WEIRD AND WONDERFUL
The mildly bizarre Japanese Police spec Yamaha FZ400L.
Launched in 1984, Yamaha’s FZ400R was their super-sharp race replica for Japan’s booming sports market. Compact and light at just 165kg, the FZ featured a 16-inch front wheel for steering you could shave with, a perimeter frame, endurance-style twin round lamps nuzzled into its fairing, a plank masquerading as a seat and clip-on ’bars. And it was powered by a thrashable 399cc liquid-cooled inline four that made a datum-setting 59bhp (five more than the FZ600, the air-cooled Xj600-powered version we got here in the UK). Developed alongside the Formula 3 racer that won the All-japan Championship at its first attempt, the FZ400R was clearly a rather serious motorcycle. And so this therefore made it the perfect base for a production bike designed specifically for Japanese riding schools. The L in FZ400L stands for learner. High ’bars instead of clip-ons give easier control, crash bars are ready for comedy tumbles, and a centrestand is fitted for use while honing manoeuvring skills. But the best bit is the clutter of Thunderbird-style additional lamps, linked to the FZ’S controls so instructors and examiners know what you’re doing wrong. There are electrical terminals on the side too, the purpose of which is anyone’s guess. Be better if the sticker said Pure Mystery. The FZ400L wasn’t Yamaha’s first leaner bike and certainly not the last. Other models loaded with illumination for riders getting Japan’s most popular up-to-400cc licence included the XS400 parallel twin, XJ400 inline four, and 400cc versions of the Fazer and Diversion. Not content with being the go-to brand for training bikes, Yamaha also established themselves as plod’s favourite with a series of machines in full police uniform. There were XJS and FJRS with a P tacked on the end but the 1983 XJ550 Police was coolest, with Chips-style screen and boxes, massive side-mounted siren, huge flashing light on an extendable pole, and a natty tub for the officer’s handcuffs (or sandwiches).
The chances of finding an FZ400L that’s still in full learner spec are slim to say the least – however, every now and then a scrappy import will turn up on ebay. Bidding is compulsory.