SPEED DEMON Yamaha TZ750 had TOO MUCH of EVERYTHING!

[@migueldelaguardia]

Im 65 years old and have listen to Kevin Cameron for over 45 years and hoping to listen for 45 more.Thank you Mr.Cameron.

[@danieljohnson2503]

I read cycle world cover to cover, during the 80s & 90s.

[@raykaufman7156]

Yeah. I started reading Cycle when Mr Cameron was the "new guy". This was awesome.

[@racebiketuner]

@@raykaufman7156 Same!

[@fidelcatsro6948]

what bike are you riding now? R1?

[@johnburke2285]

@@racebiketuner- I’ll 2nd your “same”. For what two decades we had no real idea what he looked liked or god forbid what he sounded like.

[@micyclesport]

IMHO This podcast is the best thing Cycle World has done since the internet age took the magazine out of print. Thank you for making these!!

[@tomrinde4487]

Thank you Kevin. And Mark.

[@Jodyrides]

The Yamaha TZ750 was basically two 350s sharing an engine case and transmission.. they were supposed to make approximately 140 hp. We had to replace the pistons, about every 600 miles, you had to replace or rebuild the crankshaft every thousand miles.. whatever jetting, you set them at at sea level or in Mexico City, that was your jetting, and I hope you got it right. Because if you jetted near the edge in Mexico City, or in Denver, and you went to down in elevation to Daytona, without fattening the jetting, you probably seized. .. A fellow mechanic at a shop I worked at in those days, seized at Daytona, and broke both wrists and both ankles.. today’s MotoGP machines are cranking out more than double the horsepower, reaching top speeds here in 2024 of 227 miles an hour, not kilometers per hour.. The parts man at the Yamaha dealership I worked at still owes me $400 more than 50 years later, when I loaned him some money to buy his TZ 750 brand new.. I believe the price was around $7000.. my TZ 250D was under $4500 .. I remember Giacomo Agostini coming to Daytona for the first time, riding a TZ 750 in the 200, winning the race, and almost collapsing from exhaustion as he got off the motorcycle in the pits after the race.. other racers winning the Daytona, 200 on the TZ 750 / Roberts, Baker, j sarrinan.. in those days, factories wanted to win the Daytona 200 because it was one of the most prestigious races in the entire world, --in those days.. I can’t describe the thrill. It was pulling into the pits at every race track and smelling blendsall.. Robert Duvall loved the smell of napalm in the morning, I loved the smell of blendsall in the morning… when you ride any type of two-stroke in roadracing, you would be smart to ride with two fingers on the clutch lever. At the end of a long, Burn in top gear is the time they were most likely to seize, as you let off the throttle to start downshifting for a corner.. some say it’s because when you let off the throttle and The carburetors close their slides, you’re shutting off the air, you’re also shutting off the fuel and oil on a two stroke.. I can tell you from personal experience.. I woke up two days later in plaster in the hospital.. ending my racing career after eight years, six championships, two time national champion, all of my personal racing machines were always two strokes. I have ridden four strokes in two of the 4 24 hour races I competed in. Four riders per machine, I must say it was not a worry about a seizure on the four stroke motorcycles I was racing on those occasions… there was nothing like the sound of unsilenced expansion chambers. on the TZ750s. The most painful ear piercing two-stroke was the Yamaha TA 125 twins without silencers. I’m not sure but I think they revved past 12 or 14,000 RPM, I’m not sure about that , I have no experience with the 125 twins, but I felt sorry for their clutches on the starts..

[@Toast-ej2lr]

My TA125 had a 13,000 RPM redline. Never had a full seizure on my TZ750. One piston would seize but the other three would carry it through. Different story on the twins, sometimes your finger on the clutch wasn't quick enough. I would always do a plug chop on the first lap of practice for each day. Jetting came first before gearing changes.Tearing down top ends after breaking in new pistons and sanding high spots will help prevent the dreaded 2 stroke squeak. Air cooled singles, twins and Kawasaki's center cylinder on their triples lock up solid the most. Suzuki's air cooled 500 Titan had terrible seizing problems. Cal Rayborn's bike was converted to methanol but they seized on gas as well. However the worst type of seizure 2 or 4 stroke would be a gearbox lock up where pulling in the clutch won't do jack shit.

[@mauril811]

Jarno Saarinen drove 1973 in Daytona Yamaha TZ 351 against 750:s...and won.

