Different Strokes for Different Folks

Some of the the top production racers of the 1970's included the Aermacchi RR250 and the Yamaha TZ350. Both helped set new standards of performance in handling and two-stroke technology. The water cooled TZ was the logical step forward for Yamaha after the success achieved on the aircooled TD and TR series of production racers.

Aermacchi tried to duplicate Yamaha's watercooled engine upgrade and succeeded in Grand Prix racing with hand built bikes for World Champion Walter Villa. The original Aermacchi 250 was air cooled and wore drum brakes front and rear. The production RR250 was sold in the USA by Harley-Davidson dealers, did not succeed in the same manner however as the factory team in Europe. Poor preparation and lack of understanding for this somewhat fragile machine meant that Yamaha's comparative user friendliness would help the TZ dominate the grids here in the USA.

The similarities are many, but the details are quite different. The Aermacchi is lower, narrower, with a seat that puts you 'in' the bike instead of on it. This RR250 is a 1975 model with disc brakes up front but still a drum rear brake, water cooling, and fiberglass tank that's still wearing it's original colors from new.

This Aermacchi / Harley-Davidson racer awaits a restoration at this point. Its true competitive life behind it, the RR250 begs to be ridden again. The owner hopes to make that happen in the near future.

The RR250 had success with American riders like Gary Scott, but the Yamaha TZ came on strong as the decade wore on to quickly outpace the RR250.

Below is former AMA Pro and Team Yamaha racer Gary Fisher #21. Fisher won the 250cc National at Loudon, New Hampshire in 1972, 19 years after his father, Ed Fisher, won it on a Triumph. He was the first American to test a TZ750 in Japan with American Team manager, 1969 250cc World Champion, Australian Kel Carruthers.

From the Gary Fisher collection

Above, chasing the late Jarno Saarinen #10 at Daytona Speedway.

Below, a break in during qualifying on pit lane for Carruthers, Castro, Fisher

Below, Fisher #21, leading Don Castro #11

photo by Michael Lawless

Gary has rarely done any races in the last decade, but he suffered a dismal weekend at Roebling Road and Daytona Speedway 2010 on the TZ350. The TZ was beset with problems that kept him out of the running. He was back on Yamaha 250 at Mid Ohio Raceway for a pair of third place finishes at the AMA Vintage Days to redeem himself. It had been thirty plus years since he last raced a two-stroke.

photo by Michael Lawless

The G model, a piston port two stroke that was the end of an era of 350cc racing at the Grand Prix level. the G, in 250 and 350 form, remained competitive for a number of years in the early 1980's. In today's classic racing, it is a weapon of choice based on it's continued competitiveness. The reputation for high engine maintenance and frames that do fracture are based in fact, although there are modern solutions to these issues.

The sensation of speed is quite intense as you work the six speed gear box, the sound at 12,000 rpm is enough to send shivers down your spine, delivering that true Grand Prix experience of the 1970's, blue smoke and all. It is truly a surgical scalpel type of machine and must be used as such, with great precision. The reward is worth the effort required when it all comes together for a few good laps. If you get it just right, you get a glimpse of what is was like for heroes like Roberts, Sheene, Saarinen and company.