I seem to be headed backwards in time with my recent posts… This Yamaha TZ350 is a little bit older than I’d normally write about here, but was too cool to pass up.
Yamaha’s water-cooled TZ bikes were pure production roadrace motorcycles with no direct street versions. Weighing in at about 250 pounds [dry] with about 65hp, they were produced between 1973 and 1981. The TZ350 went through a number of iterations, coded “A” through “H,” with constant improvements to keep them competitive.
In 1976, the first major revisions to the frame appeared, and used a monoshock rear suspension that replaced the early dual-shock version. This particular bike, however, does away with the factory frame and substitutes a very cool piece from Danish specialist Nicco Bakker.
Interesting, while the Nico Bakker frame is a rare, high-performance accessory, it may also have been necessary: the “F” and “G” model TZ350’s apparently had a tendency to fail around the headstock, due to the thinner-gauge tubing used, requiring reinforcement or replacement.
In either case, Nico Bakker is well-known for his racing efforts, although he had a hand in developing the Zane-era Laverda roadbike frames as well, and while those bikes do have their flaws, the frame is definitely not one of them.
From the original eBay listing: 1980 Yamaha TZ350 with Nico Bakker Frame for Sale
This bike won the Latino American Championship 1980 Rider Eduardo Aleman
Special frame “Nico Bakker” Holland-made, the best aftermarket complete frame for TZ250/350 in this years.
Special Yamaha TZ350 engine, very fast, 6 transfers [a reference to the 6-port cylinders that were introduced on the 1979 model? -td]
Special Krober ignition and Krober electronic tachometer
Special Yamaha big radiator for better cooling and more power
Special 18” magnesium wheels “Campagnolo and 3 aluminum Zanzani floating disc brakes with Yamaha magnesium calipers and Brembo front radial pump.
Special pipes.
Very light bike: 75% Poggipolini titanium and ergal bolts.
This bike was rebuilt with new seals, bearings, rings, etc. Ready to race.
We also have other same bike and frame, no speical parts $13,999USD+ shipping worldwide
I normally try to reprint the original eBay listing as posted, but the editor in me couldn’t keep from making some updates/translation to make it readable…
There are a few days left on the listing, and the bike is being offered at $15,999. If you’re looking for a classic racer to actually ride, this might be the ticket: with just enough racing history to be cool, and lots of cool go-fast bits.
-tad
This bike has been available for some time and does exist in our archives. But Tad is relatively new to the team so we went ahead with the update even though the price hasn’t changed. If you’d like to check out the past post: https://evu.hhv.mybluehost.me/raresportsbikesforsale/unique-tz-1980-yamaha-tz-350-nico-bakker-special/
dc
I would be very careful with this one. If you are remotely thinking about buying it, there are several “credible” TZ experts in Florida who could be retained to give you their opinion and in this particular case, it would be money well spent.
I believe its on ebay about every 4 months. Obviously no interest or buyers are wary of it. However the price never changes, ebay listing costs are probably piling up. The Nico Bakker frame is way cool. I believe Classic Bike did an article on this frame builder. His frames were very much in demand by GP racers back in the day.
Nicco Bakker was Dutch, not Danish.
2888, the question is not about where he is from, it’s about who makes better food such as pastrys and strudels. Hands down the Danish win.
Granted Rick , though the Dutch have wooden clogs , Vandermint & the infamous Red Light district !
my point was more about responsible journalism and fact checking before publishing but clearly missed its mark here.
If can’t even get basic facts correct (the clue was in the original advert “Holland made”….) then what else do we take with a grain of salt. I enjoy this site as there’s usually some interesting detail I didn’t know.
And don’t get me started on the different ways “Nico / Nicco” is spelt in the article.
Next I’ll be learning from here that Ducati is actually Swedish and Honda is a Welsh motorbike manufacturer….
Over priced for the condition. Probably why its hasn’t sold in the past.
I’m in the market for a TZ to race and would love to buy this bike. It may well be fast (the owner has excellent pedigree), but, as others have said, the condition of the bike looks poor, which makes it just too much of a risk.
2888,
Is Honda really a welsh brand? I always thought it originated in the best country in the world, America and then was sold to a French company who off loaded it to a Japanese country who made its mark on the world supplying North Korea in the Korean War. No we didn’t miss the point, it was all a little light humor and fun. I appreciate your attention to detail and agree this site is a wealth of knowledge and info must be correct. Peace out brother and god bless
The opportunity to own a Nico Bakker original is pretty cool. True, this bike has been for sale for a long time, but that shouldn’t reflect poorly on the craftsman behind it. Truly a shame more people don’t know about this man’s skills. The good news is his bikes are still readily available.
RSBFS considers Bakker Framebouw a friend of the respective family. A visit to his shop made for a very memorable day: https://evu.hhv.mybluehost.me/raresportsbikesforsale/dutch-masters-volume-i-nico-bakker/
-Mike
Internet=SUPER SERIOUS BUSINESS. Also the owner must be a slow learner he has failed to grasp a simple concept, some money>no money.
Seen it for sale for YEARS, no takers
Before I raced this I would definitely have the magnesium wheels checked for to see if they are still safe to race on.
[…] for years at this point, and it has been written up more than once on Rare (check it out HERE and HERE). This listing appears to be a completely different bike, although many of the specs are the same. […]