417 replies to this topic

[picblanc]

Thread  for pictures & stories details of the TZ700/750, known on here as the Rottweiler.

[picblanc]

One to get us rolling( hopefully?) no pun intended! see below!!

Vaughn Young coasting round Druids @ Brands Hatch  PBI 1976.

Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge.

[JAW]

Sure why not, here's a selection from down-under..

 

http://www.deejay51....ers_raceway.htm

[picblanc]

Hurley Wilvert Hansen TZ750 @ Mallory Park RofY 1975.

Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge.

[Yendor]

Couple more to get things going.

 

 

Wroughton 1973

 

 

 

Paul Ricard 1973

[picblanc]

Rod what is that can only describe it as "thing" sticking out just above your boot in first picture? love top pic especially.

[picblanc]

Close up of Vaughn Young TZ750 @ Snetterton 1975.

Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge.

[Robin127]

Rod what is that can only describe it as "thing" sticking out just above your boot in first picture? love top pic especially.

 

And how did you manage to race one in 1973?

[picblanc]

Yes good question Robin

[picblanc]

Agostini on the 0W29? @ Mallory park RofY 1975.

Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge.

[Paul Collins]

My TZ750F bought as a cannabalised wreck in the mid 1980's and restored to this, that was one expensive job!!

 

[picblanc]

You still own it Paul?

[picblanc]

Ago's 0W29 1975.

Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge.

[Paul Collins]

You still own it Paul?

 

If only Graham, if only

 

I sold it to George Beale in 1987 for.......................wait for it.......................£2000!!

 

Nobody was racing them anymore and that is all they were fetching at the time

Edited by Paul Collins, 14 January 2014 - 22:17.

[picblanc]

I wonder what he did with it, do you know?

[Paul Collins]

It went into his growing collection at the time but I think he started selling them off a couple of years later, he had bought just about every available TZ750 in the country by then.

 

I remember when he visited me to look at it he said he'd just bought a brand new TZ700 from America which had never been out of its crate!!

 

Mine was ex Alex George and originally had one of his 830cc conversions on it, but some key parts were missing when I bought it so I converted it back to a 750 which was easier than trying to find the missing 830 parts.

[picblanc]

So 1978 model?

[Paul Collins]

So 1978 model?

 

I could only go on the info I got from the guy I bought it from but it had the reverse slide powerjet carbs and other bits found on the last of the model, but no frame number which made it hard to accurately age it

 

I'm told this is the bike with Alex onboard at the TT, but it wasnt in that condition when I bought it.

 

Edited by Paul Collins, 14 January 2014 - 23:58.

[Yendor]

And how did you manage to race one in 1973?

My mistake '74. The old grey matter is beginning to degrade . It was brought over from USA by former continental circus rider Steve Ellis for me to ride. Unfortunately I never got completely to grips with it and

it had to go.

[Yendor]

Rod what is that can only describe it as "thing" sticking out just above your boot in first picture? love top pic especially.

If it is what I think you are referring to it's the hydraulic hose from the rear the rear brake cylinder to the caliper.

[Paul Collins]

My mistake '74. The old grey matter is beginning to degrade . It was brought over from USA by former continental circus rider Steve Ellis for me to ride. Unfortunately I never got completely to grips with it and

it had to go.

 

I dont think many people ever fully got to grips with those twin shock A's & B's, and those that thought they had tended to find otherwise in a painful manner when they least expected it!!

[picblanc]

It looks like a leaver Rod? its not a hose? its sticking out just above toe of your boot angling down to the ground a little, in the bike #171 picture.

[Yendor]

It looks like a leaver Rod? its not a hose? its sticking out just above toe of your boot angling down to the ground a little, in the bike #171 picture.

Ah see the piece you mean now. It's the rear of the rear brake lever where it connects to the rod operating the rear brake cylinder.

[picblanc]

Thanks Rod, weird looking and must of been a bit vulnerable?

[Yendor]

Thanks Rod, weird looking and must of been a bit vulnerable?

Not as vulnerable as it may look in that pic, as if you look at it from above it all lay on the same plane as the rear brake lever pivot, if that makes sense I agree it does look very strange in that shot.

[picblanc]

Derek Chattertons TZ700 @ Brands Hatch April 1974.

Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge.

[picblanc]

Couple of Roy Flower & his rapid TZ750 @ Brands Hatch 2007.

 

Photos Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge.

[picblanc]

Cant leave out these fantastic pictures Chris Broad sent me some years a go (7-8?) of the completely un-restored, & as was last used by Dave Potter in 1981 TZ750.

Sadly in my opinion has now been restored, but can understand why it has.

My name on them only to protect them.

 

Photos Copyrighted to Chris Broad.

[picblanc]

Steve Baker Brands Hatch 1977 on the factory spec bike.

Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge.

[BillPentelow]

Wow , nice seeing all these 700/750, i raced one for interstate leathers around 79,could have been 80 bloody thing.

It was very fast and My Mallory lap times were great but it was pretty worn out when i rode it , Joey Dunlop had it before.

