CLASSICS
WORDS AND PHOTOS:
Rhys Jones
YAMAHA SR500:
THE BIG THUMPER
T
here is something about the sound of
a classic motorcycle that fascinates
and excites the true motorcycle fan.
Whether it is the howl of a four-cylinder MV
Agusta, or the leisurely throb of a parallel
twin, sound has always been a vital part of
the motorcycling experience. It is perhaps
one of the most troubling aspects of the
coming restrictions on vehicles deemed to
be a contributing factor in climate change,
that we seem to be heading towards electric
bikes and cars. I suppose the most we can
hope for is that we will still be able to use
classic machines for special events and
leisure activities, and of course hear them.
One of the sounds that has, for as long as
most of us can remember, been an integral
part of classic motorcycling is the sound
of the single cylinder machine. From the
Matchless and AJS singles, to the BSA Gold
Star, Norton International, Velocette Venom,
Vincent C Series, and Royal Enfield, singles
have always been synonymous with stylish
British classic motorcycles. In the sporting
arena the most famous singles have been
Manx Nortons and the JAP, and Czech built
Jawa, Speedway bikes.
With such a distinguished line-up already
produced, it is sometimes difficult to
understand why Yamaha released a single
cylinder 500cc motorcycle in the late 1970s
when exotic triples had already begun to
dominate the showroom floors. In a period
when the revolution, which started with the
Honda CB750, followed by the Kawasaki Z1,
six-cylinder Honda CBX, and the fearsome
Kawasaki triples, the single appeared to be
obsolete.
The last big single of any significance prior
to the big multi-cylinder bikes was the
Classic British single cylinder
BSA Gold Star, or Goldie
The iconic Velocette Venom.
End of the line for classic British singles
Velocette Venom Thruxton, which ended
production in 1971. The design of the Venom
dated back to the 1940s. Then in 1977, from
an unexpected source, came the Yamaha
XT500 trail bike, which opened up a new
market for off-road bikes. In fact many
believe it revolutionised the off-road sector.
Powered by a four-stroke, single-cylinder
overhead-cam 499cc engine, with two valves,
one carburettor, and kick-start only, the first
Paris to Dakar rally was won by an XT500,
giving it legendary status, and securing its
place in the long history of big singles.