Home Classic Yamaha Owners Stories from Australia/New Zealand Yamaha YDS-1 "Ranch" Liberty of Mick Bulman
Yamaha YDS-1 "Ranch" Liberty of Mick Bulman

Mick Bulman from Australia has many rare bikes.

One is the “legendary” Yamaha YDS-1 Ranch model. Here is Mick's story:

The Yamaha YDS-1 Ranch model was apparently developed here in Adelaide (South Australia) by the owner of Liberty Motors, a gentleman named Frank Johns, unfortunately not alive anymore I believe, and as such they are always referred to as “Liberty Yamaha’s”. The genuine YDS-1 parts book that I have does include a supplement for the special parts that were made for this Australia only model. I am not sure if the motorcycle was delivered partially assembled from Japan and then had the special parts attached here in Australia or wether it came in all assembled. I believe they only came into Australia through Adelaide as they only ever have been found in South Australia or the NW region of NSW and Queensland where they were probably sold from Adelaide anyway.

 

yamaha yds1 ranch liberty

 

The Yamaha YDS-1 "Ranch" machine is so rare that Yamaha Japan has completely "forgotten" about this motorcycle. It was never mentioned.....!


There are many parts on this Yamaha machine that are unique to the model, besides the obvious like high pipes and carrier.

yamaha yds1 ranch liberty

A unique Yamaha motorcycle !

There is no provision for a light inside the speedo-tacho unit so Yamaha (Yazaki) made a special case for the instrument that did not include an opening for an instrument light. The tail light only has a single filament bulb and no extra wiring as the bike does not have a brake light.

The sump guard is very heavy and quite roughly made as are the foot pegs and brackets. It has a single carburettor, the front mud guard is from the scrambler kit, and with the large rear sprocket it will do just about 80 km/h flat out.

 

yamaha yds1 ranch liberty

The tank badges and transfers were surprisingly easy to get. Over the years with the demise of Liberty Motors, parts were sold off all over and a friend ended up with a lot of badges and transfers. Interestingly both of my MF-1's had a Liberty transfer on the right hand side and did not have the Yamaha logo on the headlight nacelle.(I got into contact with Mick as he is also restoring a Yamaha MF-1, that story will follow!)

 

yamaha yds1 ranch liberty

 

Here is another picture of the Yamaha YDS-1 Ranch machine. I think that I sweated more on this restoration than almost any of my others. In total it probably took about 10 years to finish it off, although I did others during that time. At one stage I wanted to sell it in a half finished state but I am now very happy that I did not sell it and finished the restoration myself.

 

I do think we have to agree that this is really an outstanding motorcycle to own and ride!

Congratulations to Mick !

 
 

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