Any Vintage RM80 experts?

Mixon848
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Mixon848
Edited Date/Time 6/5/2015 9:15am
Buddy just dropped me off a Roach (I mean really beat up) Vintage Suzuki RM80. Frame Vin: RM80-220XX, I think it is an 1977 or 1978. Any experts out there that can give me an exact year?

Gonna start washing it and stripping it down for Rebuild today. Then pondering Stock Restore? FMF Jeff Ward Replica or DG Replica (of the 1980-1981 models)?

Edit:
Lots of views but no answers so I will XX out part of the Vin.
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xnationalwrench 2/16/2013 1:02pm
2/16/2013 1:02pm
I would go with a restore of a R&D Suzuki myself, they were the killer bike in NMA back in the day. And Dean at R&D is still thre.
Mixon848
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Mixon848 2/16/2013 1:05pm
2/16/2013 1:05pm
xnationalwrench wrote:
I would go with a restore of a R&D Suzuki myself, they were the killer bike in NMA back in the day. And Dean at R&D...
I would go with a restore of a R&D Suzuki myself, they were the killer bike in NMA back in the day. And Dean at R&D is still thre.
Yeah I was really into the newer R&D RM80's like Jimmy Gaddis and Buddy Antunez rode in like 1986 thru 1988.
Craig B
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Craig B 2/16/2013 1:30pm
2/16/2013 1:30pm
1978 was the first year for the RM 80. Post a pic, would like to see it.
RiV
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RiV 2/16/2013 1:49pm
2/16/2013 1:49pm
The old Suzuki micro fiche used to reference the vin# range in the preface,
I would think that would carry over to the newer electronic parts manuals.
Call a Suzuki dealer and check price & availability on a couple parts then
request then to cross reference your vin. A snowbound dealership back
east might have a bit more time and motivation to help as well.

The 77-78 were pretty similar, not much change til 79 but you could post
some pics. If all else fails PM me and I will drop by the local dealer, the parts
manager has always been very helpful.

The Shop

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Mixon848
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Mixon848 2/16/2013 6:29pm
2/16/2013 6:29pm
RiV wrote:
I only remembered the 77 having that exhaust shield but both have it, looks like yours is a 1977 RM 80B though, through this link: http://www.cyclechaos.com/wiki/Suzuki_RM80#1977_RM80B...
I only remembered the 77 having that exhaust shield but both have it,
looks like yours is a 1977 RM 80B though, through this link:

http://www.cyclechaos.com/wiki/Suzuki_RM80#1977_RM80B

It shows frame# 10001-23349 is 1977 correct eng# is 10001-23634
Thank you so much. I knew by looks it was a 1977 or 1978. Good to know that it is a 1977. Most if not all of the parts for the 2 are interchangeable so that is great. Since it is a 1977 I do want to make sure that I have the 1977 Seat Cover for it.
Mixon848
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Mixon848 2/17/2013 6:27pm
2/17/2013 6:27pm
So I razor knived every speck of paint off of the Front and Rear Fenders. That process took me almost a full day. I also sanded, prepped and primed the Gas Tank.

I am going to try to grab some John Deere Yellow Paint or School Bus (the John Deere Yellow Paint is the exact RM match color for that year) Tuesday morning and have some pics up by Tuesday evening.
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Falcon 2/18/2013 9:48am
2/18/2013 9:48am
Looking forward to seeing your pics. I had an '82 RM80Z back in the day... the first full-floater. All those bikes were sweet.
Mixon848
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Mixon848 2/18/2013 4:12pm
2/18/2013 4:12pm
Falcon wrote:
Looking forward to seeing your pics. I had an '82 RM80Z back in the day... the first full-floater. All those bikes were sweet.
There don't seem to be many of these 1977 Suzuki RM80's around. I have seen a few in my search over the past 2 days. They range from $350 to $500 running with everything there. I did see one all restored for $1,500.

I am going to do some further research and see what Mini Racers were aboard these bikes back then, I know Jeff Ward rode the 1978 Suzuki RM80 with the Red Frame and Rims and Modified by FMF Racing (really Modified by Jeff Ward's father but had FMF Stickers all over it).

Since there aren't many of these bikes out there still living I really want to save it. Everyone will be shocked at the difference already. I will post pictures hopefully tomorrow night and then I have to pull off the swingarm and shocks.

