Early 70's Champion Framed Yamaha 750
"Whose was it?"
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By:
Cody Swensen, Photos: Randy Mott,
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Do you ever wonder what's out behind the barn or what's stored away in the shed out back? Here's one for the record book... This bike was found rusting away, leaning up against an apartment building in Boise, Idaho, apparently abandoned. No one knew where the bike came from or who owned it. The bike was in a terrible state of disrepair, however, it caught the eye of an enthusiast who saw a diamond in the rough. The owner of the building was tracked down and the bike was sold to Cal Percy of Blackfoot, Idaho, who is by the way, the largest collector of vintage bikes in the state. The bike was taken to Randy's Performance Motors in
Pocatello, Idaho where the meticulous polishing began. |
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Randy's flat track racing and bike building began in the mid 60's and he has spent the last 36 years in the industry restoring and building dirt trackers, road racers, drag racers and hot rod street bikes, both Japanese and Harley. Racing all over the western states, Randy cut his teeth on a BSA 250 that
quickly earned him the position of #1 novice in the U.S. in 1968. In
1969 he became the #1 junior on a 750 BSA. Randy grew up in the
industry in a shop his father, Gordon Mott managed, United Motorcycles,
Portland, Oregon. Later Gordon opened his own shop, Gordon's Action
Motors, Sellwood, Oregon. The Motts' specialized in English choppers,
drag bikes and dirt trackers. Then Yamaha came out with their version
of the vertical twin with many refinements, dominating the field in the
early 70's. That's where this bike comes in. |
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In spite of years of neglect, Randy could see that this bike still had its competitive edge. It is a Yamaha 650 mtr. #S650-129015 bored to 750 with Champion frame #0357-YAM4, Ceriani forks, Hurst Lockhart brakes, original Shell Racing plastic, and Barn wheels and hubs. The bike was completely disassembled. The frame was remarkably straight and needed only minor welding. The engine was completely rebuilt with all new bearings and seals; the cylinder was resleeved by Northwest Sleeve, Gresham, Oregon. All internal components were replaced through Shell Racing; and the engine has a new set of Mikuni 34 mm VM's and K&N's.
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Since the 70's, new improvements have been made in suspension components; the bike benefits from stronger fork tubes and dampers from Franks; springs and shocks from Progressive Suspension. In addition, the bike has a new "total loss battery ignition" with all new Accel components. The frame was powder coated by Ace Powder Coating, Idaho Falls, Idaho and was painted by TJ's Auto Restoration, also of Idaho Falls, Idaho. Jimmy Carter of Carter's Upholstery restored the seat and miscellaneous parts were located through Nightwing Motorcycle Works, both of Pocatello, Idaho. Restoration time for this project was approximately 110 hours. This Champion framed dirt tracker is correct and in period. It is a show quality concourse turnkey race ready restoration. The original Hurst Lockhart brake system was used for show purposes only; if raced the brake system should be upgraded to something newer. |
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This bike is actually too pristine to race, however, and belongs in a dealer's showcase. It is of museum quality. If you would like to see more of the many quality bikes Randy has restored, please visit his web site at http://www.randymott.com. Click image below to see the finished product..
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