Hi there - I was a Concourse judge for Japanese bikes back when Del Mar, CA used to have these great annual shows... The 1973 Honcho was Yellow with different graphics (wide Blue stripe with the letter "TS" on the tank just in front of the seat) and has a 5-speed transmission.... I believe what you have here is a 1974 model, and since you have the dual range transmission, its definitely a TC100 - which is called a Blazer, and I believe these have 4-speeds in each range. I agree that it was neat that Suzuki "named their models (TS50 = Gaucho, TS75 = Colt, TS90/100=Honcho, TS125 = Duster, TS185 = Sierra, TS250 = Savage, and the TS400 = Apache, as you mentioned). Those Suzuki's with the "Dual Range Transmission were called "TC's and also have names as follows: TC90/100 = Blazer, TC120 = Cat, TC125 = Prospector, TC185 = Ranger). Still a great bike no matter what its called, and great video! Thanks for sharing - just thought you might want to know! Cheers!
It's a great thing that a lot of them are still out there waiting to come back to life. It would be easy to turn into an old bike hoarder. I've been looking through craigslist and there are some pretty tempting metal critters selling on the cheap. There's a '67 Honda Trail 70 near Duluth in not too horrible shape and they're asking $500. Fixed up, I've seen those going for a couple of grand. I forgot where it was, but there's a '60's bike that was built in Italy and sold by Sears that was intact but not running: No dents in the metal work going for $1.00 as a haul away. If I had a pickup or a trailer, I wouldn't be sitting here typing, I'd be on the road.
Fantastic Bike. Got one new, when I was nine years old when, we needed a new bike for the farm. Transfer case worked really well for cattle work and getting through swamps and other rough terrain. Not fast but certainly reliable and easy to ride. I could just squeeze 65mph top speed out on the flat with a down hill run up!
Howdy Larry, That little Honda really did turn out nice. I should have ordered three sets of stickers because the other side went on slightly off, but that's easy to correct. The Suzuki surprised me once I cleaned it up. The thing is actually pretty clean inside and all of the ancient fluids were in nice shape. Once I get the tank cleaned out all the way and sort out the missing key, I betcha it'll fire right up. I wonder if it's the same deal as my Yamaha: Just pull the ignition harness off that's hiding behind the headlight. The Yammy had a grounding kind of thing going on not an ignition that had to complete a circuit. Way to easy to hot wire. Good for you. An active citizen.
That's a possibility. The motor has issues, but they are easy to fix. I bought a new transmission: A full set of gears that I just need to put in, and the piston needs replacing, though the cylinder is in pretty good shape. Are you asking if you could buy it?
beautiful bike man! I have a 73 TC100 so very similar to this bike you have! These bikes are hard to find (at least in my area) especially in this good of condition!
Hi. Unfortunately, the engine is trashed. Though I did buy a new set of gears for the tranny. I also need to have the bore fixed because it looks like someone mixed sand into the gas.
@@johnjriggsarchery2457 oh no! sorry to hear that! good luck with the project! a new bore will do the bike well for sure! i think seals and bearings are even available for these engines still too!
My ts90 has the iconic chrome snake exuast system popular in the usa my bike is an us import with uk paperwork no tax or mot is required as its classed as an historic vehicle and yes its vintage 6v system but does run no rattles from nice tight low milage engine on its first reborn to 01 size since new in 1972
I still have my 1974 TS 100 Honcho. Needs rebuilt.
These old bikes deserve to be restored. Thank you for adding this.
Hi there - I was a Concourse judge for Japanese bikes back when Del Mar, CA used to have these great annual shows... The 1973 Honcho was Yellow with different graphics (wide Blue stripe with the letter "TS" on the tank just in front of the seat) and has a 5-speed transmission.... I believe what you have here is a 1974 model, and since you have the dual range transmission, its definitely a TC100 - which is called a Blazer, and I believe these have 4-speeds in each range. I agree that it was neat that Suzuki "named their models (TS50 = Gaucho, TS75 = Colt, TS90/100=Honcho, TS125 = Duster, TS185 = Sierra, TS250 = Savage, and the TS400 = Apache, as you mentioned). Those Suzuki's with the "Dual Range Transmission were called "TC's and also have names as follows: TC90/100 = Blazer, TC120 = Cat, TC125 = Prospector, TC185 = Ranger). Still a great bike no matter what its called, and great video! Thanks for sharing - just thought you might want to know! Cheers!
Thank you for that.
Yep, I checked and it's stamped TC100. You're very close to the age: the date of manufacture was 10/73.
@@johnjriggsarchery2457 10th month '73 manufacture makes it a '74 bike.
I love looking at those bikes of the yester year. Those lines were classics and speak volumes.
It's a great thing that a lot of them are still out there waiting to come back to life. It would be easy to turn into an old bike hoarder. I've been looking through craigslist and there are some pretty tempting metal critters selling on the cheap. There's a '67 Honda Trail 70 near Duluth in not too horrible shape and they're asking $500. Fixed up, I've seen those going for a couple of grand. I forgot where it was, but there's a '60's bike that was built in Italy and sold by Sears that was intact but not running: No dents in the metal work going for $1.00 as a haul away. If I had a pickup or a trailer, I wouldn't be sitting here typing, I'd be on the road.
If that one for a dollar is near me I’ll look at it for you. When I go camping I could drop It off
That is not a 73, looks like a 74.
Sorry to disagree. It says 1973 on the head tube plate.
@@johnjriggsarchery2457 Ok, must be a TC then.
@@husq48 I think it is. Soon to be a 125 as soon as I get the engine mounts set. The original motor is trashed top and bottom.
Fantastic Bike. Got one new, when I was nine years old when, we needed a new bike for the farm. Transfer case worked really well for cattle work and getting through swamps and other rough terrain. Not fast but certainly reliable and easy to ride. I could just squeeze 65mph top speed out on the flat with a down hill run up!
The Honda graphics look great on the tank. The Zuki looks good too. I voted already, Hell yeah.
Howdy Larry, That little Honda really did turn out nice. I should have ordered three sets of stickers because the other side went on slightly off, but that's easy to correct. The Suzuki surprised me once I cleaned it up. The thing is actually pretty clean inside and all of the ancient fluids were in nice shape. Once I get the tank cleaned out all the way and sort out the missing key, I betcha it'll fire right up. I wonder if it's the same deal as my Yamaha: Just pull the ignition harness off that's hiding behind the headlight. The Yammy had a grounding kind of thing going on not an ignition that had to complete a circuit. Way to easy to hot wire. Good for you. An active citizen.
maybe someday you'll wanna sell this bike?
That's a possibility. The motor has issues, but they are easy to fix. I bought a new transmission: A full set of gears that I just need to put in, and the piston needs replacing, though the cylinder is in pretty good shape. Are you asking if you could buy it?
beautiful bike man! I have a 73 TC100 so very similar to this bike you have! These bikes are hard to find (at least in my area) especially in this good of condition!
Hi. Unfortunately, the engine is trashed. Though I did buy a new set of gears for the tranny. I also need to have the bore fixed because it looks like someone mixed sand into the gas.
@@johnjriggsarchery2457 oh no! sorry to hear that! good luck with the project! a new bore will do the bike well for sure! i think seals and bearings are even available for these engines still too!
I’ve got a Ts100
Nice. I really miss the days when motorcycles actually looked like motorcycles and were simple.
where can i buy one?
Ebay or Cycle Trader.
I have one for sale if you're still interested
@@cameraguy2888 yes! Where are you located
@@jli8353 I'm in canada but down to travel for the right price or trade. Been planning on a road trip soon
My ts90 has the iconic chrome snake exuast system popular in the usa my bike is an us import with uk paperwork no tax or mot is required as its classed as an historic vehicle and yes its vintage 6v system but does run no rattles from nice tight low milage engine on its first reborn to 01 size since new in 1972