| Yamaha YDS2 |
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The first Yamaha Supersport 250 became available for the European market in 1963, mainly for the UK. Finland imported a few (Arwidson, Jarno Saarinen's old sponsor!) and also France had a few dozen.
The cycleparts were a further development of the YDS1. Everything was "oversize" with heavy gauge tubing. With its nice two-tone metallic colour it was very different from all European bikes and the nice twin-leading shoe front brake, 5 speed engine with twin carburetors was somethnig for the conoisseur. My YDS2 came from England and the name of the first owner was painted behind the tankrubbers! But I could not find him.....!
The engine has a thinner crankshaft than the YDS3 and the tachometer drive is taken from the clutch side cover instead of from the gearbox, as was done later.
Yamaha YDS2, l.h. engine
Here you see the aperture behind which the tachometerdrive is fitted.
Yamaha YDS2, l.h. engine cover
The 2 AMAL style Mikuni carburetors carry these nice (as the YDS1) airfilters. My airfilters came from a nice gentleman from Washington, USA.
Yamaha YDS2, carburettors
The front wheel and hub have the sharp looks of the sixties and the front fender is the type that was also used on the early YDS3 machines.
Yamaha YDS2, front brake
The remarkable speedometer that was used on the YDS1 and this machine was broken and difficult to repair. But it works now very well.
Yamaha YDS2, speedo/tachometer
The early handlebar controls are also similar to early YDS3 machines. The lever assembly is like the early racers used and the light/horn/indicator switch is a very rare and complex small item on a (even more) difficult to find small aluminium bracket.
Yamaha YDS2, l.h. lever assy
On the right the brake lever assembly is a copy of the clutch assy and the throttle grip has originally an aluminium tube.
Yamaha YDS2, r.h. lever assy
On the YDS2 the complicated linkage to the rear brake was already a feature. The smart small rubber covered rear brake switch was also made much simpler soon!
Yamaha YDS2, foot brake linkage
The muffler joints were still a very simple neoprene rubber joint as on the previous models.
Yamaha YDS2, muffler joint
The battery was carried on the left hand side, al out in the open (original battery!) Even the rubber strap for the battery is original (but only used for the picture!)
Yamaha YDS2, battery
Nice chrome banjo's were used to couple left and right from the fuel tank. On the front the tank was mounted on 2 rubber silent blocs.
Yamaha YDS2, fuel tank level
The stylish motor here from the right hand side. You can see the differences with the YDS3/YM1.
Yamaha YDS2, r.h. engine cover
The seat is fitted with bolts through welded-in bushes into the rounded rear frame rails. Yamaha spent a lot of labour/money in the manufacture of this bike!
Yamaha YDS2, seat mounting
The ignition coils are fitted separately, each with their own "hanger". So you can position them at the right angle, giving a smooth run for the sprak plug lead.
Yamaha YDS2, ignition coils
The Mitsubishi voltage regulator (same as YDS3) is fitted on the toolbox together with all the other vulnarable electrical parts. Yamaha was very confident in the Mitsubishi electrical package I think. Or they expected their customers only to ride in nice sunny California weather......!
Yamaha YDS2, voltage regulator
The toolbox is, as said, a mounting place for many more (vibrating) parts and is therefore made sturdy. The airfilter bracket is also attached to it. To repair the locks I used TZ250 cowling Dzus fasteners, which are still available.
Yamaha YDS2, toolbox
From these details you can see the sturdy construction of the bike. Here Yamaha still used 8 mm bolts with 14 mm heads, that changed quickly to slimmer dimensions! |