Hi guys! Every once in a while I see TZ750 coming up for sale and have always fancied buying.
I wanted to check on how reliable these are? How's the parts availability? Do they have common parts with any street-legal motorcycles from it's time? How's the experience for those who owned them? Any thoughts are much appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
They're as reliable as any true racer can be... they're 2T so there isn't a lot to go wrong.
There are pattern parts available for MOST stuff. Cases are unobtainium. They don't really share any parts with street bikes. Cylinders can be nikosil'ed (they're chrome stock). The cranks are rebuildable. The bearings are "off the shelf". I think Nova does a transmission.
I have a fleet of TZ250/350s and have no problem keeping them going... I have also been collecting TZ parts forever.
Obtaining a TZ750 isn't easy or cheap. A TZ250/350 is easier to ride, easier to keep going and in comparison CHEAP ... AND it still is competitive (because of the TZ750's relative rarity at vintage race meets, they get lumped into classes where they don't stand a chance.
If you go to vintage meets in western US try to find Dave Crussel... nice guy, knows more about TZ750s than most.
CMR racing did a TZ750 frame... if you want one it could probably be arranged (I know a guy).
The TZ750 was a seminal bike... they kinda suck now... history marching on and all. I've not owned one, but have worked on lots of them. They are not a "fun" bike to ride. I might know of one for sale in Canada.
Internet gossip says there is someone working on a custom cased TZ750 with 4 Whampus jugs, that is rumoured to put out 250HP all day long, that Dave Crussel is supposed to ride.
When I went to club races in the early 80'S there would be 2-3 riders that would show up with TZ750s. They were spectacular to watch. The riders were all real good on them and it would be a real shootout when they raced. They left everyone behind in the Formula 1 class. They definitely held the fastest lap times back then. It was always neck and neck between the TZs. By the end of the race, they were sliding and twitching pushing them so hard exiting the turns within inches of each other and all the spectators were in awe. I think the front brake calipers were the same as a RD.
1975 King Kenny won the Indy mile (dirt) on a TZ750.
At the end of the race Chris Economaki rushed through the crowd for his comments, Chris pushed the mic into Kenny's face and King Kenny said to the world "They don't pay me enough to ride that thing".
... and the bike was banned.
there's a few bikes I'd never want to 'live with '. they are generally any square or v4 2t (or 4t), kaw triples for the most part (been there a lot) and a tz750 is in that mix. I mean, I love them all and have ridden all of the above, except a tz750. but mgmark had his at the gap a few years ago and as fucking cool as it was, he didn't keep it long. that's who you need to ask, he has 1st hand experience and a long thread on here about it. my 0.02
Best way is to try one - Scott G. has one for sale:
TZ700/750 For Sale (https://www.ebay.com/itm/135811408271)
Scott has lots of bikes and parts - he leans towards LSR attempts.
I know the Canada bike for sale - it has a CMR mono-shock frame and a Consortium motor; the best modern combination for a good handling and reliable TZ750. The owner actively races it, and is an ultimately meticulous builder. IMO, it's the best one currently available for someone who actually wants to race.
Stock framed twin-shock bikes especially, handle weird when driven hard because the frames flex and they tend to 'wind up' in the corners which is an invitation to a high-side on the exit. Stock frames tend to crack - if your frame doesn't have any cracks or breaks, you are not riding it hard enough.
Warren
Thanks for all the responses.
And yes that exact listing is too tempting not to consider life choices but then again who knows what crazy amounts it may reach.
When King Kenny said "They don't pay me enough to ride that thing", to me, it's epitome of 2-stroke.
And just like that not only my bid is cancelled but also the listing is gone. :umm:
I suspect you are talking about Scott G.'s eBay bike - he is a very smart dealer, and possibly used the eBay listing to get word out and made a deal off-line.
Since you bid, you must be serious - patience...
Having ridden stock and aftermarket frame TZ750's, and if you are going to race, aim for an actual 'currently raced' mono re-frame. The Scott bike was more a show piece, and would need some homogenization to be viable; spend your $$$ up front and get a track bike.
The CMR/Consortium bike I mentioned is not the same one bitzz was referring to; the one I know of (I'm kinda interested myself) will be going up for auction in the next month or two. For sure. It is a 'turn-key' bike that only needs premix and a good push to be on the track:
(https://i.imgur.com/0QAslMz.jpg)
The owner is crating the bike for transport to the auction company even as we speak. If you want more details I can put you in contact with him.
I find the TZ750 easier to ride and more fun than the piston-port TZ twins; I mostly rode a C&J framed 750, and it was very forgiving and tractable, and a blast to lift the front wheel (very controllably) on a whim :thumbs:
No one passes you unless you let them!
Warren
Edit:
P.S. You'll find that maybe just because of the nature of the beast, TZZ750 people (owners and riders alike) are a different breed to deal with. Get used to it if you continue your pursuit...