1975 TZ750 Yamaha Pro DAYTONA 200 - With Race History

How often do you find yourself just too damn busy and think that, what if ya just had a spare bike for some weekend riding, that was eye catching and most of all, already running? Yep, been down this road numerous times and thus our constant looking for new bikes to satisfy our craving lust for all things on two wheels with a motor.

You are in luck if ya also want a bike with a solid racing history and back story. Have a gander at this killer Yamaha TZ750 that was a competitor in Daytona during races in 1976 & 77. Bid on it now.

Link to auction on Ebay

1975 TZ750 Yamaha Pro DAYTONA 200 - With Race History

"This Known History TZ750 was built/modified back in the mid 1970's to be a top contender at Daytona, and was raced successfully in the 1976 & 1977 Daytona 200 by pro rider Cory Ruppelt. He finished in the money on this bike in 1976 being on one of the few monoshock TZ750's entered; only Factory works OW's and several privately modified bikes were mono equipped; production 750's were only offered as twin-shock until 1977. Cory was a top professional-class non-factory rider, competing in 5 Daytona 200 races in his career.

As built by Ruppelt to his personal standards, this was a top contender bike during the reign of the all conquering TZ750 series. This unique machine was raced by Cory through 1977, sold to a local club racer until being retired in 1979, then hidden away in a private collection until being resurrected in 2009. Bike #152 in the 2nd photo is this TZ750 on grid during the1977 Daytona 200; Cory is the blond haired rider in white leathers, obscured behind the rider with Damon on his sleeve; a few keen observers have ID'd several other famous riders and tuners in the picture: Photo courtesy of the Jack Middleburg memorial site. Check out the Daytona 200 info & pics at JumpingJack.nl.

1975 TZ750 Yamaha Pro DAYTONA 200 - With Race History

C&J built 4 of these exclusive and highly desirable TZ750 frames for Erv Kanemoto in the 70's; they were ridden by Gary Nixon, Freddie Spencer, and Gary Fischer. This is the 5th of 5 total TZ750 C&J road race frames ever constructed. C&J was one of the most highly regarded race winning builders, known for quality design and engineering, both on tarmac and in flat track competition. The location of all 5 TZ750 frames is known to this day, being owned and preserved by top TZ collectors and enthusiasts. The C&J frames have always held a premium, and are considered among the most collectable, valuable, and rideable historic vintage chassis both then and now.  

Except for the Marvic magnesium wheels with Lockheed calipers, the Vesco fairing, and period USA Mack silenced chambers (not the Mac most are familiar with, Mack was a professional race-pipe designer/builder in the 1970's based in Cali), the rest of the bike is basically a 1975 TZ750B. The motor and monoshock service is recent, forks rebuilt, and the race compound Dunlops and RK racing chain are new; the Marvics were stripped, crack tested and repainted in 2010.

1975 TZ750 Yamaha Pro DAYTONA 200 - With Race History, left profile

1975 TZ750 Yamaha Pro DAYTONA 200 - With Race History, front left fork profile

The bodywork paint is "as-raced circa 1978" and still in exceptional condition for being 34 years old. The Vesco fairing does not match the one in the Daytona picture - in 1978 the bike went down and the Daytona fairing was ruined. The original  tank, seat, and replacement Vesco fairing were painted in fine tradition of the era: Kenny Roberts / Team Yamaha Yellow with Black and White block graphics. The left cylinder expansion chamber was also repaired. The bike saw much more racing with the KR scheme, and there are the expected rock chips and some cornering rash present. The number plate areas have been color changed from white for CRA rules, and there are small patched holes for token lights that were required to pass tech inspection for an endurance race the bike was ridden in during the 1979 season (not for a street, this bike has always been a dedicated racer and is not titled).

The engine cases are clean, with no cracks, repairs or damage from mechanical failure; race wear is present. The motor has approximately 100 miles since a full rebuild. The original metal intake reeds have been replaced with Boysen fibers. The stock chrome-bore cylinders are still very nice! All recent work done by a professional factory trained mechanic with over 20 years experience. The frame has no cracks or repairs, and has the original finish. There is currently a 1978 Yamaha XS11 master cylinder installed for racing. The correct stock front master cylinder in need of a re-sleeve will be supplied at acquisition.There are no other spares included except a new set of piston rings, but many engine rebuild parts are currently available through dedicated suppliers around the world at bearable prices. Some core parts are still available through Yamaha.

1975 TZ750 Yamaha with cases opened to reveal inline 4 cylinder power plant

1975 TZ750 Yamaha frame on tear down

This is one of the best handling TZ750's built, and is a stable solid ride that could be put into "race ready" condition with a full prep as it has not been ridden in 3 years. Neither the frame nor engine have numbers, and are original to the machine. Guaranteed authentic (the information presented is deemed accurate and to the best of the sellers knowledge through reliable sources and publications), a full refund (less shipping - on site evaluation recommended) will be given pending a buyer's side inspection and acceptance; the bike must be returned un-ridden, in the same condition as released, with reimbursement defined by prior mutual agreement.

