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Barr Yamaha 250


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#1 lesgoose

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Posted 23 July 2011 - 20:28

Any one got information on the Yamaha YZ 250 motocross bikes that Andy Barr the Corby Dealer converted for road racing.Im converting a 1978 YZ at the moment as a project and need as much info as possible.I know Chris Pearson converted three in around 78 and used rd 250 front ends.Any info or pics would be most welcome regards Les

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#2 Macca

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Posted 25 July 2011 - 19:52

I've got some old stuff about them, I'll dig it out in a day or two.

Paul M

#3 lesgoose

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Posted 26 July 2011 - 04:33

Much appreciated and many thanks.

#4 lesgoose

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Posted 08 August 2011 - 20:05

Any one else have any info even the smallest amount would be a help

#5 RC162

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Posted 09 August 2011 - 05:51

The guy who really put the BarrYam on the map was called Mark Carkeek and he would be a good source of info if you can find him. There was a story at the time that the bike Mark rode to many wins was stripped at a club meeting and was found to be around 380cc. I believe Mark never worked on the bike and was as shocked as anyone. I think Mark walked away from the ride after that. If it's pics you need then Phil Masters would surely have some from that time.

#6 Macca

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Posted 09 August 2011 - 10:20

I sent you a PM, lesgoose - I found a few photos.

Paul M

#7 greendog66

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Posted 14 September 2011 - 09:57

I raced a variety of machines from 1967-1988 winning many races and club championships. The Maxton 350 tz was the most perfect and precise machine I rode. However the most exciting was a spondon Morbidelli replica 125 chassis with a 250 cc Suzuki rm 250 motocross engine, the bike was a real handfull but so light and agile it often won the unlimited race.It won the southern 67 formula 250 championship (single cylinder machines up to 250cc) the same year it also won the formula 500 championship (single cylinder machines up to 500 cc) . It also won the Bemsee single cylinder championship in 1985. Maintaining and running this machine ruined me financially and was seized by baillifs and sold somewhere. But it was worth it. so anybody out there my advice, is just do it. I never regretted one minute.

Tony Green

I am now 61 and have just prepared 1980 350LC for my comeback

Here is the RM 250 1983

Posted Image


Edited by greendog66, 16 September 2011 - 06:00.


#8 MickJones

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Posted 16 September 2011 - 12:15

I raced a variety of machines from 1967-1988 winning many races and club championships. The Maxton 350 tz was the most perfect and precise machine I rode. However the most exciting was a spondon Morbidelli replica 125 chassis with a 250 cc Suzuki rm 250 motocross engine, the bike was a real handfull but so light and agile it often won the unlimited race.It won the southern 67 formula 250 championship (single cylinder machines up to 250cc) the same year it also won the formula 500 championship (single cylinder machines up to 500 cc) . It also won the Bemsee single cylinder championship in 1985. Maintaining and running this machine ruined me financially and was seized by baillifs and sold somewhere. But it was worth it. so anybody out there my advice, is just do it. I never regretted one minute.

Tony Green

I am now 61 and have just prepared 1980 350LC for my comeback

Here is the RM 250 1983

Posted Image

Glad to see your still kicking Tony mate, sent you a PM :wave:

#9 bobness

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Posted 16 September 2011 - 16:25

There was a double page article in a 1980 ish issue of Motorcycle racer that I have about this bike?
Have you got this?

#10 TT Mike

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Posted 16 September 2011 - 20:50

The guy who really put the BarrYam on the map was called Mark Carkeek and he would be a good source of info if you can find him. There was a story at the time that the bike Mark rode to many wins was stripped at a club meeting and was found to be around 380cc. I believe Mark never worked on the bike and was as shocked as anyone. I think Mark walked away from the ride after that. If it's pics you need then Phil Masters would surely have some from that time.


I don't know Mark Carkeek personally but he currently races a Bantam with British Historic Racing. It might be worthwhile asking on their forum:

http://pchweb.co.uk/v_forum/

#11 lesgoose

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Posted 18 September 2011 - 12:51

greendog 66 - like the RM

bobness - I have one from one mag titled - cheapest way to victory barr none

TT Mike - thanks for the info

#12 tonystrickland

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Posted 22 June 2015 - 16:27

If you are still interested?

I've got loads of pictures, video's, purchase receipt and full purchase specification of my Barr Yamaha.

In 1982, I won three club championships on it (Bemsee, Racing 50 and North Gloucester).


Edited by tonystrickland, 22 June 2015 - 16:30.


#13 Robin127

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Posted 24 June 2015 - 18:39

If you are still interested?

