While the Yamaha XS650 is often called the best British motorcycle made in Japan, its roots - in Germany. Countdown popularity row twins - schemes that became hallmark motoproma English - usually lead since 1936, when he made his debut the legendary Triumph Speed ??Twin design by Edward Turner.
Until 1969 all motorcycles that produced Yamaha, equipped with two-stroke engines. This does not mean that its engineers had no experience with chetyrehtaktnikami. On the contrary, the company fulfilled orders even automotive companies, if the need arises in an unusual engine with high performance (for example, in its factory produced engine for the first Japanese supercar Toyota GT2000).
Yamaha XS-1
But the model for the new superbike engine is not served this complex machine, and the old idea Horex /Hosk. Debuting in late 1969 Yamaha XS-1 was two-cylinder inline engine with dvuhklapannymi heads and overhead camshaft driven chain located between the cylinders. As in the UK, Twin Flash cylinders alternated at 360 ° - simple in execution, but fraught with extreme vibration pattern. Crankshaft rotates in three and one roller ball bearing, camshaft - four ball bearings. The connecting rod was also equipped with roller bearings: roller in the lower head and the top of the needle. As time has shown, the engine turned with outstanding endurance and good margin for tuning. Dimension - almost "square»: 75x74 mm, displacement 653 cm3. From these "cubes" engineers group shot 53 hp at 7000 r /min and 54 Nm at 6000 r /min. Gearwheel motor transmission connects the engine with a single unit located in a five-speed manual transmission. Unusual design feature of the times was horizontally split crankcase cool facilitates repair. Fueled motor constant vacuum carburettor two Mikuni.
power unit was in typical Yamaha those years Chassis: tubular frame duplex, traditional suspension spitsovannye wheels (19 inch front, 18 rear) and drum brakes. In fact, it was slightly stronger version of the chassis, which was applied to two-cylinder two-stroke models concern.
Yamaha XS-1 made its debut in the U.S. market - in 1970 (the entire program of the first year of production was exported to North America), and met an enthusiastic reception. Experts of the company were in the vacant niche other Japanese conglomerates and British firms have rushed to produce 750-cc bikes - with a price increase. A 650-cubes Yamaha is just attracted those customers (and there were many!), Who needed not have cheap and ride. More so that the dynamics of news though was "not a record, but very decent top speed of 185 km /h, and such an important standard for the Americans as the" Quarter "(a quarter of a mile, or 402 meters from the scene), it performed for 14 s, at the end of developing a distance speed over 150 km /h Was impeccable and ergonomics car: finally srednerosloe American has felt the Japanese motorcycle on the bike Gulliver Lilliputians. Plus excellent design, plus a beautiful bass sound typical for a 360-degree twins large amount of ...
Of course, the comparison with thoroughbred "British" was inevitable. And not always in favor of the production of Albion. Yamaha not tormented failure, to not drip oil, and due to the light flywheel machine overclocked fun - and high speed motor felt fine (his benefit schemes ONS). Case even came to such reviews as: "This is the bike should have done the English».
However, and deficiencies in Yamaha XS-1 lacked.
annoy characteristic 360-degree twins vibration, especially at idle and maximum speed (however, and "English" suffered from this ailment.) It is puzzling lack electric start - Honda has managed to pamper discerning consumers.
Very heavy
was squeezing the clutch - many riders chose to switch without touching the clutch lever, the benefit of exceptionally rugged gearbox allow such mockery. But worst of all was the discrepancy chassis features motor. Frame - enhanced version 250-cubic model - was frankly flimsy, front fork - tonkovatoy and two-jaw front drum brake, despite imposing appearance, heavy and slow this speed machine from bad to worse.
Yamaha XS-2
Some Japanese have tried to eliminate the disadvantages already during the first modernization - in the model XS-February 1972. Outwardly, this modification is different primarily large disc brake front wheel. Looking closer, you can see the button and the electric starter. Node itself, contrary to common practice, located in the depths of the crankcase - so that the repair (which, alas, is often required - not impressive reliability of the drive) requires complete disassembly of the machine. Ironically, the Japanese engineers with perseverance samurai used this scheme failed on many of its models, up to the Virago.
Yamaha XS650 c 1974
For the treatment of major diseases - poor handling - the Japanese turned to the British engineer and rider Percy Tait, creator of the racing version of the Triumph Trident. Rode the Yamaha, he said: "Throw the hell this frame!" Council has not gone in vain: for the model XS650 1974 is a new, powerful and heavy frame (in some markets machine sold well under the symbol TH650). Simultaneously, the Japanese engineers have strengthened crank mechanism of the engine. And since 1977, went into production front fork with larger diameter pipes and upgraded brakes. V1979, the electronic contactless ignition system replaced the old, with a mechanical chopper, and new carburetors with a reduced diameter diffusers have improved traction on medium speed by slightly (from 53 to 50 hp) reduction of maximum power.
Although Yamaha XS650 was not designed as a racing shell, the athletes did not pass it to their attention. In the U.S., based on it makes a successful track vehicles (at a beginning to the legendary Kenny Roberts). And in Europe, it drew the attention krossmeny - those who acted on motorcycles with sidecars. Specialized workshops increased working volume of 1,100 cm3, taking 100 hp And the "bottom" of the engine remained largely unchanged - and withstand twice the load! On account of such devices - European Championships in 1975 and 1979, the first "pram" World Championship, held in 1980.
The most popular version of the Yamaha XS650 was released in 1978 Special option in the" American "style - with high horned wheel-drop gas tank, two-seat, chopped silencers and reduced to 16-inch rear wheel. The recipe was not new - two years earlier Kawasaki customized in the same way his flagship Z1. But then it was limited to a small lot, a Yamaha ventured run this version into production. And the right decision: Americans rushed to buy up these bikes like hot cakes. Her example was followed by other Japanese corporations, and by the early 80's selling Americanized versions in the U.S. surpassed the sales of standard!
A Yamaha XS650 Special enjoyed great demand, because it is so much like the British twins, with alterations that once the new history chopperostroeniya.
success of its 650-cubic Tween Yamaha sought to be extended to other cubing. In 1972 he made his debut TH750 - the world's first motorcycle, whose engine was equipped bapansirnym shaft. A year later, the concern TH500 released - the first post-war car with serial chetyrehklapannymi cylinder heads. But these innovations and killed them: the engineers were not able to quickly deal with the problems, and both models quickly faded. Where successful was released in 1976, the family XS250/360 - that's just mean motorcycles cubature is not so popular as in the 60s.
break dancing, skateboarding, computer ... They say that these toys distract American youth from motorcycles. U.S. market in the mid-80 crashed, falling several times. Japanese concerns quickly started to cut production programs, throwing them out of older models.
In 1985 he left the assembly line last Yamaha XS650.
But today, this engine is reborn - in the hands of countless kastomayzerov. What is he so fond of? First, it is cheap and common - after all, 15 years have made almost half a million copies. Second, the base model was so much incarnation that this engine is quite a natural effect in the chassis and a caf? racer, and flat-trekkers and the chopper. Third, he looks and sounds like a Brit.
One of custom bike based on Yamaha XS650 -
Yamaha XS650 Cafe Ricer Custom :
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