First monocross

[Boyracer]

You guys love your Yamies, just wondering what was the very first mono x bike road and dirt? thanks

[skypig]

Not sure of the first MX, but in the day the first 80cc was the '78 E model. (My "D" was out classed!)
Maybe the RD250/350LC of 1981? was the first Yamaha "monoshock" road bike. (Lost a kneecap on one of those!)

[211]

Brough Superior were the first canterleaver bike I think (although 2 shocks) - like most things the Japs took a good concept an claimed it their own. (and made it their own)
Another example is Auto Lube - Velocette had it in the early teens.

[tony27]

Prototype monoshock dirt bike was a CZ, both CZ & Suzuki turned it down before Yamaha bought the idea
Shock used in the prototype was out of a Citreon from memory

[evo550]

Wasn't there a Vecolette roadie from the mid '60's that had a cantilever rear suspension. but if your asking about Yammies it would be a '74 YZ.

[TTezza]

Road bikes using a cantilever rear suspension first started with ASL in 1906, then NSU in 1909, Perry Vale in 1910. Flying Merkel and Matchless both had cantilever suspension in 1914-15. Vincent-HRD introduced the twin shock Cantilever in 1940's. Lucien Tilkens had a prototype dirt bike single shock cantilever on a CZ in the late 60's and a Suzuki in 1971. Neither company progressed with the idea. Yamaha had a Tilkens cantilever on their works bikes in 1973 and used on their production bikes in 1974/5. Hope this helps ?.

[skypig]

So a 1975 YZ250B? Released late 1974. First "Monocross" (Yamaha name)
And the 1980 250/350LC for a "Monocross" road bike.

I understand Yamahas patent ran out in 1980.

1981= "Full Floater", "Pro Link" and "Uni-Track"

[djr]

Prototype monoshock dirt bike was a CZ, both CZ & Suzuki turned it down before Yamaha bought the idea
Shock used in the prototype was out of a Citreon from memory

I think the full story & some photos was on -  mxworksbike.com
seem to remember a Belgian guy {Tilkens?} built up a CZ prototype with his idea,
which was a little different to earlier Vincent etc. use of a cantilever swing arm with 2 x small shocks attached near the back of the engine.
the prototype and later Yamaha's  used one long shock mounted near the steering head, I assume this was enough of a difference for him to claim and register this as a new design rather than a copy of an old design.

[ghostdancing]

http://www.motodacross.com/barbiero/125.html

barbiero had cantilever since 1975

... also TESTI bikes had similar suspensions