Back in 1980, while living in Christchurch NZ
I found a TR500 in a guys shed, back in the good ol days when old race
bikes were worth nothing. Anyway I bought this old TR500, for the princely
sum of $500 I think it was, got it going and raced it for a year. The bike
was one of the 3 that Colemans did, using a Works sandcast motor, Ceriani
suspension and Fontana brakes and a NZ made frame, by Steve Roberts I
think. I was told that my one was the one that Geoff Perry rode and was
the one that set a NZ speed record in 1970 of 155mph, but the name of the
rider eludes me now, possibly Dennis Ireland??
Anyway I have attached a photo of the beast as
I raced it, basicly stock apart from the TZ seat, and under the tail
section was a battery, as I fitted T500 points ignition running total
loss, as the CDI units were not working when I bought the bike. I do not
know where the bike is now.
Thanks Robin...wish I could
find one in that nick for 500 bucks! The Coleman frames were used by Suzi in
their works bikes as they were better than the factory frames.
......Muzz