2007 Yamaha Roadstar, Road Star Midnight Xv 1700 on 2040-motos

Moto blog

Back in the day, the All Japan 500cc Championship at Tsukuba

This ‘you tube’ gem sent to me recently brought back some funny memories from the scary but incredibly exciting days of 500cc two stroke racing. This particular race was the final round of the All Japan 500cc Championship at Tsukuba Circuit where I enjoyed a head to head battle with national hero Tadahiko Taira. Yamaha’s favourite son at the time, ‘tie wrap’ as we liked to call him, was taller and better looking than most Japanese riders (maybe a war baby?) and went on to win nearly everything in Japan during his career.

And in my front room this evening...

NO IT'S NOT an illusion: you're looking at the 1981 Yamaha OW53, ridden by double World Champion Barry Sheene in the first three rounds of the '81 500GP championship. The bike's owner, aircraft engineering entrepreneur Chris Wilson, has lent the £100,000 GP machine to Visordown for our stand at this year's NEC Motorcycle Show - 27th November to 6th December 2009. Sheene raced the bike in the 1981 championship, where he finished fourth at Salzburgring, sixth at Hockenheim and third at Monza.

1973 Yamaha TZ750 Works Prototype #409-100001 Up For Auction

For just $120,000, you too can be the owner of a special piece of motorcycling history. Up for grabs on eBay is the 1973 Yamaha TZ750 that started it all. Claimed by the current owner to be the test mule of none other than Kel Carruthers in 1973, this TZ carries the number #409-100001. Yamaha Works GP rider Sadeo Asami cared for the motorcycle for much of its racing life until it was returned to Yamaha USA where it was destined for the crusher.