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From the Cycle News Archives (July 1974):
CN Archives: Katzenjammer! Yamaha's Moto-Bike

BRING THE RACETRACK HOME
Enjoy the smell and sound of Yamaha's 2-Stroke engine from anywhere in your home, office or garage.

Announcing Yamaha's two-stroke white noise machine and aromatherapy diffuser

https://yamahamotorsports.com/yz25he


(too bad this product was posted April 1)

America's First GP Road Race Winner Passes

I bought this '05 XT a while back in non-running condition and only 3100 miles from a local guy who said it wouldn't start again after it had been used during the previous fall riding season. Supposedly it was his girlfriend's bike. He didn't seem to be very mechanical and said he didn't want to deal with it, so he put it up for sale.
When I picked it up it was still dirty, he didn't even bother to wipe it off before showing it, and it was clear he hadn't done much recent maintenance on it. The oil was filthy, some spokes were loose, and all he had done to attempt to fix the no-spark issue was replace the plug.



After I got it, I cleaned it up, and replaced some missing hardware and a broken signal lens. Then I went through it, changed the oil and filter, rebuilt the carb, replaced a few electrical items, and determined the cause of the no-spark issue was a bad stator.

After replacing the bad part, I thought everything was done and I was going to be able to enjoy it. But it only ran for 15 miles and almost stranded me on the first test ride. I got tired of working on it so I pushed it to the back of the garage and moved on to other bikes projects since I have more than enough to keep me busy.

[Trio of 1979 Chrysler Sno-Runners]

(not mine)
It's a 3-fer! You could create your own winter hooligan gang to terrorize your 'hood.

Trio of 1979 Chrysler Sno-Runners
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1979-chrysler-sno-runner-14-2/

[1984 Yamaha RZ350]

(not mine)
@ m in sc - do you know this bike? It's local to you

1984 Yamaha RZ350
https://iconicmotorbikeauctions.com/auction/1984-yamaha-rz350-3/

[20-Years-Owned 1958 Messerschmitt KR201]

(not mine) This would be so cool to cruise around town and down PCH! It's not too far from me.
Almost looks like something you would need a red & white striped tophat and white gloves to drive

20-Years-Owned 1958 Messerschmitt KR201
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1958-messerschmitt-kr201/
Powered by an air-cooled Fichtel & Sachs 191cc two-stroke single

Attended the monthly Vintage Bike OC meet in Huntington Beach with a group of friends on Sunday March 10. Pretty good show as always and some great looking bikes.

Ken Brumm's RD400D


Bill Brewer's '70 Yamaha AT1 (175cc top end)


I was on my MB5 (the CS5 behind it belongs to my friend Todd)


'54 BSA A7 Shooting Star 500


'68 Ducati 350 Mark 3-D


'70 Honda US90 (won Bike of the Month)


'96 Ducati 900SS-SP custom (belongs to my friend John, and so-cal-sdr200's '01 748 is behind it))


'86 Suzuki GSX-R1100

(not really a model specific question)

What are the common or possible causes for a charge (source) coil to fail on a stator for a bike with CDI?
I replaced a bad original stator with an aftermarket unit because OEM was not available. After installing the new part the bike died on the first ride after only 15 miles, and has no spark again. Wondering if maybe it was just a part failure in the aftermarket unit, or if there's something else in the bike that may be killing charge coils? 

I'd like to avoid this happening again if possible, when I get another stator to install. Thanks.

A few months back I had sonic cleaned the the carb on the MB5 and reassembled it with new gaskets. Once that was done it was running great and ready to rip. (or so I thought)
Prior to that it had an occasional fuel overflow issue that was intermittent. Sometimes it would just start dumping fuel on the ground when the petcock was left on. Well that problem got worse, even after going through the carb, to the point where if the petcock was turned on it was as if a hose was running straight out the bottom from the tank. Because the carb is such a pain to work on on this bike it got moved to the end of the priority list and sat for a while until this week.

Pulling the carb is a big PITA and requires removing the seat, the fuel tank (which extends all the way along the frame to the taillight assembly), disconnecting all wiring for the rear turn signals and taillight, removing the rear engine mount bolt, and removing the airbox mounting bolts. Even then, it's pretty difficult to fish the carb out through the available openings. After doing this a few times now I'm getting quicker at it.

