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Hum, I would have serious concerns about this being Mr Dunlop's actual bike. A used TZ250 of this era is only worth 7-8K US dollars so the other 50K is for the Dunlop history.
Things that bother me about this bike
1. Mismatched wheels, The rear wheel is not period, TZ250 had spokes until the 80s
2. Seat is wrong, the "Fat Butt" seat is 80s
3. Tank and Fairing are new, look like recreations.
4. Mr. Dunlop was known as Joe until much later in his career. should say Joe Dunlop or more likely J. Dunlop
5. Slick on the back, threaded tire on front, not likely
While this certainly could be one of his bikes, it has been rebuilt with newer parts or salvaged parts. I would require a picture of Joey Dunlop on this bike and an assurance from the family that this is indeed his motorcycle before dropping that kind of money.
I'm not an expert on the TZ but I did have a couple of them 1972 TZ250A and a 1978 TZ250E
[QUOTE=Fulton;985928]Hum, I would have serious concerns about this being Mr Dunlop's actual bike. A used TZ250 of this era is only worth 7-8K US dollars so the other 50K is for the Dunlop history.
Things that bother me about this bike
1. Mismatched wheels, The rear wheel is not period, TZ250 had spokes until the 80s. Wrong Most riders changed the wheels and would have used Campagnolo wheels from 75
2. Seat is wrong, the "Fat Butt" seat is 80s Wrong used from 76 onwards
3. Tank and Fairing are new, look like recreations. Dont look new to me
4. Mr. Dunlop was known as Joe until much later in his career. should say Joe Dunlop or more likely J. Dunlop Wrong again
5. Slick on the back, threaded tire on front, not likely. Wrong
Not a lot correct in that post mate, If I new as little as that about racing Yamaha's I think I would say nothing LOL
My apologies for the small, poor quality pics. I was never big on toting a camera around. Naturally I sorta regret that now!
This is a couple circa early '90s pics of my 1976 BMW R90/6 sport touring / "rally rat" machine. Parked next to it is my first wife's Moto Guzzi 650. Taken at one of the BMW rally sites, probably the "Return to Shiloh" rally in Tennessee. Hit that one often because it was only 400 miles from home.
Over the years I morphed this bike into my version of a European style long-haul mile burner. Curvy back country roads if at all possible, Interstates only if no other alternative.
I recall a term from back in the days ..... "shunpike".
Seems to wrap up my riding philosophy pretty well.
Personal touches on my bike include:
* Don Vesco "Rabid Transit" frame mount fairing
* Lester cast alloy wheels
* BMW factory police bike front fender
* Koni adjustable rear shocks
* blueprinted, fine-tuned and braced front forks
* home-built double disc front brake setup
* cylinder heads machined for twin spark plugs, electronic ignition
* 8.5 gallon fiberglass "Wanderer" fuel tank (very rare, early '70s aftermarket)
* stainless mufflers in stock pattern
I've owned this bike since 1981. It's been a faithful and enjoyable companion. It's taken me to motorcycle rallies all over the country and a few in Canada.
My longest individual ride was in 1994, over 13,000 miles, about 23 US States (IIRC!) and several Canadian provinces, Vancouver Island, etc.
I no longer ride. Sold off most of the interesting bike bits on eBay, but the carcass is still moldering out in the shed. Damn shame!
Last edited by retromotors; Feb 22, 2015 at 12:29 PM.
Reason: fiddlin' with stuff!
I've owned this bike since 1981. It's been a faithful and enjoyable companion. It's taken me to motorcycle rallies all over the country and a few in Canada.
My longest individual ride was in 1994, over 13,000 miles, about 23 US States (IIRC!) and several Canadian provinces, Vancouver Island, etc.
I no longer ride. Sold off most of the interesting bike bits on eBay, but the carcass is still moldering out in the shed. Damn shame!
impressive .. get it out of the shed and ride around the block.. keep it running..
Whoops .... found another old rally pic in the archives.
My first wife's '68 BMW R50/2.
A very original Earles fork model (including paint & hand striping), except for addition of Teutonic QSL 1000 Mile Solo Saddle and aftermarket mufflers.
Background is an earlier version of my R90/6. Stock tank & seat, English Craven saddlebags.
Last edited by retromotors; Mar 10, 2015 at 10:02 PM.
Ever seen this one Clarke? The bloke that had it claimed it just came out of a museum and had won twice at Philip Island a quick interweb search seems to trow doubt on that.
He didn't seem to know much, after inviting questions when I asked him about the fueling as it has a 'header' tank under the carbs and looks like it must have had a pump somewhere his eyes glazed over and the subject got changed.
Ever seen this one Clarke? The bloke that had it claimed it just came out of a museum and had won twice at Philip Island a quick interweb search seems to trow doubt on that.
He didn't seem to know much, after inviting questions when I asked him about the fueling as it has a 'header' tank under the carbs and looks like it must have had a pump somewhere his eyes glazed over and the subject got changed.
Norri, I follow the Island Classic fairly religiously and the bike doesn't seem familiar. Although there a lot of bikes there it may not have been covered in the publications I read. Certainly doesn't jump out as one I recognise.
Looking at the semi trailer and other trailers in background of the second pic, it was taken in the US I assume by you? Not Australian made trailers.
