Unused and never ridden, 1982 Yamaha TZ500J Grand Prix Racing Motorcycle

Frame no. 5Y9-000126 Engine no. 5Y9-

• Supplied new by Yamaha UK
• Kept on display in private collections
• Started a few years ago as part of a routine check

World Champion in the 500cc class for Yamaha in 1978, '79 and '80, Kenny Roberts during the latter season had occasionally used the OW48R, a version of the 1979 OW48 fitted with reversed outer cylinders, an arrangement that produced an extra 7bhp. The 1980 season was also notable for the first appearance of a customer version of Yamaha's Grand Prix 500: the TZ500G, which was based on the 1978/79 works bikes. Only detail changes were made to the following year's TZ500H. With their across-the-frame four reaching the end of its development, Yamaha introduced the OW48R's reversed outer cylinders on the customer TZ500J of 1982, though the engine was housed in a conventional tubular steel frame rather than the aluminium one tried occasionally on the works bikes. This would be Yamaha's last customer '500' offered to privateers until 1992, when YZR v-four engines were made available in Harris and ROC chassis.

Painted in evocative 'Kenny Roberts Works Replica' colours, this Yamaha TZ500J has never been ridden, only admired in various private collections. Supplied new by Yamaha UK, it is still on its original tyres that were intended for crate transportation purposes only. A gel coat has been applied to help with preservation, and the machine is presented in completely original condition. The TZ remained in a private collection until 2002 and then was sold to a collection in Italy. It is known to and was examined at the Morbidelli Museum where it was confirmed to be in order.

Returned to the UK, more recently the TZ has been exhibited at private various events. We are advised the machine was started a few years ago, but for only a few seconds as part of a routine maintenance check. The latter involved changing fluids, etc and fitting a new clutch cover gasket. Further re-commissioning will be required prior to use. Supplied with an original factory paddock stand, this unused Yamaha TZ500J is powerfully evocative of Grand Prix racing's two-stroke era, when the premier-class 500s' amazing speed and sometimes vicious power delivery made for some of the most spectacular competition ever seen.
Offered without key