Yamaha TZR250 3MA classic two stroke restoration project | Episode 1

Welcome to Race & Retro's latest project!! In this first episode, we take a closer look at our classic two stroke Yamaha TZR250 3MA imported from Japan. With just 2600km's on the clock the question is what we should do with it. Restoration or recommission? Every nut and bolt or a light touch? Should we paint the wheels black or leave them white? Should we fit new race pipes? All these questions will be asked and discussed in this episode.
Could this be the best TZR250 in the world??
Follow us on this journey as we document each step of our journey with this iconic bike.
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#twostroke #motorcyclerestoration #motorcycle #yamaha #tzr #tzr250 #tzr250r #3ma #restoration #restore #gp500 #2strokes #2stroke #exhaustsound #tyga #rgv #nsr250

[@petrolated]

Love it!! Been looking forward to this and your releases. Properly good! 👌🏻🤩

[@raceandretro]

Love this comment! We still can’t believe that people watch and then take time out to comment! Thanks so much chief 🙏👍😃

[@TheGraham56]

Defo keep the wheels white, love watching your vids👍🏻.

[@raceandretro]

Cheers chief👍 Seriously? White? Has to be black no? 😂 Have you still got the 3xv’s?

[@TheGraham56]

@@raceandretro yeah still got the 3xv’s, not done any track days since before Covid, and not ridden the road bike in a while because I bought a ktm superduke. Regarding your 3ma definitely white with the wheels, how’s the progress going on the nc30?

[@raceandretro]

NC30 is making incredibly slow progress 😂 We should let our 3ma meet your 3xv when she is all done!...and also a classic track day and a beer.👍

[@arfb8]

Love the intro made me laugh, got a like 👍🏻, white wheels everyday ..

[@raceandretro]

Thanks chief! Keith loves dressing up and will find any opportunity to dig around in his box. Looks like white wheels is the way. Appreciate the comment and like 👍

[@GPRracing52]

White wheels, greetings from Holland.

[@raceandretro]

Hoi! Really appreciate the vote and thanks for watching from Holland! 🇳🇱 👍

[@T4TipsGuides]

Had a 3MA back in 1994 when I was 17.

[@raceandretro]

Nice! Keith was 43 in 1994.

[@kings656565]

Think I would leave it as is and also thinking how jealous I am. Absolutely love the two stroke race reps. Had a vTwin back in the day that I gave the princely sum of £1500 for with a little cosmetic damage and a set of Jackle full exhausts fitted. Admittedly an RGV would have kicked it’s arse due to the Japanese 112mph restriction but I could forgive that as it looked so good.

[@raceandretro]

We had some Jackel pipes on a 3ma-5 (the one with the USD forks! We would love to start an SP collection of 90’s two strokes! So many mega bikes.

[@kings656565]

That would be something. Have an NSR 250 mc21 at the minute. Would love a reverse cylinder or rgv or the like but can’t help thinking they are like a liability. When I bought the NSR it needed the main bearings done. Honda don’t sell the main bearings separately but did have a few crank’s available (about 14 years ago) and I think it was 800 odd quid for the crank. Ended up getting a set of mains from a guy in Greece for about 200 quid and got it sorted. Anyways great content chaps. Keep up the good work.

[@tomsworkshopprojects]

Thanks for the shoutout guys! That bike looks like a great project, I'm having that experience with my ZX7R, tidy bodywork hiding 26 years worth of filth underneath. Looking forward to seeing it progress, in particular hearing it start. I'm on the fence for wheel colour, I'm usually a sucker for black wheels, but do like the contrast with white against the darker body colour.

[@raceandretro]

Our pleasure buddy! Now can we have your workbench! 😂 You are spot on with that, they look so clean but when you go digging they reveal all the muck. There is also plenty of room on the fence regarding the wheels, you can go and sit next to Ant 😂 Thanks for the comment chief and keep up the good work. 👍

[@thedzaster03]

My 3MA's wheels are the same vmaxBlue that the fairings are. It ties it all together better than black or white. that's my vote.

[@raceandretro]

That sounds like it works well although we can’t decide between two colours, let alone three! 🤦🏼‍♂️😂

[@MonsterMotard]

Tyga pipes and Black Dymag wheels ... sorted

[@raceandretro]

I’m with you on that! Not sure the other two are though! Black Dymags would look mint and the pipes will sound properly good. Appreciate the comments chief 👍👍

[@chrishannibal5309]

This is ace !

