ICGP 250 Championship winner in 2006, 1983 Yamaha TZ250K

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.

The current private vendor has owned this Yamaha TZ250K since 2003 and has raced it in the ICGP, CRMC and GP Originals series. It was the ICGP 250 Championship winner in 2006. Our vendor first owned this bike in 1985 and then sold it in 1986; found it again in 2002 and rebuilt it to a condition very similar to its specification in 1984. The Derby Racing Services (DRS) aluminium-alloy chassis was purchased new in 1984 by Mitchell Cotts for rider Hans Hart to replace the damaged original steel chassis. Other notable features include Campagnolo magnesium wheels; Maxton shock absorber; 41mm forks with Pretec alloy yokes; Pretec four-piston front brake caliper; Zeeltronic programmable ignition; HH (Hans Hummel) cylinders; and Abcon exhausts.

The original power-valve cylinders, cylinder heads and drive motor are included in the sale together with the original Hitachi ignition; various crankshaft parts; clutch and plates; footrests and footrest plates; a selection of sprockets; some brake pads; and sundry gaskets, seals and bearings. Accompanying paperwork includes a parts manual and a CRMC registration certificate (No. 130396, issued 28/03/2003).

Raced until 2019 and dry stored since 2020, the machine will required re-commissioning to a greater or lesser extent before returning to the racetrack. Prospective purchasers should satisfy themselves with regard to this motorcycle's history, completeness, authenticity, originality, constituent components and mechanical condition prior to bidding.
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