Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1542014
P154 FEATURE I CELEBRATING YAMAHA'S FIRST PRODUCT appeared in December 1958 with a tubular front downtube, lighter mudguards and a larger fuel tank with chromed side panels. Today, these nascent models represent the cornerstones in the company's transition into one of the powerhouses of world motor- cycling. The chance to see these models in the flesh was one of the highlights of my visit to Japan this year to experience the celebra- tions of Yamaha's 70 years in the industry. The visit culminated in a day at the Yamaha-owned Sugo track in northern Japan. While there, it was a pleasure to meet Yamaha Motor Corporate Commu - nications Manager Bob Starr, who e-introduced me to Bob Weaver, as you will read here in the sidebar on pages 146-147. CN gearbox was used, with the power unit providing 14 horse- power at 6000 rpm. Twelve-volt electrics and a standard push- button electric starter were practical inclusions that made good marketing sense, and turn signals front and rear were also standard equipment. Despite its appearance, the YD-1 weighed in at only 304 pounds, which was quite light for a 250 twin. The YD-1 frame was a com - bined tubular steel backbone with pressed steel components. Telescopic front forks—along with swinging-arm rear suspen- sion with twin shock absorbers, a first for Yamaha—were used, with 16-inch wheels front and rear. The unusual humpy shape of the fuel tank, which was fin - ished in brown, earned the new 250 the nickname "Bunbuku Chagama"—the "tea kettle." Kawakami again took to the saddle for a two-day shake-down test from Hamamatsu to Tokyo, where it was presented to the media. It wasn't exactly smooth sailing, however, as an engi - neering glitch over the method used to couple the right and left crankshafts resulted in a recall of about 3000 motorcycles—a mightily expensive business but a move that Yamaha president Kawakami deemed absolutely necessary to maintain the com - pany's absolute commitment to customer satisfaction. The pressed steel chassis YD-1 lasted only a year or so before a completely revised YD-2 version The 1957 YD1, Yamaha's first twin.