417 replies to this topic

[JAW]

Me self I'd be usin' both 'ands Bill..  ..as any 'ottie of 'er calibre duly deserves..

 

( & I 'll leave that holdin' one fork leg  - grandstandin' carry-on - to the bleedin' Yanks, ta very much..)

[knickerbrook]

suzrg500, on 22 Jan 2014 - 16:53, said:

 

Still not sure I believe those figures though, I wonder what system they used back in 77

 

 

 

They did mention a "moderate downhill wind" !

I wonder what the riders themselves thought of those figures at the time? Steve Tonkin is often seen at classic gatherings (Classic TT for instance) - so if anyone spots him, it'll be a good conversation starter!

[BillPentelow]

 

the sound is the best thing on this vid

[BillPentelow]

 

Does anyone remember Steve Baker on this bike?

[Paul Collins]

I have a vague recollection of this Bill, didn't Sid come to the rescue with the loan of a bike after a last minute hitch?, something like bikes delayed in customs for a UK meeting?

[BillPentelow]

Even though Steve was F750 World champion , it always appeared to me he was very underrated.

 

He is one of my all time favorites.

nice piece about him in this link   http://www.superbike...akerfeature.htm

 

And like Spencer and Roberts he was a joy to watch.

Edited by BillPentelow, 23 January 2014 - 21:30.

[BillPentelow]

racing was much richer then with the top boys racing in more than just the GPs

 

Ago against Cooper

 

Ago wining Daytona

 

Roberts  Sheene Spencer Mamola  etc at the Transatlantic races.

 

The public misses so much today with the GP boys all signed to this corporate deal.

 

Such a shame really

 

http://www.youtube.c...h?v=SLovgYl0Tec

 

forgot our 2 best ever Hailwood and Read.

Edited by BillPentelow, 23 January 2014 - 21:26.

[bella]

BillPentelow, on 23 Jan 2014 - 19:39, said:

 
Does anyone remember Steve Baker on this bike?

As I remember it Baker was going to race the MCN superbike championship season on that Yam but broke his thigh ? in an early season meeting and that was that for his career, I did see him at the transatlantics Mallory races and that pic could have been taken there.

[bella]

BillPentelow, on 23 Jan 2014 - 21:00, said:

racing was much richer then with the top boys racing in more than just the GPs
 
Ago against Cooper
 
Ago wining Daytona
 
Roberts  Sheene Spencer Mamola  etc at the Transatlantic races.
 
The public misses so much today with the GP boys all signed to this corporate deal.
 
Such a shame really

So true, I started watching in 78 and saw Wil Hartog winning at all the late season internationals along with Roberts, Katayama, Ballington at the Donington meets, in fact practically all the GP boys except Cecotto seemed to be over here late season, racing has got better for the professionals but worse for the fan.

Edited by bella, 23 January 2014 - 23:30.

[JAW]

Current issue of AMCN has a Mat Oxley story of the Sonauto TZ 750 Bol d'Or racer..

 

Even in endurance trim it was 15mph faster ( top end of 185 mph/298 km/h)  than the factory RCB Hondas..

 

So, very likely - those I.o.M. trap speeds are, indeed  kosher..

[JAW]

Quick bit of news, Barry Ditchburn on his own home/garage  built TZ 750 just got a creditable 9th

  racing at Phillip Is  - against the massively modified, well over 1litre Superbikes.. 1:48.890 best lap.

[JAW]

& Barry's son Craig got his TZ 750 around P.I.s today - a bit quicker than his dad did, by 4 seconds..

 

Or to put it in perspective, 'bout as quick as the old 250 2T Aprilia RS (Suzuki engine) proddie-racing record.

Edited by JAW, 26 January 2014 - 07:56.

[picblanc]

Dave Potter TZ750 Brands Hatch 1975.

Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge.

[picblanc]

Neil Tuxworth TZ750 Yamaha Brands Hatch 1975.

Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge.

Edited by picblanc, 29 January 2014 - 00:20.

[GD66]

Tuxworth's thing doesn't look to have too much travel available on the rear shocks, even though it's just tipping into Druids.

 

Left-foot brake conversion as well. Those early twin-shockers really are the genuine "Rottweiler" for my money.

[picblanc]

Lovely aren't they Glenn, rather have this model than the later ones, but hey I wouldn't say no to any of them!

[BillPentelow]

GD66, on 29 Jan 2014 - 04:12, said:

Tuxworth's thing doesn't look to have too much travel available on the rear shocks, even though it's just tipping into Druids.

 

Left-foot brake conversion as well. Those early twin-shockers really are the genuine "Rottweiler" for my money.

They are all great, but think the canter-lever looked a tad better. and i liked the finned seat.

[bobness]

"The" classic image of a TZ750 to me would be basically the Steve Baker/Sid Griffiths bike as above (curved belly pan/"duck bill" seat fairing) as I was too young to remember the twin shocks from 1975.

 

While I'm on, why does Dave Potter's bike have a large, suspiciously non standard, exhaust "bulge" by the number plate but Mr Tuxworth's doesn't?

[picblanc]

Did exhausts have to be standard? don't think so Bob?

[BillPentelow]

bobness, on 29 Jan 2014 - 12:34, said:

"The" classic image of a TZ750 to me would be basically the Steve Baker/Sid Griffiths bike as above (curved belly pan/"duck bill" seat fairing) as I was too young to remember the twin shocks from 1975.

 

While I'm on, why does Dave Potter's bike have a large, suspiciously non standard, exhaust "bulge" by the number plate but Mr Tuxworth's doesn't?

