Suzuki TC125 Restoration

[dwilson]

When I was 13 (in 1988 ) I got a 74 Suzuki TC125 off a friend and I've been riding ever since.  The bike has been negelcted for 10 years now and I'm starting the restoration.  Thanks to Ebay I've found most of the parts I need but have a performance question:  It came with a 24mm Mikuni, I have a nice modern 30mm Mikuni that will bolt right on with the use of a flange adapter (available through Mikuni).  Will this be a performance upgrade with the proper jetting or will I over doing it?
Also, does anyone know how to straighten aluminum fins without busting them?  I have a torch (oxy/mapp) and would like to straighten them without melting/busting any.  It's a dual sport and would make an awsome pit bike/into town grocery getter ;D

[Zac]

Hmm, I assume the TC is a two stroke?  Piston port?

A 125 trail bike should handle a little larger than a 24mm carb, but I think 30mm would be too much.  If the porting and pipe aren't changed, the engine just won't be able to flow enough to get decent velocity through the carb.

My wifes first bike was a Hodaka SuperRat 100.  The Ace 100s and 90s ran 24mm carbs and the SuperRat ran a 26.  Someone put a 28mm carb off a 125 on this engine, and there was no mid-range or low end.  I tracked down a proper VM26 and it ran great, without losing hardly anything on top.

-z.

[dwilson]

Yes, it is a 2-stroke.  The carb mounts right to the cylinder, not the crank case.  
I got another top end, maybe I'll take a shot at porting it.  

[Zac]

If you're feeling adventuresome, try and find a port map for it.  I've got some old dirt bike manuals that have all kinds of port maps for different bikes and different levels of performance.  Just remember, port height controls the timing (think cam lobe timing and duration), and width controls the flow (think cam lift).  Direction is also important on the transfer ports for good scavenging.

-z.

[dwilson]

2 more questions,
The factory decals are no longer available.  Does anyone know where I can have them made?  
What is a fair price to have a exhaust pipe powder coated?


Well the bike's almost done mechanically.  I tore it down, put on a new top end with 1mm over Weisco piston & rings, gaskets, etc... painted all the black stuff.  I got it mostly together (been working on it non-stop).  I got an original 24mm carb and have it in the tank now, next is to rebuild it with some bigger jets.