We love a good project, so we’re pleased to say Tall Tom will be providing us with monthly updates on his Yamaha TZR250 journey. And if you fancy contributing anything about your own bike, whether it’s special, standard, classic or otherwise, get in touch.
Tall Tom’s Yamaha TZR250 2MA:
Most people tend to start a project bike with something complete to begin with. But not me. Over the last few years I’ve been buying and accumulating Yamaha TZR250 bits as and when I’ve either seen them at the right price or had a bit of spare cash. But now it seemed like a good time to start actually putting them together.
The aim isn’t to complete a full concours restoration, but the outcome will hopefully be a decent bike with a few minor upgrades to make it perform even better than the original.
The frame came from a former Yamaha Past Masters racer, and was powder-coated in the most hideous shade of gold known to man. So that had to be chemically stripped before the frame was then redone in a much more appealing silver/grey colour. At the same time the swinging arm was also changed from a fetching shade of black to silver/grey. But before it was painted, NK Racing welded on some threaded lugs for paddock stand bobbins to be mounted to. Although the engine cradle and a few other brackets also had a dose of powder-coating, they were finished in gloss black.
So far the assembly has meant bolting as much to the frame as possible, with everything being cleaned up first. Certain budgetary constraints mean that not everything can be repainted or refinished.
A Yamaha R6 rear shock has been fitted, with another R6 donating a rear master cylinder. The KPH speedo from a scruffy set of Japanese market clocks has been replaced with an MPH version, and they’ve now been bolted on. Another Yamaha Past Masters cast-off is a one-piece GRP seat unit. It fits over the standard seat, but needs a bit more work before it gets fitted properly.
Assembling the Yamaha TZR250 has required ordering some of the missing parts from Yamaha, and while I’m waiting for the first lot to arrive, I’ve had a dig through the boxes of engines I’ve accumulated. The least damaged set of crankcases were selected and cleaned up and a couple of sheared off bolts removed by welding nuts on them and then just winding them out. Unfortunately I managed to soak them in beer so further cleaning is required before they can be mated with some internals!
We’ll have more updates from Tall Tom as his Yamaha TZR250 2MA project progresses, assuming there’s no more beer soaking in store. If you’re intrigued by racing, check out our previous feature on Yamaha Past Masters racer Neil and his Yamaha RD350 YPVS. Or check out our article on experienced YPM competitors Team Gibson. Or check out the Yamaha TZR250 selection for sale on eBay.
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