[@Toast-ej2lr]

@@mauril811 Not really fair to compare 2 strokes to 4 strokes of that era. Kawasaki and Suzuki had 2 stroke 750 triples that had reliability issues. 1974 were the first 4 cylinder TZs and they were 700s making 90 HP, more than mortal man could handle! Ago won with 4 cracked flat sided down pipes. Don Emde was the first 2 stroke to win the Daytona 200 in 1972 and that was a Yamaha air cooled TR3 350 twin. I'm a big Jarno fan and he was an incredible rider influencing King Kenny Robert's riding style. What he did at Daytona was the beginning of the 2 stroke era. Yamaha's TZ750 is history after that, so much so that people forget the 350 class.

[@phil4986]

Wow, thank you for taking us on that fantastic real life ride. What an incredible thrill those oil burners must have been. Fast as hell. In great and not so great ways. Much Respect.

[@MichaelGreen-vn7dr]

kinda, 90 bhp on a good day for a TZ700

[@fullthrottlepowersports6927]

WOW!!!! I grew up reading Cycle World & Cycle magazines in the 70's... reading each issue about the F750 road racing... ( with my RD 350 in the garage) I read and STILL READ ANYTHING written by Mr. Cameron... he is a genius... THANK YOU Mr. Cameron!!!!

[@markmcintosh7095]

I love listening to Kevin. He has more knowledge about motorcycles than anyone I've experienced.

[@KurtCira]

This video kindled many memories for me. In 1979 I discovered that a guy named Erik Buell had moved in at the end of my alley in Milwaukee. He and another guy, Fritz Huebner, who was an ex-Yamaha factory race team mechanic for Kenny Roberts, were working on prepping Erik’s TZ750 for an upcoming AMA race. I stopped and talked to find out who they were and a years long friendship began. I was building custom bicycles in my basement but I also road sport bikes. Erik got me out on the racetrack which really improved my riding tremendously and taught me the engineering principles that he later developed into his Buell motorcycles. Fritz happened to be the mechanic that did the chassis work on the TZ750 flattracker, so I heard lots of details about that strange experiment. I was hanging out with them as they developed and built Erik’s first motorcycle, the RW750 square four race bike in his garage workshop. It was an experience I haven’t forgotten.

[@SomeTechGuy666]

I'd love to hear Fritz talk about the TZ750 flat tracker !

[@KurtCira]

@@SomeTechGuy666 I lost track of him about 25 years ago. The last I heard he was restoring high end classic cars near Joliet, Illinois.

[@cpuuk]

Never going to get bored sitting by the knee of Grandpa Kevin and listening to wisdom of the ages.

[@ralphfoley4827]

It was an amazing era when a privateer could buy a yamaha TZ and be competitive. We had the Marlboro series here in NZ which was full of 2 strokes. Very special times never to be repeated.

[@suzukiyesteryear]

A very special time, never to be repeated…full stop.

[@Scooter_911]

I'd really love to hear an episode about Erik Buell. He gets mentioned in a lot of these podcasts and clearly you two have spoken with him in depth. Also I can't thank you enough for these podcasts. It's so refreshing to hear these motorcycles discussed with technical intimacy, instead of just regurgitating Wikipedia articles and press releases like most motorcycle media these days.

[@macmorgan6685]

Raced against Eric and his Barton at Nelson Ledges back around 1981/82

[@Scooter_911]

​@@macmorgan6685 Man to be a fly on the wall of that paddock!

[@ejgrant5191]

Fun Fact the 1st bike Buell really engineered was his 500 4cylinder AMA 2 stroke race bike....Based on an ill fated UK engine design....Had tons of motor issues.

[@frankhughes4600]

Very nice to see Kevin is still among the living! I cherish the 197x days spent in Gill, w/ Kevin helping me with the H2 racer. His initial H2 advice, when I encountered him in the pits @ Bridgehampton, was "Place a flak jacket over the engine, start it, hold the throttle wide open until it is quiet"

[@garypic4083]

Raced at the Bride too just amatuer 1976, 77, 78

[@Toast-ej2lr]

Love the TZ750 but one thing that bugged me was setting the ignition timing. Of course you could get cylinders 1 and 2 right on however 3 and 4 would be off due to slight play in the cranks. I used to think you should split the difference but dyno results proved this wrong. Set 1 and 2 to spec, at least 2 cylinders are firing at the correct time. YZ125 reeds with raised cylinder exhaust ports, matched and polished transfers, (the TZ had 4 and factory 0w31 had 6 transfers) Lectron carbs and Swarbrick pipes really increased power. I ran Yamalube R at 25 to 1 and cranks would last me a season. New rings every race and if I could afford it, new pistons every other race. Only problem was the lower crankcase cracking from the 2 cranks flexing. Back then we used epoxy to fix the crack. There is a company making new cases for the big TZ and I wonder if they are reinforced in this area.

