Torakusu Yamaha established the company that would eventually carry his name in 1897. But as most classic bike enthusiasts know, it was not motorcycles that the early company produced, it was musical instruments—the first being reed organs. That original company was named Nippon Gakki, which translates to Japanese Instrument.

Torakusu Yamaha was born in 1851 the third son of an astronomer, Kounosuke Yamaha.

From an early age, Torakusu was fascinated by all things mechanical and eventually went on to study watch making in Nagasaki. During his training he started to repair medical appliances for hospitals in Hamamatsu.

Nippon Gakki

After repairing a reed organ at Hamamatsu's Jinjo elementary school, Torakusu went on to establish (in 1889) the Yamaha Organ Works as a limited partnership before setting up the Nippon Gakki Company where he became president.

By the early 1900s, the company had grown and began to manufacturer upright pianos in addition to their reed organs, and by 1902 had produced their first grand piano. The company won a grand prize at the 1904 World Trade Fair held in Louisiana, USA.

Leaning on their experience of making wooden parts and containers for their pianos, the company branched out into making fine furniture.

First Motorcycle

Musical instruments were the main focus for the company up until 1954 when they produced their first motorcycle—a 125-cc 2-stroke, the YA1. During that first year of production, Yamaha produced 125 examples of the YA1.

Although the Yamaha engineers were instructed by their president, Genichi Kawakami, to copy the original DKW 125-cc motorcycle, they nonetheless modified the design as they progressed. In particular was the introduction of a 4–speed gearbox instead of the DKW’s three speed unit.

The YA1 proved to be highly successful, so much so that a separate company was established (in 1955) to manufacture motorcycles: Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.

By 1958 Yamaha had begun to sell motorcycles in the United States through the Cooper Motors Company, an independent distributer. However, two years later, a Yamaha subsidiary (Yamaha International Corporation) began selling motorcycles in the USA.



Important Models
DT1

Over the years Yamaha has produced many highly regarded motorcycles; some, like their DT1 Enduro, were pioneering styles too (the DT1 is credited as being the world’s first true dual purpose motorcycle). The 1968 DT1 used a piston ported 250-cc engine developing just over 18 bhp at 6,000 rpm, with a 5-speed gearbox.

The original US purchase price in 1968 was $around $550, today an early example in top condition is valued around $2,200.

TZ Road Racer

From the beginning, Yamaha was heavily involved in racing, both on the street and on dirt. Although they have motorcycles of most types and sizes for competition, their most successful machines have been the TZ road racers. Winners of numerous international races and world championships, the TZ racers were sold from 1973 to 1982.

For classic bike racers, the TZ Yamahas make an excellent choice. They are fast, and have parts available for most models.

RD

Developed from the racers, the RD range of street bikes uses the parallel-twin 2-stroke engines of their racing cousins. However, they differ in the induction systems. The RD ranged use reed valve induction whereas the TD, TR, and TZ racers use piston port type induction (the only exception being the TZ750 four cylinder racers which used reed valves).

FZ

Introduced in 1985, the FZ750 Yamaha’s were considered one of Yamaha’s all time best machines. Innovative designs incorporated into the new machines included 5-valves per cylinder, and an alternator placed behind the cylinders to reduce the width of the engines for better ground clearance.

An early example in excellent condition is valued around $4,600.