1969-yamaha-g5s_1

By most measures, 1969 was a watershed year for motorcycle design and performance. The Harley Sportster was at its peak, Triumph, Norton and BSA all offered new high performance 750’s, Kawasaki had just released the Mach III, aka, H1and soon we’d see bevel driven cam V twins from Ducati. Yet in the shadow of the horsepower wars lived some pretty cool small bore bikes. With top speeds under the legal limit, a rider could wring the daylights out of them and get a thrill without getting a ticket. In fact, our little 4.45 cubic inch Yamaha made about 1.5 horsepower per cubic inch while most big bore high performance bikes made around one. Of course adding a 150 pound rider lessened the power to weight advantage.

The first market for sporty small Japanese bikes was almost always Japan, then England and Europe. These parts of the globe regarded motorcycles, and scooters and mopeds, as functional transportation. To inject a bit of fun, sometimes styling mimicked Gran Prix bikes of the times. Graceful long, narrow fuel tanks, decked seats, slim flowing exhausts like on our G6S all contributed to the look. Perfect for zipping around on city streets, some small bore bikes, or “tiddlers,” as the British called them, even looked good parked at the curb as they might be dwarfed by an average rider.

A quick scan of this G6S shows a simple and traditional pressed steel frame, yet a telescopic fork, and upgrade from the pressed steel leading link design. Brakes are small as speeds attained are low, riders typically on the light side. While there’s plenty of chrome, Yamaha road racers of the era had sleek simple fuel tanks, painted overall similar to our G6S, a simple yet stylish street bike. A center stand helps with general service and the heel toe shifter is a nod to keeping the toes of our shoes looking good. A pair of lugs on the crankcases below the cylinder indicate this motor was also part of a light weight dual purpose bike with down tubes, maybe a skid plate.

Originally sold in Grand Rapids, Michigan, this Yamaha G6S is on loan from Geoff Valker from West Chicago, IL and is in pretty nice original condition, its candy blue, silver and white gleaming with a quick wax job. More could be done with it, but the National Motorcycle Museum has high regard for original, unrestored bikes, “survivors” that remind many of us of our youth.

    • Engine: Two-Stroke, Air-Cooled
    • Type: Single, Piston Port Induction
    • Bore & Stroke: 47mm x 42mm
    • Displacement: 73cc’s
    • Compression Ratio: 6.8:1
    • Carburetor: VM16SC
    • Ignition: Flywheel Magneto
    • Lubrication: Auto-Lube
    • Starting: Kick
    • Horsepower: 6.7 HP
    • Transmission: 4-Speed
    • Clutch: Wet, Multi-Plate
    • Frame: Pressed Steel
    • Fork: Hydraulic, Telescopic
    • Rear Suspension: Swingarm, Dual Shocks
    • Wheel/Tires: 2.50 x 17 / 2.50 x17
    • Wheelbase: 46 Inches
    • Weight: 174 Pounds
    • Top Speed: 50mph
9 replies
  1. Sonny
    Sonny says:

    Perhaps a little more effort would help stop the rust from advancing . We all washed our bikes when they were new,

    Reply
  2. Richard Millermo guy
    Richard Millermo guy says:

    One of the many bikes that blew past my trusty H D M50 that I looked at with both hate and envy. The good ole days are still coming along.

    Reply
  3. Bob
    Bob says:

    These bikes were pretty fast for a 80, top end around 45 mph maybe more downhill, this bike appears to share similar parts from 1965 YG1 80 , I owned a bike very similar this one a 1970 model.

    Reply
  4. Lawrence W McKay
    Lawrence W McKay says:

    That could be the bike I owned! My Dad an I went down to Chuck Brinks purchase it in 69. Traded in my Bonanza minibike on it. I think the price was $300.00. I drove it until I went to college and sold it.

    Reply
    • Scott Prentice
      Scott Prentice says:

      I currently have a g6s with turn signals, amber in front and red in the back, it’s parked next to my Bonaza typhoon. Both 2 stroke, 4 speed other than being from the early 70s. That’s all they have in common. Both are just too much fun to ride.

      Reply
  5. Scott Prentice
    Scott Prentice says:

    I currently have a g6s with turn signals, amber in front and red in the back, it’s parked next to my Bonaza typhoon. Both 2 stroke, 4 speed other than being from the early 70s. That’s all they have in common. Both are just too much fun to ride.

    Reply

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