[@user-if8nz2yo5n]

Absolutely awesome listening to Kevin remenis about the beast. I'm an engineering nerd and could listen to this content all day long. The KR flat track TZ reserection video is killer! Thanks for sharing such amazing history!! I'm a huge fan of the 2 stroke era.

[@truthboomertruthbomber5125]

How about a series of podcasts that feature KC detailing his year by year career beginning with the first year he was involved in motorcycle racing? . In early 1973 I began working as a mechanic at a Kawasaki dealership. These were the heyday years of Team Kawasaki road racing and KC was heavily involved in both the triples and the Bighorn singles. I remember a magazine article where he was making a rod bearing cage from billet. I was blown away by his skill set.

[@MrSmegfish]

I mrt Gary Nixon and Erv Kanemoto in the UK...their van was full of expansion chambers for three triples and different circuits...pre exhaust valves...you changed the whole exhaust.

[@etienneprinsloo6799]

Kevin Cameron has one of the finest motorcycling engineering minds of our time. The highlight of my month used to be the TDC column. It changed how I saw motorcycling engineering. Thanks Kevin, you added much to an amazing journey on two wheels.

[@jwboatdesigns]

I worked with Cros at the Kawasaki distributors when we werent long out of our teens, he was a bit of a cowboy but he eventually got a grip on his riding and ended up winning a world championship, I went and worked with the Yamaha distributors and spent a summer as team manager for the Yamaha works team with Hideo Kanaya riding, and had a few test laps on the OW72 and gosh it was a monster to ride, huge power but abysmal handling.

[@bradjohnson9671]

Wow, what an interview! I had just (for some reason..) got done watching a bunch of TZ750 video's just to hear them wailing around a track. Guess I was feeling a bit nostalgic about the old 2 smoke race and dirt bikes (I've got my eye on an old 73 DT250). Lo and behold this pops into my feed. I do so miss the print version of Cycle World and all the other mags I used to get. Kevin Cameron was and is one of my favorites. His articles were always the first one read when the mail man was kind.. Kevin had a way of bring complex issues down to a level that most could understand. He helped me appreciate the complex physics of an internal combustion engine. He did a couple of his articles on air cooled aircraft engines that should be a topic of every engineering class. Dealt with everything from metallurgy to machining processes and beyond. Good stuff for sure. Mark, Kevin, thank you for your time, this was awesome.

[@enwri]

15:04 Early Yamaha monoshock units were vacuum assisted rebound multipliers if you hit them hard enough. Compression damping relied on gas pressure in the reservoir to keep the oil from cavitating, once it did there's no compression damping at all , just, pushing the oil into the reservoir instead of through the piston valving, as it pulled a vacuum/void in the oil column. That collapsing vacuum, plus gas pressure and spring pressure, all combined into the rebound stroke, punched back hard until the void collapsed and the rebound valving could even start to cope with something it really couldn't handle.

[@guylr7390]

So glad you brought up the dyno results on the 750. I’m convinced that the 90hp figure that Yamaha gave for the first 694cc TZ750A was a conservative net figure with typical out of the crate “chicken jetting”. An early out of the crate test in the UK got 97hp at the wheel for the A model which would indicate approximately 112-114 at the crank. The following full 747cc B model was at around 120 gross. The factory bikes that Kenny and the developed later privateers like Dale Singelton won on were likely pumping in the 140-145 plus range.

[@kerrywilton8266]

My 700cc B model, with 1975-spec aftermarket pipes but otherwise stock made 118hp at the wheel, on a dyno we know is slightly conservative. My later monoshock, with YZR-spec pipes and 35mm carbs (bored stock items) makes 136 on the same dyno.

[@guylr7390]

@@kerrywilton8266 There you go. I’ve always believed that Yamaha always way underrated all of the production race bikes so that they would not be accused of providing an underpowered machine. Your 118hp at the wheel would be about 135hp at the crank. Those late full 750, factory sponsored, Kel Caruthers tuned bikes, were likely making 165 at the crank.