[@raceandretro]

Thanks chief! 🙏🙏👍

[@ivanvanrooyen8922]

This brings back good memories. I had a TZR 125 3TY in this colour scheme back when I was a lad, but I always dreamed about, and wanted the 3MA. Please keep the white wheels. Love the video👌

[@raceandretro]

Now the 3TY brings back good memories! We had one in our bunch, mainly RD125LC’s and a very nice RG125FUN. Really appreciate the comment and the vote! White wheels are certainly ahead at the moment. Cheers for watching buddy 👍

[@JIMWSMITH]

Just found the channel, subscribed 😊

[@raceandretro]

Welcome to the madness Jim. Really appreciate the sub 👍

[@gamingforlife4830]

WOOHOO ! ;) awesome !!!. thanks for the shoutout !. kind regards Jimmy :) ps. its shared on facebook aswell :)

[@raceandretro]

No problem Jimmy and thanks again for coming back and also for continuing to share! We love the comments and are genuinely super happy that you keep watching👍🙏

[@RDYmoto]

Been looking forward to this

[@raceandretro]

Cheers buddy, lots of plans for this one. Thanks again for watching and commenting 👍

[@RDYmoto]

@@raceandretrono worries man, also black wheels for me

[@raceandretro]

@@RDYmoto you are a man of impeccable taste according to Dom. Just you and him so far on the black wheels 👍

[@glenlodge6779]

Hey guys , 3ma 1 . 89’ has the standard forks then 1990 they went upside down . I rebuilt mine full strip down to show winner in 3 months . Full year of classic track days and weekends with the LC club . Such a sweet handing & rewarding bike to own . next winter did a top end rebuild and a j lomas exhaust system. So much restriction the standard exhaust has & weight saving when changed . that two stroke sound on full chat . 😉 Good luck with the rebuild . 👌

[@raceandretro]

Great info chief! 👍 Sounds like you did an amazing job on yours and probably what we would like to do with this one, especially the classic track days. If you have any photos we would love to see them. Thanks for watching and commenting. Really appreciate it 👍🙏

[@exploringwithdai839]

That's a fantastic and classic bike, really really cool bike. And sorry Dom I'm gonna have to agree with Keith - white wheels all the way lol. Although there are cool with black wheels.

[@raceandretro]

Cheers Dai! I think I might be in the minority in thinking the it should have black wheels 🙃 Cheers for watching buddy 👍

[@the.sausagesitter]

White wheels, I have 3MA same year 👍😎

[@raceandretro]

Really appreciate the vote! 👍 White wheels seem to be the favoured option. Any mods to yours or original?

[@the.sausagesitter]

@@raceandretro completely stock was in collection for 26 years, only 6kms! Recommissioned & now riding the mountain roads here in wales😎

[@raceandretro]

@@the.sausagesitter very nice! Super low miles as well. Ours might meet yours at some point as we are not far from Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿👍

[@h.g7336]

Def Tyga pipes,white wheels.Question for the experts-how fast was the reverse cylinder?Was it a unreliable slug that was quick with a few mods?As fast as an RGV or KR1?I lived in the states for the 80s and 90s so never saw one and only ever heard rumours and stories from my mates about these.

[@raceandretro]

Hi, thanks for watching and a great question! In standard trim, they were around 45bhp mainly to do with been heavily restricted so nowhere near as powerful as an RGV or KR1-S. In fact, wasn’t it rumoured that the KR1- S was the fastest production 250 of the time? I think the TZR got an undeserved reputation for being unreliable but properly set up they were as reliable as any other 250. Once restricted however they were putting out around 59bhp so pretty much on par with the Suzuki and the Kawasaki 👍

[@kings656565]

Had a 250 v twin version of this back in the day but being Japanese market only was restricted to 112mph which was a bit crap. Stunning looking thing all the same. Remember thinking an RGV would kick its ass. Greetings from Northern Ireland.

[@raceandretro]

Be a close run thing if the Yam wasn’t restricted though. Weren’t they 45bhp although without the restrictions they were in par with an RGV? Thanks for the comment welcome! 👍

[@jasonrobinson6200]

White wheels m8 restrictions are in the exhaust pipe as it leaves the cylinders 2 brass bushes and airbox has snorkel restrictions in it.

[@raceandretro]

Fantastic info buddy! Thank you very much. We are looking forward to finding out as much as we can about these. It’s been a few years since any of us sat on one!

[@jonbeesley6372]

When will the next video be ready for release? Keen to see progress.

[@raceandretro]

Apologies for the lack of episode 2 chief! We keep buying bloody bikes! 🤦🏼‍♂️ However we are making plans next week to work on the next episode. Appreciate you getting in touch though and we will try to update a little more consistently. 👍

[@olivherbst7545]

First! :) There is so much to unpack here. I was instantly wondering about the forks not beeing upside down. Though, I would not be able to Tell, how much better track Times they would actually transfer into. Regarding the wheels: maybe it is sacrileg, but what about casted or carbon wheels? I could Not Imagine a Mod, that would Cut down track Times more than that...

