR PRO-LEVEL COMPETITION ONLY. Last 3 photos are for comparison only--and those bikes are NOT INCLUDED IN THIS AUCTION.

THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO SNAG AN AWESOME VINTAGE MX MACHINE with history AT NO RESERVE. DON'T MISS IT. 

This bike is also for sale on my website AzMikesVMXbikes.com, and I reserve the right to end auction early with an acceptable offer. Any buyers wishing to make offer may contact me and I will insert a Buy-it Now option here on ebay so that buyer may end the auction early. 

$500.00 deposit due IMMEDIATELY through Paypal. Balance to be paid in full either upon pick up with cash, or in advance with check or wire transfer within 7 days. Bike does not leave my possession until paid in full and all funds have cleared.

This is a used, vintage, off road, competition equipped motorcycle. It is sold in AS-IS condition with no guarantees or warrantees expressed or implied. Please know that no matter how nice a bike looks from the surface, there will INVARIABLY be items which need to be serviced, repaired, or replaced BY YOU prior to riding or racing it.

SHIPPING: All shipping costs and scheduling are the responsibility of the BUYER, but I can help with shipping anywhere in the world. Please contact me for details.

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