[@Rollin_L]

This was a great interview and I learned much of the history I didn't know. Thanks to Mark, Cycle World and Kevin for this video. I became a fan of motorcycle racing during the last days of the TZ750, shortly before the RS500s came out. I saw the last of the 1000cc Superbikes and the introduction of the 750cc class. But what I didn't know is that my friend Dale Herbrandson (that Kevin mentions here in connection with reed valve intakes) was such a pioneer in those days. Dale never talked about that. I knew him from his drone engine business but we connected through a totally different hobby, related to military vehicles. Kevin is a great storyteller. I met him once, about 24 years ago, when Cycle World and Dave Despain's show (MotoWorld?) were doing an event with the Honda Superbike team for the introduction of the RC51. This was at Willow Springs in 2000, and I was contributing some hardware for one of the riders. Kevin was quite the gentleman and I appreciated his write up of the event in his column.

[@BillLeavens]

Kevin Cameron is a veritable fountain of clear, superbly expressed mechanical knowledge. He has entertained me and explained the magical world of motorcycles for a very long time. Thank you so much for showcasing him here.

[@markjones1672]

Just found this channel....head up my arse I guess! Could listen to Kevin forever as he dips into his seemingly bottomless well of knowledge & experience......love it.

[@4408warner]

Kenny was my neighbor when I was a kid. He bought land from my grandad in Hickman California and built his dirt tracks. That's where I learned to ride.

[@fidelcatsro6948]

Wow!

[@ToddWright2]

These talks with Kevin are terrific. I have been reading his tech articles dinve the late 1970s and eanted to become an ME because of him. I'm an EE instead, so I don't have to make motorcycle parts, but love working on bikes asva hobby.

[@PenttiTolonen]

These lectures are fantastic. I enjoy them as much as reading your books and articles. Thank you Mr. Cameron. Keep them coming

[@MichaelGreen-vn7dr]

Good show guys! AS a long time racer with no $ but I was a Parts Mgr at East Bay Yamaha (San Leandro, CA) I knew all those part#s and tricks... my boss bought me a 1973 TRIUMPH 750 twin though! No kidding. I raced it AFM 750 mod Prod, Endurance, AFM BoTT, AMA BoTT and later as a creator of CVRG & AHRMA the bike went full circle raced it in 4 decades. I was Team Obsoletes chief rival! Rob HATED being beat by our WCBR-Ducati singles (which we also dominated "SOS" (Sound of Single) with a very fast 350cc Ducati. raced with treaded AVON Racing tyres drum brakes! I was sponsored by HAP JONES for near 17 yrs and did all AVON R&D in America. I was thinking of long time pal Dick Mann when you were talked, he raced G50s at Daytona (as did I because of him), to the WINS in 1969/70 with the HONDA 750-4 and the BSA 750-3 (I raced a Tri T150 in 1978/9) ; Afterwards Richard rode TZ750... Kay Mann gave a cool couple pics from 74 i think of Richard on a DON VESCO TZ; one pic is cool as KR is passing Richard who has he knees on the tank, whiile KR knees is on the deck... hence higher cornering speeds. I never had $ to have TZ250 even working in Yam DLR, so I raced the Triumph. IN AUg 2024 i'll two of the WCBR-Ducati's at Ferrari OC event in Monterey next month. As for MotoGP i think the bikes/engine have gone bezzerk! Too Much Power! WCBR #21

[@patrickcaudill2939]

Same here, I’ve read or listened to Kevin for the past several decades. Whether through snowmobiling articles or motorcycles, all are well written and chocked full of information. A true pleasure, Mark, listening to the both of you👍🏼🙏🙏🙏

[@martinlongden7392]

Excellent presentation gentlemen. I have pitted TZeds🇳🇿 for over 45 years and a TZ700 on unsilenced pipes is my sound of choice. 😊

[@jamesjohn9460]

Graham Crosby ,legendary character,watched him doing continuous donuts down the main straight on a Kawasaki 1300 with a female passenger after the race

[@paul.vanhout57]

These podcasts are exemplary and remind me why I always enjoyed Cycle World journalism. I still remember the pictures of the TZ on the front cover when it was introduced.

[@pauloconnor7951]

Some Australian racer in (Adelaide ?) joined two RD350s. Yamaha engineers from Japan visited him to see it. Apparently that's the inception that I read somewhere of the TZ700 / 750.

