Fizzie Days - The Cult Classic Yamaha FS-1

When Yamaha's FS-1 was launched to an unsuspecting public in 1970, little did anyone know what a cult bike this little 50cc machine would become.

yamaha fs 1

Originally marketed as the "sixteener special" the original (highly collectable model) quickly evolved into the FS1 and FS1-E. Urban legend has its reign as short due to the “SS” side panel badges which some thought indelicate in Europe, but this was never proved.

The 'Fizzie' became the epitome of the new generation of sports mopeds that every 16-year-old lusted after giving thousands of future bikers their first motorcycling experience. With the ability to peddle the little "Yam" via cranked pedals, the reality was that these were seldom if at all used and their mechanism cleverly hidden. With its initial launch colours of Candy Gold and Candy Purple, the attraction of a sports moped over cycling to school was obvious and many a romance was started over the promise of an illicit pillion ride home!

What Yamaha did with the FS-1 was to build a sporty 50cc motorcycle with a spine chassis as opposed to the step-thru type machine that 16-year-old licence holders had previously been stuck with. In virtually every town in Europe, you could find kids tearing around the streets on their (usually tuned) Fizzies and throughout the years Yamaha introduced a variety of versions including the iconic FS-1E sportster and the disc braked FS1-E DX with its evocative Kenny Roberts-inspired yellow paint scheme.

Ultimately legislation killed off the reign FS-1 and its genre in most countries, restricting maximum speeds and power outputs for 50cc machines. By the end of the Seventies, sales had plummeted even though the bike continued to be sold in a more restricted form until the early Nineties.

The FS-1 continues to have a place in the hearts of middle-aged motorcyclists to this day. With interest in Seventies icons increasing all the time, pristine FS-1 and FS-1E's command prices up to €10,000, confirming the little bike's place as a bona fide classic and all-time Yamaha great. For much of the production run parts were identical or similar with original seats and mudguards now at a premium.
Engines are sturdy and under-stressed plus a network of specialists have sprung up specialising in the "Fizzy". Early machines command a premium with post-1977 machines more affordable, but slower.

Whichever FS-1 you desire, CMSNL has the parts you need to keep your Fizzie going!