Post Listing Update: did not meet reserve despite 3 bids up to $7,700 on eBay in Brooklyn, New York.
This bike’s a bit of a mystery to me. The seller makes several references to a Yamaha VR750 racer, which I’ve never heard of, and makes a suggestion: “it is not documented, but considering that there were very few VR750 based flat track bikes and engines at the race circuit, it is believed that these were a part of the Mert Lawwill and Kenny Roberts efforts with Yamaha for the Grand National Championship in the early 1980’s.“
My knowledge of flat track racing is limited, but I’d take the story with several grains of salt. Still, the bike is cool as hell, and the seller provides a link to Cycle News about the short-lived Yamaha race team.
Also per the seller, “this particular bike was restored using a new unused out of the create [sic] engine. Painted in Yamaha colors which would not be the paint scheme for the race team. Also this specific frame only appear on some of the historical pictures as there different frame designs.”, and the notes that the tail section was signed by Jimmy Filice.
So, what’s the verdict? Anyone with flat track expertise willing to chime in? I like this a lot, I’m just having trouble connecting the dots to the original race effort.
Find this Yamaha flat tracker for sale in Brooklyn, New York with an unmet opening bid of $7,500 or a BIN of $17,500 here on eBay.
This bike-uriousity brought to you by Robert B!