No Reserve – Yamaha YSR50

Description

Additional photos of this Yamaha YSR50 are available here for your perusal.

The Yamaha YSR50 was the most common of the rare 50cc sportbikes that came from Japan in the late 80s and early 90s. An instant classic, the YSR50 was always street legal and always seems to put a smile on the face of riders and spectators.

Built to look like a mini RZ500, the YSR50 also featured mini performance. The 49.3cc two-stroke engine was capable of pushing the bike up to 38 miles per hour, but companies like Team Calamari have been making stock performance numbers useless with years of aftermarket parts and performance modifications if you are so inclined.

We have not been able to find a photo or video of it, but Wayne Rainey supposedly rode a Marlboro-branded YSR50 in a 1-lap promotional race at Phillip Island in 1986. In Yamaha’s home market of Japan, they offered a limited run of “Marlboro Edition” YSR50s that had a decal package matching what Rainey rode. You could even order matching gear (helmet/suit/gloves).

This example is VIN: 2AL040297. We believe (but cannot confirm) that it’s a 1986 model.

The odometer shows 5,973 kilometers (3,711) miles.

Maintenance:
This bike came to us from a collection in Japan – previous maintenance history is not known. In preparation for the listing, we cleaned and tuned the carburetor, replaced the petcock and drained the tank, repaired the front valve stem, and freshened up the drive chain. Additionally, we replaced the battery and the neutral light, changed the oil and oil filter, and flushed and bled the front brake. Yonni did the work, he states in his condition report that the front and rear tires are at 20% and 10%, respectively, and that the brakes are at 20%. The low beam, high beam, turn signals, tail lights, brake light, plate lights, kill switch, and horn are all OK. Please note that the front forks are leaking.

Modifications:
The Marlboro Edition bikes are not identifiable just by VIN. This example looks to be very close, however it is missing the Marlboro text on the lower fairings and the triangular red logos are at a slightly different angle (with a YSR on top).

Dunlop stickers on the forks and tail.

Marlboro Team Agostini decal on wheel.

Factory optional tachometer.

Aftermarket windscreen.

K&N air filter.

Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:

Inside of the tank:

It is riding on Bridgestone Molas 17 tires with date codes of 0908 and 3509.

The sale includes one key.

Currently located at our facility in Santa Monica, California (please make an appointment for an inspection), this Yamaha is offered on a Bill of Sale only. Have any YSR50 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!