January 17, 2008

Welcome from Tim Chelli

Hi my name is Tim Chelli; I’m the Compliance and Product Liability National Manager at Yamaha Motor Canada. I ensure that all Yamaha products comply with the necessary regulations. I also liaise with our lawyers, and handle intellectual property issues.

But I’m not a lawyer; I’m a mechanic by trade. I started with Yamaha Motor Canada 20 years ago in the service division.

Prior to that, I worked at a large Yamaha dealer, Royal City Cycle, in Guelph, Ontario for more than six years.

My fondness for motorcycles started as a kid when I owned a mini bike. (My older brother had a real motorcycle). I read as much as I could about motorcycles, magazine after magazine.

I am primarily a sport bike rider. Here’s a list some of the Yamaha’s I’ve had over the years:

• 1972 Yamaha DT2 (my first street legal motorcycle)
• 1976 XS750D
• 1977 XS7502D
• 1980 XS850G
• 1981 RD350H
• 1982 XJ650LJ (Turbo)
• 1985 RZ500RN
• 1985 FZ750N
• 1985 RZ350
• 1988 FZR400
• 1989 TDR250
• 1995 VMax
• 1997 Royal Star
• 2003 FZ1
• 2004 XV17PCP
• 2005 FJR13
• 2006 XV1900

My favourite bike is the 1993 GTS 1000. I drove one once on an expressway in Japan – now that was an experience I’ll never forget!

I also like sports cars (I’ve owned lots of those, too), mountain biking, and cottage life.

I’m blogging here in the hopes of helping someone rekindle the passion they once had for motorcycling, by sharing the insights I’ve gained in my 28 years in the bike industry. (And if can make someone chuckle, I’ll feel like I contributed, too!)

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6 Responses to “Welcome from Tim Chelli”

1. Doug says:
   

   Finally someone who can relate to my obsession, an xs850G

   Hi Doug, yes, the XS850 was a very enjoyable motorcycle. Just love the sound of a triple. It had more character than most other UJM’s of the day, geared tall, it made for a great highway bike. Mounted and colour matched a small quarter fairing on it…

   Tim

   January 20th, 2008 at 8:29 pm
2. Doug says:
   

   there are quite a few guys in the US trying to keep them going. Doug

   January 22nd, 2008 at 7:09 pm
3. John Turek says:
   

   Tim, I have a 1993 gts 1000 (red) in flawless condition with 8,000 u.s miles on it, located in the chicago, ILL area would you like a photo. I,m considering selling it at a reasonable price.

   John.

   Hi John, well that’s a surprise I wasn’t expecting, a red GTS eh! can you have to many toys? Sure love those bikes, I’ll PM you..

   Tim

   March 10th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
4. Earle Butt says:
   

   Hi Tim,
   Earle Butt here…Shannons Dad. What a pleasant surprise to see your blog. I was doing a little research on a 1980 XS850G that I am looking at and came across your blog. I have had a few bikes over the years…two of them Yahama’s…and thinking of getting another. Take care.

   Earle

   Hi Earle, nice to hear from you, hope all is well.

   The XS850G seems to have a following! It was an often overlooked model in 1980 amongst the “Specials” which were so popular (It was the 1978 XS650SE Special that began the Japanese custom motorcycle revolution) The XS850G was a very capable standard model that could easily click off the miles due its standard type riding position, shaft drive and good bottom end torque. My XS850G was transformed when I set the Hitachi carburetors up the exhaust gas analyzer (“EGA”) they were a little sensitive to fuel screw adjustment but once they were set up it purred like a kitten! Great bike! Best of luck with your decision to find another bike.

   Tim

   May 6th, 2008 at 11:06 pm
5. Ben Sweeney says:
   

   Hi Tim,
   I have found an 85′ FZ-750N for sale here in Australia. I’m wondering what comments and advise you could give for this particular bike.
   I’m not really experienced in the process of checking and buying second-hand bikes. so any advise at all would be apprieciated! What in particular would you suggest I look out for on a bike of this age, and this model?
   Thanks mate
   Ben.

   Hi Ben

   It’s difficult to comment on this and to provide guidance without knowing more or seeing the bike. If the bike is in good condition, mileage is reasonable, its been cared for and you are serious about purchasing it, it might be worthwhile arranging to have a pre-purchase inspection done by a local dealer. Having said that I had a short roadracing career on an 1985 FZ750 and worked at the dealer level when they were on the showroom floor. The FZ750 was a very desirable motorcycle in its day, exceptionally strong engine at the time. With few quirks. At the end of the day it will all come down to the care the bike has received through its life, after all it is 23 years old. Good Luck… Tim

   May 8th, 2008 at 5:29 am
6. Thomas Coughlan says:
   

   Hi Tim
   I am the proud owner of a Yamaha Sled (RX1) and have owned Yamaha bikes since I was young (YZ 125, GT 80-was my first bike). With this blog I am asking for advice/insight, like so many other bloggers; However, my quest for advice may differ from most.
   I recently read an article in the Toronto Star where both of you were quoted acknowledging that small engines pollute much more than larger engines with fuel management and other emission reduction devices.
   While this is common knowledge to some, there are many other consumers whom use the classic equation less fuel= less emissions.
   This article interests me because I am in the emission reduction industry.
   My question is this… With the new regulation being 1.4g/km, is Yamaha looking at using catalystic converters or some other form of emission reduction technology to meet this target?
   And to what levels are they looking to achieve? The regulation or beyond?
   Just curious.

   Hi Thomas

   Newspaper interviews are a pain because you never get to review the finished product to determine if your quote or point was used in the proper context.

   Nonetheless,it doesn’t change the outcome, two strokes are pretty much history and the emission limits are dropping.

   So to recap the current level for HC + NOX is 1.4 gm/km for all classes of motorcycles, has been since Jan 2006 (Dec 2006 for <50cc scooters), next drop will take place effective Jan 2010, when class III motorcycles (over 270cc) HC+NOX will drop to 0.8 gm/km. All engines are different so it is difficult to say what level which require what technology, but its safe to say that this level will require some type of emission reducing technologies: Fuel injection, pulse air injection, three way catalyzers, heated O2 sensors.

   I like fuel injection, it takes the constant throttle baby-sitting out of warming up an engine. You know, when your trying to get your gear on and you trying to keep one hand on the throttle to keep the engine running. And these motorcycles with fuel injection will get better mileage to boot.

   So its all good, just no more two strokes....There time has come..

   Tim

   September 16th, 2008 at 3:06 pm

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