| Yamaha TZ750 | |
| Manufacturer: | Yamaha Motor Company |
| Production: | 1974–1979 |
| Engine: | two-stroke inline-4 |
| Bore Stroke: | 66.4mm54mm |
| Power: | 120hp @ 10,500 rpm |
| Wheelbase: | 1390mm |
| Dry Weight: | 152kg (335lb) |
| Related: | Yamaha TZ 350 |
The Yamaha TZ750 is a series production two-stroke race motorcycle built by Yamaha to compete in the Formula 750 class in the 1970s. Motorcyclist called it "the most notorious and successful roadracing motorcycle of the 1970s". Another journal called it the dominant motorcycle of the era, noting its nine consecutive Daytona 200 wins, starting in 1974.[1]
Another triumph of note was when Joey Dunlop rode to victory in the 1980 Classic TT during the process of which he upped the lap record on the Snaefell Mountain Course to an average speed of 115.22mph.[2] This is also the fastest recorded lap of the Mountain Course by a Yamaha 750cc two-stroke machine.
It was rated by journalist Kevin Cameron as one of the five most influential motorcycle designs: its monoshock suspension, high-strength frame and wide tires were necessary to handle the high engine output, and became standard for sportbikes.
Twin TZ750 engines powered the Silver Bird motorcycle land-speed record setting streamliner motorcycle, the first to break .
| TZ 750 A | TZ 750 B | TZ 750 C | TZ 750 D | TZ 750 E | TZ 750 F | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | 1974 | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | |
| Displacement | 694 cm³ | 747 cm³ | 747 cm³ | 747 cm³ | 747 cm³ | 747 cm³ | |
| Bore/stroke | 64 × 54 mm | 66,4 × 54 mm | 66,4 × 54 mm | 66,4 × 54 mm | 66,4 × 54 mm | 66,4 × 54 mm | |
| Power | 90PS @ 10,500 RPM | 90PS @ 10,500 RPM | 90PS @ 10,500 RPM | 120PS @ 10,500 RPM | 120PS @ 11,000 RPM | 120PS @ 11,000 RPM | |
| Wheelbase | 1407 mm | 1407 mm | 1407 mm | 1390 mm | 1390 mm | 1390 mm | |
| Steering angle (grad) | 63 | 63 | 63 | 64 | 64 | 64 | |
| Trail in mm | 97 | 97 | 97 | ||||
| Dry weight in kg | 157 | 157 | 157 | 152 | 152 | 152 | |
| Production (units) | 213 | 46 | 40 | 30 | 162 | 76 |
A 1974 example is displayed in the Communication Plaza at the corporate headquarters of the Yamaha Motor Company in Iwata, Shizuoka, Japan. Another 1974 TZ750A is at the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum in Alabama.