The Club For Classic Japanese Motorcycles

 

Description

The Yamaha FS1-E, or more commonly known as a "fizzy", was a must have moped for 16 year olds from its UK introduction in 1972 to 1977 the British government introduced new legislation to restrict the maximum speed of mopeds to 30mph. The Yamaha FS1-E has a 49cc single cylinder 2-stroke air cooled rotary valved engine with a four-speed gearbox. It originally was only available in one colour, Candy Gold, and this was know as the SS model, the last of the Candy Gold ones were badged FS1-E in 1974. The SS stood for "Sixteener Special". In 1974 a second colour was introduced, Popsicle Purple and the model name on the side panel was changed to the now infamous "FS1-E". The model was FS1 and the suffix "E" stood for England (differing from the models sold in other countries as the FS1-E had pedals). Yamaha changed the colours over the years (Baja Brown, Competition Yellow etc) and introduced various improvements such as a front disc brake (FS1-E DX.) and an Autolube model with a 2-stroke oil tank and oil injection (so you wouldn"t have to manually mix fuel and 2-stroke oil any more.)

Pedals

The FS1-E had the ability to be powered by pushbike type pedals since this was a legal requirement in the United Kingdom at the time for mopeds.

The special pedal cranks allowed both pedals to be rotated forward so that the pedals would form motorcycle-style footrests in normal operation. To engage the pedals, the left-hand pedal crank could be rotated back and locked and a drive gear engaged allowing the user to pedal. A short chain connected the pedal drive to the main engine-chain drive system. Pedalling was hard work for the rider: there was no freewheel and the pedal gearing was very low. The engine could be started with pedal drive engaged, causing the pedals to rotate under engine power when the bike was in gear.

In practice, the cam and shaft arrangement to engage the pedals frequently seized (in normal operation, a rider would never engage pedal drive; it was less tiring to push than to pedal).

Mechanical Spec

Engine: Two Stroke 4.8 bhp rotary disc valve induction, single carburettor, wet sump, 4 gears, with a 20: 1 mix of petrol to 2 stroke oil.

Frame: pressed steel tubular backbone type.

Electrics : 6v lead acid 3 cell battery, backlit speedometer with neutral light, horn, high and low beam light switch and indicators switch. 3 position ignition switch (off, on, lights). On most models this was mounted on the L/H side panel, however the switch was moved to the conventional position between the handlebars on the DX.

Performance: Maximum Speed 40-45 mph, 95 mpg or more. Right hand side panel contains a basic toolkit in a plastic case, pliers, 3 spanners, double ended screwdriver, plug spanner.