Legendary Two-Stroke Tuning Expert Stan Stephens Retires After Over 60 Years in the Motorcycle Industry

Stan Stephens, a revered figure in the world of two-stroke engine tuning, has officially retired after more than six decades of dedication to the motorcycle industry. The former sidecar and speedway racer was still building championship-winning, high-performance engines well into his seventies, but family health issues prompted his decision to step back.

“My wife had a serious accident,” Stephens shared. “It was a sudden decision, really. One day, I just thought ‘that’s it,’ and I left a message on the answering machine saying I had retired.”

Stephens’ racing career began in his youth, initially competing on solo machines before finding his true passion in sidecar racing—a pursuit he continued for nine years until 1980. Along the way, he also competed in speedway and stock-car racing.

However, it was Stephens’ engine tuning expertise that cemented his legacy in British motorsport. After opening his own motorcycle shop in 1972, he founded Stan Stephens Tuning in 1981, gaining a reputation as the go-to expert for two-stroke tuning, particularly for Yamaha’s RD250 and RD350 LC models.

Throughout the 1980s, Stephens tuned engines for hundreds of riders and personally sponsored or supported over 90 racers, including notable names like Jeremy McWilliams, John Reynolds, and Mat Oxley.

“At our peak, we had a staggering number of engines lined up for us every Monday morning—around 30 ready to go,” Stephens told MCN. “I remember running an ad after one season showing the Marlboro series standings. In the 350, 250, and 500 categories, the top ten were all using our engines. I’d say 90% of the bikes out there were tuned by us.”

With a career defined by innovation and performance, Stephens leaves behind an indelible mark on the motorcycle racing world.

More information https://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/2024/august/stan-stephens-retires/