1989 Yamaha FZX750 Fazer
Registration no. A7 WMX
Frame no. 2JE-001934
Engine no. 2JE-001934
'The FZX750, a bike that dares to be different, a machine so unique in its styling and engineering that it can genuinely claim to be "in a class of its own".' – Yamaha.
A 'sports cruiser', the FZX750 was certainly unusual but not exactly unique in terms of its styling, which had already been seen on Yamaha's outrageous V-Max 'street dragster'. The heart of the Fazer was Yamaha's remarkable four-cylinder 20-valve engine, arguably the best in the '750' category in its day, which was only slightly de-tuned from its specification in the FZ750 sports bike. Measured at the rear wheel, peak power was down by 4 horsepower at 94bhp but there was a compensatory gain in the mid-range between 3,000 and 7,000 revs, an advantage further magnified by the naked bike's lower gearing and reduced weight.
The Fazer's frame looked similar to the FZ750's but routed the engine coolant through the left down-tube, the increased cooling area enabling the use of a smaller radiator. What looked like a fuel tank actually contained the air box, the fuel being carried in a reservoir behind the cylinder block, while the use of twin shock absorbers rather than a mono-shock arrangement enabled the seat height to be kept low. Front forks were raked out in cruiser style, but somewhat surprisingly Yamaha kept the FZ750's 10.5" twin front disc brakes and opposed piston callipers, endowing the Fazer with braking as good as most sports bikes. Bike magazine found the compact Fazer handled well and was surprisingly agile and indecently quick for a cruiser, concluding: 'At the end of the test there's no escaping that Yamaha really have done what they set out to do in combining two previously irreconcilable concepts.'
This low-mileage (18,812) example of Yamaha's rarely seen FZX750 Fazer was acquired by the vendor in April 2011 and subsequently restored to an exceptional standard. The restoration included cleaning and repainting the engine; blasting and powder coating the frame; overhauling and repainting the brakes; re-chroming the brightwork; refurbishing and polishing the wheels; new paintwork; overhauling the carburettors; polishing the alloy; and re-covering the seat. New parts fitted include the Predator exhaust, chain, sprockets, control cables and all bearings. The Fazer was MoT'd and dynamometer tested after completion, recording a maximum of 83.62bhp. Presented in effectively 'as new' condition, the machine is offered with manufacturer's brochure, dynamometer printout, SORN paperwork, V5C registration document and some MoT certificates (most recent expired March 2014). We are advised that the exhaust, headlights, indicators and braided brakes lines are non-standard.
