Deus TZ Racer

 Latest Deus project:

Fresh from Woolie’s Workshop is a Tang-Tang’n 2-stroke with capabilities of extremely high engine revolutions per minute and enough squeeze-pop to make your head spin. This 250cc Yamaha 2-Cycle racer looks fast standing still and is a unique personal project of Venice Motorcycle Design Director Michael Woolaway, who built it to be competitive in the 250 race class. Yamaha TZs are the stuff of legends in the race world, winning international Grand Prix races throughout the 70′s. Like all the builds out of Woolie’s Workshop, it has that ‘final 5%” which is always the most assiduously earned and separates the great bikes from the good ones. This race-spec steed is feather-weight and fed by twin Mikunis to produce 50bhp @ 10,500 RPM’s. Tuck in, hold on, and safety-wire your bum to the seat cuz this little two-smoker is a real zinger!

More here.

1972 Yamaha R5C for sale in Atlanta, GA

Geoff writes in from Atlanta with a good-looking R5C he has for sale:

1972 Yamaha R5 350C (NOT R5b!) "The Giant Killer" For Sale Up for grabs is a sweet Yamaha R5C in surprisingly good condition for its 42 years. This is the first incarnation of the legendary RD series Yamaha 2 strokes, small displacement bikes affectionately known as The Giant Killers for their ability to beat larger displacement 4 stroke motorcycles in straight line performance, as well as dominate them on curvy roads because of their light weight and agile handling. It was purchased from a gentleman who bought it with the hope of restoring it until he found out he and his Wife were having their first child. After a fresh set of plugs and a thorough carb cleaning she fired right up. This beauty now needs a new home and is available in Atlanta, Georgia for $2800 OBO. The high stock bars have been replaced with lower, black K & N superbike bars, new levers and new grips. Also added are new, black bar end mirrors and brand new Dunlop tires. The electrical system has been completely restored so all signals, lights, horn and indicator lights work perfectly. Also fitted are new free flow air filters. Almost all the vintage character has been left intact with the exception of wear items. The Mandarin Orange and Black tank and side covers are original. These old R5s are harder to find than the RDs, so it has been kept as close to original as possible. It is surprisingly fast for its size and a blast to ride. New items added: K & N superbike handlebars/ MotionPro foam grips/ Shorty Levers/ Horn/ Engine Case Bolt Kit/ Ignition switch with two keys/ Complete clutch side switch assembly (turn signals and horn)/ Black, fully adjustable bar end mirrors/ Free flow air filters/ Spark plugs/ Tachometer cable/ Fuel filters and fuel line/ Dunlop tires and tubes/ Kickstarter and shift lever rubber covers/ Rubber battery strap. All invoices, as well as stock parts replaced will be included in the sale. Please, serious inquiries only. Local pickup only. The bike is also being advertised locally. This rare bike will sell fast. $2,800.00 OBO.

Check out the Cycle Trader listing here.

The R5 has SOLD

And so, it is with a heavy heart, that I finally sold the R5 today. The gentleman who purchased her had one of his own, same year and color, as his very first vehicle back when he was 16. I am glad she has gone to a good new home. The above is a parting shot as she was loaded up and headed to her new stomping grounds in upstate New York.

R5 STILL FOR SALE

Guys - The R5 is still for sale. Thought it would be a good time to repost now that spring fever will be hitting everyone. The bike has been parked indoors in Philadelphia for two seasons. I am located in New York City. Here are the details:

1972 Yamaha R5C 350 Street

- 4,480 original miles
- weighs only 340 lbs wet
- found parked in a garage for 25 years
- purchased locally through eBay
- serviced by licensed HD-approved motorcycle mechanics
- color is metallic Mandarin Orange over gloss black
- no exterior rust, no dry rot, no cut wires, very little surface pitting in chrome
- matching frame/engine numbers
- original exhaust
- original keys
- all lights/signals/dials work
- about $1000 put into restoration

What's been modified since I've owned it:
- Clubman handlebars replace stock bars
- ProGrip gel grips replace stock grips
- Raask drilled aluminum rearsets added
- reshaped kickstart lever (to clear rearsets)
- passenger pegs removed (to clear rearsets)
- sissybar removed
- NOS dental mirrors added to both sides
- passenger seat strap removed

Issues:
- small dent on the gas tank which happened at some point in storage
- original tank badges are crazed but intact
- bike is in storage
- current battery is dead

Included with sale:
- all original parts that have been removed (handlebars, passenger pegs, driver pegs, seat strap, etc)
- many extra parts (Napoleon bar-end mirrors, period sissybar and pads, extra oil tank, extra sidecovers, etc)
- complete original toolkit in original case
- original R5 owner's manual
- period Yamaha factory shop manual
- Mikuni carb tuning guide
- several period performance tuning guides
- generic outdoor motorcycle cover
- binder full of paperwork and receipts, including eBay auction

Asking $3000 or best offer.