Early Street Bikes

[asphaltgambler]

I bought this from the original owner. It is a 1972 Yamaha CS5200 - Electric start. It had 4600 miles when I bought it back in late Nov. It took a little time and $ to bring it back to OE specs. Everythings there

It is/was a Santa gift to my wife who wants to learn how to ride. She loves it and is currently riding around our subdivision for now.

[ramonesfreak]

congrats! thats beautiful. not sure its the safest bike for a new rider, but anyway..looks like a great bike in mint condition

[dd74]

Great stuff! Can it hit freeway speeds?

[Dueller]

Originally Posted by dd74

Great stuff! Can it hit freeway speeds?

They were pretty peaky little bikes...can easily hit highway speeds but how long they can sustain it is another question

[Dueller]

Nice survivor, AG...the purple is so period correct and perfect for the missus.

You probably have manuals, etc, but here's a link to schematics if you need them:

1972 Yamaha CS5 OEM Parts, 1972 Yamaha CS5 OEM Motorcycle Parts - BikeBandit.com

[dd74]

So I'm not clear. Is that Yamaha a two-stroke? It sounds like one.

Personally, I love the RZ350. If I could carry my bicycle on one, well now, who needs a damn car.

[Dueller]

Originally Posted by dd74

So I'm not clear. Is that Yamaha a two-stroke? It sounds like one.

Personally, I love the RZ350. If I could carry my bicycle on one, well now, who needs a damn car.

two stroke twin...oil injected, electric start. One year only production run with port instead of reed valves, IIRC. Neat little street bike.

[Dueller]

[asphaltgambler]

It's a blast to ride - weighs @280lbs / engine makes 24hp with a 8000 rpm redline
The gearing is very close ratio. Top speed is 85mph. It has the same power to weight ratio as a 1200 Sportster

[asphaltgambler]

It's a blast to ride - weighs @280lbs / engine makes 24hp with a 8000 rpm
The gearing is very close ratio. Top speed is 85mph. It has the same power to weight ratio as a 1200 Sportster

[Dueller]

Originally Posted by asphaltgambler

It's a blast to ride - weighs @280lbs / engine makes 24hp with a 8000 rpm
The gearing is very close ratio. Top speed is 85mph. It has the same power to weight ratio as a 1200 Sportster

I noticed that on the video I posted...that little screamer wasn't losing 1000 RPMS between shifts.

Hey..asphalt...was she suprised or did she know you were getting it for her?

[asphaltgambler]

When she rides it she gets the biggest grin!

[motion]

Lucky.... beautiful little bike! There were so many cool little 2 strokes back in the 70s. I'll bet there are plenty still out there sitting in the corners of garages. Better jump on them, gents! (I would, but I don't think the wife would approve).

[dd74]

...well, it looks like I might start shopping for a bike - preferably with a 2-stroke.

[asphaltgambler]

I own a couple of bikes and love to ride / wrench and drag race when I can find the time...................sometimes I just make time! She is also into bikes and hotrods (one great reason why I married her!) She loves to ride with me and enjoys going to events and races.
A few years ago I took my Roadking over to Maryland raceway to the all-Harley drags. I had just installed a new engine and trans and intended to set the "dresser" street class on their collective @sses. Knowing me and my all-or-nothing attitude she asked if we were going to trailer the bike (@100 miles one way) ?
I said................."Honey you can't show up to an event like that; kick @ss and take names and then put it on a trailer and drive home................................that's just not cool...........we'd look like a couple of weiners!"
Her response........."Oh...........ok then............well what if we break something and can't ride home?"
I said....." I guess if that happens we won't be going to the steakhouse for dinner!!"

So we get over there, unload and set the MPH record on my first pass (in my class) but it was spinning badly. Second pass was still spinning but the ET was much better. Third pass I broke the drive belt.............................................. ..ugh.

She never complained, *****ed, ot whined just gathered up all of our stuff and headed over to the return lane. I booked us a rollback to take us back home. $$$$$$$$$. We stopped about halfway and got a cheesburger.

She said..........."Maybe next time when we win; we'll be eating steak and crabs!! I said" You got that right!"

------------------------------------

She wanted to ride on her own not long after and I started to look for a bike like this so it would be an easy transition from riding around the developemnt. It took about 8 months to find the right bike, deal, location. She really digs it!

[id911T]

Great bike AG! When I picked up my 72 R5 (similar bike, little bigger), I had no idea what I was getting into. But one ride was all it took. It's the favorite in my bike collection.

[javadog]

First bike I rode on the street, way back in 1975:



Not the actual bike I rode, just a picture of one pulled from the net. Would love to have another one.
JR

[LakeCleElum]

Originally Posted by motion

Lucky.... beautiful little bike! There were so many cool little 2 strokes back in the 70s. I'll bet there are plenty still out there sitting in the corners of garages. Better jump on them, gents! (I would, but I don't think the wife would approve).

I "jumped" a few months ago.....Bought a '74 RD350 with 583 original miles for $475..........Had talked to this guy in the snowmobile forums from Alberta about it for 2 yrs......Long story short, I stopped by one my way to Calgary on an August bike trip.....Paid him cash and picked up in Oct.....For no charge, he drove 3 hrs and met me at the border in northern Idaho......I had an RD in college and later road-raced both a 350 and 400......Great bikes......No 'lectric start like the 200 though.......

[Hard-Deck]

I'm negotiating an RD 400 currently. Hope that works out.

[m21sniper]

Originally Posted by Dueller

Talk about screaming "I'M A DORK!!!" out to the rest of the world...