A Yamaha prototype that never went into production
Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2011 2:35 am
1971 Yamaha GL750 4 Cylinder 2 Stroke
The Yamaha GL750 4 cylinder 2 stroke prototype which was displayed on the 19th Tokyo Motorshow in November 1971 was the ultimate bike...........
The Yamaha GL750 (codename YZ 401) sadly never reached the production stage. I remember that Yamaha dealers from Germany and France even 15 years later talked with passion about this bike, having seen it on the Paris' Motor Show. (where it was displayed in the Autumn of 1972).
The engine had in it already the ideas and design for the mighty Yamaha TZ700,/TZ750 which would be introduced in 1974. Actually the crankcases were taken from the YZ648 (TZ700 Prototype). The cycle parts were very similar to the production machine TX750 and shared with the Yamaha Rotary RZ201, (also a prototype). The two-stroke injection system was also a prototype item for snowmobiles....! Many journalists at that time wondered if that engine ever turned its crankshaft,,,,,,,,! The Yamaha TZ700 would be a great testimony later!
