This bike was initially set up to race. Unfortunately, it hasn’t even been “broken in” since it’s complete rebuild……

By early 1972, Kawasaki recognized a growing market in the United States for a race and help develop the bikes.  Lackey rewarded Kawasaki at the end of the season with the National Title.  By 1973, Kawasaki was prepared to release a limited production open class motocross bike dubbed the F12MX.  They also released the 250cc version dubbed the F11M.  The F12MX represented Kawasaki’s best effort to produce a competitive motocross bike to the US market. Unlike the F11M, which was based on the current F11 enduro, the F12MX was a ground up design as Kawasaki had no big bore bikes in it’s current off road inventory.  The bike featured magnesium hubs, chromoly frame, custom Kayaba shocks, plastic fuel tank and levers.  It weighted in at 212 pounds, 8 pounds lighter than the F11M.

The projected number of bikes to be built was 200.   It is believed by many sources that significantly less than 200 bikes  were ever released from Kawasaki.

This bike was confirmed as the test bike used in Dirt Rider Magazine in August 1973.  It is also believed to have been the same bike used by Motocross Action Magazine, Modern Cycle and Cycle World. It’s history has been documented since it left the Kawasaki Factory in Irvine.

In 1974, Kawasaki was prepared to release the production version of this bike.  It was dubbed the Kawasaki KX450. Kawasaki’s dirt bike line has been referred to “KX” ever since.

Dirt Rider Magazine

Featured here is a 1974 Suzuki RN400 works replica.  The bike is currently owned by Dave Tanner in  Australia. He explains the bike history

“This 1974 Suzuki “works replica” was made and issued to National teams in NZ England and Australia, the USA
market didn’t get them and they were basically the same as the full factory spec bikes without the billet.

famous bike here in Aussie. These are very rare and although there are 3 in Australia (the other 2 are incomplete)
and a couple in the UK, this one is the only one race ready and used. I raced it for 15 years before deciding that I
should only take it out on demo rides.  It was race prepared for Joel Robert to ride last year (although he did not
end up ridding it) and was ridden last month at the Classic Dirt event VMX Magazine puts on.

The difference between say a TM400 is pretty simple, the foot pegs, throttle housing and rod are the same, there
are no other interchangeable parts. The hubs, engine cases are all sand cast with part numbers cast in, the carb is
a VM36SCC Mikuni, sparks are by flywheel magneto – all same as the big boys bikes. Tank is Alloy so is the seat
base. Some of the other trick stuff is dual piston ring fork dampener units, left / right shift, roller bearing swing arm
weight saving.”

Featured here is a beautifully restored 1971 Suzuki TM400. The bike was restored by Jeff Weier. The TM400 was probably the worst handling bike of the early 1970’s.  Uncontrollable power coupled with poor handle characteristics made this bike a beast to ride.  Today, a nicely restored TM is very collectible.

Featured here is a beautifully restored 1967 Suzuki RH67.  The current owner, David Tellez has a long history in the motorcycle industry.  He is currently looking for additional RH67’s and any associated parts.  He can be reached
at: jolieone@verizon.net