Yamaha TZ 250

The Yamaha TZ 250 was a commercially available racing motorcycle with a watercooled, two-stroke, 250 cc engine produced by the Japanese manufacturer Yamaha.

Yamaha TZ 250^[1]

Manufacturer	Yamaha
Production	1973–2004
Class	Grand Prix motorcycle racing
Engine	247–249 cc (15.1–15.2 cu in), 2-cylinder, 2-stroke
Bore / stroke	56 mm × 50.7 mm (2.20 in × 2.00 in)
Top speed	over 240 km/h (150 mph)
Power	51 bhp (38 kW) @ 10,500 rpm to 76 bhp (57 kW) @ 11,750 rpm
Torque	47.1 N⋅m (34.7 lb⋅ft) @ 11,500 rpm
Transmission	6-speed
Brakes	Front: Dual 280 mm (11 in) discs Rear: Single 210 mm (8.3 in) disc
Tires	Front: 3.25/4.75 R17 Rear: 3.80/6.00 R17
Wheelbase	1,312–1,328 mm (51.7–52.3 in)
Dimensions	L: 1,920 mm (76 in) W: 650 mm (26 in) H: 1,085 mm (42.7 in)
Weight	98–108 kg (216–238 lb) (dry)
Fuel capacity	23.5 L (5.2 imp gal; 6.2 US gal)

1993 version of the TZ250M

The basis of the production-volume racer was the OW17 factory machine from Yamaha, which was used in the motorcycle world championship from 1973 to 1990, and with which Dieter Braun became motorcycle world champion in the class up to 250 cm³ in 1973. The almost identical Yamaha TZ 350 was manufactured with a larger bore (64 instead of 54 mm).^{[2][3][4][5][6][7]}

Background and technology

The water-cooled TZ series of production-volume racing machines in the up to 250 cm³ class was unveiled in June 1973 and replaced the air-cooled variants of the TD1 and TD2 series. The bore-stroke ratio of 54 × 54 mm was adopted from the TD 3, which appeared in 1972. With the model year 1981 (TZ 250 H) a completely new design was brought onto the market. Instead of a modified standard housing^{[clarification needed]}, a sand-cast housing specially developed for racing was used; the two cylinders were no longer cast in a block, but standing individually. The bore/stroke ratio changed to 56 mm × 50.7 mm (2.20 in × 2.00 in). In addition, the cylinders received a so-called Yamaha Power Valve System (YPVS). The first model series (TZ 250 A) of the water-cooled twin with contactless thyristor magneto ignition had a power output of 51 HP, the last expansion stage^{[clarification needed]}, the TZ 250 A (3TC) from 1990, 76 HP.

While the diaphragm control was taken over into series production, Yamaha decided to use the piston edge control for the Production Racer up to model year 1984 (TZ 250 L). With the TZ 250 N model, the inlet diaphragm was also controlled in the TZ engine. The fresh oil system provided by Yamaha was easily converted to mixed lubrication (1:20) by some private drivers.

The power was transmitted via a chain to the rear wheel via a six-speed gearbox. The chassis consisted of a double-loop tubular frame with a telescopic fork and two spring struts on the rear swing arm. At the front, a worried^{[clarification needed]} Duo-duplex brake on the rear wheel a duplex brake for the delay. With the model TZ 250 C (1975), the chassis was revised, and a cantilever swing arm with central spring strut and disc brakes were introduced. The petrol tank held 23 liters, the oil supply was 1.5 liters.

In 1991, the engine of the TZ 250 was thoroughly revised and adapted to the factory racing machine (YZR 250). The new model series, now with a V-engine, was delivered to selected riders until 2004.

References

1. "Yamaha TZ250 Specs" (PDF). Retrieved 9 June 2022.
2. Sports, Dorna. "Yamaha's history from 1955 to 2005 – Part 7 | MotoGP™". www.motogp.com.
3. "Movistar Yamaha MotoGP |Bikes". Yamahamotogp.com. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
4. "Purity of Purpose: 1981 Yamaha TZ250H". Rare SportBikes For Sale. January 26, 2015.
5. "Yamaha Motorcycles Specs, Timeline". www.ultimatespecs.com.
6. "TZ 250 Tech Info". Rz500.net. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
7. Basem Wasef, Jay Leno. Legendary Motorcycles - Basem Wasef, Jay Leno - Google Books. ISBN 9781610590648. Retrieved 2022-06-09.