By the end of November 2009 the Yamaha "YDS-Club" in Japan had a celebration: "the 50th Anniversary of the Yamaha YDS-1.

Hiroshi Sasaki, the Manager of Yamaha’s “Communication Plaza” and fortunately a very good collector and rider himself (he owns and races a couple of Yamaha TA125's, has a AS-1 and a few other bikes), sent me these pictures.

The “Yamaha YDS” Club, which was founded in 1983 by a group of Yamaha enthusiasts in Japan, had an Anniversary Meeting last week (end Nov.), as 50 years ago Yamaha introduced the YDS-1 sports bike, the ancestor of all the famous Yamaha street bikes, cumulating in the present Yamaha YZF-R1.

On the first picture you see that our Japanese friends are just as enthusiastic as we are and that a large group turned up for the event, which was hosted by Yamaha Motor Company.

Sasaki-San is kneeling on the left with the light-blue YDS-1 prototype and behind the red YDS-1 you can see standing (suit/white shirt) Mr. T. Hasegawa, former President and the famous Race-Manager during the epic 1964-1968 years. The man on his right side (behind the handlebar) is Motohashi-San, who raced with and against Phil Read and Bill Ivy on the 4-cylinder bikes. These men are well in their seventies but still love their motorcycles as you can see!

A nice row of old Yamaha twins in front of Yamaha’s Head office. They are not all YDS-1 machines of course. Even in Japan there are not that many left. On front is the light blue YDS-1 prototype. This machine was carefully restored by a YDS Club member around 15 years ago and sadly because of ilness now belongs to the "YDS-Club". It is their pride and joy of course!

From the "Communication Plaza" files comes this original brochure of the Yamaha YDS-1, which was called "250-S". Peter Abelmann from Germany, who has himself also a YDS-1 (other story to follow) told me the differences, which you can see for yourself when you compare the prototype to the other YDS-1 machines. The frame parts are silver/blue; the rear-light is different; the chainguard has another shape; the rear mudguard/fender stay; the mudguards/fenders are painted instead of chromed and the fuel tank and air-filters are chromed instead of painted.

But the Japanese owners are rightfully happy with their bikes. It is very nice to be member of a one brand club, no arguments with Honda, Suzuki and Kawasaki people…..!

Hiroshi Sasaki has himself a very nice YDS-2, but as member of the YDS Club he administrates the light blue YDS-1 Prototype.

A nice cake was made for the event and with so many riders I am sure there was not much left of it at the end of the day.

The "YDS-Club" forwarded some more pictures from the event:

Former Yamaha Racing team Manager and President Hasegawa-San hands over the celebration cake to the Club Officials.

Sniffing the two-stroke oil gives a lot of pleasure, also in Japan. When you see that the bike smokes, she runs well! Standing on the r.h. side of the YDS1 is Akio Kuse, the proud YDS-1 owner.

The usual roadside adjustment is made. The proud owner Takao Namiki even has the original toolset in the blue bag! The YDS is very complete with the beautiful small screen and flashers, which were an optional extra.

Owner Shitsuo Oomi does some clutch adjustment on his lovely YDS-1. The simple, welded rear luggage carrier is also original. The number plate/registration plate is quite unique too!

Beautiful row of Classic Yamaha's along de roadside in rural Japan. Up on front the Prototype machine.