Help identifying 80's Suzuki trailie?

[Stig]

Lads (and lasses)

My father in law has acquired this bit of errr... 2 wheeled history. Other than having a Suzuki engine, details are a bit scant?

Anyone got any ideas what it is? I thought early DR, but it's not quite right.

[trumpet600]

They were known as TS, predecessor of the DR's.They did 50's, 100's, 125's 185's and 250's. There was also a larger version of the trailie called the SP370.


I think

[Stig]

trumpet600 said:

They were known as TS, predecessor of the DR's.They did 50's, 100's, 125's 185's and 250's. There was also a larger version of the trailie called the SP370.


I think

Nope - TS were 2 strokes, this is a 4 I believe.

[Ranger 6]

Looks like an early DR400 - swinging arm is slightly different but the rest is very close.



ETA further googling reveals

Edited by Ranger 6 on Tuesday 22 July 15:42

[Mr POD]

Stig said:

trumpet600 said:

They were known as TS, predecessor of the DR's.They did 50's, 100's, 125's 185's and 250's. There was also a larger version of the trailie called the SP370.


I think

Nope - TS were 2 strokes, this is a 4 I believe.

That is a 4 stroke.

As the past owner of a TS50ER and a TS125ER and having worked with a guy who had a TS250ER I can confirm that all the TS's were 2 strokes. The 4 stroke was a DR In my humble oppinion, both in the brochure at the same time.

[Stig]

Mr POD said:

Stig said:

trumpet600 said:

They were known as TS, predecessor of the DR's.They did 50's, 100's, 125's 185's and 250's. There was also a larger version of the trailie called the SP370.


I think

Nope - TS were 2 strokes, this is a 4 I believe.

That is a 4 stroke.

As the past owner of a TS50ER and a TS125ER and having worked with a guy who had a TS250ER I can confirm that all the TS's were 2 strokes. The 4 stroke was a DR In my humble oppinion, both in the brochure at the same time.

Yup - it's a 4. No spanny chamber on the exhaust and you can see the cam covers on top of the head.

It certainly looks like an early DR - but it's not quite right. Exhaust exits on the wrong side for starters.

Googling like mad to try and get a match!!!

[trumpet600]

Mr POD said:

Stig said:

trumpet600 said:

They were known as TS, predecessor of the DR's.They did 50's, 100's, 125's 185's and 250's. There was also a larger version of the trailie called the SP370.


I think

Nope - TS were 2 strokes, this is a 4 I believe.

That is a 4 stroke.

As the past owner of a TS50ER and a TS125ER and having worked with a guy who had a TS250ER I can confirm that all the TS's were 2 strokes. The 4 stroke was a DR In my humble oppinion, both in the brochure at the same time.

Correct. It is a 4 stroke. I didn't really look at the engine. I didn't realise the shape of the TS and DR were so similar.

Ah well, you learn something every day.

[Stig]

Hmmm.. I'm pretty sure it's an Suzuki SP400 (or SP370). I think the tank's been changed, but the rest looks about right (tubular swing arm etc.etc.)

Thanks chaps

Edited by Stig on Tuesday 22 July 16:10

[bimsb6]

i had 1 of those sp400's truly awful things vibrate like hell with no power to offset its nastiness

[mark650]

Just a thought but can't you identify it from the frame number.

[308mate]

Stig said:

Hmmm.. I'm pretty sure it's an Suzuki SP400 (or SP370). I think the tank's been changed, but the rest looks about right (tubular swing arm etc.etc.)

Thanks chaps

Edited by Stig on Tuesday 22 July 16:10

Sent a link of this thread to someone who knows, he's 98% sure its an SP370 and is 100% sure it wasnt a shining light in Suzuki's trail bike history.

HTH

[Benni]

I agree with the 370 estimate,
if you look closely around the engine / cylinder area
there should be a little cast thing wich reads the displacement, like "370cc"
HTH,
Benni

[mrmaggit]

Deffo not the 400, I had one, I'd go 370.

[Biker's Nemesis]

looks like an SP.

The ER's were 2 strokes.

I'm getting that old now, I'm beginning to forget things such as this, that I should know.

[mywifeshusband]

SP370

[Biker's Nemesis]

Has anyone got a picture of an SP? I'm sure the tank was longer and thinner.

[catso]

Biker's Nemesis said:

Has anyone got a picture of an SP? I'm sure the tank was longer and thinner.

http://www.suzukicycles.org/SP-series/SP370.shtml

Edited by catso on Tuesday 29th July 23:49