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LOT 422

The ex-Patrick Fernandez 1977 Yamaha TZ250 'Rob North' Racing Motorcycle Frame no. n/a Engine no. none (crankcases replaced)

Estimate: £12,000 - £15,000
Lot 422

The ex-Patrick Fernandez, 1977 Yamaha TZ250 'Rob North' Racing Motorcycle
Frame no. n/a Engine no. none (crankcases replaced)

The ex-Patrick Fernandez
1977 Yamaha TZ250 'Rob North' Racing Motorcycle
Frame no. n/a
Engine no. none (crankcases replaced)

• One of six built for Yamaha USA by Rob North
• Raced by Fernandez for the French Yamaha importer, Sonauto
• Fully restored

In 1976, Yamaha International asked the then boss of Yamaha USA, Ken Clarke, to covertly commission the construction of a test frame for their TZ250 as an alternative to the stock C/D/E frame. Kel Carruthers and legendary frame-builder Rob North - best known for his BSA-Triumph Triple 'Lowboy' frames - were commissioned for the project.

Six frames were built by North in Yamaha's workshop in San Diego and then supplied to importer race teams. One went to the Canadian importer for Steve Baker, on which he won the 1977 Daytona Lightweight race; one to Venemotos for Franco Uncini; one to Yamaha USA for a junior rider, Freddie Spencer; and another to French importer Sonauto Yamaha. Kel Carruthers and Kenny Roberts had two, which they self-numbered 'KK001' and 'KK002' as North himself did not number these frames.

Patrick Fernandez raced the Sonauto TZ in the 1978 250 World Championships and finished 3rd in the rankings that year behind the dominant Kawasakis of Kork Ballington and Gregg Hansford, with podium finishes in Venezuela and Sweden. Kenny Roberts finished the 250 championship in 4th after abandoning the class to focus on his 500cc effort.

This Rob North Lowboy was discovered as a 'barn find' restoration project in France in 2014. Both the engine and chassis had been 80% restored by Stuart Graham before the machine was sold to the current vendor in 2016. Receipts are available from Dennis Trollope Racing, Allens, and Fondseca for a full engine and crankshaft rebuild, etc. The bike also has a new ignition system fitted, while other new parts include period-style replica front and rear discs, master cylinder, brake pads, chain, instruments, etc. Other noteworthy features include correct Mikuni VM34 1H3 carburettors, factory primary drive gears, special alloy steerer tube, and new bodywork painted in Fernandez's 1978 Total-Airelec livery. This machine is presented 'dry' - devoid of oil, fuel, and coolant - and will be ready to ride after a short running-in period.

Footnotes

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.

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  • 19 October 2019, 09:00 - 17:00 BST
  • 20 October 2019, 09:00 - 17:00 BST

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