I will try to post everything along the way (I am terrible with keeping up with these things) so that anyone out there that has one can follow along.
Mixon848
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Mixon848 2/19/2013 10:19am
2/19/2013 10:19am
It is pouring cats and dogs here in Northern California right now but I will break out some space heaters here in a little bit and start spraying the Gas Tank.
Mixon848
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Mixon848 2/19/2013 10:40am
2/19/2013 10:40am
I guess these little bikes didn't have much success until Jeff Ward piloted one in their 2nd year in 1978 (gosh that FMF bike was ugly with its Red & Yellow Scheme). The Suzuki RM80 really got its racing success with the likes of Bruce Bunch,Larry Brooks,Rick Hemme and of course Mike Healy. We all know the success that they had later with the R&D riders of Jimmy Gaddis, Buddy Anutunez, Mike Pascarella and Jeff Dement.

I guess I will go with a completely stock look. I think I will have Eric Gorr touch the cylinder a tiny bit (I have him touch all my bikes cylinders).
RiV
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RiV 2/19/2013 1:47pm
2/19/2013 1:47pm
As I recall the 77 cases & cyl/reed block were very similar to the 82 air-cooled
as well as the 83 liquid, I know those both responded well to case mods that
were basically Boyesen ports from the reed area to base transfers of the cases.
It works well with or without cylinder mods, I used it first on my 78 Rm 250 but
after seeing it on an 82 RM 80 that Rudy & Dean did I realized they could be much
larger than the first bikes I modded, so the later bikes got appropriately sized.
-its works well & pretty easy imo!
Mixon848
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Mixon848 2/19/2013 7:17pm
2/19/2013 7:17pm
RiV wrote:
As I recall the 77 cases & cyl/reed block were very similar to the 82 air-cooled as well as the 83 liquid, I know those both...
As I recall the 77 cases & cyl/reed block were very similar to the 82 air-cooled
as well as the 83 liquid, I know those both responded well to case mods that
were basically Boyesen ports from the reed area to base transfers of the cases.
It works well with or without cylinder mods, I used it first on my 78 Rm 250 but
after seeing it on an 82 RM 80 that Rudy & Dean did I realized they could be much
larger than the first bikes I modded, so the later bikes got appropriately sized.
-its works well & pretty easy imo!
Thank You very much for this information. I know nothing about these bikes. I did talk to a gentleman who used to race a 1982 RM80 back in 1985 and he said he was running a cheater 105cc bike and know one knew. Interesting.

I am going to look into Case Work.
Mixon848
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Mixon848 2/19/2013 7:26pm
2/19/2013 7:26pm
So I did a little prep work to the Gas Tank.

The Gas Tank and Fenders aren't really attached in the photo just kind of sitting on there. I am going to wet sand the Gas Tank and fix a few nicks. I am also going to grab a Front and Rear fender off of that auction site.

Should be able to get back to work on it. Saturday.

Updated Pic:
http://www.vitalmx.com/photos/member/Vintage-Suzuki-RM80,37254/1977RM80…
RiV
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RiV 2/20/2013 12:44pm
2/20/2013 12:44pm
Mixon, I can help with the case work. It would cost you.........
return shipping/insurance. If your interested I can PM you a
link that shows some cases I matched to an Athena YZ 144
cylinder, not the best pics but good enough that you can judge
if I'm a hack or not-lol
Mixon848
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Mixon848 2/21/2013 6:42am
2/21/2013 6:42am
RiV wrote:
Mixon, I can help with the case work. It would cost you......... return shipping/insurance. If your interested I can PM you a link that shows some...
Mixon, I can help with the case work. It would cost you.........
return shipping/insurance. If your interested I can PM you a
link that shows some cases I matched to an Athena YZ 144
cylinder, not the best pics but good enough that you can judge
if I'm a hack or not-lol
I am not ready for any Case mods yet, I still have to tear some things down on it this Saturday, but I would be interested in seeing your work.
RiV
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RiV 2/21/2013 8:07am
2/21/2013 8:07am
Ok, I think I sent you a PM-lol Their a bit different format here
let me know if you did not receive.

Pit Row

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Mixon848
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Mixon848 2/21/2013 8:43am
2/21/2013 8:43am
RiV wrote:
Ok, I think I sent you a PM-lol Their a bit different format here
let me know if you did not receive.
RiV,

I checked your link. Great work. How good are you with old DT125 cylinders? No case work, just Cylinder Porting for a broader power range for say Enduro's?

