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1974 YAMAHA TA125 ROAD RACER, ALL ORIGINAL WITH PERIOD RACE HISTORY INCLUDING DAYTONA, TWO OWNERS SINCE NEW, AHRMA ELIGIBLE

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1974 YAMAHA TA 125 ROAD RACER, ALL ORIGINAL WITH PERIOD RACE HISTORY INCLUDING DAYTONA, TWO OWNERS SINCE NEW, AHRMA ELIGIBLE 

This 1974 Yamaha TA 125 road racer epitomizes the long distance small bore race bike that became a permanent part of Yamaha history and still represents the classic style… 

Please note this bike comes with a bill of sale and Manufacturers Statement of Origin. 

The condition of this machine is highly original.  The frame and the engine are factory correct and original.  It is the 125 cc engine.  The transmission is also original to the machine.  I am the second owner from new.  This Yamaha was raced and obviously never wrecked, as all of the factory fairings and various accessories are in extremely nice condition.  This machine is also, as you can see from the photos, in totally original and as raced condition. 

This machine has been in my private collection for a few years, is started at least once per year, and ridden.  Yes, the machine runs and rides.  It has to be bump started and would rather not run at low rpm’s, but due to the fact that the tires are the original type and old, I am pretty cautious in the neighborhood.

All of the major engine, transmission, and braking components have been recently checked for wear and safety, and anything needing attention was serviced.  

The tires on the front and rear are both the original type and style Dunlop racing tires, which are period correct for the machine and were used in the last race it was entered in.  They are the correct and original style and are the original tires delivered with the bike. 

A complete cleaning and detailing was just performed since the photos were taken, and although detailing on an original machine like this is never truly finished, the overall condition of the motorcycle is remarkable considering the age of the machine and is in line with the low original hours. 

The paint on the gas tank and all of the bodywork is original, very well preserved, and again, in very nice condition, with very little evidence of wear or damage.  The original tank emblems are applied to the gas tank. 

The Yamaha on the road is very fast, easy to handle, and rides down the road very tight, with no shakes, shimmies, or rattles.  It shifts and accelerates smoothly and holds the road as it should, but again, to really appreciate this bike, the tires should be changed and the  bike taken onto a track, where the proper rpm’s can be attained to bring out all of the technical attributes small bore Yamahas were famous for.   

There is absolutely nothing that needs to be done to this machine to ride it occasionally and enjoy it as a showpiece.  I am always looking for new machines to add to my collection of vintage Hondas, Harleys, Suzukis, and motocross and enduro machines, so please let me know if you have something interesting available!   

TERMS:  10% DEPOSIT WITHIN 48 HOURS OF AUCTION CLOSE.  BALANCE OF AUCTION AMOUNT MUST BE PAID BY CASH IN PERSON, BANK TO BANK TRANSFER, OR CERTIFIED FUNDS (WITH VERIFICATION) ONLY WITHIN 7 DAYS OF AUCTION CLOSE.  SORRY, NO C.O.D. AND NO PAYPAL.  PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL BANK WIRE FEES. 

The description of this motorcycle is written to the best of my knowledge.  However, I am by no means an expert on vintage Yamaha race motorcycles.  Please don’t hesitate to ask for more photos and, if possible, come and look in person before the auction ends.  ALL SALES ARE FINAL!  If you have any questions, please contact me before the auction ends. 

If you have any questions, please contact me.  If you live close to Chicago, I encourage you to come and inspect the bike in person!

In an effort to protect the eBay user information and to help ensure the authenticity of correspondence between sellers and bidders, eBay’s new listing format does NOT display any bidder information.  Nevertheless, I STRONGLY encourage bidders to contact me directly to answer questions or to verify correspondence.  Seller reserves the right to not accept bids or sell the vehicle to anyone with a zero or negative eBay feedback rating.

