The semi factory Yamaha YZ608 for 1968 was based upon the YR2 roadster.

Yamaha U.S. developed the machine and utilized many Yamaha RD56 (250 cc) works parts.

It is fantastic when you receive an envelope with historical material from a new website friend.

Al Godin  from the USA was so friendly to send me great material from the late sixties. I “published” already some material on the famous Yamaha YZ608 350 cc Daytona racer (Z608 for 1967, YZ608 for 1968/1969. (The YZ631 for 1969 was the European G.P. “works” bike)

Jack’s material is about the 1968/1969 machine and its riders.

Very intriguing are the pictures from the 1969 Daytona race. The period when riders were made of iron and machines of steel… (and bamboo).

The picture after the start shows the Yamaha rider  10# Tom Rockwood, #1 Gary Nixon (Triumph), #25 Cal Rayborn (H-D). On the next  picture Tom Rockwood is on full song on his Yamaha:

and (next) #58 Jody Nicolas cranks his Yamaha over:

This race was won by Calvin Rayborn on the H-D. The Yamaha riders took the 3^rd place by Mike (now Michelle) Duff,  5^th Rodney Gould, 7^th Tom Rockwood , 8^th Peter Kellond, 11^th Al Gaskill and 12^th place Tim Coopey.

And here are the original drawings of the “tuned” parts for the 1968 YZ608 bike! The engine was based upon the YR-2 street model. (The previous year Z608 was based upon the YR-1)

The piston has a much larger “window” than the standard YR2 piston, has 6 mm shorter “skirt” and has only one ring. (It was therefore a different piston altogether).

The cylinder porting diagram is very different of course and the racing barrel has a chrome bore.

The racing exhaust can be duplicated easily if you want to make your old Yamaha fast…..!

Al Godin even has Yamaha engines from that period, which he obtained from Don Vesco and Pat Evans with early numbers, like R2-0006.

The Results list of the 28^th Annual AMA Daytona 200 expert motorcycle classic, raced on Sunday, March 23, 1969, at the Daytona International Speedway………. History in a big way, 40 years ago!

The next copy is from Yamaha International dealer News, August 1968, where you see Art Baumann who won the 250 cc class (and for Yamaha for the 4^th year in succession) and Jody Nicolas on the 350 cc. Jody had a bad start (he was last!), but at the finish he was 3^rd and closing rapidly on the numbers 2 and 1. What a race that must have been…..