HMMmmmm... I guess my poor attempt at humor was lost in the translation....... I collect Yamaha TZ750's. The TZ750 GP motorcycle in the riding world has much the standing as classic Ferrari racing cars do in the 4-wheel world. At my peak, I had 24 of these bikes, out of a total production of about 500, or less. The largest collection in the world....... That was more than the Yamaha Factory themselves. As with Ferrari race cars, Yamaha GP engines and chassis's were at risk with these world - Formula bikes. Many were crashed beyond repair, and many engines were blown beyond repair. New frames, and new engines were available - for a price - from the factory. Not surprisingly, I have a few running bikes with NO serial numbers - none. Rider blows the bike in the last race of the season. Sells the bike over the winter, and buys a new bike in the spring. New owner buys new engine FOB factory - with no serial number. New owner crashes the bike in the first race. Sells to next owner for enough cash to make down payment on new bike. Newest owner buys new frame, FOB factory, with no serial numbers. Races bike for a season, with NO serial numbers. I wind up with a complete, legitimate GP bike, with NO numbers. Later, I find and buy the blown engine. Later, I find and buy the old frame. Repair old engine. Repair old frame. Now, I have the "original" bike, and a second "documented" bike. Later, I wind up "re-uniting" a total of six (6) engines and chassis. Numbers match - and that's hard with racing machinery..... Image Unavailable, Please Login
Although not as costly as vintage Ferrari engines, the TZ 750 engines may be harder to find. I have these 12 engines, waiting for "their" chassis to show up. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Thank you Julio ! I wish I could have "saved" your 2+2, and been proud to drive around in your handywork..... Maybe someday, I too will have a Ferrari collection.
When I was in high school, ( think late 50's) one of my friends had a super dad - they did cars together. His Dad had an old Jaguar 120. Together, they pulled the Jag motor and stuffed a big-block Ford into the hole. For my friend - the son - they overhauled and polished the Jag six, installed 3 x Weber 40 DCOE's, and fit the motor to the kid's 32 Ford roadster. Waste now, want not....
I think that for the more literate members of the board, the points have been both made well enough. A car (or bike) is only original once, and an older original car (or bike) has a patina that can never be matched by any restoration: The fade of the paint from the sun. The soft shine of the gently oxidised alloy. The hair-line cracks in the leather. One of the favorites in my collection is a bike folks call " the survivor." A 1974 machine, only one (1) race from new. Original in ever way except for period shocks. Imagine an unmolested Daytona Competition with only 25 miles.... Image Unavailable, Please Login
Julio, Maybe , I almost bet, Larry Bowman feels the way about your ex-piece of ***** GTE I think you are being extremely hypocritical!! Old double standards. There are people that care about 456s, you apparently not one of them. Just because your not one of them, maybe you should keep your comments to yourself IDEA !!!@ Why doesn't anyone dissatisfied with Mr. Bowman's action go up to him and give a piece of your mind, at his tractor trailer in the pits at Laguna Seca. Larry is not hard to find, no excuses he wasn't available Don't be cowards and keep harping on his actions here on FCHAT Go right up to him and...... TELL HIM WHAT YOU REALLY FEEL!!!! ps. Julio not trying to start a fight ! Step back and see how ridiculous your statement appears
Did he install the spare engine to save the original block??? I can see that, as 'cheap insurance" against blowing it up in use.....you'd think there would be enough wrecks worldwide to have engines to go around, but I'm sure with these particular engines, that's not the case.
I will certainly not keep my comments to myself, thank you. And please don't try to change the subject by initiating a discussion on the relative merits of a GTE and a 456. This is the vintage section anyway, in a Ferrari DISCUSSION forum. And I will remind you that the 456/GTE issue is only half the story here anyway; Building a FAKE is the other. Bad idea. I have no interest at all in meeting Mr. Bowman or talking to him, and I won't be at Laguna Seca anyway. I suspect I am as uninterested in him as he is uninterested in me, or my opinions. Cowardice has nothing to do with it. I stand by my opinions and statements. Tom, I am not trying to pick a fight either. You do this for the money. I accept that, and I lay the blame squarely on those who spend to create the demand for this kind of thing to happen. Why are you trying to defend them? - They don't care anyway.
You apparently do not know me. I make money to buy more Ferraris!!!! I quit my day job to get more cars. "I remain the drug dealer with a bigger drug habit than my customers" You are more than welcome to come by and see what I do someday , you may get a better understanding of me.
It is a little late to blow a whistle on gutting a very very nice GTE or repainting a 410 Sport YELLOW. At this point I think only on of these ridicules is ever going to get corrected - and that sure ain't the GTE. Best wishes, Kare
Fast guys in 2004: Tallest is the falulous Rich Yancy, builder of the #8 BUB BUSA. Rich broke the existing track record at Goliad on 31 JUL 04 with an outstanding 244 MPH in his rookie day at the Track. On left: Terry Kizer buzzed a part-throttle run over 236 MPH to secure high placing at Goliad. Middle: Scott Guthrie, celebrating his 60th birthday, slammed down 251 MPH on Sunday 1 AUG 10,setting the world, and the track record that would stand for 5 years. Notice the color scheme of the bike: red, white and black. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Following the 251 MPH Record, I headed to San Antonio, to visit the Cowboy boot shop of my friend Dave Little, where I ordered these hand-made boots. The boots are a one-of-a-kind design, never to be duplicated by Dave. The colors are Red, White and Black, in Rich Yancy's Honor. Rich was trusting enough to take the BUD BUSA all the way from North Carolina to Goliad Texas, for my attempt at the world record for streetbikes. The boots were made in his honor, so that every time I put them on, I will remember his friendship, his favors and his trust through the years. Rich is an honorable man and racer. I owe him the fastest motorcycle speed of my life Scott Image Unavailable, Please Login
I did 132.xxxMPH "something" at the Mile in my old Ferrari, I should have emptied the trunk!! Small world..... Just "Googled" Bowman,....quite the High Roller.
