Posts by tag: Genesis

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Yamaha May 4, 2022 posted by Donn

Red Shift – Original Owner 1989 Yamaha FZR1000

For 1989 Yamaha packed a host of updates into their 5-valve FZR-1000, making it a very performance-oriented liter. This San Diego owner had a custom design done by a notable painter, and then parked it for a generation. Looks to be ready for a new rider !

1989 Yamaha FZR1000 for sale on eBay

Yamaha added the EXUP power valve for 1989, stretching an already prodigious powerband. 145 hp are on tap, making even its 520 lbs. ride-away weight disappear. The engine was rotated back 10 degrees to “sporten” the wheelbase, and multiple changes to the engine made it more compact, lighter, and more powerful. The engine bolts into the Deltabox chassis, strengthening both. 43mm forks are single adjustable, while the Monocross rear has a remote reservoir and rebound adjustment. Ports in the full fairing send fresh air though the spars to the airbox. Mirror are big and wide enough that you might be able to see what’s quickly receding.

This original owner FZR was professionally repainted early on, and more recently renewed in every way. The period Telefix fork brace and Supertrapp muffler are the mechanical mods, while a solo-look Corbin makes the rider more comfortable. Just 8,280 miles over 33 years, and the seller has made it ready for the next contestant. Comments from the eBay auction:

Painted by Dennis Wells in San Diego in 1991, the paint is in excellent condition

Bike has been recently gone through after having sat in my garage for 25 years.

Following work and parts have been installed –

All new fluids, including fork oil, brake fluid, engine oil, & coolant.

Front and Rear brake master cylinder and calipers completely rebuilt

with new seals and EBC brake pads.

Stainless Steel brake lines on front wheel

Clutch Master Cylinder rebuilt

with new Yamaha clutch slave cylinder & new stainless steel clutch hose installed

Fork Rebuilt with new seals

Brand new Dunlop Q3’s front and rear

New DID 530 VX3 Chain

Rebuilt petcock, new fuel filter, new fuel lines, and new fuel pump installed

Carbs rebuilt

Caswell Tank Sealer installed

New NGK Spark Plugs

New Yuasa Battery

K&N Air Filter

SuperTrapp Slip-On Exhaust which retains EXUP valve

Wrapped Headers

Telefix Fork Brace

Custom Corbin Matching Solo Seat

Original Seat Included

Bimota was taken with the Genesis engine(s) and commissioned 400, 750 and 1000cc YB’s in the late -80’s. Yamaha’s own models were a little longer, a little heavier, and about 1/4 of the MSRP. Quite a bit less rare it’s true, but this FZR1000 seems to be one of a kind. No bids yet but it’s early in the week.

-donn

Red Shift – Original Owner 1989 Yamaha FZR1000

Yamaha December 26, 2021 posted by Donn

Supervivor – 2nd Owner 1985 Yamaha FZ750

Yamaha introduced their 5-valve engine for 1985, turning a sportbike corner with 103 claimed hp. Super clean though un-restored, this FZ750 looks ready to ride in an outstanding number of high-res photos.

1985 Yamaha FZ750 for sale on eBay

Engineers from Iwata found an ideal solution to increasing intake flow and reducing valve mass and friction losses. Smaller valves made the 10,500 rpm feasible, with accessories built behind the crankshaft to keep the engine as narrow as any four. The head was angled forward at 45 degrees, making room for a set of 34mm Mikuni downdrafts under the tank. Weight distribution was just about optimal and a 16-inch front wheel was employed to sharpen the handling. Air-adjustable forks were an -80’s regular, and carried vented front disks. A full fairing would’ve been racier, but the supersport garb allowed the engine easier access to cooling air.

Just two owners is unusual for a 36 year-old machine, and 8,868 miles is rather low. But time marches on, and finishes show some patina in the close-ups. Still it appears stock, complete and without an major mishaps. Even the black chrome four-into two exhaust has somehow made it through. Notes from the eBay auction:

The cosmetic condition of this machine is just as it looks in the photos. Every finish on the machine is original. No part of the bike has been re-painted or re-finished. There are a few imperfections here and there, mostly from the first owner’s long-term storage over the years, but it is a legitimate 8,800 original mile machine that runs like it’s brand new. It is not a trailer queen, and it’s not cosmetically perfect, but it’s a bike that’s perfect for taking out just about any time the weather allows and run it hard. The running condition of the machine is flawless, starting immediately.

