TZ 350 auction. In DeWitt, Iowa.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1973-Yamaha-TZ350/202991680285?hash=item2f433f3b1d:g:BwQAAOSwMQ5evfyX.
Wonder if I could register as an RD? Bet I could in TN...
Not my bike etc. Wish it was...
If I were the seller I would have washed it before posting on EBay.
IR8D8R
TN, registration.? I bet you could. Easier here than most states. :celebrate:
Very cool!!
:drool:
What will it go for? $15k?
You could in WI no problem.
Quote from: Czakky on May 15, 2020, 09:03:11 PM
:drool:
What will it go for? $15k?
My guess is it might bring half that at most. But you never know.
I believe this may be a 1973 TA 250 and it is certainly not an original TZ 350. The frame number is for a TA 250, only imported into the USA in 1973, and it was an air cooled machine. Frame numbers for the 1973 TA's were TD3 991001>. Frame numbers for the 1973 TZ's were 383 991001>. The fact that the frame has radiator mounts can be explained by the fact that the rest of the world got water cooled 250s while we got the air cooled engines. Reasons for that have never been completely explained and I have never seen a air cooled engine in a TZ frame that I knew was genuine but knowing Yamaha I'll bet it did happen. Comparing the welds in the pictures to the welds on my TZs they look very similar.
Other problems: The seat has an oil tank which the TZs didn't have. Could be explained as a left over or by a replacement due to crash damage. Pipes are wrong; maybe C model TZ 250 but definately not TZ 350. No water temp gauge and the tach gauge mount is TD/TA and not TZ. And lots of other little stuff. A very nice pile of parts to make a good restoration and probably worth about $5K.
Lyn Garland
Dang Lyn with the knowledge.
I always get excited to see good info brought up.
And, one day left on auction and 5200$.
Also, what is up with that Honda spark plug in the last picture?
I asked him. He said this:
"I don't know anymore I have had 3 experts tell me different things. We bought directly from the original two owners who both raced it. I don't have import docks but I also came up with what you said. But had the Moto armory museum tell me the same thing the original owners told me as well. They offered 10k two days go as well I have 350 bikes in my collection and may pull this until it's truly identified"
I simply sent him the frame numbers Lyn posted and asked if he had any provenance.
I don't know about you guys but if I bought a factory race machine I shure as hell would keep all the paperwork. Otherwise I wouldn't expect to say it was...
IR8D8R
Seller wants to know if anyone has any info on the engine.
IR8D8R
If he was offered 10K should have took it.
I sent him a note through ebay offering to discuss the bike with him. We'll see how he responds. I have lots of questions about that bike...
Lyn
I do not know why this is so intriguing to me. But, it is!!!
Please keep us informed on any other information.
And, I would have taken 10 grand. Then, bought the other 2sw RZ500 and rode it home!!!
:agree:
Bidded to $6200 relisted at 10K BIN.
I don't know why this bike reminds me of it but does anyone else remember maybe 10 years ago the Kawasaki H1r that popped up in EBay?
The seller had no idea at the time of listing of what it was and had starting bid of a few hundred bucks or so. The bids quickly got up in the thousands and the guy was hammered with questions and offers. I can't remember if the auction actually finished out or it got pulled right before it ended but bidding was up over 20k. It was quite the entertainment watching the auction and reading real time feedback on the old KTW forum.
Quote from: Yamaha 179 on May 19, 2020, 07:12:04 AM
...
Other problems: The seat has an oil tank which the TZs didn't have. Could be explained as a left over or by a replacement due to crash damage....
Lyn Garland
My all original TZ-B has that same tail, there is an oil tank under there too.
My TR3 has the same tail
AFIK air cooled TR3s have rad mounts, mine does. Any one know what frame numbers TR3s have? Mine has had the steering head replaced.
I notice this thing has R5 left cover (there is an ear on the outer cover) and it looks like a TZ right cover (you can't see it very well)
The tach mount is also correct for TZ A or B, and there is a correct one in the spares too. They look like the air-cooled ones with an ear welded on the side to hold the water gauge, not the same as later TZs.
That TD3-xxxx frame.... HMmmmmm... that kinda throws it.......
To me it looks like a A or B in an earlier frame, which happened as those early TZ frames would break... can't see if the top mount is still there.
http://www.tz350.net/serial_numbers.htm
Maybe a TZ350A. If it is an "A" it's would be worth $10G, IF it was in better shape. This thing needs a TON of work before it will a race track again.
It would be a lot easier to buy/sell if the guy selling it had a clue.....