Suzuki
RM400 model history
1978—1980
| I
have tried to tellthe RM 400 model history on this page as I know
it. This page is still under construction.
I would be grateful of any contributions — sales brochures, magazine ads,
magazine articles, pictures, specs, facts, corrections etc. Please scan the material
in JPEG format (large enough that all the details are visible) and send
them to me. Please tell me the source and the publication date if possible.
If you send me pictures of your own bike, please follow these
instructions.
|
 
1978 Suzuki year code: C
The largest Suzuki motorcrosser of the seventies. Still air-cooled
with conventional, but laid down twin shocks at the rear.
The U.S. sales brochure from '78 says this: ”Even if somebody
could build an engine as good as the RM-400 Power Reed, they still
couldn't beat Suzuki's air forks, aluminum works type box section
arm, and laid dow, forward mounted gas-oil shocks (with reservoir)
for total performance. Conical hub in front—full floating
brake and magnesium hub panel in the rear.”
The first pictures below is a detail from the sales brochure I
found on the vintage-suzuki.com website.
|
 RM
400 1978
Overall Length: 2 140 mm (84.3 in)
Overall Width: 885 mm (34.8 in)
Overall Height: 1 225 mm (48.2 in)
Seat Height:
Ground Clearance: 290 mm (11.4 in)
Wheelbase: 1 450 mm (57.1 in)
Dry Weight: 105 kg (231 lbs)
Engine type: Air-cooled 402 cc single-cylinder 2-stroke,
piston and reed valve. 43 hp (32 kW)/ 6,500 rpm, 47 Nm 4,84
kg-m)/ 6,000 rpm.
Click on the image for larger format. |
 RM
400 1978
Overall Length: 2 140 mm (84.3 in)
Overall Width: 885 mm (34.8 in)
Overall Height: 1 225 mm (48.2 in)
Seat Height:
Wheelbase: 1 450 mm (57.1 in)
Ground Clearance: 290 mm (11.4 in)
Dry Weight: 105 kg (231 lbs)
Engine type: Air-cooled 402 cc single-cylinder 2-stroke,
piston and reed valve. 43 hp (32 kW)/ 6,500 rpm, 47 Nm 4,84
kg-m)/ 6,000 rpm.
Click on the image for larger format.
Here's
even larger picture. |
|
|
1978 RM400C specifications
(USA)
|
| Engine type: |
Air-cooled
single cylinder two-stroke, Power Reed |
| Cylinder
displacement: |
402
cc |
| Bore x stroke: |
80
x 80 mm (3.150 x 3.150 in) |
| Compression
ratio: |
6.7
:1 |
| Carburetor: |
Mikuni
VM36SS |
| Transmission: |
5-speed,
constant mesh |
| Lubrication
system : |
Fuel-oil
mixture |
| Starting
system: |
Kick
starter |
| Front suspension: |
Air/oil-damped,
leading axle |
| Rear
suspension: |
Aluminum
box type, gas-oil shocks, 2 dampening adjustments, 3 load settings |
| Front
suspension stroke: |
249mm
(9.8 in) |
| Rear
suspension travel: |
251mm
(9.9 in) |
| Front
brake: |
Internal
expanding |
| Rear
brake: |
Internal
expanding, full floating |
| Front
tyre dimension: |
3.00-21-4PR,
full knobby |
| Rear
tyre dimension: |
4.50-18-4PR,
full knobby |
| Fuel
tank capacity:: |
8,5
liter (2.2/1.9 US/UK gal.) |
| Color: |
Yellow |
1979 Suzuki year code: N
Modernized appearance and larger engine. The U.S. sales brochure
from '79 tells this about the model: ”Power Reed engine;
CDI ignition; improved clutch release mechanis; 5-speed trans;leading
axle rear forks; forward mounted, gas-oil remote reservoir shocks,
2-way damping adjustment, 3-way spring load settings (11.8"
rear wheel travel); full floating rear brake; magnesium brake
panels/engine side covers; heavy duty chain tensioner and chain
guide; extra-rigid, extruded aluminum swing arm; self-cleaning
aluminum alloy rims; plastic fuel tank; slim-styled at 223 lbs.”
