Nostalgia for Japanese classics

Press, 11 October 1985, Page 11

Nostalgia for Japanese classics

By

MIKE DEACON

Messing about with bits of motor-cycles may not be everyone’s idea of a “fun” week-end, but for a growing number of enthusiasts, collecting and running a new era of nostalgic machines is well worth the effort - These are early Japanese road racers — machines which have perhaps, up until now, been discarded by many riders as outdated and just a little too old-fashioned. But as the world of motor-cycling changes apace, these “yesteryear” beasts are acquiring a value all of their own. One keen enthusiast is Phil Winter, of Cass Bay. He has already collected several bikes, and takes great pleasure in bringing them back to their former glory. Some

machines are bought as nothing more than frames — skeletons ready to be dressed up in racing costumes for their “heyday” parade- J.:. Hours, too many to count, have been spent by Phil Winter searching, collecting and preparing the bikes for their dress rehearsal Now, he feels, the rehearsal is ready for the stage — and he hopes the show will get on the road soon. “I get the impression there is a big interest in restoring and racing these machines again,” he says. “We’ll have to wait and see.” He wants those with an interest to get in touch with him. “I’d like to see what the reaction is in Christchurch first, but if it takes off the way I think it will, I can see it not only becoming a

South Island group, but eventually there will be a nation-wide following.” Phil Winter has been successful in collecting Suzukis and Yamahas, and he has already obtained the Yamahas TD2, TR3 and TZ2SO. He also has a Suzuki T2O Clubracer, Daytona and light-weight framed air-cooled TR5OOs, and the last Mk 111 water-cooled TRSOO model The interest in collecting these types of machines is as much in the colourful history of them as in the hardware itself. In many cases he can tell you not only the track records, but also who raced them in their “golden days.”

Phil Winter has always had a keen interest in racing machines, and in fact raced himself in the late 1960 s and early 70s. Another enthusiast who would like to see the bikes collected and raced again is John Woodley, of Motueka, a noted New Zealand road racer a few seasons ago. He was also a prominent road racer overseas. He and Phil Winter often liaise on what machines are becoming available, and how best they could be restored. John Woodley specialises in Suzuki, the make he used to race, and has seven or eight models. His basic range includes the TR2SO, TRSOO air-cooled, TRSOO watercooled, and the now legendary RGSOO. Another reason why this type of racer is starting to enjoy a second honeymoon is cost. The traditional classic machines, mainly British, are pricing themselves out for most people. “People are buying them purely for investment rather than for track,” said Phil. “I would like to see bikes being used as they were originally intended. In that sense the traditional classic scene has partially defeated itself. “Many can’t afford to buy and run the modem racing machines either. It can cost you a fortune to keep up with them.”

The new Yamaha TZ, for example, is now priced in excess of $20,000. “By comparison, you can get involved with these early Japanese racers relatively cheaply. They may not be as fast as the modernday versions, but they not slow either” An enthusiast could get involved in these bikes for as little as $2OOO. The Australian post-classic racing scene is dated from 1963 to 1972, but that does not mean that New Zealand has to follow suit By introducing a 1975 cut-off date, for instance, more models could qualify. Phil Winter thinks race meetings would be a good crowd-puller. Some of the bikes he has in mind are becoming rare in this country. A separate club and venues are not seen as necessary; instead, a group could be run in conjunction with an existing club with joint activities at Ruapuna Raceway and possibly street circuit racing held under supervised conditions. Something along the lines of the New Zealand Grand Prix held on the Sydenham circuit could blend in with the new group’s plans. Phil Winter’s next step will be to approach motor-cycle dealers in Christchurch with a view to circulating a notice asking for those interested in the new group to contact him.