Post Sale Update: After 9 bids on eBay, this YL1 sold for $1,026.
Yamaha was certainly a player in the two stroke motorcycle market of the 1960s. Their two stroke twins began with the YD1, a 250CC parallel twin manufactured in 1957. By 1966 the Yamaha twins were ‘tried and true’.
The little two stroke twins were quick, handled well and the sound was amazing. They were equipped with the Yamaha Autolube system which eliminated mixing fuel and oil. One of my best buddies got a 125 Yammie which so thoroughly embarrassed my single that the never ending cycle of finding a better motorcycle was instilled in me forever.
The 1966 Yamaha YL1 used a 97CC air cooled two stroke parallel twin motor that made 9.5 HP with a four speed transmission that was touted to run at 60 MPH. It had a single downtube cradle for the motor, telescopic front suspension and dual shock swing arm rear suspension.
This particular 1966 Yamaha YL1 (VIN# 21634) is in Dickinson, North Dakota and is listed as a 6,574 mile interrupted restoration. A fairly significant list of what has been done and what is left is listed as are quite a few NOS and OEM parts that go with the bike. The seller also states that the opening bid is also the reserve. It might be a chance to buy a first year classic at a very reasonable price. The bike is currently listed at the starting bid of $799.00
Sources:
Classic Yams
CMSNL
Vintage Motorcycles
ADV
Wikipedia