Yamaha FS1-E timeline

1969 YAMAHA FS1 Super Sports (SS)

Launched in 1969 as a 50cc, 6bhp, five-speed motorcycle capable of 50mph+: only available in Japan and a few European countries, including Austria and Switzerland between 1969 and 1970. Blue/white and red/white with frames and swingarms painted in the primary blue or red.

1970 YAMAHA FS1

First available in Holland in 1970; Dutchman Ludy Beumer helped invent the pedal mechanism to turn a motorcycle into a moped. Restricted power output, F5B cylinder and four-speed ’box.

1973-1974 YAMAHA FS1-E

The MKII Candy Orange was identical to the SS except for the FS1-E livery on the side-panels and around 5500 were sold from August 1973 through to ’74.

1972-1973 YAMAHA FS1-E ‘SS’

First UK model arrived late 1972 featuring a white vinyl pin-stripe decal on the Candy Orange painted tank, Yamaha screw-on tank badges and vinyl ‘SS’ (Sixteener Special) decals on the side-panels. Traditional drum brake on both the front and rear wheels. Around 7500 of these SS-badged models were sold in the UK. The decals were changed to FS1-E in August 1973, allegedly due to pressure from Honda. Yamaha carried on selling FS1s with the ‘SS’ side panel livery well into the mid-70s in Europe.

1974-1975 YAMAHA FS1-E

The 1975 model came in three different colour options although 95% of this year’s model were supplied and sold in Baja Brown, still with the white vinyl tank pin-striping and side-panel decals.

1974-1975 YAMAHA FS1-E

‘Popsicle Purple’ model (paint codes R1 and R9) was released around August 1974 until July 1975: the later (Dec 1974 R9) models-on wore the ‘flatter’ R9 shade of purple.

1975-1976 YAMAHA FS1-E D

Also launched in August 1975 was the first FS1-E with a front disc brake and single piston caliper. It also had handlebar-mounted ignition plus new flatter handlebars without the crossbar to accommodate the master cylinder/brake lever perch; also, single cluster left-hand switchgear for lights and horn.

1976-1977 YAMAHA FS1-E

Launched in late 1975/January 1976 through to July 1977, this was a facelift drum brake model featuring the handlebar-mounted ignition, pull-up choke, and wore famous Yamaha vinyl speed-block decals in place of the screw-on tank badges. Rear shocks were now open coil in chrome.

1976-1977 YAMAHA FS1-EA & DXA

Both facelift models now have Autolube oil pump, black frame down-tubes fitted on DXA and single-cluster left-hand switchgear for lights and horn. Left-hand side front brake shoe holder plate for EA, fixed rear sprocket carrier, aesthetic and tyre changes.

1977-1978 YAMAHA FS1-M and FS1-MDX

Disc front (DX) rear drum, ignition on handlebars and footrests replace pedal system after new UK legislation and restricted to 30mph. Drum for EA. DX finished in Vintage Burgundy, drum-brake model painted in French Blue. 1500 drum and 3000 disc brake models sold.

1979-1980 YAMAHA FS1

Manufactured from 1979, new-style tank, seat with colour-coded cowl and higher handlebars, Available in Maxim Red or Caribbean Blue with front drum or disc brake. New style black plastic backed indicators fitted. Production stops in 1982 then reintroduced in 1988-1992 due to a spare parts reorder error by Yamaha Europe: 16,000 sales of both models.