[@vxe6vxe6]

I went to a bike night at a pub in Bellingham, WA. There is a guy up there that has a street legal TZ750 dirt tracker. He rode it to the pub. That bike is awesome! How come you guys mentioned the TZ750 and never mentioned Steve Baker? One last thing, I know it's a podcast, for us that watch in on youtube how come you guys didn't have a TZ700 or a TZ750 for the background? Keep these shows going, I like Kevin and his style!

[@terry12566]

This is absolutely amazing for people with a interest in the technical side of this wow it ignites my passion

[@macmorgan6685]

Hi Mark and Kevin, great discussion on the TZ700/750. Having started racing with the RD350 there was always thought of using a 350TZ top end to go faster. I also had a 400 that I used for modified class. Kevin you mentioned wanting a TZ750 top end for your 350- I have on my RD400 a Fahron watercooled top end. You might remind Kevin that I gave him a TD-1 back around 1978 while on his way home from Daytona. Mac Morgan, Yorklyn Delaware

[@guylr7390]

Kevin needs to show us that TD1. I wonder if that’s the same one he’s been restoring?

[@peterhinton7326]

I was lucky enough to ride a 409 model, updated to 1X2. The first thing that really grabbed my attention was that it felt like it pulled the same in top gear as it did in second gear on the straight. I was going faster. The second thing I noticed was the Lectrons were very sensitive to the first touch of the throttle and as a 250/350 rider, struggled with that. I was going slower. Wish I had the opportunity to spend more time on it. Unforgettable experience on an an amazing machine. PS. Mark, ask Paul about his seat in his Dad's Thames van.

[@jameslawrence6135]

Thank you for the podcast! I was very fortunate (though I wondered if actually was at the time) to ride one of nicest most developed TZ 750 with a Spondon chassis and brakes, Lectron Carbs, larger than normal Michelin tires and custom pipes. The bike came to me as former Daytona 1981 winner ridden by Dale Singleton. Little known, it was the only bike to my knowledge to win at Daytona with two different riders. One with Dale Singleton in 1981and with me in the 1983 Daytona ProAm. Enjoyed much! Thank you!

[@johncorboy2163]

Interesting you mention Graham Crosbie , another backyard kiwi racer also got a T/T under his belt

[@suzukiyesteryear]

Love the piston headphones!!!

[@mikeskidmore6754]

My second new bike was a Gray 1974 Yamaha YZ-80-A I had the Yamaha Brochure for that year that had the Yamaha TZ line on it too. I will have to try and see if I can find it at my parents house.

[@Jonathan-L]

In 1986, I bought a well-used TZ250 (B model I think it was, circa 1978) for $800AUD, raced it once (stalled and last to leave the grid, but overtook so many riders on faster bikes) and sold it for $1,200AUD to a guy who claimed to be a "collector" ... wow, I made 50% profilt in a few months, 'grabe the money & run' job :) ... but what the bike is worth today could be bit more. Any regrets? No. Any memories? Definitely.

[@64faffi]

A lot more people should take their time to listen to Cameron talking, and with Hoyer as a host and interviewer, the show become even better. Thank you!

[@christopherlynch7018]

Raced during the early 80’s, mainly TZ350 some cool results but I always hankered for a TZ750 or RG500 (Dreamin’ of course) but my sponsors wouldn’t chip in enough🤪 Now and again I got an opportunity to go up against them @ Brands, Snetterton, Cadwell and even Lydden, so much power! All beautifully engineered; thanks Yamaha and Suzuki.

[@ianjones4071]

Thank you for a great video, I'm 66now two years ago I sold all my bikes and they were all 100cc two stroke dirt bikes, cheers mate 👍

[@stevebigansky9372]

I was fortunate enough to ride an ex- Ron Pierce TZ750 in the 1981 AMA Formula 1 series - this was the same bike that Ron finished in 2nd place behind Dale Singleton in the 1980 Daytona 200 - it had a few OW31 parts and pieces courtesy of Yamaha Motor Canada's Bob Work - I had no idea at the time what I was getting into, having only ridden 250's for my entire racing - I managed to finish inside the top ten 4 times with my best finish being 7th at Road America- what an amazing piece of engineering- crazy fast, but completely manageable if you got the jetting, gearing, and chassis sorted out - I earned my long sought out AMA national number (45) on that bike -

[@1950Bonanza]

Great video guys, Now throw in the modification of case volume vs. intake length, and a cross over pipe, and boost bottles, and soon they become "mythical contraption designed to torment the soul of man". However, I love them, raced them, own 4 triples, an RZ350 race bike, dirt bikes, and Husqvarna 480 chain saw!

