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Engine mocked up

More pics

After 4 years I've finally had the frame repaired  and have started the YammaGamma build.  A previous owner had cut one of the engine mounting tabs off the rear, supposedly to fit an early TZ motor after the stock motor seized in a race.  Found someone who came highly recommended and had the mount rebuilt.

Does anyone have a copy/scan of the December 1987 Performance Bikes?  I have build descriptions found on the interwebs, but I cannot find the December 1987 Performance Bike article which was apparently written by Stan Stephens, who probably built the first one.  I'd like to compare the original walkthrough with the write-ups that I've found.  In particular the modifications to the side covers.

If anyone reading this has the magazine/article I'd really appreciate a scan.

Thanks in advance

BTW, move to this shop was about 20 years ago, the box probably from the move before that judging by the other manuals and such in it.

Date is '73

Found the owner's manual.  Amazing what's still in boxes from the move to this shop.

As mentioned earlier in the thread.  I'm open to offers on the motor.

From what I'm gathering it's not a common motor and has some trick pieces on it, so I doubt 'cheap' is going to happen.  Then again, my version of cheap and yours may be completely different.  PM me if anyone is interested.

BTW, I was under the impression that the early TZ250 and TZ350 had the same bottom end?  There's a TZ250/350 in the shop, found the 250 top end for it in a box with the motors.

Interesting piece of history:

Hawaii was considered the 'Pacific' market in the early days through the '70's.  (I'll have to ask my friend when that changed.)  As such we were able to get some motorcycles that were not available on the 'mainland' US.  My '75 RD350 is actually a New Zealand bike.  The demand for them was so great that at the end of the run that Yamaha diverted a shipment of approximately 20 to Hawaii.  The bikes had the kph speedos and headlights for riding on the left side of the road, the mph speedos and correct for US headlights were included in the shipment. The dealers had to change them out.  I have the kph speedo, still looking for the original headlight.  Also, also due to high demand there was a shipment of RD400s with spoked rims sent at the beginning of RD400 manufacture.  Same reason, high demand.  I found a spoked RD400 hub in the shop also.  I also had a DT175 that was not US market, found that in another friend's shop.

Because the motorcycles here were considered 'Pacific' and not 'North America' service members who bought motorcycles here and took them with them back to the 'mainland' often had problems having them serviced under warranty.

In any case, I wonder if being 'Pacific' market has anything to do with the TA motor...

Guys, thanks for all of the input.  I'll check with my friend and see what all he remembers about the motor.  He did say it's a TA250 motor, and I believe he bought it as a crate motor from Yamaha.  I should be back at the shop and will pick his brain some more.

This was my plan for the build.

RD350 cylinders with Wiseco pistons (resleeved by LA sleeve for the motor that was going in the bike)
Webco heads (Look to be NOS, or barely run and cleaned really well when pulled)
Bassani pipes
Electronic ignition (don't know what brand, it was run in an RD400 race bike back in the day)

I was going to see if the oil pump could be installed as it seems all of the hole for the cable and hoses are there.
I was also going to see if the kick-starter could be installed.  If so I was hoping to use one of my spare RD350 covers and modify it for the dry clutch.
Oh, and my friend seems to think that I should be able to get the lighting to work by replacing the necessary components.

In reality what caught my eye was the dry clutch and the RD/DS7 style cover.  I like that way better than the RD350/400 side cover.

That being said, taking everything into account it may be better to sell the motor as is, buy the components I want to dress up the current motor being built, and bank the excess $$$.

Any offers?  It would ship from Hawaii.

Found a TA250 motor in the shop and am looking for the parts and service manuals.  Planning on putting it in the RD350 café racer project I'm working on (on and off...).  Anyone out there know where I can find one, or a pdf of one.  I've attached pics just in case the motor was misidentified.

Thanks for the input.  Seems the 3-in-1 I used may be too light.  I'll try some white lithium grease and try to run it in using a spare cable and drill.  If the problem reoccurs I may pull the original cluster, save it, and replace with at Trail Tech panel.

Anyone have experience with the Trail Tech clusters?

The tach on the RZ350 I'm putting back on the road squeals.  I'm sure it's the tach as if I disconnect it the squeal goes away.  Oiled the moving parts, cable and gears, not the magnets or coiled spring, but the squeal presents itself when riding still.  Any ideas?  I'd like to keep the original panel.

Fairly certain there is a NOS petcock at the shop.  The shop belongs to a friend and he doesn't think he'll be back in for a couple of weeks.  (The shop is closed and is now his man cave.)  Let me know if you're interested and I'll see what he would want for it.  I pretty sure I have a used one that is missing one outlet.  I could probably be persuaded to let it go... LMK

What is the operating temperature range for a 1974 Yamaha DT125A?  I can't find it in the service manual.