I know you are thinking DT125 for Enduro's, but let me explain.

I have a 1976 Yamaha YZ125 motor that had what I thought was a 1974 or 1975 MX175 Cylinder and Head on it. I took them off and sold them and I guess the guy said that they were CT175 Cylinder and Heads (I feel bad). So I went looking for a 1976 Yamaha YZ125 Cylinder and Head for my bike. Couldn't find one, but got a great 1979 DT125 Cylinder and Head. I am going to be doing some AHRMA Stuff and Post Vintage Stuff around my area but don't need it running like a detuned Street Bike. I need it to have a broad wide power range throughout. Not a all Top End screamer.
RiV
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RiV 2/21/2013 1:46pm
2/21/2013 1:46pm
Mixon, Is there a displacement issue when buying the 125 cylinder? It would be easier to achieve your goal with a 175 imo, I have not ported a DT 125 cylinder but the software I use to configure port timing and area values doesn't really care as long as your goals are realistic (no 100 hp 16,000 rpm CR 500's). What pipe is going to be used? I'm sure the oem pipe or one tuned for a 76 YZ 125 cylinder is going to be looking for a higher RPM peak than what the goal is. Not trying to be negative just honest, porting can be spot on but get poor results with other variables not on the same page. I can do the work, only critical info I would need is the deck height of the fresh motor from the top of the piston edge @TDC to the machined gasket surface on the top of the cylinder.
Mixon848
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Mixon848 2/22/2013 5:41am
2/22/2013 5:41am
RiV wrote:
Mixon, Is there a displacement issue when buying the 125 cylinder? It would be easier to achieve your goal with a 175 imo, I have not...
Mixon, Is there a displacement issue when buying the 125 cylinder? It would be easier to achieve your goal with a 175 imo, I have not ported a DT 125 cylinder but the software I use to configure port timing and area values doesn't really care as long as your goals are realistic (no 100 hp 16,000 rpm CR 500's). What pipe is going to be used? I'm sure the oem pipe or one tuned for a 76 YZ 125 cylinder is going to be looking for a higher RPM peak than what the goal is. Not trying to be negative just honest, porting can be spot on but get poor results with other variables not on the same page. I can do the work, only critical info I would need is the deck height of the fresh motor from the top of the piston edge @TDC to the machined gasket surface on the top of the cylinder.
RiV,

I obtained your PM and I am going to give you a call on Saturday when I get a moment.

I do want to stay with the 125cc Cylinder.

I am not a technical guy so I don't know deck heights or anything like that. I usually just send my Cylinders to Eric Gorr and write down on a piece of paper what I am looking for exactly power wise and he has not failed me yet (had a buddy do the same thing with another shop and they didn't give him anything he asked for. Ruined his Cylinder).

The pipe is from the 1976 Yamaha YZ125. And yeah those bikes didn't have much anywhere else except Top End. You don't want to fall off of the Pipe. That is why I want to have the DT125 Cylinder Ported for a Broader Power Range and I want to Lower the Stock Gearing by adding 1 or 2 more Teeth on the Rear Sprocket.
RiV
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RiV 2/22/2013 12:40pm
2/22/2013 12:40pm
Mixon, Eric Gorr knows his business and thats is partly due to volume, he also does complete
engines so that allows him to gather a lot of information on deck height and such. If a cylinder
"only" shows up on his doorstep without a deck height spec and he knows this 20XX
CR 125 about 95% of the time has .2mm-.4mm deck height then its a good bet to choose
.3 mm to calculate port timing changes-.1mm (.004") is generally acceptable tolerance. The
alternative is to ship it back to the customer and tell them to assemble it with all the new parts
he will be using and time to explain how to check deck height, then shipping back to him after
lost time plus xtra $$$$ for shipping as well as Eric losing time on phone calls, shipping and
possibly upsetting the customer as well.
This would eventually cause the price of his work to go up, what you have is something much
different than the average 125 cylinder.....I seriously doubt that even Eric has a baseline on a
1976 YZ 125 engine with a DT 125 cylinder & I assume a DT 125 piston as well. With the piston
being lower than the machined head gasket surface that advances the transfer & exhaust port
timing/duration, if it is above it, that retards them and also gives piston to head clearance
concerns. Call me Saturday, I usually dont answer out of state area codes because of all the
telemarketers but leave a message & I will call back.
xnationalwrench 2/22/2013 2:03pm
2/22/2013 2:03pm
Another way to go is putting a Yamaha TD-1C cylinder (right hand side) on it with the right hand pipe it doesn't have a reed vavle and would be pipey but would fly and you wouldn't need a port job.
Mixon848
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Mixon848 2/23/2013 6:56am
2/23/2013 6:56am
xnationalwrench wrote:
Another way to go is putting a Yamaha TD-1C cylinder (right hand side) on it with the right hand pipe it doesn't have a reed vavle...
Another way to go is putting a Yamaha TD-1C cylinder (right hand side) on it with the right hand pipe it doesn't have a reed vavle and would be pipey but would fly and you wouldn't need a port job.
I am about to do a search on that right now. Thank You for the information.
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TerryB 2/23/2013 12:49pm
2/23/2013 12:49pm Edited Date/Time 2/23/2013 2:49pm
Seems you got the RM figured out, as it is indeed a '77. Only differences between '77 and '78 were suspension upgrades on the '78, with about an inch more travel, and the addition of leading axle forks. Both had the heat shield on the exhaust, and the same seat cover. The lettering on the tank, however, was different, with the '77 being solid lettering, and the '78 being outlined.

