Preparing the Yamaha YZ and IT for Competition

by Jim Gianatsis

First published in 1979 as the "Moto-X Fox Guide to Preparing the Yamaha YZ and IT for Competition", this 64-page book was written and photographed by famed 1970's Cycle News editor, racer and motocross journalist Jim "Jimmy the Greek" Gianatsis. It covers the development and racing history of the Yamaha 2-stroke and 4-stroke motocross and enduro bikes from the DT models raced by the Don Jones family in the early 1970s, through to to the exotic YZ, OW and TT-500 machines raced by Hakan Andersson, Pierre Karsmakers and Bob "Hurricane" Hannah up to 1979. Included is race bike preparation information from famed Yamaha factory rider Bob Hannah, his mechanic Keith McCarty, the top privateer Moto-X Fox Racing Team, as well as privateer mechanic Bevo Forte. There is also a section on IT model enduro bike preparation by Yamaha motocross and ISDT rider Chris Carter. Included is "Riding with the Hurricane" an eight chapter racing instruction guide with photos that Jim produced with Bob Hannah that was originally printed in Cycle News as a weekly series in 1978. Preparing the Yamaha YZ and IT for Competition is a classic dirt bike technical, tuning and riding manual that has been out of print and unavailable for 30 years. It serves as very interesting reading and a great historical reference guide for dirt bike fans both young and old. Many of the bike preparation and riding tips are still relevant today. A must have for any dirt bike enthusiast or collector.