This Yamaha has had two owners during its life, the first owner and me. This bike has been part of my collection for a while and is now ridden on a regular basis. It runs and rides with absolutely no issues.

Everything on this motorcycle is original, including the exhaust system, which was usually removed by now. The seat is also in original condition and is beautiful.

The 750 runs and rides the way you expect a machine with this type of mileage to run. All of the mechanical components have been checked over to ensure they work properly including the clutch and brakes. The carbs were completely gone through this season and function perfectly, and there is a new battery installed. The Bridgestone Battlax tires currently installed have comparatively few miles on them, and have plenty of service life left, but they are not new, so if you plan on riding this machine hard, you might want to replace them. There is absolutely nothing you will have to do to this motorcycle to ride and enjoy it this season.

The FZ750 might not’ve been an unbridled success, but was up against GSXR competition and certainly proved the Genesis five valve concept. As ever, Yamaha had the engineering chops but the style department stayed a little conservative. Air forks were more sensitive to changes than many expected, though the forward riding position at least kept the rider in the loop. Just a day into the auction, bidding is quite active and we’ll check back to see when someone clears the reserve.

-donn

Supervivor – 2nd Owner 1985 Yamaha FZ750

Yamaha November 23, 2021 posted by Mike

Track Day Tuesday: 1985 Yamaha FZ750 AHRMA Vintage Roadracer

RSBFS is bringing back Track Day Tuesday for this great looking Fizzer 750! The staff cannot resist motorsport exploits, and with the conclusion of both MotoGP and WSBK seasons we are already jonesin’ for next season. But if participation rather than spectating is more your speed, let us regale you with a 1980s Genesis-powered, 5-valve wonder. If Yamaha is your brand – or if blue is your color – this could be your track bike!

1985 Yamaha FZ750 Racer for sale on eBay

While many a bike has been stripped of lights, bodywork and other non-essentials to produce a track-day steed, converting a street bike to a race-legal mount as blessed by a legitimate sanctioning body is a bit more difficult. Track days allow you to tape up lights rather than remove them. Track days are generally OK with a stock cooling arrangement (i.e. coolant). Ditto for stock fasteners and bodywork. Race organizations key into safety-related items that can not only be detrimental to the bike in question, but can go further into placing other competitors at risk. That means complete removal of all lights, as well as straight water in the radiator (most allow for additives such as Water Wetter, or similar). Both could cause follow on riders problems. So, too, is the requirement for a belly pan that can capture out that might leak out of the sump. All critical fasteners must be safety wired, including the oil drain plug and brake caliper fasteners. This all takes parts, work, and some know how to successfully implement.

From the seller:
1985 YAMAHA FZ750 VINTAGE ROADRACER , AHRMA AND WERA LEGAL . THE MOTOR IS BASICALLY STOCK , TUNED , MOTUL OIL , ENGINE ICE COOLANT , REJETTED CARBS WITH KN AIRFILTERS AND A SUDCO FULL RACE EXHAUST , PROGRAMMABLE CDI ,IGNITECH IGNITION, KOSO TEMP GAUGE . BRAIDED CLUTCH AND FRONT AND REAR BRAKE LINES , SUPERBIKE HANDLEBAR SETUP ,PRO GRIPS , CASE SLIDERS , POWDER COATED VALVE COVER , CLUTCH COVER , EXHAUST , WHEELS AND HANDLEBARS , FOX SHOCK , THUNDERACE SWINGARM AND FRONTEND . NEW 1 PIECE UPPER AND NEW BLUE PAINT , POR15 LINER IN THE TANK AND A NEW WINDSHIELD . FLUID RETENTION PAN . HEALTH FORCES SALE . AWESOME BIKE NEEDS A RIDER .

Today’s example starts with the magnificent FZ750 Genesis platform, which enjoyed a heyday on track back in the 1980s and early 1990s. It has been made ready for the track via the aforementioned mods, and the suspension has been upgraded with bits based on technology closer to the current century. The motor remains (what appears to be) fairly stock, which is great for track day longevity, meaning that you can enjoy all there is of the 5-valve motor without worry about it been too high strung or ready to come apart on the next blip of the throttle.

