LOT 420 *

Believed twice winner of the Suzuka 4 Hours Endurance Road Race (Novice Class) 1987 Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R400 Racing Motorcycle Frame no. GK71F-100038 Engine no. K706-100090

Sold for £4,025 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve

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Lot 420^*

Believed twice winner of the Suzuka 4 Hours Endurance Road Race (Novice Class), 1987 Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R400 Racing Motorcycle
Frame no. GK71F-100038 Engine no. K706-100090

The Autumn Stafford Sale: The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show|20 October 2019, 11:00 BST|Stafford, Staffordshire County Showground

Believed twice winner of the Suzuka 4 Hours Endurance Road Race (Novice Class)
1987 Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R400 Racing Motorcycle
Frame no. GK71F-100038
Engine no. K706-100090

• Entered by the Mirage Kanto Racing Team
• Riders: Takeshi Ando/Hisatomo Nakamura
• Purchased directly from the Yoshimura racing team
• Last run in 1998
• Checked by Yoshimura in 2000

One of the most famous names in the history of motorcycle racing, the firm founded by Hideo 'Pops' Yoshimura first rose to prominence tuning bikes for AMA racing in the USA and would end up running the Suzuki factory team.

In 1987, Yoshimura competed in the All Japan International Class A TT Formula 1 and TT Formula 3 categories. At the same time, the celebrated Japanese tuning firm also supplied Suzuki GSX-R400 TT F3 machines in Novice specification to the Mirage Kanto Racing Team, which achieved two consecutive wins at the Suzuka 4 hours endurance road race.

The standard frame had to be retained for the Novice Class machines but changing the suspension was allowed, so Yoshimura fitted a Showa front fork and rear shock absorber, which were available as parts of Yoshimura's TT F3 kit. The front brake is a combination of cast-iron floating discs of 290mm diameter and 4-piston callipers made by Nissin, both of which were sold as Yoshimura's TT F3 kit parts.

The Novice Class regulations limited what could be done to the engine by way of tuning. Larger valves were not permitted, and the crankshaft and carburettors had to remain stock. Ports could be polished, and this machine's engine incorporates a Yoshimura kit camshaft and lightened valve gear. Two-ring pistons are used in conjunction with stronger connecting rods with bolt-only fastening (replacing the stock nut-and-bolt type).

The GSX-R's engine uses a combination of water and oil cooling, and so a large capacity oil cooler was fitted, while the gearchange linkage was altered to 'race' pattern: up for 1st gear and down for the rest. Saving a couple of horsepower, the generator was removed and replaced by a total-loss transistorised battery ignition using kit parts. The aluminium silencer is another kit part. A fuller description of this machine's specification is on file.

This Yoshimura Suzuki has been stored for a long time as part of a private collection and was maintained and last run in 1998, while Yoshimura checked the engine and all internals in the year 2000. The vendor advises us that he had a long relationship with Yoshimura and that the Suzuki came to him directly from the Yoshimura race team. The machine is offered without documentation. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should satisfy themselves with regard to its provenance, rider history, specification, mechanical condition and authenticity prior to bidding.

Footnotes

Should the vehicle remain in Europe, import VAT of 5% will be added to the Hammer Price and Buyer's Premium.

As with all Lots in the Sale, this Lot is sold 'as is/where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding.

Additional information

This auction is now finished. If you are interested in consigning in future auctions, please contact the specialist department. If you have queries about lots purchased in this auction, please contact customer services.
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Collectors' Motorcycles Clearance
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Vehicle Removal charges to store in Chobham
£115 + VAT per motorcycle
£165 + VAT per motorcycle combination
Storage charges
£10.00 + VAT per day per motorcycle
£16.00 + VAT per day per motorcycle combination
Limited transport is available to Oxfordshire by request with Straight Eight Logistics
£100 + VAT per motorcycle
£145 + VAT per motorcycle combination
Storage charges
£10.00 + VAT per day per motorcycle
£16.00 + VAT per day per motorcycle combination
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Motorcycle Spares and Memorabilia Clearance
All purchased lots must be cleared from the sale venue by 7pm Sunday 20 October 2019.
To arrange collection please contact the Motorcycle Department +44 (0) 20 8963 2817 or [email protected] to make an appointment.
All lots will be charged a minimum of £12+VAT uplift and storage at £1+VAT per day per lot.
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Please contact the Motorcycle Department for detailed information in advance of bidding. Failure to contact the department may result in your purchased lot(s) being uplifted to an offsite store at your expense. Shipping Enquiries: For all motorcycle spares & memorabilia shipping enquiries please contact Alban Shipping quoting your client, sale & lot number to discuss your shipping requirements Tel: +44 (0) 1582 493099 email:
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