Trial And Error - Yamaha's YD Series

Yamaha are justifiably famous for their musical instruments but in the mid 1950’s they started to play a different tune developing a range of motorcycles for domestic and export markets and prominent among them were the YD1 and its YD2/YD3 successors.

yamaha yd2

The YD1 was Yamaha’s first-ever attempt at making a motorcycle from the ground up. Starting with the riding position the engineers focussed on the seat, handlebar grips and footpegs and their respective dimensions to create a sporty, forward-leaning riding position, including keeping the centre of gravity as low as possible.

Choosing a short wheelbase and stable handing via a conservative rake and trail, the YD1 was to be the first bike of its type in Japan to use 16-inch wheels front and rear, while the frame had a steel tube spine arching over the engine with a pressed steel rear section for the seat plus integrated rear mudguard and rear suspension to mount to.

Compared to earlier machines using classic British “plunger” suspension, the YD series had a swinging arm and shock absorbers, while the seat was the first of a fixed type while earlier machines had used a sprung saddle.

Opting for a fuel tank of over 15 litres, the humped design created a distinctive look that set the machine apart, the YD-1’s tank would later be called “Bunbuku Chagama” from the Japanese folktale of a raccoon dog that could transform into a teapot…. Bizarre but true…

The 2-stroke twin-cylinder engine format was very similar indeed to the Adler MB250, but with some Yamaha design changes making it the first Japanese motorcycle with a twin-cylinder two-stroke engine.

With the first YD-1 prototype completed in February 1957, from the initial planning, it had taken just one year to complete. After initial high praise from the media and shortly after production and sales started, various crankshaft and connecting rod issues were reported and Yamaha had to conduct a market recall and repair.

Undiminished in their enthusiasm, Yamaha engineers perfected the YD between 1957 and 1962 including the YD2 (the first Yamaha with an electric start) and the highly refined YD3 which was the first Yamaha machine to utilise the famous “tuning fork” logo.

If you want your classic Yamaha to play a happy tune, then just look at the CMSNL website. Our inventory will be music to your ears…. and eyes!