Yamaha TZ125 and TZ350 production racers

The Yamaha TZ350 G model and TZ125 G model at rest. The monoshock, watercooled, two-stroke engines quitely wait for their next outing. After riding the TZ350 yesterday for the first time in a year, I am reminded of what true Grand Prix machinery is all about.

Produced in 1980, these two machines were a privateer's dream for affordable two-stroke production racing. All the thrills of real Grand Prix tackle, with parts available at your local Yamaha dealership.

The 350cc twin cylinder looks positively portly compared to the narrow single cylinder 125 machine.

This TZ350 was saved from a salvage yard after being pilfered from the original owner. Given as a gift to me years ago by that individual, the "Junkyard Dog" has made a comeback, being actively campaigined whenever possible. The One-Two-Five, by comparison, is in virtual time warp condition, last used in 1981 after winning an East Coast lightweight championship by it's original owner then being stored since that time.

White with a red stripe, the international color scheme for Yamaha two-strokes of the era.

The TZ125 makes 30 hp at 12,000 rpm and has a dry weight of just 72 kg. The top speed is nearly 125 mph. The dry clutch is just one of the many weight saving features Yamaha incorporated on the 50cc to the 750cc two-strokes.

The TZ350G offers 72 hp, weighs just 109 kg and redlines at 11,000 rpm. With 'Daytona gearing' it can exceed 150 mph top speed.

The TZ 500 may be the rarest, the TZ750cc the fastest, the TZ 250's the most common, but for pure thrills, a good 350cc TZ is hard to fault for overall balance.