![](https://s3images.coroflot.com/user_files/individual_files/411109_I9j70K4dFHl1sPjO8e6APEKl3.jpg)
TDM850 1988 - The first generation TDM850. In 1988, I spent several weeks in Japan building the initial clay model with GK Design. Quite a lot got changed after I left. The pipes were originally much higher, but the engineers were worried about heat dissipation, so they went for a more conventional location. These days, under-seat pipes are pretty common. Back then, it was mainly applicable to 2-strokes, where exhaust gas temperatures are 1/4 those of a 4-stroke.
![](https://s3images.coroflot.com/user_files/individual_files/411109_AnYY8MhmcYMNRXKufdzRvXVMt.jpg)
TDR125 1987 - 1987 may be before some visitors to this site were born, but it was the year this Yamaha TDR125 was finalized - my first complete production bike design. Bits and pieces had gone into production during my time at BMW from 1984-6, but none of the complete models ever made it. Looking back, that was probably a good thing.
![](https://s3images.coroflot.com/user_files/individual_files/411109_F0_S1liv4Zg5dumuAWRZQG_ip.jpg)
TDR125 painted clay 1987 - The painted clay model. Behind is a 50cc proposal that was cancelled.
![](https://s3images.coroflot.com/user_files/individual_files/411109_ypmBKF27tvO9aexP7DySw6b8a.jpg)
TDR125 painted clay 1987 - Reworking the side panels after a presentation.
![](https://s3images.coroflot.com/user_files/individual_files/411109_eKd90M5MyljJitOGAn0txwaCQ.jpg)
TDR125 series 2 concept sketch 1989/90 - The last of 8 proposals. Rough sketches were enough to show the concept. The brief stated that under no circumstances were we to use a Deltabox frame. I was disobedient on one sketch, and look what went into production.
![](https://s3images.coroflot.com/user_files/individual_files/411109_C0fim744NZ53ZyFeZfJFhllv_.jpg)
TDR125 series 2 1991 - The second generation was modeled in Japan by GK Design around some sketches I'd made for them in Europe. The TDM850 influence was deliberate.
![](https://s3images.coroflot.com/user_files/individual_files/411109_D_ejWVC4o3XME14ibsyud09Wf.jpg)
Hydra design study 1990 - Yamaha FZR1000 meets Star Trek. Okay, think back 21 years (those that can) - we have a product planning department that is convinced the newly-established race-replica market will be short-lived, and is looking for the next evolution of the species. Honda came up with the NR750. We came up with this baby. Hydraulic two-wheel drive and two-wheel steering - well, that's what the spec sheet said. The rest is foam and Bondo.
![](https://s3images.coroflot.com/user_files/individual_files/411109_vZXMNkfDDAhPCxQEskxI2PfBT.jpg)
Hydra design study 1990
![](https://s3images.coroflot.com/user_files/individual_files/411109_ELvF1h0vBqsazHMvkzYmAxAUc.jpg)
Hydra design study 1990 - The 'tank' was actually a storage area that could accept a full-face helmet. The real fuel tank was under the seat.
![](https://s3images.coroflot.com/user_files/individual_files/411109_DPuC9C3PpSfilUJi8amRshfH2.jpg)
Hydra design study 1990 - Think 'Porsche 959', which had just been released.
![](https://s3images.coroflot.com/user_files/individual_files/411109_Y_CSoGXDTkzeBrCTLeBffOCAl.jpg)
MBK 50 Sports ca. 1987 - At the opposite end of the drawing techniques scale... here's a quick sketch done for MBK (Yamaha) around 1987 for a new 50cc moped range. The same layout was used as a basis for three very different versions. This is the sports model.
![](https://s3images.coroflot.com/user_files/individual_files/411109_mL1a9vc0aJa2mWlKc2XSFL9Ca.jpg)
750 parallel twin sketch, 1988 - Supertenere-based naked twin proposal, although the project eventually morphed into the sportier TDM-based 850 TRX (anyone remember that one?). This was a development of an original concept by m'colleague Italo Cammarata.
![](https://s3images.coroflot.com/user_files/individual_files/411109_Ppaf5qi5lGG9Z4T5RklKX7wM2.jpg)
Sketch proposal for the first generation Fazer 1000, 1998 - Sketch for the very first Fazer photoshopped on an FZR chassis . Interesting to see I'd badged it as an 1100 - this could have been deliberate misinformation from Yamaha to keep we freelancers in the dark. Date is 1998.
![](https://s3images.coroflot.com/user_files/individual_files/411109_TaLEnQlWaGnv0XLZdAXrMOrCh.jpg)
Proposal for the TDM 900, 1998
![](https://s3images.coroflot.com/user_files/individual_files/411109_Mom9efqir0XGBpTnpHLrgRqZR.jpg)
Published in Performance Bikes magazine (UK) in June 1989, this sketch was part of a series of advanced concepts for Yamaha during the GTS/Morpho II program. It was done very much in the style of Syd Mead, which is maybe why I left it unsigned. The flip-body idea would have worked well on the low Omega chassis and steering linkage system.
gLike