The picture below is a detail from the sales brochure I found
on the vintage-suzuki.com website. The next two pictures show a restored '79 RM400N. “This was restored with mostly NOS parts including tank, seat, all plastic, forks etc,” says Chris, the owner.
|
 RM 400 1979
Overall Length: 2,145 mm (84.4 in)
Overall Width: 880 mm (34.6 in)
Overall Height: 1,235 mm (48.6 in)
Seat Height:
Ground Clearance: 350 mm (13.8 in)
Wheelbase: 1,445 mm (56.9 in)
Dry Weight: 101 kg (223 lbs)
Engine type: Air-cooled 417 cc single-cylinder 2-stroke, Reed valve.
Click on the image for larger format. |
 RM 400 1979
Overall Length: 2,145 mm (84.4 in)
Overall Width: 880 mm (34.6 in)
Overall Height: 1,235 mm (48.6 in)
Seat Height:
Ground Clearance: 350 mm (13.8 in)
Wheelbase: 1,445 mm (56.9 in)
Dry Weight: 101 kg (223 lbs)
Engine type: Air-cooled 417 cc single-cylinder 2-stroke, Reed valve.
Click on the image for larger format.
Here's even larger picture. |
 RM
400 1979
Overall Length: 2,145 mm (84.4 in)
Overall Width: 880 mm (34.6 in)
Overall Height: 1,235 mm (48.6 in)
Seat Height:
Ground Clearance: 350 mm (13.8 in)
Wheelbase: 1,445 mm (56.9 in)
Dry Weight: 101 kg (223 lbs)
Engine type: Air-cooled 417 cc single-cylinder 2-stroke, Reed
valve.
Click on the image for larger format.
Here's even larger picture. |
|
1979 RM400N specifications
(USA)
|
| Engine type: |
Air-cooled
single cylinder two-stroke, Power Reed |
| Cylinder
displacement: |
417
cc |
| Bore x stroke: |
80
x 83 mm (3.150 x 3.268 in) |
| Compression
ratio: |
7,0
:1 |
| Carburetor: |
Mikuni
VM36SS |
| Transmission: |
5-speed,
constant mesh |
| Lubrication
system : |
Fuel-oil
mixture |
| Starting
system: |
Kick
starter |
| Front suspension: |
Air/oil-damped,
leading axle |
| Rear
suspension: |
Aluminum
box type, gas-oil shocks, 2 dampening adjustments, 3 load settings |
| Front
suspension stroke: |
285mm
(11.2 in) |
| Rear
suspension travel: |
300mm
(11.8 in) |
| Front
brake: |
Internal
expanding |
| Rear
brake: |
Internal
expanding, full floating |
| Front
tyre dimension: |
3.00-21-4PR,
full knobby |
| Rear
tyre dimension: |
4.50-18-4PR,
full knobby |
| Fuel
tank capacity:: |
8,5
liter (2.2/1.9 US/UK gal.) |
| Color: |
Yellow |
1980 Suzuki year code: T
New graphics but basically the same machine as the '79 RM400N.
Wider 5.10-18 rear wheel, more ground clearance, a little heavier.
You will find more specs on the RM400 magazine articles page (Dirt
Bike article, May 1980).
The pictures of the Massimo Pipino's RM400T are taken recently
and the bike is not 100% original but quite close.
|
 RM
400 1980
Overall Length: 2,145 mm (84.4 in)
Overall Width: 880 mm (34.6 in)
Overall Height: 1,235 mm (48.6 in)
Seat Height: 990 mm (39.0 in)
Ground Clearance: 365 mm (14.4 in)
Wheelbase: 1,445 mm (56.9 in)
Dry Weight: 103 kg (227 lbs)
Engine type: Air-cooled 417 cc single-cylinder 2-stroke, Reed
valve.
Click on the image for larger format.
Here's
even larger picture. |
RM 400 1980
Owner: Massimo Pipino,
Torino, Italy
Comments: ”This is the bike I used to ride in vintage MX
championship. It's a Suzuki RM400. It was built in 1979 and I
bought it two years ago.
It is in its original shape. The only thing I replaced is the
handlebar, because i prefer the shape of Renthal.
The bike is very easy to ride, powerful but not brutal like, for
example, the later KTM 495/'91. It's not too heavy and you can
ride it like it was a 250cc.
Great bike!”
Here's
more visitor's Suzuki pictures.
|
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