1971 Yamaha TD3 250c Two-Stroke Twin Road Racer Registratio...

Hammer

£7,500

1971 Yamaha TD3 250c Two-Stroke Twin Road Racer

Registration Number: TBA
Frame Number: TBA

The twin-cylinder two-stroke Yamaha well deserved the title of 'privateer's friend' in 1970s racing circles. The 250cc TD2 arrived in 1969, replacing the TD1C, and immediately proved capable of winning Grand Prix, privateer Kent Andersson triumphing in the German round at Hockenheim that year, one of Yamaha's most significant classic victories. The giant leap forward from the TD1C had been achieved thanks to a comprehensive redesign that saw the engine porting and exhaust system updated, superior Mikuni carburettors adopted, and the chassis, suspension and brakes greatly improved.

The TD2's chassis was a development of that used for the RD56 works racer. Broadly similar as far as its frame and cycle parts were concerned, the 350cc TR3 differed mainly by virtue of its horizontally-split crankcases, a feature not introduced on the 250 until the arrival of the TD3 in 1972. Kel Carruthers on the works Benelli 'four' denied Kent Andersson the 250cc World Championship in 1969 but the following year the TD2 came good when Rod Gould, riding a works machine entered by Yamaha Motor NV of Holland, took the title. Gould and Andersson's works bikes pioneered improvements that immediately benefited Yamaha's customers, who were offered up-rated TD2B and TR2B models for 1971.

This 1971 Yamaha TD2 250cc, has until recently been displayed as part of a larger private collection. An extremely original bike in its presentation, the TD2 features 4LS front and rear brakes, Yamaha rev. counter, cable splitter, folding footrests, thumb choke and steel front mudguard. The stalwart of club and professional racers such Phil Read, Ron Haslam, Chas Mortimer, Tony Rutter and Michael Duffey, these are legends of 1970s racing, and a coveted model in the current market.