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By George he’s got it

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Words: George Gage & Trials Guru

Photos: George Gage & Fin Yeaman

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A young George Gage with his original Yamaha in the 1980s

Oban trials enthusiast, George Gage is a joiner by profession and started riding trials bikes with a TY250 Yamaha. The bike disappeared many years ago, but he wished he had kept it as many enthusiasts of the sport do!

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George Gage gives the 250 Yamaha a thorough test at the Inverness Club’s Paul Kilbauskas Trial in September 2018 – Photo Fin Yeaman

It comes as no surprise then that when Scottish trials dealer Garry Coward of Highland Leisure Sport had sourced a similar machine, George had to have it.

George was unlucky to develop Testicular cancer which then spread to his lungs, which resulted in 3 months of chemotherapy treatment. George Gage is a cancer survivor.

Goerge takes up the story:

Garry Coward sourced the bike for me, he knew where the machine was as he had serviced it for a customer for some years. The owner had the bike from new and bought it from an old motorcycle dealer in the Highlands. The owner moved overseas, so the bike came on the market. I bought it with the intention of using it unrestored, but this soon changed when I started working on it. Before i knew it, the Yamaha was stripped and the frame was getting prepared for painting.

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Much work was undertaken on the well used machine

George began work and did the following tasks:

– resprayed the frame and had the metalwork tidied up
– lowered the foot rests
– rebuilt the forks with magical suspension upgrade fitted
– electronic ignition fitted
– new reeds
– new dellorto carb and rejetted to suit
– modified the airbox
– full stainless exhaust
– engine rebuild
– new plastics
– seat base professional rebuilt and original foam kept
– seat recovered
– new rear nitrogen shocks
– top yoke cut and angle changed slightly
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George told Trials Guru:
“I had many bikes growing up but this was the one bike I regretted selling, I gave up riding trials bikes and got distracted by fast cars and other teenager distractions.
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“I want to become a better rider and I believe the Yamaha can help me and will give great fun along the way.”
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“I have no intention ever selling it and hope my daughter will continue to use it.”
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George, we here at Trials Guru wish you many happy hours on the TY250. Thanks for sharing your story with us.
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