Yes that is the one i like and same as the one i rode.. I honestly thought the twin shock ones were TZ700?

[picblanc]

This explains it all Bill, great site too.

http://www.tz350.net/bigbrothers.htm

[BillPentelow]

Thank you for that link Graham , that is a brilliant piece on the big TZs

[BillPentelow]

Are any of you gents investment savvy. Can i put one of these  TZ750s in my pension fund and get away with it.

 

If one was to use the frame no it could be mistaken for a policy no? just a thought. Strikes me as these are a better investment than stocks

 

With the added advantage that the period you need the money for later on could be drastically reduced if you ride you new investment to hard.

[Paul Collins]

It looks like Neil's bike hasn't had the 3rd pipe 'up and over' modification done to it whereas Dave's has.

 

The TZ750A (which was a 700) and the TZ750B (which was a full 750) came with all four pipes underslung, I don't know who originally came up with the mod to bring one pipe up and over behind the carbs, I suspect it was someone like Kel Carruthers? but it caught on very quickly as it gave more ground clearance.

[BillPentelow]

https://docs.google....XhyZFVKZzg/edit

 

Lovely little article, thanks again Graham

[TeeZed]

Hi Gents,

 

Thought you may enjoy.  Recently at Phillip Island:

 

http://www.flickr.co... ... 9910645654

 

...and another:  http://www.flickr.co... ... 9910645654

 

Don  

Edited by TeeZed, 01 February 2014 - 00:28.

[timbo]

More TZ's at the Island Classic.

 

 

 

 

 

[BillPentelow]

Lovely shots, looking at them it is hard to believe the bikes are more or less 40 years old. NO 31 gets my vote

 

The styling is  nicer than most today, unless your into angles.

 

Yamaha have always had a knack for getting the looks just perfect.

 

Thanks TeeZed and Timbo 

 

Oh envy!

Edited by BillPentelow, 01 February 2014 - 07:28.

[picblanc]

#31 is Barry Ditchburns lad. Great photos & clips thanks Don & Tim.

[BillPentelow]

https://www.bonhams..../21135/lot/375/

 

Hubert Rigal, anyone know him?

[BillPentelow]

UP for sale this week

 

https://www.bonhams..../21768/lot/232/

Edited by BillPentelow, 01 February 2014 - 10:51.

[picblanc]

Yes used to race F750 in the 70's, Swiss? now does bike restorations & sells em for loadsa munneyyy!!

[BillPentelow]

Some nice ones here

 

http://www.motosclas...m.br/tz_750.htm

[TZ350H]

BillPentelow, on 23 Jan 2014 - 18:35, said:

 

the sound is the best thing on this vid

That's one evil sounding bike. Brilliant!

[picblanc]

Raymond Roche @ Brands Hatch 1979.

Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge.

[picblanc]

Re the Roberts vid all you can here is the crowd sadly oh & the commentator.

[picblanc]

Ron Chandler on his TZ750 in what turned out to be his last meeting as a "professional" racer, this in practice, packed his bike away before the racing began & retired there & then, King of Brands 1975.

Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge.

[picblanc]

Hubert Rigal in the mist of early morning practice @ Brands Hatch PBI meeting 1978.

Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge.

[Robin127]

What always amazed me about the big Yamaha was Daytona 1974.  The reliability of such a new machine was fantastic, not just Ago's but a lot of them completed the full race distance.

[BillPentelow]

Ago was pretty good that day to.

[bella]

BillPentelow, on 01 Feb 2014 - 07:27, said:

Yamaha have always had a knack for getting the looks just perfect.
 
Oh envy!

Same here, I've always thought the 78 YZR 750 to have the nicest lines in plain white factory finish, and when sprayed up the Yamaha USA / Roberts livery 78,79 is my fave .

Edited by bella, 02 February 2014 - 19:37.

[BillPentelow]

bella, on 02 Feb 2014 - 19:36, said:

Same here, I've always thought the 78 YZR 750 to have the nicest lines in plain white factory finish, and when sprayed up the Yamaha USA / Roberts livery 78,79 is my fave .

YES  perfection on two wheels, The Baker one in red black and white came close to.

[greg1953]

BillPentelow, on 02 Feb 2014 - 20:01, said:

YES  perfection on two wheels, The Baker one in red black and white came close to.

My favourite was Skip Akslands '77 TZ750D in black/orange, next fave was the Gauloises blue /white ridden by Patrick Pons.

Greg

[picblanc]

Skip Aksland 1978 TZ750.

Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge.

[picblanc]

Dave Potter & his TZ750 & 500-3 @ Brands Hatch 1975.

Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge.

[picblanc]

Couple of Patrick Pons @ Brands Hatch 1978.

 

Photos Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge.

[picblanc]

Patrick Pons & Dave Cartwright @ Brands Hatch 1977.

Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge.

[greg1953]

picblanc, on 02 Feb 2014 - 22:49, said:

picblanc, on 02 Feb 2014 - 22:49, said:

Skip Aksland 1978 TZ750.

Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge.

Akslands first year at the Transatlantic Trophy was '77 and he was spectacular to say the least, in '78 as above photo he didn't seem interested at all with some very lack lustre performances.

I was at the Mallory rounds both years and in '77 watching him around Gerrards was worth the entrance money alone.

Greg

[picblanc]

Stan Woods @ Brands Hatch 1978.

Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge.

[picblanc]

This is a low res pic of Jim Harvey on the ex Kenny Roberts bike in 1975, will re do when I can find the neg!!?

Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge.