Yamaha 350 Street R5`F
"It's a better machine," Yamaha wrote in the sales brochure promoting the new 350-cubic meter in 1970, followed by the statement "This new and exciting motorcycle from the world's leader in motorcycle engineering Yamaha ". Big words, but then modesty has rarely been a sales trick. Regardless, the R5`F became a very popular motorcycle that brought in a lot of money at Yamaha .
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With the 350 cc 2-cylinder 2-stroke 350 Street R5`F, Yamaha took a step forward in terms of both power and, not least, design compared to previous models. The first Japanese motorcycles that appeared in the 1950s were almost too good to be considered copies of European models. There was little doubt that several of the Japanese manufacturers, including Yamaha had taken more than one look at DKW and Adler. In the 1960s, they took a more independent approach to design, but the heritage from Europe was still visible in the form of chrome-plated fuel tanks with rubber knee pads and a combination instrument embedded in the headlight. Yamaha YDS5 is a good example of such a "copy".
Modern design
Then came the 1970s and the design became modernised and much more independent. Round, soft lines now characterised the shapes of the fuel tank guards and side covers, and the instruments now consisted of two separate clocks, with a speedometer and tachometer respectively. The R5 represented the modern 70s, and paved the way for Yamaha's hugely popular 2-stroke series with the model designation RD.
Hard facts about the YAMAHA 350 Street R5`F, 1970 model:
·Produced from 1970-1972
·Replaced the "old" DS series, which was also based on 2-cylinder 2-stroke engines, but with typical 60s design on the gas tank, side covers and instrument.
·Engine: 2-cylinder 2-stroke, air-cooled
·Displacement: 347 cc.
-Compression: 6.9:1
·Power: 36 hp at 7000 rpm.
Number of gears: 5
·Front tire: 3.00 x 18
·Rear tires: 3.50 x 18
·Tank: 12 liters
·Weight: 141 kg (dry)
·Top speed: 170 km/h
·The R5`F was the forerunner of the best-selling RD350, a model very similar to the R5, but with a front disc brake instead of a drum.
·R5`F was a tough competitor and challenger to, among others, Bridgestone 350GTR, Suzuki T-350, Kawasaki S2-350 and Honda CB350Four.
·The R5`F was Yamaha's most important model in 1970, along with the 4-stroke XS1-650
Brochure images: YAMAHA MOTOR CO., LTD. 1280 Nakajo Hamakita Japan.