Pricing for race bikes has always been difficult. Certainly this is not a current-level Moto2 machine, but it is welcome in WERA and AHRMA events. Alternatively, this could be a purpose-built bike for track days and schools; it is focused on the track mission, and you don’t have to mess with your street bike and worry about potential damage. This bike looks to be in great condition, and by all counts appears to be set up for serious fun. But few things depreciate like last year’s race bike, and although the vintage series helps hold up the bottom of the market, this is still a bike from the 1980s. The seller is asking $3,700 as an opening bid, and I doubt you could convert a stock 1985 FZ750 to track ready condition like this for that amount. There are still several days left on this auction, so check out all of the details here, and then start planning your track days. Do you have a track-day specific bike in your stable? Let us know in the comments, and Good Luck!!

Yamaha November 2, 2021 posted by Donn

Ready to Rumble – 1996 Yamaha YZF-750R

Update 11.2.2021: Last see in August of 2020 from the same seller, this one is back on eBay with a buy-it-now of $7,150. -dc

For a while in the 1990’s, sponsorship from Marlboro led Yamaha down a red-liveried path, and the torn paper graphics on this 1996 YZF-750R makes reference without saying it too loud. It’s a low-mileage example with a recent major service, and looks smashing.

1996 Yamaha YZF-750R for sale on eBay

Yamaha took the successes of their late -80’s World Superbike mounts and ran them by production engineering, preserving as much of the good stuff while bringing the cost out of the stratosphere. Kept was the forward canted inline Genesis, with the EXUP exhaust tuning system – in road trim worth 125hp. The aluminum Deltabox chassis evolved with re-designed frame connectors. New brakes were 320mm disks with 6-piston calipers. The fox-eye headlights look a little less drop-dead serious than those on the OW-01, but the painted pillion cover passes for a single-seater under way.

The seller’s other auctions seem to indicate a dealer rather than motorcyclist owner, but either way, this YZF is in special shape for its age. Hard to find fault with the presentation, except maybe to pine for an SP homologation special. The last service call made everything ready for the new owner. From the eBay auction:

Parts:

Float bowl gaskets

Needle and seat

Fuel line

Oil (semi/syn)

Battery

Rear brake caliper kit

Rear pads

Front pads

Fork seals

Pirelli Rosso Tires

Labor:

Service carbs

Oil change

Install tires

Fork seals

Rebuild rear caliper

Front pads

Complete degrease/clean

This bike is very special to me as you can see with all the investments made .

A cleaner example for sale will be very difficult to find today .

The bike is ready to ride .

The YZF750R sold better across the pond than here, but trailed the 916 and CBR900RR and gave way to the R1 in 1998. The race version did well in endurance events where Yamaha’s quality shown. This one is right on the edge of too nice to ride too much, but the classic mid-size package and recent maintenance call for at least an occasional back road afternoon.

-donn

Yamaha October 29, 2021 posted by Donn

Almost Pre-Sports – 1985 Yamaha FZ750 with 1,586 Miles !

Though big red dominated, Yamaha’s FZ750R / OU45 regularly appeared as the best of the rest in mid-eighties AMA Superbike. Here’s a collector which has somehow escaped the suburban Dallas heat, and dodged a lifetime’s worth of garage elves.

1985 Yamaha FZ-750 for sale on eBay

Yamaha had reportedly toyed with as many as seven valves per cylinder, but settled on five for the Genesis engine. Laid forward to straighten the path through the 34mm Mikuni’s, 105 hp was the result. The four was wedged across a double cradle chassis, with right side up forks and a monocross rear. 270mm brakes are period correct but seem undersized for the mission, and the 16/18-inch wheel stagger would be seen as under and over-sized just a few years later. Riding position was a pretty good tuck and helped the rider get behind the upper-only fairing.

