Tech Special - Laylaw Racing Yamaha TZ250 5KE | Manx Grand Prix 2022

The third episode of our Manx Grand Prix Tech Specials has TT winner Eddie Laycock talk John Hogan through the immaculate Yamaha TZ250 5KE Grand Prix race bikes of the Laylaw Racing team. There's really nothing quite like a pucker 250 2-stroke machine...
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[@C_Dana]

We need more of this. Really enjoyed Laycock's explanations but the one where he said he could tell the bike was running a bit off and would need a change in emulsion tubes really hit home. That man breathes (and hears them too) two strokes. He's a two stroke whisperer.

[@johnmccloskey8524]

I remember Eddie Laycock in the 1980s when I started racing in Ireland. He was a brilliantly smooth and fast rider. He’s a legend and a very modest one at that considering what he did on Joe Millers Yamaha 500 on the work stage ; much respect 🙏and thanks for all you’re doing with the two strokes Eddie 😊 beautiful machines

[@riley124]

Fantastic presentation. Eddie Laycock's no bullshit delivery offers great insight into these two stroke masterpieces.

[@mad4tarmac]

Eddie is a legend on the lines of joey,he is as down to earth and no bragging and a genius with smokers

[@johnhogan8177]

I enjoyed absolutely every single minute putting this together with Eddie, his team and the Manx GP production crew. A lovely edit of a great bike, built by a top bloke who couldn’t have been more helpful.

[@ragnarironspear1791]

Laycock is a childhood hero of mine

[@gerryjamesedwards1227]

If I was going to make the trip to Man, which would be far from easy, it would be during the MGP rather than the TT itself. Mainly due to getting the chance to see experience bikes like these, which I find so much more characterful and evocative than the modern stuff.

[@paulkeogh3518]

I loved the sound and smell of the paddocks in the two stroke era nothing beats the smell of Castrol R.

[@festol1]

Wow.... just wow.
Thanks Mr Laycock your bikes are gems! 2-strokes are so passionate!

[@Jungleland33]

I couldn't have picked a better year to go to the Manx. Loved it. Well done Mike and Ian and the LayLaw team.

[@jimnotbob]

I love this, watched Eddie back in the on the roads and Mondello Park now I'm watching Mike who lives just down the road from us, thanks John for your Manx clips, so informative and entertaing. If I see you in the paddock at the TT this year I will say hello, keep up the good work.

[@dazmos_65]

That was brilliant! Really enjoyed listening to Eddie, with his passion and knowledge for two strokes.

[@nicksidell4797]

I think when he said it only weighed 100 kg‘s to see your face was enough. As I thought to myself Jesus that is only a little bit heavier than what I am. Really enjoyed listen 👍

[@rwd323]

Great stuff, I wish Yamaha and Honda would recognise their incredible 2 stroke GP history and manufacture engine parts for these machines

[@mitchellgould7405]

VHM have always been good for their heads and billet pistons, but yamaha does need to start supprting these again with spares at reasonable prices

[@derekbond3512]

What a two stroke genius Eddie is, absolutely loved every second of this , top man and thank you John for this.

[@danielcram4734]

The details, expertise and passion shown in this was truly moving. Thank you for sharing this.

[@MisterBruce250]

Great to see this video, Eddie is spot on with all he is saying, well done John for puting the bikes and team under the spotlight 🏍💨💨🏁🍾🤌

[@dionbyrne4540]

Great to see Eddie doing his thing with those little beauty's..can't wait to get over this year 👍

[@paulwilliams8588]

Was there... beautiful to watch and beautiful to 'smell'!

[@marcmoloney9310]

Could listen to Eddie all day

[@F1Hopeful]

Simply awesome!!

[@HEKTIC458]

I’d love to see 2 stroke race bikes make a come back

[@freesoul85vis]

Imagine what these GP 250s would've evolved to had they been developed further. No Moto2 comes close!!

[@ManxAndy]

Great content……Thankyou……👍🇮🇲👌

[@ducatimale]

Gotta love a well kept 250 two-stroke. It doesn't get more racing than that for me.

[@migui35]

2 Strokes ❤ 🇧🇷

[@pietervanbreda4360]

Just wow

[@pedrobustamante2181]

Tengo ganas de llorar

[@redtobertshateshandles]

Do they use a powerjet??

[@markjfox866]

👏👏👏👏👍🏻

[@stealth117chen8]

Inline twin ❓

[@henrybartlett1986]

How long do the engines last before needing a rebuild?

[@mad4tarmac]

450 miles

[@RoscoeTravis]

On short circuits on my 5KE's I used to swap crankshafts at 1,000 miles and pistons between 300 & 400 miles depending on the kind of circuits being raced. Eddie's 450 miles between rebuilds is based on the IOM where the bike is flat, in his words at 13,000rpm for long periods. That 13,000rpm is also a give away that he's running a kit loom which activates the kit ignition that's built into the standard ignitor box, the standard 5KE runs out of revs at 12.500, the kit will pull to 13,500.

[@mitchellgould7405]

@@RoscoeTravis yeah the -20 was a loom and switch which you can see with the fairing off in the video

[@sidewaysid]

Well done Eddie, I go to the MGP just for this race, and you don't disappoint , Mike Browne is a great rider, best of luck to you.

[@kevingalloway7585]

That was fucking cool ! 👍

[@rider65]

Aces