This motorcycle is being sold as is, where is with no warranty, expressed, written or implied unless there is a warranty in effect from the factory.  The seller shall not be responsible for the correct description, authenticity, genuineness, or defects herein, and makes no warranty in connection therewith.  No allowance or set aside will be made on account of any incorrectness, imperfection, defect or damage.  Any descriptions or representations are for identification purposes only and are not to be construed as a warranty of any type.  It is the responsibility of the buyer to have thoroughly inspected the motorcycle and to have satisfied himself or herself as to the condition and value and to bid based upon that judgment solely.  The seller shall and will make every reasonable effort to disclose any known defects associated with this motorcycle at the buyer's request PRIOR to the close of sale.  Seller assumes no responsibility for any statements regardless of any oral statements about the motorcycle.

Please remember that your bid constitutes a legally binding contract to purchase this item. If you require an inspection, have it done prior to bidding. I strongly encourage all bidders to inspect the motorcycle personally or enlist the services of a professional inspector prior to placing a bid. After the sale, inspections are not recognized as a contingency to completing your obligation to your winning bid.  If there are any questions regarding the above terms, please e-mail prior to bidding. 

Please do not waste my time or yours bidding on an item you do not intend to pay for.  If you bid on this part and win, you are expected to pay for the motorcycle and pick it up in a timely manner!

I welcome ALL international bidders and am happy to assist with making shipping arrangements.  I can also arrange crating for shipment on my end for a nominal extra charge.  If you are an international buyer, I understand it can take some time to arrange shipping, so I do not mind keeping the motorcycle for a longer period of time until pick up.  Please contact me before the sale ends, if possible, to discuss the specifics. 

Thanks for your interest!

For more on the TA 125, please read on past the photos…

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A Brief History:

Yamaha released its first production 125cc roadracer, the TA 125, in early 1974 and advertised it as a "Clubman Level Production Racer".

The TA 125 was a twin cylinder, air cooled, two stroke, twin shocked racer based on the company's successful AS-3 roadbike, released in early 1974. In fact parts such as the swingarm, rear wheel etc. were identical to the AS-3, though the CS2 forks, DS6 front brake, DS6 front wheel, fuel tank and obviously fairing and clip-on handlebars were changed from the roadbike.

The frame was quite similar to an AS-3 unit, though produced as a racing special, featuring different looking top rails and other modifications such as removal of un-necessary lugs and strengthening the unit to handle the rigours of a racing environment.

Motor-wise, Yamaha chose to keep the basic form of the AS-3 cylinders and heads. The only modifications were altering the porting and chrome lining the bores, changing the exhaust securing system to springs from bolts, and also changing the compression ratio. This combined with new exhausts, pistons, 28mm carbs, close ratio gearbox and a Hitachi CDI ignition system (visually identical to the TZ units ) boosted the output to a competitive 24bhp at 12,500rpm.  Heavier clutch plates, strengthened crankcases around the main bearing journals, and the primary gear being secured to the crankshaft by key/keyway and nut rounded off the modifications to the motor. The TA125 was a 5 speed though there were a few factory 6 speeds around. There were seven gear kits available for road use.

Production of the TA 125 ceased in Nov.1974, marking the end of Yamaha's air cooled 2 stroke production roadracers and the beginning of a five year wait for another 125 roadracer, the TZ 125G.

 

Specifications:

 

Model: TA 125      

Year: 1973 / 1974


Model code: 400

Bore: 43 mm         

Stroke  mm: 43 mm       

Capacity: 124 cc  

Compression Ratio: 7.5:1

Horsepower (brake): 24@ 12,750 rpm

Ignition system: CDI

Ignition timing  (btdc): 2.0 mm

Carburator: Mikuni VM 26

Primary drive: 3.894      

5th gear ratio: 0.916

4th gear ratio: 1.045      

3rd gear ratio: 1.250      

2nd gear ratio: 1.555     

1st gear ratio: 2.066      

Fuel capacity: 13.6 litres     

Gearbox oil capacity: 750 cc (± 50cc)

Front tire size: 2.50 x 18

Rear tire size: 2.5 x 18       

Front brake: TLS drum

Rear brake: SLS drum 

Rear suspension: Twin shock        

Wheelbase: 1222 or 1240mm         

Width: 520 mm

Length: 1,790 mm 

Rake (degrees ): 27.5

Trail: 90 mm         

Dry weight: 81kg

**Thanks go to Jouko Pajunen in Finland for providing information to help fill the above Specs table.  Also, most of the information above © Greg Bennett 2002.