1980 Yamaha RD250LC 'Pro-Am' Racing Motorcycle

No motorcycle of recent times has achieved 'cult' status to the same extent as Yamaha's legendary 'LC'. Launched at the Tokyo Show in 1980, the RD250/350LC marked the introduction of water cooling to Yamaha's range of potent middleweight two-strokes while also bringing mono-shock rear suspension and – in the 350's case - twin front disc brakes to the package for the first time. Water-cooling had been a feature of the Iwata firm's TZ racers for some years and the family resemblance was obvious. The LC was also relatively inexpensive, endearing itself to impecunious younger riders whose high street stunts rapidly established the easily-wheelied LC's 'hooligan bike' credentials. The availability of noisy expansion chamber exhausts and a host of other tuning accessories – some of dubious merit – only served to further enhance its 'bad boy' image.

Back in the early 1980s the RD350LC provided the basis for arguably the most famous and fondly remembered 'Pro-Am' series, which provided up-and-coming young amateurs a chance to race against established pros on identical and virtually 'bog-stock' machinery. Yamaha provided the bikes, and the riders selected their machines by pulling keys out of a hat. Rounds were run as support for major international events, kicking of with Donington Park in April 1981. The meeting was televised and the Pro-Am proved an instant hit, such was the closeness of the elbows-out, take-no-prisoners racing.

Among the young amateurs taking part was future Grand Prix racer and three-time British Superbike Champion, Niall Mackenzie, who was one of many star riders invited to take part when the Pro-Am idea was revived for 2015, only on this occasion using the more readily available – and cheaper – RD250LC. Thirty RD250LCs were purchased for the project to support a grid of 24 machines, the remaining six being spares. Machines were sourced from all over Europe and race-prepared by IDP Moto in the UK. The first race for the new Pro-Am series was the British round of the MotoGP World Championship at Silverstone in 2015.

The machine we offer was ridden in the 2015 Pro-Am series by Pete Jennings. One of the main sponsors of the series via his company MSCM, the private vendor retained this bike after the series ended. A matching-numbers example with 33,836 miles showing on the odometer, the Yamaha has been dry stored and will require recommissioning before returning to the track. Offered without documents.
Key not required