Yamaha YA-1

The Yamaha YA-1 was the first motorcycle built by the Yamaha Motor Company, produced between 1955 and 1958. Nippon Gakki, the musical instrument maker, began production at its Hamakita factory in January 1955 and delivered the first bikes to dealers in February, then founded Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. that July. The machine was influenced by the German DKW RT 125 and used a 125 cc two-stroke single cylinder engine, but with a four-speed gearbox in place of the three-speed unit. It was the first Japanese motorcycle with a primary kick start system, which lets the rider start the engine with the transmission in gear once the clutch is pulled. It won the 125 cc class at the 1955 Mt. Fuji Ascent Race and the first Asama Highlands Race, and its slender shape and chestnut red finish earned it the nickname Aka-tombo, the Red Dragonfly. The Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan lists it among its 240 Landmarks of Japanese Automotive Technology.