1982 Yamaha TZ250J Racing Motorcycle

The mainstay of 250cc class racing at national and international level for many years, the twin-cylinder two-stroke Yamaha well deserved the title of 'privateer's friend'. Following its successful adoption for the 1972 works twins, water cooling first appeared on Yamaha's over-the-counter racers with the introduction of the TZ range in 1973. Power output remained the same as that of the preceding air-cooled TD/TR models, but reliability was much improved. Over the succeeding decade the TZ engine was updated with reed-valve induction, exhaust power valves, separate cylinders and a backwards-rotating crankshaft, but the layout always remained that of a parallel twin. On the chassis side, discs replaced the original drum brakes, a 'lowboy' frame was introduced and an aluminium swinging arm adopted. From the mid-1980s onwards, a succession of more radical changes would see the TZ fundamentally altered.

Introduced in 1981, the TZ250H represented an extensive revision, seeing the classic bore/stroke dimensions of 54x54mm changed to 56x50.7mm. The cylinders were now separate items rather than sharing a single block, while the larger bore allowed the inlet port and secondary transfers to be widened, increasing maximum power. The engine now rotated backwards to reduce stress on the rear of the pistons, and instead of a single crankshaft there were now two, geared together. Other advances included 36mm Mikuni ZC carburettors and Hitachi ignition with built-in variable advance. Compared with the changes made to the engine, those applied to the frame and suspension were relatively minor. The successor TZ250J was virtually identical to the TZ250H.

Purchased in June 2021, this TZ250J is very nicely presented and has various scrutineering stickers affixed for events including:

CRMC - Race of the Year - 2017 - Brands Hatch
Mallory Park Round 3/2017 (machine/noise)
Donnington Classic Motorcycle Festival 2017
No Limit Racing - R5 - Oulton Park (057024)

The machine is offered with the 2021 purchase receipt; a photocopied service manual; and a 2017 Period 3/4 CRMC Post-Classic Machine Registration Certificate (Group: PC GP). Following a period of inactivity, the machine will require recommissioning to a greater or lesser extent and is therefore sold strictly as viewed.
Key not required