If you wander through Boyle Kawasaki on Adelaide road in Wellington, you might have spotted a mint RM 400 tricked out to the max parked in the ranks of bikes not for sale. The bike belongs to Pete Mcdonald - heres his story......
The bike is a 1980 RM400T, last ever twin shock RM. I purchased it from Donald Treloar in Stokes Valley for $400.00. It was a total basket case. As I was pulling it down, I realized basically everything was stuffed. Even the frame was cracked above the peg mounts where they're prone to breaking.
So started the collection of bits.
I started with a really nice straight frame from Arizona...no rust at all. The only bits left from the original bike are the rear hub, swing arm, air box and the CDI unit. I found the new Fox Factory Shox on Ebay, the Fox Forx a year later. The stauntions are a bit sad, and need re-chroming, but I ran out of money!
Engine was built with a nos crank assembly, cyl, piston and ring. Every bearing is new and nos, new nos seals and gaskets. Every bearing in the frame, wheels etc were replace. Chamber is a Pro Form as is the alloy muffler, it's by far the nicest chamber I've had for the RM400N/T. Great spread of power, and very smooth. I used a 40mm Mikuni from a KX500, Boysen reeds and gave the cyl a light port cleanup. As far as RM400's go, it goes pretty well.
Preston Petty rep front guard, rear guard, seat foam and cover are Vintage Suzuki items. Front and side number boards are nos Suzuki. All cables were nos Suzuki as well. I cheated with the front brakes, as they're tls from an RM500, rims DID with HD stainless spokes. Took about two years of parts collection and a week to build.
I first rode it at the Johnny Olds 3 years ago, having finished the build at 2.00am on the morning of the event. The jetting was off...so I just did a few laps to get a feel for it. But unfortunately, one of the axle adjusters vibrated loose, and it derailed a chain over the back of the course. The chap on the quad that came to give me a tow, took off to the side, and in a vain attempt to keep the bike upright, I got my foot caught in a rabbit hole, and tore my hamstring badly.
Second time I rode it was at Feilding last year, once the jetting had been sorted. Was having a great time until I got cleaned out and munted my shoulder badly. Still waiting on surgery, and haven't been able to ride since........I'm thinking it may be cursed.
Might have to sell it. But then, I'd just build another, as I've always loved them!
Pete
