Yamaha RD56 Replica Racing Motorcycle

Frame no. TD2-0461 Engine no. A7E27819

• A unique opportunity
• Lovingly executed replica

Talking to the owner and builder of this replica of Phil Read's 1964-65 250 world championships winning RD56 might convince you it one of the most lovingly executed tributes to have been offered for sale. Number boards show 64 and 65 to recognise Read's remarkable victories, achieved when Yamaha were the under resourced underdog. Celebrating the 50th anniversary of their debut world championship Marco Riva, Yamaha Motor Racing's general manager, observed "our success with the RD56 wrote a page in motorcycle history. It was very competitive for many years and is still in my opinion the best race bike".

Phil Read added "I came to Monza with two factory 250 Yamaha RD56s in the back of my car with one English mechanic and a Japanese mechanic who came over for the race in Monza. I think we had our carburettor settings written on a postcard!"
Remembering those remarkable years it is understandable that the vendor wanted an RD56 but, of course, that is all but impossible. Instead he set out to build a motorcycle that would look – and just as importantly ride – as much like Read's RD56 as was possible.

Starting with a Kawasaki Avenger parallel twin which replicates the RD56's rotary disc valve induction and gives a flavour of what the genuine racer would be like to ride, it has been rebuilt to run with pre-mix (30/40-1), the RD56 having an oil pump with a little oil added to fuel.

Satisfied with the engine (having previously rejected a Bridgestone motor as too wide to fit a TR2 frame) the vendor set to the chassis. A TR2 frame was modified to accept RD56-style parallel top rails and steering head geometry. The front forks were manufactured with offset axle boxes, and the replica swinging arm has the appropriate cam snails for chain tension. The vendor advises that the brakes are authentic works RD56 magnesium alloy 4-leading shoe front and single leading shoe rear; and that the fork yokes were machined using Yamaha drawings, with brake and clutch levers made to the 1964 pattern including the butterfly cable box. Pattern exhausts were fabricated by Abacon, with easy attachment from the stinger pipes to silencers (included in the sale). Similarly, the vendor advises the front mudguard and racing seat are original RD56, as is the fairing, patterned from Bill Ivy's 1965 TT machine. The aluminium alloy tank was painstakingly constructed by the owner aided by Brian Talbot with QD front mounting. Brian also undertook the frame welding/Brazing changes.

In advising prospective bidders of this provenance the vendor wishes to acknowledge the assistance of Ferry Brouwer (most especially for parts), Paul at CT Engineering, Andy Bacon (exhausts), Bert Clark (tuning) and the late Dave Bexon who supplied otherwise unobtainable components. This wonderful motorcycle offers its new owner an almost unique opportunity to parade and show what to most observers would appear to be Phil Read and Yamaha's debut world championship winner.
Key not required