[@martinlongden7392]

Any prospect of a chat about Dr Robert Freeth (RIP) and his aerofoiled TZ750 VIKO special? NZ bike in Trevor Taylor's extensive mainly Yamaha collection. Also has Ginger Malloy's Harley 350 2stroke.

[@rossdavis2654]

That would be Roger Freeth and Ginger Molloy eh, good times

[@martinlongden7392]

Correct... My apologies to Ginger (still kicking) and Roger RIP. But Roger was exciting. Because he was so physically big he was a slipstream target. He made a tail piece that put out a disturbed air flow to upset tailgaters.... brilliant..

[@johnwebley3790]

Great to hear this, I live in the UK, and really miss Team Obsolete bringing the bikes over, With Dave Roper and others, Have a word with Bob I , Thanks for everything

[@mjo4981]

I was just watching Kenny Roberts retro mile on the TZ750. Nothing else in the years I spent at the tracks made a noise like that!

[@AlField-dm9sx]

Thanks for a really good show!

[@davidbarringham7992]

I had the privilege of sitting astride a 750 back in the 1980s. A colleague of mine bought-sold and raced Yamaha two stroke twins. At the time, he has the 750 parked up in the hallway of his home. I think it was a 1983 model, but can’t be certain.

[@RichardCummins-ni4em]

Thanks gents, that is the best KZbin vid I have watched in a very long time.

[@robertrishel3685]

The man is a genius and an icon. Oh, and also my very favorite subject: 2 stroke race bikes!

[@brucekendall52]

A movie could be made from all thats been said in this Podcast.Great history.Thks.

[@danieljohnson2503]

When does Kenny Roberts get mentioned? I worshipped that dude. Not literally but as a teenager wishing to follow in his huge footsteps.

[@danieljohnson2503]

Oops, at 7:45 ~

[@jonathanwilkinson267]

Thanks guys, loved every minute of this!

[@lenq5918]

I have several 2 strokes including liquid cooled bikes as well, but I love my rd350 and rd400's as far as simplicity and once ported, piped and carbed correctly, they double in power!

[@whalesong999]

Late comer to the web Cycle World and pod casts. I recall the first issue of CW with a Triumph on a TT scrambles course and CW became my reading standard as my career as a motorcycle mechanic began to get steam. I saw my first road race at Dodge City, Ks in 1957 and was hooked on road racing immediately - graceful but exciting in so many ways. In that vein, I wonder if the CW team could do a segment on the Italian rider/tuner Guisseppe Rottigni who rode a lightweight Parilla 175cc in that class at Dodge and showed our midwestern crowd a sample of the grace and beauty of European style racing, winning the days event so effortlessly. Guisseppe was working for Cosmopolitan Motors in Philadelphia and stayed with them for years, championing the line of Parilla motorcycles, also from Italy. I went on to race Parillas myself as a result as an amature, weekend scrambles rider (did earn an expert ranking in my first season riding Parilla). Sadly, Parilla left the scene but Guisseppe left an interesting legacy that might be worth an episode on YT.

[@budman1074]

I always learn a lot from Kevin. Totally enjoyed this - Thank you!!!

[@adrianjackway5138]

Real good work fellows thoroughly enjoyable insight to a beast.A fellow i knew and dealt with some years back before his untimely departure , alex campbell was a motor cycle racer and outfit racer and local yamaha dealer, probly had a fair bit to do with yamaha developing the tz 700 /750 . He in fact had joined to 350 twins together and used a norton gearbox in and outfit , fast, generally unreliable . But did spark enough interest to bring the yamaha gurus from japan out here .A mate of mine still has the engine and the frame and has thoughts of restoring as he used to work with alex and had the pleasure of running in the engine on our local roads with instructions to stay under 90mph 😅 . Im not sure how to add a link on here but a quick google search of alex campbell motorcycle racer makes an interesting read.

[@shawnryan5347]

Another great podcast. Thank You.

[@caliom8427]

Excellent, I have Top Dead Centre one and 'Too' and wish I had this knowledge imparted to me when I was racing TZ350s back in the day! Let's have some more please!

