Monday, August 22, 2011

Friday, August 5, 2011

Spondon F1 Yamaha RD500

Ex Brian Reid Yamaha 500 V4 F1 Spondon Racer.
This machine was built especially for the F1 world championship in 1985, it had taken months of preparation & some £25,000 in funds to get this machine ready in time for the IOM TT races, but going to the TT races in a fishing boat ended in disaster as the boat the Tornamona Lass skippered by Archie Lappin and with Joey & Robert Dunlop as passengers, foundered on rocks and this machine along with some others sank to the bottom of the sea, the machine was brand new and had not even raced yet.
The machine was eventually recovered rebuilt and prepared for the TT races, Brian lapped the circuit at 107.05mph on the first lap of the F1 race but later retired at Hanley’s when the carburetor blew off. The frame is a Spondon beam, the engine was built by Arnie Fletcher and Robin Church from Len Manchester Motorcycles, the engine in 1985 was giving out 150Bhp on the test bench, timing 1mm BTDC, short reach plugs fitted, 280 main jets, 35º squish, piston clearance 2.6 thou. Brian Reid was able to pass a TZ750 Yamaha easy at the UGP. The wheels are special 16" Dymag items, and the exhausts are Len Manchester made,the ignition is Hitachi TZ500, the forks were changed some time during 85 from Spondon to RG500. (This great information was provided by RZatch from the RDRZ500 forum)
For more pics see
Spondon F1 Yamaha RD500

Thursday, July 21, 2011

RGV500, ex Kenny Roberts junior

Here a set of rare pics of the RGV500 (factory name XR89) as ridden by Kenny Roberts junior in the 500cc championship. With this bike he took his first 500cc GP win in 1999. The pics offer you an inside view as never seen before!
For more pics see
RGV500

Monday, July 4, 2011

Bikers Classics 2011

ROC Yamaha 500 V4 seen at the Bikersclassics Francorchamps Belgium July 2011.
For more pics see
Bikers Classics 2011

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Yamaha 50 years in racing

Norick Abe's YZR500 at the Anniversary show at the Bonte Wever Assen, the Netherlands June 2011.
For more pics see
Yamaha 50 years in racing

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

ROC V4

ROC V4 500cc two stroke with according the information I have got Cagiva 125 cylinders and RS125 pistons. The carbs are magnesium units.
For more pics see
ROC V4

Thursday, June 9, 2011