S-22720-0-1

370* NThe ex-Fabian Looi, Brent Jones,Penang Grand Prix-winning1982 Yamaha TZ500J Grand PrixRacing MotorcycleFrame no. 5Y9-000106Engine no. 5Y9-000106World Champion in the 500cc class for Yamaha in 1978, ‘79 and‘80, Kenny Roberts during the latter season had occasionally usedthe OW48R, a version of the 1979 OW48 fitted with reversed outercylinders, an arrangement that produced an extra 7bhp. The 1980season was also notable for the first appearance of a customerversion of Yamaha’s Grand Prix 500: the TZ500G, which was basedon the 1978/79 works bikes. Only detail changes were made to thefollowing year’s TZ500H. With their across-the-frame four reachingthe end of its development, Yamaha introduced the OW48R’sreversed outer cylinders on the customer TZ500J of 1982, thoughthe engine was housed in a conventional tubular steel frame ratherthan the aluminium one tried occasionally on the works bikes. Thiswould be Yamaha’s last customer ‘500’ offered to privateers until1992, when YZR v-four engines were made available in Harris andROC chassis.Entered by Hong Leong Industries, the Malaysian Yamaha importer,his TZ500J was raced extensively in the Far East during the 1980s,mainly by the Malaysian rider Fabian Looi, who used it to win thePenang Grand Prix in 1983, ‘86 and ‘87, while Australian rider BrentJones rode it to another Penang GP win in 1988 (a full list of raceresults is available). The machine was purchased in Australia in 1997from Peter Bell, its then owner, and is presented in ‘as last raced’condition, requiring re-commissioning or more extensive restoration.It comes with a spare set of wheels (shod with ‘wets’) and aphotocopied service manual and parts catalogue.Developed directly from Yamaha’s factory racers, the reverse-cylinderTZ500J effectively represents the end of an era, when privateerscould buy a premier-class Grand Prix motorcycle and at least havethe chance of challenging the works riders on a good day. Much rarerthan the ubiquitous Suzuki RG500 ‘customer’ racer, which was inproduction for far longer, it also represents a wonderful opportunityfor the serious collector to own a Grand Prix thoroughbred with inperiodrace-winning history.£20,000 - 25,000€28,000 - 35,000Please note this vehicle is subject to 5% import tax.130 | the spring stafford saleBidders must satisfy themselves as to the description and condition of each lotprior to bidding. All lots are sold “as is/where is” with all defects and faults.