| 1967-68 RH67/TM250 Suzuki. |
| By Matt Cuddy #MC1 |
The 1st Japanese MX bike
Contrary to popular thinking, the first Japanese
built single-purpose MX bike was not produced by
Yamaha, but was produced by Suzuki as a works
bike, and identified as the RH66 of 1966.
.
1967 RH67 250cc MX
In 1965, Suzuki sent an engineer, and a road race
bike to Europe to develop a motocross machine. As
a result, Suzuki stole technology from CZ in its
motor and frame design, that being the twin
exhaust port configuration, and subframe. The
Europeans laughed at this early Suzuki as a bad
copy of the CZ, as it handled badly, was heavy
(240 lbs) and peaky. The twin high pipes also burnt
the thighs of riders who piloted the new racers.
In pre-production testing, Preston Petty and Walt
Axleheim were put in charge of developing the new
bike in the United States, and after riding the bike
(with the motor based on a road racer) Petty sent a
list of items off to Japan that he thought needed
modifying on the bike, better this, change that, stop
the pipes from frying riders legs, etc etc. and oh
yes, please change the powerband so there's more
power down low, and in the midrange, because as it
sits, the bike makes too much power, all on the top
end of the powerband (like a road racer).
A couple weeks went by, and Suzuki delivered
another RH250, that put out even MORE power.
Even higher in the powerband. Petty went ape, and
sent the bike back to Japan with even more
instructions, this time on how to port a two stroke
for a useable powerband in MX racing.
Suzuki responded by delivering a third 250 that put
our close to 40 horsepower, even more than the
last bike!
Petty, exasperated to the point of insanity, in
desperation sent one more list of changes to
Suzuki, and they got it right that time, about 7
months into the development testing of the MXer.
Contrary to popular thinking, the first Japanese
built single-purpose MX bike was not produced by
Yamaha, but was produced by Suzuki as a works
bike, and identified as the RH66 of 1966.
.
1967 RH67 250cc MX
In 1965, Suzuki sent an engineer, and a road race
bike to Europe to develop a motocross machine. As
a result, Suzuki stole technology from CZ in its
motor and frame design, that being the twin
exhaust port configuration, and subframe. The
Europeans laughed at this early Suzuki as a bad
copy of the CZ, as it handled badly, was heavy
(240 lbs) and peaky. The twin high pipes also burnt
the thighs of riders who piloted the new racers.
In pre-production testing, Preston Petty and Walt
Axleheim were put in charge of developing the new
bike in the United States, and after riding the bike
(with the motor based on a road racer) Petty sent a
list of items off to Japan that he thought needed
modifying on the bike, better this, change that, stop
the pipes from frying riders legs, etc etc. and oh
yes, please change the powerband so there's more
power down low, and in the midrange, because as it
sits, the bike makes too much power, all on the top
end of the powerband (like a road racer).
A couple weeks went by, and Suzuki delivered
another RH250, that put out even MORE power.
Even higher in the powerband. Petty went ape, and
sent the bike back to Japan with even more
instructions, this time on how to port a two stroke
for a useable powerband in MX racing.
Suzuki responded by delivering a third 250 that put
our close to 40 horsepower, even more than the
last bike!
Petty, exasperated to the point of insanity, in
desperation sent one more list of changes to
Suzuki, and they got it right that time, about 7
months into the development testing of the MXer.
1967-68 RH67/TM250 Suzuki. Notice twin high pipes
exiting on either side now. That big case covers the crank
mounted clutch.
And in 1967, with the data sent from Petty & Axelheim,
Suzuki hired Ollie Pettersson (former Husky designer) to
help develop another new bike, the RH67. Joel Robert and
Roger DeCoster raced the improved machines to some
success in the 1967 GP season. The works bikes weighed
168 lbs, and put out 38 horse power.
The 1968 TM250 was based on the RH67. This was the
first production Japanese motocrosser, with only 200
produced World-wide, the US getting just 65 in early 1968.
exiting on either side now. That big case covers the crank
mounted clutch.
And in 1967, with the data sent from Petty & Axelheim,
Suzuki hired Ollie Pettersson (former Husky designer) to
help develop another new bike, the RH67. Joel Robert and
Roger DeCoster raced the improved machines to some
success in the 1967 GP season. The works bikes weighed
168 lbs, and put out 38 horse power.
The 1968 TM250 was based on the RH67. This was the
first production Japanese motocrosser, with only 200
produced World-wide, the US getting just 65 in early 1968.
A rare bike back then, and unobtainium now, the
early TM250 was the first production Japanese
motocrosser. You can see one at the Tom White
Museum in Stanton, Ca. Call for an appointment.
early TM250 was the first production Japanese
motocrosser. You can see one at the Tom White
Museum in Stanton, Ca. Call for an appointment.
1967-68 RH67/TM250 Suzuki. Notice twin high pipes exiting on
either side now. That big case covers the crank mounted clutch.
either side now. That big case covers the crank mounted clutch.
1968 TM250 Suzuki. The first production Japanese MX bike.
Igniiton side.
Igniiton side.
1967 RH67 250cc MX