My first exposure to the Yamaha YDS-2 was in perhaps Cycle World or Floyd Clymer's magazine in 1962 or so. I had heard of the Yamaha 50 and 55cc lightweight bikes (our assistant scoutmaster had a trail 55) and these were rented by the hour; Honda was as yet not sold in the Philadelphia area. Yes, I am certain that Yamaha was in there first.

They began to appear on the streets and shadey lanes at about that time. Metallic blue, red, black or bronze, with an attractive "Yin-Yang" white design complimenting it on the tank, around the kneepads. Neat chromed fenders. They made a great intake-tract noise through their twin Mikuni 22mm carbs and they had a cute little windscreen affixed to the headlight rim. Mike Leshner was going to school in Cherry Hill NJ then and his buddy's dad had the southern Jersey dealership. And our friend Herby bought one; that is a story in itself...resulting in a new "Jersey Devil" legend just about...

These machines had a quick turn of speed but were heavy (about 348 pounds dry, same as a 500 Triumph) and would enter a tank-slapping speed wobble if the rear tire was a bit soft, usually when shutting off at about 70 mph. Oil mix was in the tank, 20 to 1. Plugs NHK B-7/8s or Autolight AE-2. There were always several parked beneath the wall opposite Mitten Hall on Broad Street on the Temple University Campus, along with Jawas, BMWs, Honda 150 Benlys and 305s, both Dreams and Hawks,etc. In 1964 the YDS-3 was introduced with its autolube system and larger throat carbs. But the main problems of the 2 model were still present, weight and engine reliability: the German Adler design that was the basis had a weak center seal that would go bad from gasoline in the case, (leaving the tap open). Then one clyinder would run rich and foul, the other lean. And the 3 was overcarburated with 25mm Mikunis. They discarded the pretty tank design and seat too, leading Laughlin to predict that the Japanese would eventually fail because they have no conservative impulse (outside of things in their own culture) and change things fore the sake of change. "As soon as they get something worked out, instead of settling down for a nice five-year run and getting their costs back they come out with an all new model, full of new bugs."

I bought a YDS-7 in 1971 (back at Penn after USAF days) and it was lighter, slimmer, delightful to ride but engine was fragile and holed its pistons during a flat-out run on Rt 309 expressway.

(UNDER CONSTRUCTION,) check back later. Back to Biking in Philly