Yamaha TY Mono-Shock CLASSIC
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1983 – Nigel Birkett testing the prototypes in Japan
1983 – In testing they tried four different machines
1983 – The Yamaha team who attended the test with Nigel Birkett in Japan
June / July 2013 • Trial Magazine
e go back to April 1982 to start the Yamaha monoshock story when news was leaked to the press that during the summer period Yamaha would launch a new production trials machine rumoured to have a 330cc engine. It was also announced that Mick Andrews would be drawing to a close his eleven year association with the Japanese motorcycle manufacturer. Based in Buxton, Derbyshire engineer John Shirt Snr, had been playing around with different engine capacities in his successful Majesty range of machines, capacities ranging from 100cc right through to 350cc. He became aware of some kind of change when Yamaha in Japan suggested he alter the colour scheme from the instantly recognisable yellow of the Majesty to the red and white of Yamaha, a red frame and white fuel tank with the Yamaha branded ‘Speed Block’ in red. John learnt in the very early years of his association with Yamaha, and the Japanese in particular, that it was always best to suggest an idea rather than tell them something was not right as they found this disrespectful. They showed him a lot of respect for his way of talking to them and in return they always listened to his suggestions. A letter would soon follow from Yamaha confirming to him that a new machine was imminent but with no further details. At the end of the year he heard the news that Nigel Birkett would be terminating his riding contract with the Italian brand, Fantic, and called him to explain that if he wanted a machine to ride he could loan him a Majesty. In late January 1983 Minoru Tanaka, who was in charge of the Amsterdam based Yamaha European Competition Department, would not confirm or deny that he knew of a new machine based on the recommendations from John Shirt. At the time he explained that Yamaha were always testing in Japan but that it was difficult to say if a new production trials machine would appear. Without giving anything away he said that no decision had been taken but it was possible a prototype machine did exist. Shirt Snr was also tight-lipped at the time, once again suggesting it was time a new machine was brought out. Birkett’s first appearance on the Yamaha powered Majesty would be at the Lakes Two Day trial on a machine he borrowed from successful Schoolboy rider, Kevin Bleasdale, a Majesty 250cc ‘S’ – (Bleasdale was unfortunately killed whilst ice climbing in Japan many years later).
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