For further information, please send a message and the owner will respond with a phone number and details. The bike is sold 'as is, where is,' with creative payment and shipping terms optional, dependent on geographics pertinent to the sale. This race bike is USED; do not assume it to be restored in any way beyond items mentioned in this listing. Thanks for looking!"

1975 TZ750 Yamaha Pro DAYTONA 200 - With Race History, rear profile

1933 Indian-Crocker 45 ci OHV Speedway Racing Motorcycle Replica

Performance bikes have always been near and dear to us as we dig machines that are meant to be driven fast and stop on a dime. With all the cobbled together bikes that have been on the roads in the name of style, how many were barely ever ridden or the owners always complained of the bikes never running? Yep, way too many as style trumped reliability to some and thus paved the way for their side of the road smoke breaks. But where style meets performance, now that is a whole other story.

This is also why we are quite partial to older circle track racing bikes. Knowing they were meant to turn left at high speeds and the left leg was a guiding skid meant no front brakes were needed and all power was pushed to that rear sprocket to get spinning as fast as mechanically possible and that's it. In theory these bikes were really the first choppers. Peformance and reckless abandon meeting in the middle to create a bike style that has been forever embraced.

Pictures of various Crocker Motorcycles

Below is a write up on this bike for sale on ebay and has a great story attached to it.

Link to Ebay posting for bidding

"Created by master bike-builder Gwen Banquer, this motorcycle is an indian 101 Scout fitted with a copy of Al Crocker's famous overhead-valve conversion kit. It is one of a limited series of only seven such machines, the construction of which commenced circa 1995/96, and is the only one modeled on a 1930's board track racer.

Cockers overhead-valve conversion kit for the 101 Scout started out as an all cast iron affair before the second series switched to aluminum-alloy for the cylinder heads. Surviving original kits are exceptionally rare, so Gwen Banquer was especially fortunate to acquire(on loan) and original un-machined set of the later alloy/iron type, from which casting patterns were made. It should be noted that, although of 'stock' appearance, the Banquer heads have more 'meat' in the valve seat area to prevent cracking.

Gwen first displayed a mock-up of his Crocker OHV-converted 101 Scout motor during Daytona Bike Week in March 1996, and by August of the same year the first bike had been finished and was running. Gwen rode his first Crocker Scout at Daytona in 1997 and later that year recieved a 1st place award for 'Best American Motorcycle 1926-1940' at the AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days help at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington. Mike Corbin had seen Gwen on that first Crocker conversion at Daytona and told him that he wanted to buy it, thus beginning a great friendship between the two men. Indeed, Corbin was so impressed with the bike that he immediately commissioned Gwen to build him a speedway version.

The machine offered here was originally built for motorcycle seat magnate Mike Corbin; Gwen Banquer built for and delivered to him at Bike Week in 2000. Gwen's suberb re-creation incorporates and original Rudge speedway frame, wheel hubs and gas tank, complimented by the period accessories such as Telex forks and a Messenger seat. The 45ci 101 Scout motor incorporates a remade crankshaft; high-compression pistons; high-list, long duration cams; and a stock, total loss oil pump. Ignition is by magneto and the carburetor is a 1 1/8" Linkert. The Scout's helical-geared primary drive has been dispensed with, drive being taken by chain to the single-speed Rudge transfer gearbox's dry clutch.

With the bike completed but yet to be painted and plated, Gwen took it for a run on a speedway track. He found it extremely fast and easy to slide in the turns, but with no brakes and a very high power-to-weight ratio, reckoned it was too easy to ger 'over enthusiastic'. Discretion got the better part of valor and no further test rides were undertaken after the bike had been finished."

This bike has been featured in many magazines including: Cafe Racer, The Classic Motorcycle & Motorcycle Performance. This unique machine represents and exciting opportunity to aquire an example of one of the most celebrated motorcycle re-creations of modern time. Also signed by Al Crocker."

1933 Indian-Crocker 45 ci OHV Speedway Racing Motorcycle Replica Side Profile

1933 Indian-Crocker 45 ci OHV Speedway Racing Motorcycle Replica

1933 Indian-Crocker 45 ci OHV Speedway Racing Motorcycle Replica Twin Cylinders

1933 Indian-Crocker 45 ci OHV Speedway Racing Motorcycle Replica Rear Tire and Sprocket

1933 Indian-Crocker 45 ci OHV Speedway Racing Motorcycle Replica with Al Crocker Signature