I owned a '77 and an '80.
Mixon848
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Mixon848 2/23/2013 1:52pm
2/23/2013 1:52pm
TerryB wrote:
Seems you got the RM figured out, as it is indeed a '77. Only differences between '77 and '78 were suspension upgrades on the '78, with...
Seems you got the RM figured out, as it is indeed a '77. Only differences between '77 and '78 were suspension upgrades on the '78, with about an inch more travel, and the addition of leading axle forks. Both had the heat shield on the exhaust, and the same seat cover. The lettering on the tank, however, was different, with the '77 being solid lettering, and the '78 being outlined.

I owned a '77 and an '80.
Thank You for the input it is greatly appreciated.

Now for the bad news:
I had just finished spraying the Gas Tank on the 1977 Suzuki RM80 with its final clear coat when there was a mishap.

Huge dent, Big area with the paint taken down to the bare metal. Now to strip it all the way back down, fix the dent and start the process all over again.
Mixon848
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Mixon848 5/21/2013 4:21pm
5/21/2013 4:21pm
In purchasing and Rebuilding (attempting, lol) Vintage Motocrossers, I am finding out that more then not it is electrics that is keeping most of these Vintage bikes from running.

I have 2 bikes in my Garage right now that do not have a spark (one actually has a spark but it is very weak). The 1977 RM80's wiring is all ran incorrectly. I don't know what the previous owner was doing. I am terrible with electrics on these bikes and online wiring diagrams are no help.

1977 Suzuki RM80 complete wiring nightmare. What was this guy thinking?:


Can anyone (hopefully more then 1) take the Gas Tank off of their 1977-1979 Suzuki RM80, take a picture and post it here so that I have an idea of what goes where?

Thanks
deke74
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deke74 10/2/2013 2:04pm
10/2/2013 2:04pm Edited Date/Time 10/2/2013 2:05pm
Hello all,

I am new to this forum.

I bought myself a Suzuki RM80 and was told it is from 1979. But i am not sure if it is.
I now that the rear swingarm is not original.

The idea is to restore it to new again. its my first project. So i hope it will succeed.








The little boy is my 2 year old son, he likes the bike :-)

And Mixon848 i am planning to remove the tank in a few days, then i can take some pictures for you.
I am going to get the rust out of the tank.

Greetings from Holland

Dennis
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MOTODAD422 10/4/2013 10:01am
10/4/2013 10:01am
TerryB wrote:
Seems you got the RM figured out, as it is indeed a '77. Only differences between '77 and '78 were suspension upgrades on the '78, with...
Seems you got the RM figured out, as it is indeed a '77. Only differences between '77 and '78 were suspension upgrades on the '78, with about an inch more travel, and the addition of leading axle forks. Both had the heat shield on the exhaust, and the same seat cover. The lettering on the tank, however, was different, with the '77 being solid lettering, and the '78 being outlined.

I owned a '77 and an '80.
I had a 77 as did a couple of my friends,all of our frames were cracked. I went to the dealer and complained and suzuki gave me a new 78 frame,the only difference i remember was the cdi box was mounted in a different location.
deke74
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deke74 10/4/2013 1:40pm
10/4/2013 1:40pm
For Mixon848 some pictures without tank.





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