1971 Yamaha TD2

Lot details
Registration No: N/A
Frame No: 101
Engine No: 900172
cc: 250
MOT Expiry Date: N/A

In their quest for victory riders have sought to gain an advantage wherever possible, often turning to tuning or specialist components in the search for that elusive edge. The Yamaha TD2 undoubtedly had the performance as the 1970 results demonstrated with the model securing victory in 11 of the 12 World Championship races rapidly establishing itself as the "must have" machine in the class. With all of the top riders competing on similar machinery, the slightest improvement in machine performance could make the difference.
Towards the end of 1970 Phil Read commissioned Eric Cheney to build a frame for his TD2B which he would run under the "Team Phil Read Castrol" banner during the coming season, thus addressing one area of perceived weakness in the standard machine. The new frame, number 101, was equipped with Paul Dunstall telescopic forks and front disc brake and a Lockheed rear disc brake. This machine, together with a second bike built to the same specification, was built and tuned by Ferry Brouwer, during the winter of 1970/71, finishing the motorcycles in the traditional Yamaha white and red livery. History attributes the engine tuning to Helmut Fath, a fact supported by correspondence from Phil Read, however in a letter supplied with the motorcycle, Ferry Brouwer suggests that Helmut Fath's input was confined to the dry clutch modification complimented by a Rod Quaife six speed gear cluster fitted to the sister machine, built using the second frame. Both machines employed Krober ignition systems.
Phil Read secured his fifth World Championship using this machine, with wins in the West German, British and Dutch Grand Prix helping him to a total points score of 73 for the season, five more than his nearest challenger Rod Gould on the works supported Yamaha. Phil also won the 1971 Lightweight 250 TT at an average speed of 98.02 mph lapping at over 100 mph.
Phil continued to use the machine during the 1972 season winning the French Grand Prix at Clermont-Ferrand, the British Grand Prix which that year was the TT and the East German Grand Prix. He had managed to lead MV Agusta mounted Giacomo Agostini in the 500cc race at Clermont-Ferrand aboard the Yamaha Cheney resulting in an invitation to ride for the MV in the 350 and 500 classes.
Little is known of its history until 1996 when it was sold by Phil Cotton to the present owner, although a previous owner had fitted the big Yamaha front drum brake in place of the Dunstall disc originally employed, preferring the drums looks. This historic and significant machine is presented in lovely condition, resplendent in its original livery, the original Yamaha fairing is supplied with the machine which is also accompanied by the letters from Phil Read, Ferry Brouwer and Phil Cotton together with a period photograph of Phil Read holding the frame.