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Recently, we came across a real nice little story. From time to time, we are sure that stories are told of a brand new, unused motorcycle still in the manufacturer’s packaging crate – they do exist!
What is in this box? – Photo: Dave Smith
Dave Smith from Buckinghamshire recently had a look inside a box he has had for the last 25 years.
What is inside it? – A brand new unused Yamaha TY250R ‘Pinky’ model!
Surely not, is the box empty or? – it can’t be, can it? – Photo: Dave Smith
Bought brand new in it’s Yamaha box from John Lee Motorcycles, it was one of the very last batch made in 1992 and Dave thought because it was such an important machine in trials history he would get one of the last and keep it wrapped up. Smith recounted: “I seem to remember at the time they had gone well out of fashion and they were discounted down to about £2,000. I’m sure I’ve got the original sales invoice somewhere. Judging by the reaction I have had, a lot of people remember them with fondness”.
The TY250R ‘Pinky’ was the last of the TY250 range which began with the twinshock Yamaha Trials machine in 1974. The TY250S and R models were developed with the direct input of Nigel Birkett and of course were monoshock (Yamaha Mono-cross system) suspension on the rear. The TY250R ‘Pinky’ was produced in 1992 as a single batch, just before the factory commenced production of the Yamaha TYZ, water-cooled, aluminium perimeter frame model.
The TYZ model signalled Yamaha’s ongoing committment to the sport of trials but ended the production run of the air-cooled TY250R which ran from 1984 – 1992.
So let us unwrap the time warp from 1993…
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Brand new in box, they do exist! The original owner’s manual, handlebars and propstand – Photo: Dave Smith
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Factory fresh, zero miles on the odometer – Photo: Dave Smith
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Unused, with factory disclaimer decals on the rear fender – Photo: Dave Smith
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Still in the original box, the Yamaha sees daylight from it’s time capsule! – Photo: Dave Smith
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The caution decals on the plastic tank, completely empty and unused – Photo: Dave Smith
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Not many left in original condition as this TY250R – Photo: Dave Smith
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The front mudguard nestles on the rear tyre, still unfitted since being packed away by the factory dispatchers – Photo: Dave Smith
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Many thanks to owner Dave Smith for allowing us to look at his unused Yamaha TY250R
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Many thanks to owner Dave Smith for allowing Trials Guru feature his quite unique Yamaha, the big question now must be… will he ride this precious time warp machine or simply return it to its’ slumbers for posterity?
Text: Copyright: Trials Guru/Moffat Racing 2016
Images: Dave Smith, Buckinghamshire
Trials Guru – we always bring you something new old!
This summer we will be presenting a new ‘section’ on Trials Guru – Trials Legends where we will feature the legends of the sport of observed trials.
Malcolm Rathmell (Montesa) watched by Brian Higgins at the World Championship trial, Bristol in 1975 – Photo: Mike RapleyNigel Birkett (Sandiford Montesa) – Photo: Jimmy Young
Also more on ‘Great Scots’ with some new material on riders, past and present.
Peter Mitchell from Aberdeen on his 250 Suzuki at Forfar. Photo: Jimmy Young
Dedicated to the hardest motorcycle trial riders can take part in, the Scott is regarded as an annual classic. One route for all, fastest rider sets standard time. All in the Swaledale, North Yorkshire.
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