Another in the series of “Scotty G’s Small Motorcycles” (is there such a thing?) (there is now), this 1970 Yamaha L5T-A Trailmaster appears to be a jewel, and the seller says it’s original and has under 1,500 miles. They have it listed here on eBay in the hometown of Barn Finds: Boise, Idaho, and they’re asking $3,500 or best offer. I sent this tip in, so let me know in the comments if any of you are interested in small motorcycles or if it’s just me!
This little bopper is related to my first motorcycle, a late-60s Yamaha YL-1 Twin Jet 100, a twin-cylinder street bike. I learned how to ride on that thing, and I still have it, although it’s been decades since I started it. Not good, it’s a bonified barn find now. There was an “E” version with electric start, but the really cool kids had one of these on/off-road versions, a 100 single-cylinder with the raised exhaust pipe, and other “rugged” (looking) off-road features.
Perfect as a blue-smoke campus get-around bike, I still think these are fun bikes to ride. Please don’t comment about how dangerous they would be on the freeway, or what if you got hit by a gigantic SUV?!?! A motorcycle is always dangerous; there is no way around that, and these things were never meant for freeway driving. I just thought I’d try to head that off before too many commenters came in with stories about how dangerous it is to ride a small motorcycle on a freeway. Here’s a fun Cycle World article from 1969 on these little bikes. Spoiler alert, they really like it, calling it, “A near-perfect lightweight for the non-racing trail rider.”
Having traveled an average of 25.5 miles a year, this one is barely broken in. If it’s been maintained, there’s no reason it shouldn’t last another 56 years. Will there be any gas in 56 years? Nobody knows, but if not, it’ll be a nice living room display to show folks what the good ol’ days were all about for a lot of us. Yamaha made the Trailmaster series from 1967, and the L5T-A came along a couple of years later.
The super clean engine is a Yamaha 97-cc two-stroke rotary valve single-cylinder with Yamaha’s Autolube oil-injection, 8 horsepower, and 6.9 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent through a unique “Trailmatic” three-speed two-step changeover transmission, giving three on-road gears and three off-road gears. The seller says it’s in excellent condition, it runs perfectly, everything works, it has electric start, and man would I love to have this one. Are any of you fans of small motorcycles?
Looks a mint piece SG.
Absolutely a fan, Scotty G. Bikes like these were simple, fun and seemingly bulletproof.
Did those of us that ride them want bigger bikes? Of course! The first time I saw a Matchless 500 while riding my Honda 50 I was overcome with awe-but only because I knew how it felt to ride and appreciate a small bike.
Please keep them coming, Scotty. Sometimes we need to go back to simple to appreciate where we are and how we got here.
Spot on, Kurt, not sure what bike I envied while on my Honda 50, I think it was the neighbors Royal Enfield. To me, there are 2 types of motorcycles. “Trailmashers”[sic] and road bikes, and the two rarely share the same features. You wouldn’t take a GoldWing on some back hills trail,( although I did) nor a ring-ding like this on I-70( although I bet some have). Bike makers have been trying to bridge that with dual sports, but sorry, the two are just way too far apart. This type of bike is on the “list”, but I have to get past anything with a spark plug or gas cap( price of parts and gas) and just admit, it’s too late. The low miles here indicates to me, that this just wasn’t that much fun, and the rider either gave up riding, or moved on, more than likely, the latter. Motorcycle riding is addicting, and it all starts right here. Fun bike, but I all but guarantee, a “gateway” to a bigger bike.
Howard you should ride a DR650..if you haven’t. I know you owned the 400 cousin. But the friendly low seat height, good torque, so smooth on the highway..up to 80mph or so (could use a 6th gear). But it really is as close to a do it all machine as they come. Suzuki did a super job balancing that great 1cyl motor, and a good job on the weight.. 365lb/wet. They got the nickname the stone axe 🪓 of motorcycles. Lol.
Oh, there’s all kinds of ways for a fool to spend their money, I sold the DRZ short because it wasn’t really what I wanted to begin with. Since I don’t want to do much road travel anyway, I’m more in line with a Honda Trail 90. Simple as a chain saw, and no pesky electric gee-gaws to worry about. AND, the next bike I get, if any, HAS to have a kick start! Pretty dumb thing to leave off.
Man, I really miss those dangerous motorcycle stories 😆
Yup, when I had a Trail 55 I wanted an S90, when I had an S90 I wanted a 160, when I had a 160 I wanted a 305 Super Hawk, when I had a …Luckily the manufacturers have wised up and are at least now offering 300cc bikes. For years a 600cc supersport was considered a ‘starter’ bike and potential 74 year old riders like me were being hurt or intimidated away from motorcycling as a life long passion before they even got started. I love small bikes.
100% agree, Robin, and with time the newer small bikes have adequate power, handling and braking without the heft. