"Finally fulfilled my childhood dream"
If you were 16 years old in the 1980s and were going to take your place on the street, it was definitely Suzuki's off-roader TS100ER that mattered. The tough lightweight that replaced Suzuki GT100 became very popular. Sven Kenneth Nilsvik from Ørsta drove Suzuki GT100 when he was 16 years old, but dreamed of the rugged off-roader Suzuki TS100ER. The dream has now become a reality even though Sven Kenneth has long passed the age of 16.
0/0
Suzuki 's TS series appeared in the 1970s, and was mainly intended for the American motorcycle market where road traffic laws allowed relatively free movement of motorcycles in God's free nature. The TS models were rough off-roaders with 2-stroke engines, and the series was offered with a number of engine options, the largest of which was a full 400 cc. Here at home, the TS 250 became very popular, but if you were 16 years old, it was the lightweight TS 100 ER that was the thing. It became very popular among the kingdom's 16-year-olds. The tough off-roader with a 21-inch front wheel became the first choice for many young people who took up the lightweight motorcycle.
On 2 wheels all year round
Sven Kenneth Nilsvik grew up in Volda, and with a father who was a foreman at Ford and who drove classic Mustangs, it was almost inevitable that the interest in motors would not be passed on from father to son. When Sven Kenneth turned 16, he bought himself a Suzuki GT 100. The lightweight was used all year round, and snow-covered roads were no obstacle.
Broken ribs
Sven Kenneth admits that youthful arrogance probably helped push the limits, which resulted in a rather tough encounter with a passenger car where both his spleen and ribs were damaged. Sven Kenneth remembers that he was actually quite happy with the GTn, but then there was this new off-roader, and several of his friends had acquired the newcomer TS100ER. Sven Kenneth was allowed to try the new 100-cc bike, and was reasonably saved. At that time, there was a large motorcycle dealer in the neighboring village of Ørsta. This was also the office of the regulatory dentist, whom he had to visit regularly. After a painful visit to the dentist's chair, it helped to lift his spirits to have a trip to the motorcycle shop to look at new motorcycles and not least get brochures on the 100-cc Suzuki TS100ER, which was his dream.
The dream of youth comes true
Now there was no TS100ER on Sven Kenneth before he passed 50. The dream from his youth appeared at the school where he works. One of the students was going to sell just such a lightweight, and Sven Kennth opened his wallet and secured the bike. This was during the pandemic in 2020, and thus he had a little to tinker with at home in the garage in quiet moments, which there were a lot of when covid was at its worst. The Suzuki needed an overhaul and Sven Kennth chose to dismantle most of it and then paint all the parts. New parts were purchased at finn.no and at Faldalen Motor.
From 12 volts to 6 volts
New wheels were built up and the 12 volt system was changed to the original 6 volt system. However, the engine was in good condition and with a little paint and a new carburetor the bike was ready to use again. The result of the restoration work must be said to be perfect, and Sven Kenneth can rejoice that he can now see his dream bike "live" and not just in the brochure from the happy 80s.
Technical data Suzuki TS 100 ER, 1987 model:
Engine: 1-cylinder 2-stroke
Displacement 98 cc
Power: 7 hp
No. of gears: 5
Front tire: 2.75 x 21
Rear wheel: 4.10 x 18
Dry weight: 99 kg
Tank volume: 7 liters
Top speed: 80 km/h
