1968 Suzuki RH67 TM 250 #57

This is arguably the most sought after vintage motocross bike on the planet. Suzuki decided in 1966 to begin the process of building a motocross bike to compete with the Huskys and CZ’s of the period. The first Suzuki prototypes were modeled after the CZ Twin Port race bikes. Suzuki’s first generation of motocross machines in 1966 were dismal as the bikes were heavy and handled terribly. In 1967 the factory assembled a race program based on a new and improved version called the Suzuki RH 67. Although still heavy and suffering from poor handling, the factory built approximately 112 of these bikes which they called the TM. About sixty of these TM’s came to America along with a two page questionnaire asking for any input the riders could provide. This included any modifications from which the bike benefitted. Suzuki also hired Ole Petterson away from the Husqvarna team to be the designated test rider/developer. Suzuki took the information learned from these TM’s and from Ole Petterson and within two years won the 250 CC and 500 CC World Championships with the help of Joel Robert and Roger De Coster.

This TM started off as a basket case. It was ridden into a scrap yard in Fresno by a young kid to sell it for scrap steel. The steel yard owner gave him $50.00 for it. I chased the bike down for about three years and finally the owner sold me this bike for a ridiculous sum and still in horrible condition. There are advertisements every month in VMX Magazine asking the public if they have seen any part of a 68 TM 250. There are fourteen known to exist and this one is absolutely correct and original right down to the Yokohama tires, fenders and pipes, and the very rare RH style motor. It is priceless!

MAKE / MODEL: SUZUKI TM 250 – #TM 250 000057

YEAR: 1968 ENGINE DISPLACEMENT: 250 CC

COUNTRY OF MANUFACTURE  JAPAN

ORIGINAL PURCHASE PRICE NEW  $800.00

THIS BIKE IS:

_  NEW, NEVER BEEN STARTED

_  ORIGINAL UNRESTORED

_  PARTIALLY RESTORED

X  FULLY RESTORED

RESTORATION WORK PERFORMED BY:  BILL WEST / KELLY OWEN

OWNER: KELLY OWEN