VOLUME ISSUE DECEMBER , P147
convinced that the need for
light, economical transporta-
tion should be addressed but
decided against building scoot-
ers or mopeds, preferring to
produce proper (i.e., European-
style) motorcycles. By 1952,
things had stabilized somewhat
in Japan, and the factory was re
-
turned to its owners (along with
the crucial machine tools that
had been used for the propeller
manufacturing), who decided
that in such austere times the
market for musical instruments
was extremely limited.
Although at the time there
were around 150 motorcycle
manufacturers in Japan, led
by Honda, this was the field
selected by Nippon Gakki.
By 1953, annual production
of motorcycles in Japan had
reached 166,000, fueled by
new laws that permitted riders
as young as 14 to obtain a
license without taking a test.
The new motorcycle company
was capitalized at 30 million
yen (about $100,000 USD at
the time), with 270 employees,
using the same equipment that
had produced aircraft propel
-
lers during the war.
photos they sent. I asked if it was for sale;
we struck a deal on both bikes and off to
the U.S. they came. That YA-1 proudly sits
outside my office window, showing the his-
tory of the first Yamaha motorcycle. The
second YA-1 I have is being restored. I pur-
chased it in January 2019 at the Mecum
Auction in Las Vegas."
The restoration of Bob's second YA-1
has been made slightly easier because
of Yamaha Motor's decision to remanu
-
facture a batch of the original white
rubber components for the foot-
pegs, gear lever, handlebars, knee
rubbers and seat. As luck would
have it, Bob Starr, a good friend of
Bob Weaver, was in Japan for the
Yamaha 70th anniversary celebra-
tions and was able to personally
collect the prized parcel and bring
it home, ready for installation.
(Above) The
YA-1 plunger rear
suspension.
(Left) Unique white
rubber knee pads.
Bob Starr with the exclusive YA-1,
YB-1 Rubber Parts Set Reproduction
made for Yamaha's 70th anniversary.