[@humandroid53]

I saw the (I believe) debut of the TZ700 (pre 750) in Wellington, New Zealand. Probably late 1973. It kind of wobbled around the corners (it was a street track - basically a large square industrial block that ran over railway lines. Classic New Zealand street circuit) but it squirted of down the straight squirming it's tyres with the rider barely hanging on it and it made me laugh. It was so ridiculous. It was the opposite of watching the batter of the two parallel twin Kawasaki 250 strokes fighting into and out of the corners. I think it was Greg Hansford and Kork Ballington.

[@pauloconnor7951]

G'day. Possibly an Australian that joined two RD350s together; as I wrote more at top.

[@brucemctavish408]

Would like to hear more about the riders Kevin worked with, Miles Baldwin, Richard Shlacter and the other Baldwin (Mike)

[@truantray]

I knew the other Baldwin, Miles Baldwin from Toronto. He raced Daytona on a Tz750 he bought working as a UPS driver, and he almost beat the factory hondas in 1983. Cameron did his motors, surprised he didn't mention him. Milo had no fear.

[@LBrawn]

this is the most interesting tech documentary i have ever heard.

[@lenq5918]

Please keep the 2 stroke content coming. Especially the RD stuff because these are street bikes that our generation grew up with. Like to hear what Kevin's thought on tuning. I have seen porting on a RD350 top end that was told were tuned by Erv Kanemoto. Upon measuring the ex port height compared to other know RD tuners, found that for the street the consensus is 27mm height (rd350) So I ported all my 350's that way and like the power and rpm delivery. Hope you guys can do a segment on rd or 2 stroke tuning.

[@DJ_Driven]

Let's get some history on the H2R. I never heard stories about how one originally would purchase or acquire those bikes and what was included if any factory support parts and tools. Plus would be interesting to hear some old school racing stories.

[@humandroid53]

H2R is a recent bike. The 70s bike was the 74hp H2. The racing bike was the 100hp KR 750.

[@martinlongden7392]

As a stupid youth i was at Pukekohe when the TZ700 had it's first appearance at the track (John Boote). Coming over Rothmans heading for the start/finish line the bike visually twisted under acceleration. Love it...... More than two strokes and you're a wanker.

[@rustyturner431]

As an OLD racer (86 and counting), I love these videos. In the '70s, I still knew a few guys still racing, if no longer riding. I've been told by an eyewityness who was right there that KR's actual quote was, "They don't pay me enough to ride that motherf*cker again..."

[@richardvalli1058]

Back in the 70's I raced a TA125 that Kevin ported for Steve R when Steve switched to Honda. Compared to the engine I was running it was a rocket ship.

[@DickGoesonya]

First time I ever heard about the Idle of Man was watching a bike movie called Taking it to the limit. Mike Hailwood had a go pro the size of a shoe box He did a lap of the idle on a tz 750. I was hooked 1985.

[@ronjohnson6465]

I love this pod cast. He is my favorite

[@cheesenoodles8316]

My kids see the old drag bike and sometimes hear a story or two. The TZ was the rocketship of my time. Note, I get to ride a Yamaha Banshee once in a while ... terrifying....but fun. Not the best idea at 60+

[@marktarascio4766]

I worked at a Kawasaki dealership during the 70s and rode the 500 and the 750 as a demo when I was 18yrs old !

[@bretloyd8097]

Raced a 700 once, hard work animal to ride quick.

[@Sladep123]

Awesome as always, tnk u!

[@porschetech72901]

RZ guy here..... thanks guys

[@roberthamilton5529]

Always loved reading Kevin Cameron, a true genius in engine tech!

[@yorkchris10]

I must be too young - I hadn't heard of this one. The RZ500 I remember as well as the Suzuki and Rotax configurations. An inline four two stroke was considered too wobbly I think or not able to seal all the cases. Now I see Allan Millyard with a 4c ylinder Kawasaki.

[@dutchsailor6620]

I used to race a Nico Bakker TZ750 (ex Jack Middelburg) in the eighties. Great memories. Unfortunately the bike got stolen and now some guy is showing of in classic demo races in the Netherlands with a stolen bike.

[@robbmeblind9867]

I think Trevor Discombe also had the nico bakker frame in the day

[@dutchsailor6620]

@@robbmeblind9867 Bakker sold those frames like hot cakes, plenty around.

[@smoknjoe73]

Love these talks. My only complaint is that there are too few of them. Love all the Loudon refrences as I am a 20+yr Loudon vet. I would recommend doing more shows on specific bikes. History, specs etc. I will open voting for the EX500 and VTR1000.

