Yamaha’s first motorcycle was the 1955 YA-1, and there’s plenty of information about that model out in the digital world. But I’ve been hard-pressed to find any real information on the YE-1, another motorcycle from Yamaha’s early history. Do you know anything about it?
Basically all I know at this point is that it utilizes a 256cc engine (after the engine in the YD-1 was bored out another milli meter). Yamaha claimed 14.3 horsepower and a top speed of ~70 miles per hour. But they don’t even show any information about it on their own “history” site, this is definitely not a well-known bike.
This example (VIN: YE100566) has 15,003 miles on the odometer and it’s being sold as a project. The engine and frame numbers match but it’s missing the side covers and it does not run. The previous owner put up a post on Craigslist saying that if it doesn’t sell by Monday, he’s donating it to charity. Apparently he was right, as it’s now being offered on eBay through a seller called “Just Donated”.
Find this YE1 for sale in Orange, California with bidding up to $1,025 here on eBay.