Kato Yamaha

Post by **David Lahey** » Fri Jan 17, 2014 11:25 pm

I've been fired up a bit lately with some of the interesting and unusual Twinshock era trials bikes on Trials Central and it reminded me of a TY175 that has had a transformation along the lines of a Kato TY175. I'm sure the people who like working on twinshock trials frames will enjoy having a look at it, as I did.
Kojiro Mori came down to Australia for a holiday a few years ago and rode a Denman MC twinshock-only trial at Sandy Hollow. Col Phillipson lent him a 250 OSSA MAR to ride and it was easy to see that that Kojiro was quite an accomplished trials rider. His family run a trials riding park in Japan that has been in operation since the early 1970s. Kojiro's brother chose to honour the (Japanese) Kato design when he wanted to have some workshop fun modifying a TY175. Here are a few photos showing it, and a photo of Kojiro at the trial at Sandy Hollow.
The tank is not a Kato tank or intended to look like one. It is a recently-made fibreglass tank made to look like the tank on Mick Andrew's Yamaha OW10 (1974 works trials bike)
The forks are works Yamaha items from the 1970s

If you want to have a look at their website:
http://www.kameokatrialland.co.jp/index.html

Post by **David Lahey** » Fri Jan 17, 2014 11:31 pm

Just noticed the Yamaha works front wheel as well

Reinald · Post by **Reinald** » Mon Jan 20, 2014 12:35 pm

very cool

Andy M · Post by **Andy M** » Thu Jan 30, 2014 9:57 am

Craig Mawlem has a nice Kato, seen it at a few trials in the UK.

Tee-Why · Post by **Tee-Why** » Fri Jan 31, 2014 9:41 pm

Interest here also Dave in these mods, have considered some of these myself. He has done a good job to a stocker. Thanks for posting up.

Andy M · Post by **Andy M** » Sat Feb 01, 2014 10:10 am

Not Kato but a well sorted TY , just finished in the UK...

https://scontent-b-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hph ... 3481_n.jpg

Post by **David Lahey** » Sat Feb 01, 2014 10:45 am

Andy M wrote:Not Kato but a well sorted TY , just finished in the UK...

https://scontent-b-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hph ... 3481_n.jpg

Do you know what exhaust system that is? It has a nice big mid-box

TriCub · Post by **TriCub** » Sat Feb 01, 2014 12:42 pm

Andy M wrote:Not Kato but a well sorted TY , just finished in the UK...

https://scontent-b-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hph ... 3481_n.jpg

Is there anything other than the motor that is original? Is the front end from a TY mono? Is the frame a replica of something?

David.
I like the white and green TY in the photo at the top of this page what model is it?

Post by **David Lahey** » Sat Feb 01, 2014 12:54 pm

TriCub wrote:
Andy M wrote:Not Kato but a well sorted TY , just finished in the UK...

https://scontent-b-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hph ... 3481_n.jpg

Is there anything other than the motor that is original? Is the front end from a TY mono? Is the frame a replica of something?

David.
I like the white and green TY in the photo at the top of this page what model is it?

Yes that green and white bike is one of the best looking trials bikes ever made. I've heard that it is a prototype of the TY250A, made back when the Japanese manufacturers' R&D was being conducted in Europe.

Post by **David Lahey** » Sat Feb 01, 2014 1:01 pm

Forks, triple clamps and front hub look like TY mono
Rear hub looks like TY mono
Front rim modern trials
Rear rim modern trials (tubeless)
Seat/tank ????
Exhaust ?????
Frame looks like a chopped TY175 frame
Swingarm looks like TY175, maybe lengthened

Reminds me a lot of many of the modern style "pre-65 bikes" that only have the motor recognisable as being from the pre'65 era

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