This time some pics of a very special and rare bike the Suzuki TGA1, the Italian effort to keep Suzuki in the 500cc Grand Prix in the eighties. This bike was made in 1984 by Roberto Gallina and Massimo Tamburini. The frame is made of 7075 Alloy which cannot be welded, so it is glued together and reinforced with carbonfiber. The engine is an XR45 square four. This machine was made for Franco Uncini, it was also ridden by Sergio Pellandini. Most of the time Franco Uncini raced the official Suzuki factory bike, if he has ever raced the TGA1 in the GP's is not sure. The Italian bike was not near as succesful as the Ciba Geigy bikes of the British Suzuki importer Heron. This bike has been bought by the current owner about 20 years ago out of a large motorcycle collection and has been totally restored. The first outing after the restoration was at Imola this year.
Technical specifications
HB-Suzuki TGA1-500 (1984)
Rider: Franco Uncini (World Champion 1982)
Testrider: Sergio Pellandini
Team: Gallina
R&D: Roberto Gallina and Massimo Tamburini
Sponsored by: HB-Sigarettes and Suzuki Motor Corp.Japan
Engine
Suzuki XR-40 magnesium „square-four“ watercooled engine with
rotating inlet system (carbonfiber disks and XR-45 cylinders)
Bore x stroke: 56 x 50 mm, capacity: 493 ccm.
Maximum power: 130 HP (95.6 kW) / 12.000 rpm.
4 magnesium Mikuni carburators (Ø 37,5 mm), two-piece aluminium radiator
in V-configuration, close-ratio 6-gear cassette type gearbox,
dry-clutch, Nippondenso ignition.
Frame
Number
: TGA 0001
Sixpiece aluminium/honeycomb carbonfibre frame bolted together . Big
steering head housing secured with12 bolts (the „powersteering“ with
belt drive has been removed).
Magnesium Suzuki frontfork with hydraulic anti-dive system.
Aluminium rear-swingingarm with Kayaba gas-filled shock-absorber.
16“ magnesium Campagnolo wheels with Michelin or Avon tyres
Brakesystem
front: double Suzuki steel brakedisks Ø 310mm with magnesium Suzuki
brake-calipers (2 piston-type), Rear: single ventilated Suzuki
brake-disk Ø 230mm
with magnesium 2-piston Suzuki caliper.
Fairing, petroltank and seat made from carbonfiber and kevlar
Dry weight: 112 KG!!!
Various parts and constructions were patented in 1983/1984.
For more pics see
Suzuki TGA1
This time some pics of a very trick RG500, this bike is based on the Suzuki RG500 Gamma street bike but is heavily modified by the German RG500 specialist STR, it has just over 130 hp. Take a look at the frame with the delta box like beams and modified swing arm. Other striking thing is that German RG500's often make use of the standard airbox with good succes. In other parts of the world this box ends in most cases in the bin. These kind of bikes are ridden in the German IG Königsklasse. 
