A first Year Yamaha RD60

[Rizingson]

No, this isn't the sportiest RD ever but I don't doubt it will be a blast to ride! The 1973 Yamaha RD60 is actually a 55cc bike, but it such a cool little bike I couldn't help not wanting to put a nice one in my stable.

Under the sideways flip over seat was a complete original tool kit with a spare spark plug. Also the last registration papers for street legal riding dated for use in '92/'93. The required 6V battery had been removed though, which is a good thing for storage. Not one speck of corrosion could be seen in the unsealed tank!


The very streamlined tank holds an impressive 2.1 gallons of fuel providing a traveling range of nearly 200 miles on a single tank. The injection oil tank also holds a generous 1.1 qt of oil.


The engine is a 7 port reed valve induction 2 stroke putting out a mere 4.9 HP. It will take a lot of shifting of the 5 speed transmission to maintain the rpm's within the power band. Top speed is claimed to be 53 MPH. A 10,000 rpm red line will allow this little engine to scream. Although it is said to be low on power, especially under 5k RPM's, the fun factor should be right at the top of the scale.

[SoCal250]

Nice congrats! Sounds like you found a really nice one. They didn't make too many of the Butterfly Blue ones -- only 2440. I've always wanted an RD60 because they have such cool styling, and I have a soft spot for the tiny bikes.

[pushin9s]

My blue '73 RD60 is a fun little bike.  I'm a big boy and the bike is waaayyyyy too small for me but I still like riding it.  Wide open, down hill it will not go past 53 mph.  With my big butt it doesn't like to run over 35 uphill, and I'm in 3rd gear WFO, but it is still a fun bike to ride.  Once I had to have my truck serviced and no one was available to take me home, so I loaded it up in the back of my truck (it is light enough that I can lift it in there by myself without a ramp).  When I got to the mechanic I unloaded it and rode it the 10 miles back home.  The young "kids" there didn't know what it was and one even asked "Does that thing even run?"  It started on the first kick and another "kid" said "Hey! Is that a 2 stroke?"  Fun was had by all.

Moral of the story, it is a fun bike but I don't ride it much.  My 13 year old grandson is convinced he will be riding it to school next year when he gets his scooter license.