XT500 Yamaha
This bike was built in 1978 using a tuned Yamaha XT500 engine in a prototype Rickman, oil in the frame, monoshock chasis.(one of only two) Framing is Renolds T45 bronze welded. Nickel plating was planned for its finish. The monoshock is a De Carbo "a high-quality, historically groundbreaking type of shock absorber design, rather than a standalone modern brand name"
The engine has a gas flowed head, Prototec hi lift cam and upgraded valve springs. Upgraded cam lubrication and a protec HC piston, and an Amal Carb. A breathtaking 50bhp made it very competetive but it needed finishing to make it a winner.
The bike was test raced in the UK for a season and a half and was then scheduled to be properly finished for the 1980 season. It was never crashed. However 'life' intervened and it was neither raced again nor properly finished. It returned to Ireland in 1981 and has been laid up (indoors) eversince. It was started regularly until about 2000 but it was so loud it was never started again. The engine is perfectly free and has been turned over regularly. It was stripped cleaned and rebuilt a year ago in preparation for its being properly finished, but for various reasons thats not now going to happen. The bikle runs constant loss as the charging system was removed. It is bump start only as the kick start mechanism was removed. Both the original system/mechanism will be provided with the bike.
This is a unique bike with high spec components. It needs finishing and preparation to resume racing or as a show bike.
THIS BIKE IS ADVERTISED ELSEWHERE AND WILL BE WITHDRAWN AS SOON AS THE ASKING PRICE IS PAID