[CRM6]

Those pics bring back some memories. My dad rode Yamaha motorcycles in the mid 70's and would take me (8) along. I lusted over one of those so bad. I did know one kid who had one.

Yes very heavy. But also capable of some (at that time) gnarly moves.

Here's some pics:

The pic of jumping the kids is a Graco MX 1000/500. I still own the 500 that I got in 1975.

 

[sonett1]

Not selling or looking to show off; I will be more than happy to show you my 1975 Yamaha Motobike because it's an interesting piece of Mountain bike evolution. The Yamaha Motobike is one of the missing links that join the Muscle Bike era to the Mountain bike era, as such, it's an important piece of history. My Motobike was purchased new by my parents at Pop's Cycle Center in Walden, NY in late 1974, I was 14 at the time. If memory serves, it cost $120.00, my fathers full weeks salary. As stated previously by others, it was a heavy one speed beast that needed to go on a diet. I removed the original handle bars, rear fender, chain guard, reflectors and lopped off the part of the frame which supported the rear fender. I sanded off the original orange paint and sprayed it metallic blue; my father was not pleased. Two years later I was driving a car so the bike was hung in my parents garage until they moved to Florida in 1989. By that time I had a home of my own, so I hung it in my barn, untouched, until the Covid shutdown 2 1/2 years ago. I was bored, out of work and looking for a project. My regular hobby is vintage car restoration, but I wasn't in the mood for tackling another car, so I brought the Motobike into the garage for a complete restoration. I sourced original parts, fabricated the part of the frame that I had chopped off and welded it back on, repaired every imperfection and gave it a re-spray in the correct shade of orange. The only part that I can't seem to get my hands on is an original chain guard. The bike now resides on top of a book case in my home. I'm 62 and I have to admit I really enjoy just looking at my old bike; it brings back a flood of memories of flying through the woods, down a mountain path, screaming at the top of my lungs. Good times.

 

[CRM6]

Redirect Notice

Here is a stock pic of a Graco MX 500 and was the same as mine.

 

[sonett1]

Wow. I never saw one before. Many similarities with he Yamaha Motobike.

 

[rev106]

Early 70's bmx have the coolest designs. I made a 70's mono shock inspired 26 cruiser.

 

[flicknsteele1]

I will work on getting pics of it.
[/QUO

 

[flicknsteele1]

I used to have one.. 10 years old (1978)
My parents thru a fit because I wanted a bike that cost $35 from the people who owned the yamaha dealership in town...
Rode that thing for years..
Would love to get my hands on another one..

 

[jimPacNW]

I knew a kid who had one, I got to ride it once, I remember it being plush, and heavy. My cousin had a Kawasaki, but the front shock was fake on the Kawasaki, it only looks full suspension. Beautiful big welds on the clearcoated aluminum Kawasaki frame as I recall. He barely rode it, I wonder what happened to that one...
I have wondered about what would have happened if Yamaha or some other big moto player had been more interested in bikes around the time mtb was becoming popular (we might be talking about our old YZ-0s).

 

[Fuel53]

San Diego Craigslist- VINTAGE YAMAHA MOTO BIKE FRAME - bicycle parts - by owner - bike sale

 

[Dave Haskins]

Did anyone else have one of these back when? Info on these is scarce, but you can find several rebuilds people have done.
The bike was super heavy, but had full suspension and I could rip down the mountains where I lived leaving my friends in the dust.

I think the early models came with DRUM BRAKES. Or at least mine did.

I sold this when I got my Hutch Pro-Star and started actually racing in BMX. Sure wish I still had BOTH of those bikes!!

View attachment 1983842 View attachment 1983843

This was the baddest bike I ever owned!! I had a paper route when i lived on Fort Leavenworth where my dad was stationed in the mid seventies, and rode this all over post. Used to find lots of places to jump with it and it stood up to the abuse. I actually got it because I broke my 10 speed in half while landing it after a 5 foot jump. This thing stood up to all the abuse I could give it as a 13 year old boy.

 

[rpburdiss]

This was the baddest bike I ever owned!! I had a paper route when i lived on Fort Leavenworth where my dad was stationed in the mid seventies, and rode this all over post. Used to find lots of places to jump with it and it stood up to the abuse. I actually got it because I broke my 10 speed in half while landing it after a 5 foot jump. This thing stood up to all the abuse I could give it as a 13 year old boy.

I had a paper route that I use mine on to a lived up in the mountains and I was kitchen air on everything. We also jumped cars and made jumps out of anything possible I was doing BMX before they knew what BMX was.

 

[Sparticus]

I had a paper route that I use mine on to a lived up in the mountains and I was kitchen air on everything. We also jumped cars and made jumps out of anything possible I was doing BMX before they knew what BMX was.

Kitchen Air!

Would have made a terrific MTBR handle.
=sParty

 

[bearone1130]

I'm looking for one or more for grandkids. I had one and sold it like a dummy

 

[higherexpectations.b]

I have a 1974 and looking to sell but don't know the value of it.

 

[Ari Z]

I have one of those Yamahas. It needs work! non-original seat, wheels and such, but still has the suspension fork and rear setup. if you are up for a resto project I'd definitely part with it. I will see if I can find pics of it.

Do you still have this?

 

[TandemBear]

Great thread! Thanks for the great memories and pics.

I was on the playground in about '74 when a kid showed up on a yellow MotoBike. We were simply GREEN with envy. So bitchin'!!! Luckily - or unluckily - the kid let me take a spin on it. So I'm happy to say I've actually ridden one, albeit only briefly. BUT, two pedal strokes and I was, "WHAT THE HELL??!!" It was murder to pedal! Like riding in sand. Heavy and major pedal-induced squat. I couldn't have been more disappointed. But this thread sure brings up great memories. Speaking of which...

Gettin' air in the burbs!

 

[MattiThundrrr]

Gettin' air in the burbs!

Kickstand lowered in preparation for landing? I wonder why bmxs don't have those things

 

[MendonCycleSmith]

That pic is fantastic, love it!

Randomly associated, and loosely?

One of my biggest head scratchers in this wing ding industry, is that, for all the trend chasing, and stupid me too crap the industry cranks out, not one company, or brand, has made kids bikes, with banana seats other than Schwinn when they repopped the Orange Krate, but that was never a "kids" bike in that second iteration.

We get 50 lb, full suspension pigs with 16" wheels and disc brakes that barely work. But not one factory in China is pounding out single speed (think weight and cost savings, both wins) with a banana seat.

And EVERY damn kid that comes in my shop, ogles them, wants one, and can't buy one unless they get their parents deep diving on line for vintage stuff.

You industry morons are leaving money on the table as you obsess over not being off the back of the next big thing....

 

[MattiThundrrr]

But not one factory in China is pounding out single speed (think weight and cost savings, both wins) with a banana seat

Instead, they gave us the unrideable chopper monstrosities

What even is that saddle?

 

[MendonCycleSmith]

Instead, they gave us the unrideable chopper monstrosities,
What even is that saddle?

Or that yeah. Frankly, I'm amazed AI wasn't involved in that things design process, because it sure wasn't humans who knew any kids that wanted to actually get anywhere.