Yamaha YG-1T Trailmaster 80

1964 Yamaha YG-1T Trailmaster 80

Taking to the trails
January / February 2009
Chris Hartman
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Year of production: 1964-1966
Claimed power: 6.2hp @ 10,000 rpm
Top speed: 41mph
Engine type: 81cc 2-stroke, water-cooled single
Weight (dry): 63.5kg (140 pounds)
Price then / now: $ 367 / $ 1000 - $ 2500
MPG: 170

If you think that small-bore vintage Japanese motorcycles in the city to run errands or mud-slinging at the weekend camping trip, what comes to mind?
For many it's a Honda Trail 90. But if you want something different, from Yamaha YG-1T, also known as Trailmaster 80, may be a motor for you - and in many cases it surpasses its more heralded competition.
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From the shadows
In the early 1960s, Yamaha has been known in the United States with a greater range of computer yd. It was not until the introduction of YG series in 1963 (and less known YJ series 1964) of small-bore crowd was treated to beautiful Yamaha combination of style, sportiness and 2-stroke innovation.
YG1 which is more oriented to the main road machine, complete with a front bumper, the two-seat sports and two-tone paint scheme. At this time, sometimes YG1 appear on eBay and will prove a very good way on their own characteristics. But it's the YG-1T of the attention we deserve a little spotlight for themselves, out of the shadow of all-powerful Honda Trail.
First introduced in 1964, the Trailmaster 80-Yamaha combination of new-and rotary-disc valve 2-stroke engine, with a few well-chosen functional modifications to be more suitable for occasional off road trip. Items such as the limit under front bumper, a small rubber mud flap, solo seat with a large amount of luggage in the back and a skid plate installed under the engine all work together to shout "Trail."
In fact, when they sat next to the similar vintage Honda Trail 55 and 90 of the country, the Trailmaster 80 matches on the right, but it looks more subtle. While the Hondas are based on the step-through Cub C100 series and flaunted their raw infected with the view component, which is based on Trailmaster is sportier road bike, and therefore carry more than a few style cues such as the gleaming chrome fuel tanks and low-mount
chrome exhaust.

Walking around
As in the mid-1960s, other tiddlers, who stamped a multi-layer sheet metal frame of the foundation, including the central spine, supporting the headstock and the back wheels into a strong, yet lightweight, beam. Combined with the sheet metal covering the side, the frame to bring this bulk motor thick red paint. Sitting on the frame is the tear-drop-shaped fuel tanks in the gleaming chrome enhanced. Little fit ribbed rubber kneepads snugly on each hand, while the early-style Yamaha badge proudly displays heritage. A comfortable chair solo complete clean look, while the body-colored baggage hangs on the back of the wheel, ready for the bag of groceries.
Up front, a pair of slender telescopic forks that capped by a compact and light combination of speed housing. A unique front bumper to Trailmaster and features a slimmer cut than the fat of the road-oriented YG1's fender.
Trailmaster also unique in that a pair of 16-inch wheel rims, as opposed to the 17-inch setup found in most small engines road. This is to give a little more clearance under the fenders to allow for fatter 2.5-inch-wide tires. In fact, there are more than enough room for the 3-inch knobby tires, one should want a more specific trail machine.
Good control over the simple but stylish, and the mountain range to the chrome bar is increased and retreat. The throttle, brake, clutch and choke control right where you would expect. Signs that have speeds up to 60mph (very optimistic given short gearing), as well as neutral and low-fuel light, although the bike does not have a cable to the fuel light!
Almost lost in the chrome and gleaming paint red 81cc small mill mounted low in the frame. Being a rotary-valve 2-stroke engine that is wider than the old, and a very light-weight unit, requiring only two bolts to secure to the mounting frame. The carburetor is of the view, hiding on the right side of the case, and interesting from the air cylinder-shaped air clean to sit on the machine. The cylinder head barrels a finned and aggressive while the main engine and transmission cases a smooth, sculptured look. This is further emphasized by the tightly radiused pipe that runs into slender low mounted chrome exhaust out the back of the rider's right foot. Header pipe must maintain and even after the form of a hit or two thanks to a strong pressed steel skid plate mounted under the power of the entire unit.
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