The comments say the bike has been in the back of the garage for a generation, so this might be the original owner. Condition is hard to believe with none of the usual bumps, bruises, or mods that might be expected. A fork brace is visible and a Fox shock is hidden. Otherwise it looks original right down to the tires. Notes from the eBay auction:

This bike has been in a controlled environment for the past 35 years. The 80’s motorcycle market is getting hot and this is a perfect opportunity for a collector or lover to own an iconic bike. It runs and rides like a new bike with a couple of original 80’s upgrades remote adjustable rear Fox Shock and a fork brace. The miles are original, I was putting it in my collection but it needs to be ridden and because of my age and old racing injuries I can’t manage the low bars. The value will only increase as this is the only FZ 750 I have seen come on the market over the last 2 years. One sold in January of 2019 for $9,000 with 39,000 miles on it and needed attention. This bike is as good as the day it came off the ship.

Part of the design concept was the five smaller valves which didn’t require double valve springs, allowing higher revs and an easier life for the cams. Yamaha stuck with the Genesis for several years, attesting to the idea’s success. The conventional auction ( high reserve though ) reflects the almost super-stardom of these early superbikes. It might take a re-list, but interest in an FZ in this condition will come.

-donn

Almost Pre-Sports – 1985 Yamaha FZ750 with 1,586 Miles !

Yamaha July 20, 2021 posted by Tad Diemer

Feisty Fizzer: 1989 Yamaha FZR400 for Sale

Update 7.20.21: Previously seen this time last year, this exceptionally clean and low mileage FZR400 is back on eBay. Current bid is $5,600 reserve not met with 4 days remaining. Links updated. Thanks for the heads up, William! -dc

“Probably the nicest in existence” is an overused phrase on eBay, but might be an apt descriptor for this Yamaha FZR400 with less than 1,000 miles on the odometer. Modern liter bikes scream around the dial to 14,000rpm and beyond with regularity, but back when the FZR400 could be found in dealer showrooms 11,000 was much more common. And you needed every one of those 14,000 revs to make full use of the 64hp produced by the 399cc inline four.

1989 Yamaha FZR400 for sale on eBay

That Genesis inline four was canted forward at 45° to allow the air a straight shot into and out of the engine, and lowered the center of gravity for better handling. There were just four valves per cylinder, instead of the five valves found on the FZR1000, but the aluminum Deltabox frame was just as trick as the one found on the bigger machine. All-in weight was around 410lbs wet, and that endowed the little FZR with impressive agility. A 17″ front wheel was matched to an 18″ rear, and both were wrapped in relatively fat rubber for such a small machine.

Lacking the Honda NC30’s race-bred glamour, values of the FZR400 have remained surprisingly low, considering the sophisticated specification, and many found themselves turned into cheap track-hacks, or had FZR600 engines stuffed into them to create hot rod canyon carvers. Very few remain with low miles, and this does look to be one of the best you could possibly find, and it appears to be bone-stock.

From the original eBay listing: 1989 Yamaha FZR400 for Sale

I have decided to sell off some of my collection and the bike you are looking at is probably the nicest FZR400 in existence and this is an excellent opportunity for collectors and enthusiast alike as bikes of this caliber don’t come along often so now is your chance. I think the pictures will speak for themselves. Call or text Jamie with any all questions 703-407-1242

Bidding is up to $5,500 at the time of writing. FZR400s have been pretty cheap to buy for a long time and, although prices haven’t really shot up yet, there can’t be many left in such time-capsule condition. That should increase the value for sure, and I’m curious to see where this one ends up.

-tad

Feisty Fizzer: 1989 Yamaha FZR400 for Sale

Yamaha June 24, 2021 posted by Mike

Little Fizz: 1986 Yamaha FZR 250

Bigger bore homologation machines may be where the money is at right now, but rare examples like this littlest of Fizzers is exactly what RSBFS is all about. Sure, you’ve heard about the FZR1000, not to mention the mighty OW01 – the FZR750RR – but some of the most unique bikes can be found at the lower end of the spectrum. And while Ninja 250s are a dime a dozen, the rest Big Four also dabbled with smaller four strokes which were much more performance based… and not imported to our shores. Which brings us to this very rare (in the US) 1986 Yamaha FZR250.