So I pulled the carb disassembled it and replaced the float, float pin, and valve with OEM parts. I was fortunate to find a NOS float because they are NLA from Honda. The old plastic float was likely original from 1982 and the rubber tip on the valve was starting to break down and dissolve. There was a little black gooey schmutz on the seat.


Once cleaned up and reassembled it appears to be all good now. Took it for a short test ride and not a drop of fuel after being parked a while.
One more task checked off the list!   On to the next bike...

[SOLD 02/21/24 $20,865]

(not mine)
SOLD 02/21/24 $20,865   Really nice 3XV5

1992 Yamaha TZR250R SP
https://iconicmotorbikeauctions.com/auction/1992-yamaha-tzr250r-sp/
Restored, de-restricted, Biganski-tuned, CA-plated

Bid to $18,100 + $1267 buyer fee
After the auction ended, the seller accepted an offer of $20,865 including buyer fees.

[1971 Suzuki T125 Stinger, No Reserve]

(not mine)
Holy smokes (pun intended) this went for a lot of dough!

1971 Suzuki T125 Stinger, No Reserve
Sold for $8,407 on 2/18/24

Just saw this on Cycle News
I have his stainless cat-back system on my SVT Lightning truck. Awesome exhaust! I don't have any of his two-stroke pipes in my stash though.

[1995 Yamaha TZR250 SPR]

(not mine)
Several bidders really wanted this 3XVC. Reserve was only $7K

1995 Yamaha TZR250 SPR
https://iconicmotorbikeauctions.com/auction/1995-yamaha-tzr250-spr-2/
Winning Bid: $16,600
Buyer Fee: $1,162
Total: $17,762

[Wayne Rainey's TZ250-Powered Superkart Circa 2006]

The Rainey TZ Superkart that we saw during our last few visits to Iconic is now up for auction.

Wayne Rainey's TZ250-Powered Superkart Circa 2006
https://iconicmotorbikeauctions.com/auction/wayne-raineys-tz250-powered-2006-superkart/

Starting today at 10am and running through Jan 27. 2000 bikes
https://www.mecum.com/auctions/las-vegas-motorcycles-2024/lots/

It appears there are only 2 broadcasts of the event
Fri Jan 26, 3:00-8:00pm EST on Motortrend+ and Motortrend Fast TV
Sat Jan 27, 3:00-8:00pm EST on Motortrend+ and Motortrend Fast TV
For those without a subscription like myself, you can watch Motortrend Fast TV free on Tubi.

And of course Warren's TZ will be there on Friday, Lot F165
https://www.2strokeworld.net/forum/index.php?topic=6159.msg51221#msg51221

Yesterday I was invited to spend the day at a local private collection. The event was hosted by the Norton Club and a good friend who is a club member invited me to join in the fun. This is the same location that hosted the last 2-Stroke Extravaganza. It's amazing! Not sure of the exact number but it's probably somewhere between 200-300 bikes! Just a few pics from the day...

I counted 9 H2s and 5 H1s. And beyond that was a whole lineup of KZs




Rich Oliver's championship TZ from his undefeated 2003 season. (The AMA changed the class rules the following year, effectively eliminating the TZ250 from competition.) The owner of the collection was a team sponsor for Oliver that season, so later on Rich gifted the bike to him as a thank you. Pretty cool!








A few other notables not in the pics; 3 GT750s, an RE5, Ducati 750 F1, 851 Tricolore, Desmosedici RR, Vincent Rapide C, Brough Superior SS100, ex-Steve McQueen Indian...
But no RDs.

Sad news out of Australia. Anthony Gobert is in palliative care.
https://www.roadracingworld.com/news/anthony-gobert-receiving-end-of-life-care-in-australia/
https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/1043247/1/anthony-gobert-receiving-palliative-care-final-stages-his-life

The Dakar Rally starts tomorrow. Stage 1 from Alula
Dakar.com/

Started off 2024 with a little smoke! 
I took advantage of the great weather today after a few days of overcast and showers. Clear skies, temps in the mid-60s, and not much traffic.
I had originally intended to just do a short putt but I ended up doing a little over 40 miles along PCH through Seal Beach, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, and Corona Del Mar.



Seal Beach


Corona Del Mar looking out over the Newport Harbor entrance