Update 10.04.2018: Back on eBay for $60k or make offer. Too cool not repost 🙂 Links updated. -dc
Update 10.23.2017: We first saw this TZ750 for sale in March 2016 with a buy-it-now of $95k. It is now listed for $62k. Good luck to buyers and seller! Links updated. -dc
It’s pretty much raining Yamaha TZ750s this week, with no less than three of these valuable and iconic racers available for sale, of the 600 or so that were built throughout production. It’s a bit older than the bikes we normally feature here on the site, but I think we can make an exception in this case. If you’re not familiar, the TZ750 was Yamaha’s two-stroke roadracing machine that was dominant in AMA racing during the 1970s.
Early bikes put out around 90hp but that jumped to 140 by the time 1977 had rolled around. That may not sound like much by today’s standards, but combined with the bike’s light 345lb weight and the primitive frame, suspension, and tire technology of the time, it was a true test of a rider’s skill to keep the beast pointed in a straight line, to say nothing of the curves…
The first bikes actually displaced 700cc and were reportedly built up from a pair of Yamaha’s racing 350s, a rumor borne out by the fact that some of the early TZ700s appear to have “347” stamped into the cases. But the later machines that debuted in 1975 shared no parts at all with the parallel twins. Apparently based around a bored-out 500cc Grand Prix engine, the TZ750 eventually moved from a twin-shock to a monoshock rear suspension for vastly improved handling. In any case, they were the bikes to beat throughout the 1970s, with both power and reliability. They just needed brave and skilled riders able to exploit them.
From the original eBay listing: 1977 Yamaha TZ750 for Sale
This is the 1977 Vesco/Romero/Busch Beer TZ750. Lots of history.
The engine cases in the bike now are an early spare. The original cases have just had a repair to the shift fork rod support boss and are ready to go back in the bike.
The original engine was also used as the rear engine in the Vesco land speed record streamliner.
Bike is sold as is and with Bill of Sale.
Some spares will also be included in the sale.
With a Buy It Now price of $95,000 I’d hope that “all the spares” would be included in the sale. Or that the seller would include a few more details regarding exactly what spares: when you’re trying to keep a forty year old racing machine running, every bit helps. That’s obviously a lot to pay for any motorcycle, but I’ve no doubt this thing is worth some serious cash, given its rarity and racing history.
-tad
my kind of living room
That Konig in the background is a odd one:
http://www.odd-bike.com/2013/04/konig-500-gp-outboard-powered-underdog.html
Same seller for all 3 TZ750’s on sale. While the prices may reflect the provenance of the 3 bikes on offer, they are a little over priced to anyone except a static display collector.
And the number of “static display” collectors of these generation bikes is quickly shrinking, which is probably why they are for sale at premium values right now.
I have been on the look out for a TZ500 and a TZ750 for a while, but want them to occasionally ride, so they would need to be priced appropriately as 40 year old zero-provenance ex-race bikes – I don’t need or want a museum piece.
Anyone know what the circular hole/port is for on the side of the gas tank? I’ve always wondered as I’ve seen these on old kawasakis from the same era as well.
A quick fill port originally for Daytona 200 and endurance bikes
Its called a dry brake. Used for quick filling fuel back when GP bikes ran the Daytona 200 or other races where they had to pit for fuel. Most endurance racers have them on top.
the side port was set up for quick fill gas. when the used to race the 200 mile at Daytona they had to do a pit stop to get fuel and sometime tires. they could take on a full tank of fuel in just a few seconds.
RC45, There is a ’75 TZ750B w/ a C&J frame on the Classic Bikes For Sale. Auctions over, no bids. Seller was asking $45K he may negotiate. Seller in Arkansas, this TZ is a rider per attached video.
LOVE IT! Now this is rare, sporty, and a bike…
Cool – thanks for the answers!
Doesn’t cost anything to pull a ridiculous asking number and just put it out there! Why waste time giving full and comprehensive details on the bike. Isn’t $95K about double the market value of a TZ750, and wouldn’t that be an all time world record high for that model? This thing is staying in his living room.
The 750s were the satellite and privateer bikes while the Yamaha factory bikes were 700s and quite a bit faster.
Joel
I believe the factory bikes were 750cc but much more developed than satellite team and privateer bikes. There is a lot of info out there about Steve Baker winning the 750 FIM class championship riding a factory 750. The latest Cycle World has an article about the TZ750 which includes Kenny Roberts talking about the tire problems with the TZ750, he was definitely riding a factory bike..
SR88..You would be correct. When the first four cylinder TZ’s came on scene from Yamaha, they were 700 cc’s and although very fast, they had major handling and reliability issues which was soon changed. TZ The TZ 750 “factory bikes” were much more developed and called OW31’s. They were developed by a hand full of tuners (mainly Kel Carrutrhers) for Yamaha and ridden by the likes of Kenny Roberts, Stevie Baker and a few others. The bikes Yamaha sold us as privateers were not the trick OW31’s, but they were a great platform from which to build, modify and compete. The bike featured here is not an OW31 but a standard TZ 750 modified (Pipes, brakes, wheels, etc…) and apparently once owned by Don Vesco and ridden by Gene Romero. I remember the bike ( the Busch graphics) but I would have lots and lots of questions for the seller who by the way, does some of the best restorations of old TZ’s, I have ever seen.
Nope
Staying in the living room.
nice bike, terrible beer
The buy it now price is $60,000 not $95,000
I absolutely love this site!!!!! Still amazing peice!!! Asking price is the price!!!! Lol. Who has not sold and had sellers remorse??? If it was mine I’d start at 250K!!! Find another one!?!
I can’t stop looking at this bike…it’s so freaking cool! I promised myself a while back I’d never spend more then 20K for a bike, then I went over and above for a zero mile bike which wasn’t a good call as I’m jonesing to ride it…that purchase opened the doors to quite a few others over $20K but over $50K is a while different animal. Personally, I’ll spend the $ on something I can ride a little, even if it’s just a Rock store trip, can’t imagine this one making it back to the track but bet it would be a blast. Nice find boys!!
The 2nd post…. J gave a website dedicated to the story and man behind the Konig motorcycle. That is a site worth visiting and reading.
Thanks J for posting that information.