1968 Suzuki RH67 Twin Pipe, Rare Early TM250 Motocrosser, Restored, RH, TM, RM

1968 Suzuki RH67 Motocrosser

Rare Early TM250. First Japanese Production Motocrosser. Full Restoration by Marque Expert Chris Carter

One of the rarest of Japanese collectible motorcycles. this is a matching-numbers Suzuki TM250 twin pipe motocross bike (universally known as the RH67 after the previous year?ˆ™s works racer). Records aren?ˆ™t crystal clear. but no more than 200 examples were produced for worldwide sale ?ˆ“ some experts claim as few as 100 ?ˆ“ with perhaps half that number coming to the U. S. Today. it is estimated that fewer than 20 complete motorcycles exist. mostly in private collections or museums.

The RH is an important milestone in the history of the sport. not only because it was the very first production-built Japanese motocrosser. but it also showed enough potential that riding legends Joel Robert and Roger DeCoster were lured away from the powerhouse CZ team to ride for Suzuki. World titles quickly fell to both men. the first of 29 GP motocross championships for Suzuki to date. For amateur racers. that initial limited run of production RH67s led to the successful TM series. then to the even better RMs. as Suzuki became a major force in motocross at all levels.

This particular RH67 was originally part of the Floyd Emde collection. The Daytona 200 winner and AMA Hall of Famer operated a San Diego area Suzuki dealership when his racing days were over. While others like Preston Petty developed the bike in MX (see photo 23). Emde?ˆ™s son Don (also to win Daytona and become a HoF inductee) raced Suzuki RH67s in local TT scrambles with great success ?ˆ“ starting as a 250cc Novice. he never lost a race until he had moved up to the Expert class. ending 1968 ranked third in Expert points for AMA District 38. RH67 restoration expert Chris Carter acquired the Emde Suzukis and a large accompanying selection of NOS parts from Don Emde. This bike is a best-of-everything rebuild starting with matching frame and engine. both numbered TM250-10022. All parts are refurbished original or NOS. except the front numberplate. a reproduction fabricated to Carter's exact specifications. Even the tires are period-correct Barums.

Since restoration the RH67 has remained unstarted and unridden. part of a private collection of important Japanese motorcycles. In 2005. it was loaned to the AMA Museum in Pickerington. Ohio. for their retrospective exhibit. "Motocross America" (see photo 24) and can be seen in the companion book. Located in Costa Mesa. California. the bike is sold without title on a bill of sale.  

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