Author Topic: TZ750 Flatracker  (Read 2554 times)

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Offline bwaller

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TZ750 Flatracker
« on: January 02, 2019, 06:01:32 am »
Fun read. I was at Indy in 09 when KR took his demo lap. Rossi and the Yamaha MotoGP team were beside themselves, very cool event. It was nearly midnight and there was still a large crowd in the pits when Ben Bostrom did a lap. When he got off the thing it was hilarious, his eyes were WFO!


https://amcn.com.au/editorial/15482/?fbclid=IwAR2BmgH3PWzlFqFzZRBS1K_ACpNZhFDdf1II4svmCbCzN1k6Yxp7bBef4V8

Offline simon#42

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Re: TZ750 Flatracker
« Reply #1 on: January 02, 2019, 10:17:20 am »
ive ridden plenty of tz750's on gravel , but fortunately only gravel traps . i built an engine for someone making a kr replica a couple of years ago and i must admit i thought it was a waste of an engine .

Offline bwaller

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Re: TZ750 Flatracker
« Reply #2 on: January 02, 2019, 10:52:24 am »
Agreed Simon. I've seen numerous pictures of this flat tracker replica that will never turn a wheel. Trailer queens.

Offline simon#42

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Re: TZ750 Flatracker
« Reply #3 on: January 02, 2019, 12:19:25 pm »
as are most tz750's  there was a time when they were the privateer's choice , you could almost compete with the big boys if you were good enough .now owned by people who like to bask in there reflected glory ...... wankers!

Offline bwaller

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Re: TZ750 Flatracker
« Reply #4 on: January 02, 2019, 02:12:59 pm »
Miles Baldwin (Cdn privateer) was one of the last guys I knew here. He always gave a good showing and his big TZ looked like crap, but it was always fast. So true though, we had two at Mosport for the 50th celebration, none this year. I loved those things.

Offline simon#42

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Re: TZ750 Flatracker
« Reply #5 on: January 02, 2019, 02:35:49 pm »
i had seven over the years , i always preferred an rg to be honest but the big yamaha was faster . a pig to get stopped though .

Offline Rocketman

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Re: TZ750 Flatracker
« Reply #6 on: January 02, 2019, 07:04:50 pm »
Used to race Miles back in the AMA F1 days.  More correctly I helped him look good when he passed me!  He was one of the top privateers back in the day.  There were times we wondered how he got his bikes through tech.  Underneath that scruffiness was a very potent machine.  Sold a TZ750 to buy my RGB500.  Was astounded how much better the RG handled and plenty quick too!  Glad I held onto the Suzuki, but the Yamaha is the first bike I'd buy back if I could.   ;D

Offline scottly

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Re: TZ750 Flatracker
« Reply #7 on: January 02, 2019, 08:35:58 pm »
KR at Laguna Seca, 1979:
Don't fix it if it ain't broke!
Helmets save brains. Always wear one and ride like everyone is trying to kill you....

Offline simon#42

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Re: TZ750 Flatracker
« Reply #8 on: January 03, 2019, 10:34:13 am »
i always liked this one

Offline turboguzzi

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Re: TZ750 Flatracker
« Reply #9 on: January 03, 2019, 11:19:31 am »
sweet picture!
talking about Kel in the background, pretty good story on him in CW this week, quite a few tz anecdotes in there too

https://www.cycleworld.com/kel-carruthers


Online MRieck

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Re: TZ750 Flatracker
« Reply #10 on: January 03, 2019, 04:51:53 pm »
Used to race Miles back in the AMA F1 days.  More correctly I helped him look good when he passed me!  He was one of the top privateers back in the day.  There were times we wondered how he got his bikes through tech.  Underneath that scruffiness was a very potent machine.  Sold a TZ750 to buy my RGB500.  Was astounded how much better the RG handled and plenty quick too!  Glad I held onto the Suzuki, but the Yamaha is the first bike I'd buy back if I could.   ;D
Scruffiness? God...looked like a toilet on 2 wheels. ;) ;D ;D ;D ;D Miles was certainly quick at Loudon at the old Bryer.
« Last Edit: January 03, 2019, 04:53:24 pm by MRieck »
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Offline Rocketman

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Re: TZ750 Flatracker
« Reply #11 on: January 03, 2019, 06:00:46 pm »
Speaking of fast privateers, I do believe that #48 is Richard Schlacter in Scottly's middle photo. 

« Last Edit: January 03, 2019, 06:04:40 pm by Rocketman »

Offline bwaller

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Re: TZ750 Flatracker
« Reply #12 on: January 03, 2019, 07:53:46 pm »
Indeed, looks like Rich. I remember a funny story about Schlacter story from Loudon. Lots of stories from Bryar right Mike?  ;D ;)

Online MRieck

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Re: TZ750 Flatracker
« Reply #13 on: January 04, 2019, 03:49:20 am »
Indeed, looks like Rich. I remember a funny story about Schlacter story from Loudon. Lots of stories from Bryar right Mike? ;D ;)
Oh boy.....that's an understatement Brent. We went to see the people as much as the races....you never knew what was going to happen in those old wooden stands. 
 I remember talking to Mike Baldwin around 1987 or so for quite a while in one of the campgrounds off Rt 106....great guy. Talking to Bubba Shobert and Wayne Rainey in the "pits" (if you could call them that). Talking to Al Ludington etc etc.
 Those times are gone and unfortunately will never be back ....glad I got to see them. ;)
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Offline bwaller

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Re: TZ750 Flatracker
« Reply #14 on: January 04, 2019, 05:44:54 am »
Yeah, those days are gone but believe it or not some of these old diehards are now seen in "vintage racing" circles.

Even if not at racetracks around, certainly on forums.


Offline Rocketman

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Re: TZ750 Flatracker
« Reply #15 on: January 04, 2019, 05:32:31 pm »
Hey, who you calling a "old diehard"?  :o  I'm thinking we all resemble that remark!   ;D  LOL!

Ran at Laconia from 75 to 86.  Good memories, high siding off my TZ250 (collar bone) and loosing the front end of my TZ750 (tail bone, a real pain in the ass)!  Wouldn't trade the memories for anything.   :D