1966 Padgett-Yamaha TD1B/C
No Reserve – Tuned and raced by Padgett's from 1966 to 1968

Registration No: Un-Registered
Frame No: T1-383
MOT: Exempt

• One of twenty TD1Bs imported into Britain during 1966
• Raced by Yamaha dealer Padgett's (Batley) Ltd. and fitted with a TD1C engine in 1967
• Restored by Martyn Harris in the late 2000s
• History includes period photographs and magazine articles

• The Road and Race Collection

The Yamaha TD1 was a welcome sight for private race teams when it arrived in Britain in 1962. A relatively affordable “over-the-counter” 250cc two-stroke race bike adapted from the YDS2 road model, it found plenty of willing buyers, but early models suffered from seize-prone engines. The much-improved TD1B addressed that problem when it arrived in 1966, and this one was bought and further improved by the well-known Yorkshire Yamaha dealer and special-equipment maker Padgett’s (Batley) Ltd. It promised excellent performance, with quoted figures of 38bhp at 10,000rpm and a 128mph top speed.

One of twenty TD1Bs imported during 1966, Peter Padgett set about increasing its compression ratio from 9:1 to 10:1 and fitting modified pistons. The gearbox and Amal carburettors remained standard, but Peter added a pair of works exhausts with shortened tail pipes. Thus prepared, it was raced by Peter and brother Don, plus Terry Grotefield and John Cooper. When Yamaha unveiled the TD1C for 1967, the Padgetts realised they could simply insert a TD1C engine straight into their TD1B frame—so they did. In that guise, the Padgett-Yamaha was one of the front-runners in the 1968 Ulster Grand Prix, until rider Cooper was injured in a spill near the end of the race. As the bike was nearing the end of its competitive life, it was further modified with extra frame tubes to improve handling, and there were experiments with longer swinging-arms. On its final outing, its engine seized, and it was wheeled into storage in 1969 when Yamaha presented the new TD2 racer.

It remained with Padgett’s until 2006, when collector Martyn Harris heard of it and bought it to restore and keep alongside his ex-1968 Ulster G.P. Crooks Suzuki TR250 (also in this sale). Presented with a load of original parts which Padgett’s had been keeping in a tea chest, he restored it to its Ulster specification, in which guise it was featured in the September-October, 2010, issue of Classic Racer. More recently, it was acquired by our vendor for his collection of important historic motorcycles. It now requires recommissioning after several years on static display. Its paperwork includes an authentication letter from Peter Padgett, copies of period magazine articles including the 1967 Motor Cycling feature on this bike, period photos of the bike in action (one signed by John Cooper), and a TD1C parts list. The Yamaha is accompanied by a selection of spares, including heads and barrels.

For more information, please contact:
Mike Davis
mike.davis@handh.co.uk
07718 584217