Beschreibung
1969 YAMAHA 250 TD1C
Coming up for auction on Sunday the 6th of December in NSW, Australia. Head to the Donington Auctions website for more details.
One of only 320 TD1C racers built
Engine number: TD1C 000368
Early in 1961 Yamaha created the TD1, establishing an incredibly successful formula of production road racers based on street bikes. Based on the YDS, the TD1 in its various forms completely dominated clubman’s sport around the world during the 1960s. And the fourth version, the TD1C, was the most successful of all TD1 variations before the TD2 replaced it during 1969.
When the new street 250 YDS5 was announced for 1967, the TD1C racing derivative joined it. All TD1s shared the same basic engine architecture; an air-cooled 56x50 mm piston-port two-stroke parallel twin displacing 247 cc. While the compression ratio of 8. 10:1 and Mikuni VM20H carburettors were unchanged from the TD1B, the TD1C the cylinders, heads and tuned exhaust were new. The power increased from 35 to 40 horsepower (now at 10, 000 rpm). Another plus for the TD1C (shared with the YDS5) was the movement of the clutch from the crankshaft to the transmission mainshaft, solving the earlier TD1’s clutch nightmares. The chassis was updated with a stronger frame and upgraded front fork, and the TD1C was the universally regarded as the fastest, most reliable, and best handling production roadracer Yamaha had built so far.
The TD1C continued the success of the previous TD1B. Gary Nixon received one of the first examples and rode it to victory in the Daytona 100 miler in March 1967. During 1968 leading Australian rider Ron Toombs rode a TD1C to victory in the 250 GP at the Australian TT at Bathurst, followed by the 250 title at the Queensland TT at Lakeside two weeks later. Within ten years the TD1C had evolved from a slow, heavy, unreliable racer into an outstandingly competitive motorcycle.
With engine numbers finishing at 420, this example is one of the later TD1Cs. Possibly sold in 1969 prior to the introduction of the new TD2, this TD1C was presumably originally Australian delivered. The current owner purchased it in 1996 with the intention of competing in Post-Classic events. But after falling in love with its lines, originality, simplicity and significance he decided to have it completely restored to original factory specification. Well known Sydney-based Yamaha 2-stroke and post-classic specialist Marcus DeCaux undertook the restoration in the mid 2000s. This has been very accurately carried out; including the correct silver painted exhausts, remote carburettor float bowl supported from the upper frame rails and genuine twin cable throttle. The original specification also includes a factory kick-start.
Although the race history of this example is unknown, very few TD1s survive today intact. The majority were worn out or modified to compete with the newer TD2. Some in Australia were even converted into flat track dirt racers. Finding a TD1C in this condition is now extremely rare and an unmatched opportunity for the serious collector.