Kept locking up on me and had me off at Donnington about 145mph , wore the slick nearly to the tube before i finally got of it, Worst thing is though i grazed the back of my hand, bugger! chuckle

Keith Heuwen had it after me and i have no idea where it is now?

What are they changing hands for now i wonder?

 

Agree with you on the restoration of such bikes as Potters Graham, the history was there for all to see after all racing bikes are tools and wear and tear enhances what they are.

[Paul Collins]

They are going for anywhere around £30k now Bill

[Paul Collins]

I think it is the rear brake hose you can see on Rods photo, look closely at where it appears to end and it actually curls back 90 degrees on itself and goes to the caliper, its a trick of the camera

[fil2.8]

 

 

Agree with you on the restoration of such bikes as Potters Graham, the history was there for all to see after all racing bikes are tools and wear and tear enhances what they are.

 

 

 

Had a interesting chat with Chris Broad at Mallory last year , Dave's bike has been sympathetically ( ie , not over restored , as so many are ) , why do they do that ?? , and is virtually  as was on the day of Dave's demise ............... 

[picblanc]

I still cant get quote in my posts!

Still here goes Paul, hose you reckon? I have been squinting away at it & I cant see it? But you guys had them so that will do for me now.

[picblanc]

What is Dave Hickman riding here at Silverstone 1977, Nico Bakker framed TZ750?

Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge.

Edited by picblanc, 15 January 2014 - 21:48.

[picblanc]

Tony Harris @ Brands Hatch 1977 on TZ750 Yamaha.

Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge.

[Paul Collins]

What is Dave Hickman riding here at Silverstone 1977, Nico Bakker framed TZ750?

Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge.

I can only get the quote to work if i use firefox Graham.

 

Yes it looks like a Nico Bakker, I remember Phil Read had one and the more I look at the photo the more I reckon it was that actual bike, he had it in the Life Helmet colours

Edited by Paul Collins, 15 January 2014 - 22:23.

[Paul Collins]

This one, and hey the timing of this thread is significant, the first TZ750A's (700's) came out 40 years ago this year!!

 

[JAW]

Hansford vs Willing both 700 mounted at Bathurst `74, & 9 seconds! - clipped from the lap record..

 

https://www.youtube....h?v=mlbsSq-Xy5M

[picblanc]

Yes indeed Paul 40 years!!  saw my first ones 1974 Trans Trophy @ Brands Hatch, Ditchburn had one, Mick Grant (first to crash one in UK I believe?), Derek Chatterton, Pat Mahoney, & of course Roberts, Romero, Gary Fisher, John Long & Jim Evans. Loved the big TZ ever since.

[picblanc]

This one Paul? Phil @ Silverstone FIM F750 meeting 1976.

Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge.

[Paul Collins]

Different swing arm but I reckon its probably the same bike.

 

I saw the first ones at Cadwell in early 1974, Derek Chatterton and Mick Burns, I think Burns was credited with being the first to crash one, he crashed his in practice before I got there and I remember seeing it parked up damaged in the paddock.

[picblanc]

This is the same bike as your picture Paul, Phil Read @ Brands Hatch Trans Trophy 1976.

Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge.

[picblanc]

Or is Hickmans a Maxton?

[picblanc]

The Silverstone 76 picture is a Nico Bakker, not sure Hickmans is?

[picblanc]

Ron Haslam @ Brands Hatch 1976.

Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge.

[picblanc]

Wil Hartog & Peter Everns @ Brands Hatch 1975.

 

Photos Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge.

[picblanc]

Last one for tonight.

Rene Guili @ Brands Hatch 1976 with some really laid down rear shocks!!

Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge.

[chrisb]

Cant leave out these fantastic pictures Chris Broad sent me some years a go (7-8?) of the completely un-restored, & as was last used by Dave Potter in 1981 TZ750.

Sadly in my opinion has now been restored, but can understand why it has.

My name on them only to protect them.

 

Photos Copyrighted to Chris Broad.

I genuinely understand that sentiment, Graham, and have often felt the same. The alternative view, however, is that left as it was it would have been consigned completely to the museum. It took a while, but seeing it run at Mallory alongside period stuff ridden by the likes of Stan Woods, Lansovouri, Sarron was in my view, worth it. That couldnt have happend without the restoration/recommissioning, call it what you will. For example, 30 year old Campag wheels need to be crack tested before you use them and though I'm sure someone can do that without stripping the 30 year old paint, such people are not on every street corner. Some of the patina has gone, yes, but the it remains completely original, and as a result (largely of the work of Steve Ledsham, who I can't recommend highly enough) it is seeing some action again.

 

There is no right or wrong here. I could get equally verbose about the attraction of leaving it as it was that fateful August. But, possibly, more people get to appreciate it this way and, after all, it is now exactly as it would be, and was at the start of "81, refreshed after a hard season.

 

If I can figure Imageshack I'll post some up to date photos

 

Chris

[picblanc]

Hi Chris, good to hear from you again, no its great that its running & Phil (fil2.8) says you restored to the minimum, its only me being a bit of a softie for leaving it how Dave last used it, but I am sure its now a great tribute to him & your Dad, I hope to get to see it one day myself!  

All the best.