1986 Yamaha FZR 250 for sale on eBay

The FZR250 is an interesting mix of racing technology and basic transportation. It looks every bit the FZR400, right down to the dual headlamps. Reviewers reported that while some of the other four stroke 250 set appeared to be mini bikes, the FZR250 looks like an actual motorcycle. The Genesis-derived inline four is rev-happy, with the tach topping out at 18k. Max power of 45 ponies comes in down lower in the range – about 14,500 – but leaving enough headroom for the 112 MPH top speed. Aside from the gem of the motor, the hard bits are all a bit pedestrian: mild steel (not aluminum) frame and non-adjustable suspension. But the FZR250 is bigger and better than the sum of its parts – with a stronger midrange than the competition and unflappable handling (just like the FZR400), the smallest Fizz makes for some truly heroic cornering. All without the threat of losing your license.

From the seller:
Up for sale is a 1986 FZR250 VIN #2KR-210615. Clean & Clear title. Currently has 15,651 miles (25,188 KM) but that might climb slightly as I take it out a few times a week.

This bike is in great mechanical condition and not in need of any repairs. It starts right up and runs fantastic. Redlines at 17,000 RPM and makes 45 horsepower. It sounds like an F1 car. Very unique motorcycle that was never imported to the U.S. so they are quite rare here.

Recent work includes
Carb Clean
Fuel Pump
Oil
Battery

Quote from Motorcycle magazine
“The mere thought of initiating a turn on the FZR250 accomplishes the task, and the Yamaha’s scalpel-precise steering allows you to aim for any inch of tarmac in the turns. As you’d expect with the slightly longer stroke, the FZR starts its serious forward progress at the 13,000 mark, and signs off at 15,500 rpm, well short of its 17,000-rpm redline.”

Today’s rare example (qualification: rare in the US) comes to us from the great state of Massachusetts. It presents reasonably well, although the photos do show some wear and tear that we typically see plaguing smaller bikes. There is some corrosion which is common from outdoor usage in wetter climes – but nothing that is a deal killer. The blue tinted windscreen is not stock, but nicely rounds out the blue/white paintwork. Turn signals have been modified from stock, and it looks like a fender delete was performed at some point. The exhaust can is not stock, but should help improve the power (marginal) and sound (significant). This is a Buy It Now advert, with the seller asking $5,500. Check out all of the details here, and Good Luck!!

Yamaha June 11, 2021 posted by Donn

Up a Notch – 1992 Yamaha FZR1000

As much of an upstart as the original FZR1000 was in 1987, later design revisions took the superbike to the next level. Today’s FZR is an elegant survivor with just under 13,000 miles.

1992 Yamaha FZR1000 for sale on eBay

Yamaha’s 1,002 cc Genesis had 5 valves per cylinder from the start, a great technical achievement until the EXUP power valve ( and 10 hp ! ) were added in 1989. Because of the stretched power band, it’s ok with a 5-speed transmission. The alloy DeltaBox chassis got revisions in 1989 and again in 1991, with the addition of upside-down Kayaba forks. 320mm brakes had plenty of oomph and reviewed with good feel via the 4-piston calipers. Clip-ons under the triple clamp are routine in the sportbike world but not so much in the liter category, they draw the rider over the tank and make the fairing’s protection more easily accessible.

Evidently hidden away in a suburban Iowa garage for some of its life, this FZR appears excellent with just a Vance & Hines exhaust and smoked windscreen as visible mods. Comments from the eBay auction:

Here is an excellent example of one of the legendary sportbikes from the 80’s and 90’s. This bike is in above average condition with minimal chips and scratches. Well cared for with only 12,900 miles. This bike has been kept up on maintenance and needs nothing other than a rider, or stow it away in your collection. These bikes are becoming more and more valuable and extremely hard to find in this condition.

In 1991 a further redesign of the FZR resulted in the release of the FZR1000RU EXUP, upside-down telescoping forks were fitted and the front fairing was fitted with a single headlight, generally regarded to be the definitive FZR1000 which this bike is. This bike has a few tasteful mods – Vance & Hines SS2R exhaust that gives it that superbike sound, and a lightly tinted windscreen.

Yamaha got it very right with the FZR1000, to the point that Cycle World named it the bike of the decade, and it even beat the FZR600 around the technical Streets of Willow road course. Lighter than expected at just over 500 lbs., when 145 hp were applied and balanced on 60-series tires, it became a nimble projectile.

-donn