Beschreibung:

From modest beginnings in the 1960s, Spondon Engineering has developed into one of the best-known bespoke frame makers. Designed to house a Yamaha AS-1 engine, the company's first frame ran to an astonishing 120 units, and from then on the firm went from strength to strength. Spondon's bread-and-butter work for much of the 1970s consisted of building replica frames for the ubiquitous TZ Yamaha, while the next decade saw the range expand to include frames for big Formula One and endurance racing four-strokes, the rotary John Player Nortons and 500cc Grand Prix two-strokes. Boasting a specification that would make any two-stroke enthusiast's mouth water, this stunning Marlboro-liveried Grand Prix replica features one of Spondon's characteristic twin-spar aluminium beam frames and is powered by a Yamaha RD500LC four-cylinder engine. Tuned by Graham Dyson, the latter has been enlarged to 730cc using cylinders re-linered by Nova Engineering, and is fitted with IT175 pistons, TZ750 reed cages/rubbers, 34mm Mikuni flat-slide carburettors and Motoplat electronic ignition. The lower exhaust pipes are Swarbrick kit items and the uppers are a bespoke crossover pair, hand-made by Dennis Trollope and fitted with Swarbrick end cans. Chassis details include Spondon gas chargeable forks, White Power gas shock, Spondon 4-pot front brake calipers, Brembo rear caliper and Dymag 3-spoke wheels. The Spondon-Yam was featured in Performance Bikes magazine (August 1990 edition) as a not-yet-completed 'Reader's Special' (copy available) and has been owned by the current vendor for the past ten years. During this time the motor has been fully rebuilt with new parts and since completion has only been run up statically, All ancillary parts have been re-engineered by the vendor, including all the aluminium components, the footrests, and modified bodywork from a Yamaha FZ600 and a Honda Fireblade. We are advised that the machine is essentially 98% complete and only requires a little work to finish. The later includes fabricating a seat front mounting bracket, bleeding the brakes and – most importantly – jetting the carburettors using a dynamometer. There has been a considerable resurgence of interest in two-stroke motorcycles in recent years - Performance Bikes has organised a couple of very successful 'strokers only' track days – and this unique machine represents a wonderful opportunity to acquire the perfect tool to boss the 'fast group'.