I've got loads of pictures, video's, purchase receipt and full purchase specification of my Barr Yamaha.

In 1982, I won three club championships on it (Bemsee, Racing 50 and North Gloucester).

 I raced against you in '82 so I'd be interested in seeing anything you have.



#14 lesgoose

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Posted 28 June 2015 - 11:30

tonystrickland - Yes still very much interested the project had to be put on back burner due to other things commanding time and money (house extension,solar panels among other things) but is back to being done.Any info much appreciated thank you.



#15 tonystrickland

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Posted 01 July 2015 - 16:24

Please find these two photographs of my Barr Yamaha taken in 1982 as a taster. The black and white photo was taken at a BMCRC race at Brands Hatch. The colour picture was taken by a mate at the first corner at Snetterton. My next post will be a lot of the technical stuff about the Barr Yamaha including a price list. By the way I've found some race programs dating from 1979 through 1982. Including BMCRC, North Gloucester and Bantam racing club. Also race result sheets over the same period.

 

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Edited by tonystrickland, 02 July 2015 - 09:02.


#16 tonyed

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Posted 01 July 2015 - 16:35

I raced a variety of machines from 1967-1988 winning many races and club championships. The Maxton 350 tz was the most perfect and precise machine I rode. However the most exciting was a spondon Morbidelli replica 125 chassis with a 250 cc Suzuki rm 250 motocross engine, the bike was a real handfull but so light and agile it often won the unlimited race.It won the southern 67 formula 250 championship (single cylinder machines up to 250cc) the same year it also won the formula 500 championship (single cylinder machines up to 500 cc) . It also won the Bemsee single cylinder championship in 1985. Maintaining and running this machine ruined me financially and was seized by baillifs and sold somewhere. But it was worth it. so anybody out there my advice, is just do it. I never regretted one minute.

Tony Green

I am now 61 and have just prepared 1980 350LC for my comeback

Here is the RM 250 1983

mybikeb.jpg

 

61 and a comeback :eek:

 

Only race on short circuits otherwise there will be times at the end of a lap when you can't remember where the track goes or why you are there AND need a pee.

 

Wish I were 61 again :(

 

Bon Appetit as Del Boy would say.

 

I raced a YZ450 two stroke single with the motocross frame and RD400 forks and wheels belonging to the son of a Nobel prizewinner (the dogs own truth) a couple of times. Would out accelerate all the Manx's and G50s to 80 mph then run out of puff. :wave:


Edited by tonyed, 01 July 2015 - 16:37.


#17 tonystrickland

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Posted 02 July 2015 - 11:59

Here are the other items as promised. Plus an article on the Barr Yamaha from the November 1980 edition of Motorcycle Racing Magazine. I bought my Barr Yamaha on the back of this article in the summer of 1981 and I never looked back. I ran the bike "untouched" as purchased, but I did strip the bike down in the winter of 1981/82 and repainted the whole bike gold including the frame. I raced this bike in over 40 races in the 1982 season. I only replaced one piston and one of the crankcase halves which split during that time. That's all. Racing was a lot simpler then, unlike today!

The scanner that I used did a fairly good job but if you have trouble reading the text please respond back.

 

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#18 Robin127

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Posted 02 July 2015 - 17:38

What on earth was "seizure prevention?"



#19 lesgoose

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Posted 02 July 2015 - 18:20

Loved that stuff many thanks down at Kettering Rugby Union club this weekend for the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club annual rally with my GT 250a based race bike and hope to take the Yam built up next year.



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#20 GD66

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Posted 05 July 2015 - 02:12

Excellent ! LOVE budget racers, they often have success punching above their weight when well-ridden. I'm pretty sure Mark Carkeek used to race a 125 in NZ in the 1970s...

Thanks for posting.

#21 Robin127

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Posted 05 July 2015 - 20:31

I don't think it's the same Mark Carkeek, I believe the one who rode the Barr Yamaha was racing a Bantam in the UK in the 70's.



#22 tonystrickland

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Posted 13 July 2015 - 10:53

"Seizure Prevention" was something to do with modifying the carburettor according to the Motorcycle Racing Magazine article (posted above).

I have no idea what modification was made, but my Barr Yamaha never seized during a race, so it must have worked. 



#23 Robin127

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Posted 14 July 2015 - 00:51

Shame my Rotax didn't have that, I might not walk with a limp now if it did. :)



#24 writebike

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Posted 09 December 2015 - 11:18

Hers my original Yamaha YZ250R restored in 97 and raced in FRC meetings during 1998

Yamaha-YZ250R-2.jpg


Edited by writebike, 09 December 2015 - 11:18.