Lot 002: YAMAHA TZ350D

During the 1972 YamahaÆs works riders campaigned machines in the 250 and 350cc classes that utilised liquid cooling and which acted as prototypes for the following seasons production racers. The liquid cooling employed on the new TZÆs sought to address the Achilles heel of the TR3/TD3 air cooled racers û their propensity to ônip-upö and established a line of of racing machinery whose success is unparallelled in motorcycle road racing. The ôAö series models newly developed engine was housed in a set of cycle parts that were essentially the same as those employed by the previous aircooled racers with drum brakes and twin rear shock absorbers. The subsequent years ôBö series machines continued in much the same way, however a major revision occurred 1976 with the introduction of the ôCö series. The new models employed a monoshock rear end and front and rear disk brakes. The engine had benefited from the ongoing development of the works supported bikes resulting in the 250cc producing 52bhp whilst the 350cc machine had gained 4bhp. Subsequent development was limited to detail changes until the the much needed introduction of the F in 1979, a consequence of YamahaÆs R&D resources being committed to the development of new road models, partly in response to tighter emission controls and partly as a result of their battle with Honda for supremacy in the market place. This example of the 1977 ôDö series has benefited from a complete frame up rebuild and is presented in lovely condition. It is fitted with Krober ignition. PLEASE NOTE: We apologise but this lot is withdrawn from the 16th April 2008 auction.