[@TimothyKennedy1]

The start of the podcast shows a picture of apparently a tz 750 but it's not a tz 750s had spoked wheels not mag wheels if iam not mistaken the you showed was a yzr.

[@wdhewson]

My friend made his TZ750 into a street bike..........but I was too scared to ride it when he offered !!!

[@seantheberge5456]

Mark, are your headphones made by Grado Labs by any chance? Thanks for the video, been a fan of Camerons for a long time. I used to dragrace a yamha SSR 440 snowmobile in my youth, and then moved on to dragrace a Kawasaki H2 built by Fast by Gast. Both machines were wild rides. The twostroke is ultimate race engine in my book.

[@markhoyer1736]

They are custom Grado Labs phones with pistons as the vented chambers, yes! Seemed the best option for our podcast and they sound great.

[@seantheberge5456]

@@markhoyer1736 Very Nice!

[@REX-INRI-JESUS]

Thx for the tech tips. Excellent research and experience, guys, I loved it. Big 2 strokes 💙 and the smell of the synthesise race oil. Bring back 2 stroke race bikes.

[@nigelcopestake3618]

Absolutely brilliant, Kevin Cameron is the man. Luckily I was race fanatic from the late '60s onwards the 2 stroke era, what can stay brilliant and not a laptop in sight. Modern racing has become sterile unfortunately

[@toddcannon3942]

"There's no such thing as too much horsepower. There's just not enough traction" Carroll Shelby

[@edwinbrown3303]

Love the banter.

[@Official_MotörHead]

Waauu.. I love your podcast. I really like listening how racing engine are mase. Greetings from Slovenia

[@richardcasey7521]

Great video!!

[@tedecker3792]

I heard from a friend who raced one that on the banking at Daytona you had to make yourself one with the tank and crawl as far forward as possible into the fairing.

[@thebones]

This was excellent, so informative

[@bilbobaggins4366]

Just subbed gr8 video ,and ive been looking at the rd twin as an off road base and discovered those crafty indians are now making this yammy abroad under other name

[@juanmontoya6622]

We need something like that today.

[@MichaelGreen-vn7dr]

Speaking of Cycle World, who i didnt write for; I was contributor for "CN" under JU, & later Classic Racer & Classic Bike... I have AFRIKA TWIN 1100 now, have an idea for CW test on these bikes... the local i have in mind i used often for my NEVADATROPHY GPS Rally Raid from 1996-21 Get hold of me and we go play/test bikes

[@craigg4246]

You could maybe buy a used thrashed TZ750 for $3500? But when I wanted to buy one in 1979, they were $13,500! Now this included the factory spares kit, but that wasn’t an extra ten grand. $13,500 in 1979 was probably the equivalent of $50k today. They were NOT a cheap way to go roadracing.

[@PeacefulRallyCar-pw3cs]

They did not require 2 semitrailers and 3 fulltime mechanics. Top level racing was accessible. Now the bottom of the pyramid has been removed leaving empty stands.

[@robg6485]

​@PeacefulRallyCar-pw3cs and let's not forget in those days riders often competed in multiple categories on the same day. People seem to forget this and call today's riders like Rossi and Marquez the G.O.A.T. There's only 1 G.O.A.T - GIACOMO AGOSTINI, 15 times World Champion!

[@mikeford5106]

@@robg6485 ... I agree . ago was a fantastic racer in his early days, battling against mike hailwood and many other GP gods, ... BUT ! ... for way too many years he was "touring" arount the circuits, displaying the total dominance of the MV agusta against antiquated british single cylinder nortons and machless machines ! ... NOT until he changed to Yamaha bikes did he once again show the brilliance that he had displayed in earlier years. !!! ... So many of his world championships were just "GIFTED TO HIM " !!!

[@davidturner7590]

Several years ago I bought a subscription to CW archives. Is this service still available? I certainly would like to have access to it again!

[@SRJCUSSEN]

Excellent rant. 🙏🙏

[@MrSmegfish]

Kenny came to Oulton Park in the UK he high sided it at 90 mph and late flipped it at 120 mph.

[@mikeford5106]

All this [very interesting] chat about the big TZ , ... but no images for the uninitiated ???

[@HAL9000-su1mz]

How bout even a short podcast on the RD350? Could touch on the TD-1s and onto the RD350LC? NOT because I am currently rehabbing an RD350B...not at all.