23rd Oct, 2012 15:00
Imperial War Museum Duxford
1976 Yamaha TZ750C
Estimated at £15,000 - £18,000
Lot details
Registration No: CNO747T
Frame No: 100641
Engine No: 4090742
cc: 747
MOT Expiry Date: None
Some motorcycles achieve a legendry status out of all proportion to their achievements, arguably one such was the TZ750 powered flat tracker prepared for Kenny Roberts to ride on the US dirt ovals. The basic premise was sound, the mighty TZ having already gained the necessary "production" status to enable it to compete on US tracks, thus providing a powerful engine which would (hopefully when combined with Mr Roberts skill) leave the opposition contemplating its two stroke haze on its way to victory. Unfortunately, as the BSA/Triumph group had found when they undertook a similar exercise using the Rocket 3 triple, the TZ powered machine struggled to "hook up" on the loose surface dissipating much of its performance in wheel spin. Although the flat track TZ had a brief competition history it left a mark on the motorcycling world that endures to this day.
The machine offered is neither that legendary machine or a "replica" of it, instead it is a TZ750 powered homage to the legendary flat tracker built by one man with the added benefit that it is road registered. Built by Jeff Elliott over a seven year period the project started with the acquisition of a loosely assembled TZ750 engine. The rebuilt engine is housed in a Chrome Moly 4130 frame of Jeff's own construction based loosely on the Rickman Metisse design. Suzuki front forks support the front end and Falcon rear shocks control the swinging arm that was also made by Mr Elliott. The braking system makes use of components from Brembo, BMW and Cagiva, FS1E coils look after the ignition as effectively as TZ items for considerably less money and an RD250 fuel tank stores the go juice. The machine won the 2009 and 2010 Ramsay Sprint held during the Manx Grand Prix demonstrating the skills of its creator Mr Elliott. It is described by the vendor as being offered today in excellent condition throughout and is accompanied by copies of the articles that appeared in "The Classic Racer" describing its creation and a Swansea V5C.
Registration No: CNO747T
Frame No: 100641
Engine No: 4090742
cc: 747
MOT Expiry Date: None
Some motorcycles achieve a legendry status out of all proportion to their achievements, arguably one such was the TZ750 powered flat tracker prepared for Kenny Roberts to ride on the US dirt ovals. The basic premise was sound, the mighty TZ having already gained the necessary "production" status to enable it to compete on US tracks, thus providing a powerful engine which would (hopefully when combined with Mr Roberts skill) leave the opposition contemplating its two stroke haze on its way to victory. Unfortunately, as the BSA/Triumph group had found when they undertook a similar exercise using the Rocket 3 triple, the TZ powered machine struggled to "hook up" on the loose surface dissipating much of its performance in wheel spin. Although the flat track TZ had a brief competition history it left a mark on the motorcycling world that endures to this day.
The machine offered is neither that legendary machine or a "replica" of it, instead it is a TZ750 powered homage to the legendary flat tracker built by one man with the added benefit that it is road registered. Built by Jeff Elliott over a seven year period the project started with the acquisition of a loosely assembled TZ750 engine. The rebuilt engine is housed in a Chrome Moly 4130 frame of Jeff's own construction based loosely on the Rickman Metisse design. Suzuki front forks support the front end and Falcon rear shocks control the swinging arm that was also made by Mr Elliott. The braking system makes use of components from Brembo, BMW and Cagiva, FS1E coils look after the ignition as effectively as TZ items for considerably less money and an RD250 fuel tank stores the go juice. The machine won the 2009 and 2010 Ramsay Sprint held during the Manx Grand Prix demonstrating the skills of its creator Mr Elliott. It is described by the vendor as being offered today in excellent condition throughout and is accompanied by copies of the articles that appeared in "The Classic Racer" describing its creation and a Swansea V5C.
Auction: Imperial War Museum Duxford, 23rd Oct, 2012
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