Make Haste Slowly: Yamaha “RD256” Tribute

Big Dream Motorcycles builds a tribute to Canada’s first and only Grand Prix winner…    

Born in 1939, Michelle (Mike) Duff was destined to become a legend of Canadian motorsports — notably the only Canadian to win a World Championship GP race. As a factory Yamaha rider, Duff won three GP events in 1964-1965 and took second in the 1965 250cc World Championship behind Phil Read. 

“My father and mother were competitive people, he on bicycles and she on horses, so it seems I was conceived to ride something on two wheels that was self propelled. When I was 15 I saw a local motorcycle race and enjoyed it. I rode a 500 Triumph Tiger on the road, and acquired a racing version as a basket case.” -Duff

In a month’s time, the young Duff had rebuilt the Triumph and convinced his parents to sign a consent waiver to allow him to begin racing. In 1960, to his “mother’s horror,” Duff moved to Europe to pursue a racing career, taking a double win at Nurburgring in 1962, which opened doors to other races. 

Duff would take wins in the Belgian, Dutch, and Finnish Grand Prix races, often racing as the lone Canadian in the paddock. A near-fatal accident in the Japanese GP required extensive surgery and recovery as documented in the 1967 film Ride for Your Life.

In 1984, Duff changed her name to Michelle and began transitioning. She became an author and wildlife photographer, though she continued to race in various vintage and anniversary events, passing away in 2025.

“Terribly saddened to hear the news that our friend, teammate and absolute LEGEND Michelle Duff has passed. Grateful that we got to spend some time catching up a few years back at Mosport for the 50th anniversary of the Canadian GP, where Duff finished 3rd aboard the Arter Matchless g50.” -Rob Iannucci / Team Obsolete, 2025

Michelle wrote a book about her racing career, Make Haste Slowly, The Mike Duff Story, whose title she attributes to famed Scottish racer Bob McIntyre:

“Bob McIntyre was my hero. He unwittingly gave me the title for my book… I was on the boat going to the Isle of Man in 1960 and got talking to him. He asked if it was my first year, and I confirmed it was. ‘Ah! Make haste slowly, laddie!’ he said. I remembered what he said to me on that day, and it seemed appropriate as a title for my book.”

After rereading Make Haste Slowly, our buddy Matt Wieckowski of Ontario’s Big Dream Motorcycles was inspired to build a Duff tribute bike:

“I first read the book in the late nineties, and it was amazing. The riders (Hailwood, Reed, Ivey, Agostini), the bikes (RC166, RD56, RC172), and of course the tracks (Isle of Mann, Imatra, Sachsenring), what an incredible (and dangerous) time to race motorcycles. Here we had a kid from Toronto with a front row (or Yamaha factory) seat to the golden age of motorcycle Grand Prix and wrote about the experience.”

“I was fortunate to meet Michelle (Mike) Duff at the Toronto bike show in the early 2000’s where she autographed my copy of the book. The concept for the bike was to take the RD250, giving it the restomod treatment (modern brakes, wheels, and suspension), while paying tribute to the bike Michelle won her Grand Prixs on, the iconic Yamaha RD56.”

Using a 1974 RD250 frame and engine, Matt created the “RD256” tribute you see here. Highlights include a USD front end from a Cagiva Mito 125, SM Pro supermoto wheels, Racetech rear shocks, Golfren disc brakes, rebuilt and ported engine, Mikuni VM34 carbs, Vape ignition, and replica RD56 bodywork from Ragged Edge Racing, painted by “Big Mike” Murray.  

“I feel it’s a fitting tribute to a Canadian legend. I was fortunate to get in contact with Michelle during the build and chat with her about certain aspects of the RD56. That was very cool.”

We agree wholeheartedly, and with 45 hp and a weight of less than 250 lbs, it’s a blast on the track, says Matt. Below is our full interview with Matt about the build, including more photos from Red Button Photography. 

Yamaha RD56 Tribute: Builder Interview

• What’s the make, model, and year of the donor bike?

1974 Yamaha RD250.

• Why was this bike built? 

It was built for myself as a tribute to someone I admired.

• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?

I had finished re-reading Make Haste Slowly, The Mike Duff Story and was inspired to build a bike as a tribute to Canada’s first (and only) motorcycle Grand Prix winner. I first read the book in the late nineties, and it was amazing. The riders (Hailwood, Reed, Ivey, Agostini), the bikes (RC166, RD56, RC172), and of course the tracks (Isle of Mann, Imatra, Sachsenring), what an incredible (and dangerous) time to race motorcycles. Here we had a kid from Toronto with a front row (or Yamaha factory) seat to the golden age of motorcycle Grand Prix and wrote about the experience.

I was fortunate to meet Michelle (Mike) Duff at the Toronto bike show in the early 2000’s where she autographed my copy of the book. The concept for the bike was to take the RD250, giving it the restomod treatment (modern brakes, wheels, and suspension), while paying tribute to the bike Michelle won her Grand Prixs on, the iconic Yamaha RD56.

• What custom work was done to the bike?

The “bike” started with a frame and engine from a 1974 Yamaha RD250. After the frame was stripped and detabbed, I added a Cagiva Mito 125 inverted fork front end, SM Pro supermoto wheels, Racetech rear shocks, Golfren disc brakes (330mm front), wrapped in custom period bodywork and fuel tank, modelled after the early 60’s Yamaha RD56 with a signature amazing “Big Mike” Murray paint job.

The engine was ported and modded by Tanner at Sib’s Performance Machine and fitted with Mikuni VM34 carburetors, unknown expansion chambers and a Vape ignition.

• Does the bike have a nickname?

“RD256.”

• Any idea of horsepower, weight, and/or performance numbers?

I estimate 45hp and weighing in at approx. 240-250lbs.

• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride this bike?

This bike is a blast to ride. Light and very quick. I get a chance to get it out on the track at our annual Grand Bend Festival of Speed (this year’s version is October 2-4th at the Grand Bend Motorplex in Grand Bend, Ontario, Canada).

• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?

I feel it’s a fitting tribute to a Canadian Legend. I was fortunate to get in contact with Michelle during the build (2019) and chat with her about certain aspects of the RD56. That was very cool.

Michelle, unfortunately, passed away last summer. I had a very nice moment last summer at the Mosport VRRA round where I got to meet her son and his family and he got to see the bike.

• Is there anyone you’d like to thank?

The usual suspects with my bike builds. Mike Murray (paint), Doug Cloutier (welding), Tanner Sibinski / Sib’s Powersports Machine (engine work), as well as Ragged Edge Racing out of the UK for the awesome replica RD56 bodywork.

Follow the Builder

Facebook: @bigdreammotorcycles
Instagram: @bigdreammotorcycles
Photo credits: Red Button Photography

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