[@raceandretro]

Fantastic comments buddy! Without doubt carbon wheels would improve lap times although not sure our budget would allow. Upside forks look cool and it would be good to pick up an SP at some point. Some plans for this one so keep watching. Thanks so much for all your positive engagement in our videos buddy. We really appreciate it 👍👍

[@b.w.9392]

Jup, white wheels! I wanted gold wheels on my blue 2009 tzr, but never had them painted from the basic gray/silver they where Ps, why not just a detail and an engine freshen up? It doesnt look like it needs a restore since its a great survivor

[@raceandretro]

Great comment and a light touch refresh is certainly on the table. We will have a closer look and decide. Looks like white wheels is also favourite! 👍

[@the.sausagesitter]

Have you guys done anymore to the 3MA?

[@raceandretro]

Honestly..nothing as yet. We are hoping to have the NC30 somewhere near soon then back onto the little gem of the 3Ma.

[@germanochoa8078]

white wheels. the color black turns it off too much. greetings from Argentina

[@raceandretro]

Hola 👋 we think white is going to win this one! Thank you for watching from Argentina 🇦🇷🙏👍

[@cabovermike]

Black wheels,. Why spend time & money on engine rebuild as its only done low miles,.? Maybe just put Tiga stingers on it to, save a fair few quid rather than throwing money at it,.ok so crank seals could be an issue, but pistons/ barrels/ crank should be good,. Try “image works”in Ilkeston for (decals) they will do those while you wait if your lucky,. They can copy anything,. and not expensive either ,.the grey colour isn’t the most popular one in my opinion, red and white all day long for me,.kochinski won 250 gp title on the forerunner of the tzr 3XV ,. It was a bit odd (just like him) ! as his bike had a single pipe exit at rear of seat hump, and another pipe at side of swingarm,. But it was a v twin motor,.keep up the good work lads. Chears,.

[@raceandretro]

Fantastic comments👍 Not so much an engine rebuild but lift the heads to check all is as it should be and we may decide to clean up the cases and barrels but we certain won’t rebuild the whole thing. You are right about the black ones not being as popular but this one looks so good in the flesh! Jon Kocinski certainly was an odd character but definitely a talent. We need more odd balls in the paddock! 😂 Really appreciate the input chief 👍

[@TubbyTrialTeam]

Keep it original.

[@raceandretro]

Certainly an option. Keep watching to find out. Thanks for your thoughts and sub! We really appreciate it 👍

[@spwright8383]

White wheels! It's far too close to stock to change anything! OR? Change everything? Ohlins suspension, Marchesini wheels, Titanium, carbon fiber, everything!!!!!!!

[@raceandretro]

That would make a special bike but we think you are probably right with it being so close too stock. Maybe if it was higher miles example it would warrant the change. Appreciate the comment 👍

[@shaunhardie6077]

Wheels would look better in BLACK.

[@raceandretro]

We are loosing the debate I’m afraid! The other two want white. Cheers for the comment 👍

[@shaunhardie6077]

@@raceandretro NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, got to be BLACK, the white doesn't go with anything on the bike.

[@raceandretro]

@@shaunhardie6077 I agree! I will highlight this comment and send it to the other two who obviously don’t have the impeccable taste that we have 👍

[@b6eunos]

White wheels only, black will look rubbish

[@raceandretro]

It’s already looking like Dom has got it completely wrong with his stupid black wheels plans! Cheers for watching and commenting 👍

[@b6eunos]

@@raceandretro haha, loving the TZR series. I've found myself wanting one recently so I'm looking forward to seeing how it turns out.

[@raceandretro]

@@b6eunos best looking TZR in our opinion 👍

[@b6eunos]

@@raceandretro if you ever decide to sell it I'd be very interested

[@raceandretro]

@@b6eunos it will be for sale once it’s restored so we can definitely discuss it then 👍

[@ROBERTOHALLORAN]

What ever happened with this project?

[@raceandretro]

Honestly, we have had to throw a sheet over it whilst we finish the NC30 (which is having another bit filmed tomorrow) Sorry for the delay but thanks for asking.

[@ROBERTOHALLORAN]

No problem. Funny I just finished an NC30 restore and. Now ’m in the Market for a 3MA. We must have similar taste 😎

[@raceandretro]

Absolutely! We only ought the NC30 as a stop gap whilst waiting for the 3ma to arrive but it turned into a nut and bolt job! Far more time consuming (although very enjoyable) than first thought. Our 3ma will go the same way, due to the super low Km’s it would be a shame not to make it immaculate. A VJ23 is on our radar at some point.

[@ROBERTOHALLORAN]

@@raceandretrodid you get the TZR from Japan?

[@raceandretro]

@@ROBERTOHALLORAN yep, pretty straightforward but it did take a while to arrive.