1971 Yamaha GL750 the factory two stroke prototype

[Mailman]

The open class two stroke street bike that Yamaha never built.

Debuted in Japan in 1971 for the first time, it was shown one more time in Paris that same year. That was the last time it was seen. Yamaha decided not to build the bike due to coming noise and emission regulations. Four cylinder, water cooled….note the fuel injectors. It had the potential to be a real screamer, built to go head to head with Kawasaki’s H2 750. I read that this motors basic design was used in the TZ750 development ( minus the fuel injection ).

 

[Jim]

That would have been a blast to ride.

 

[Signal]

If only it went into production

 

[Raymond]

I'd never heard of that! Sure to have been a blast. Would it have been akin to a TZ750 and unrideable on the street or maybe more like a Suzuki water buffalo, a big, heavy comfy bike? We'll never know.

Weird looking exhausts. Interesting defaced copy of Cycle Guide.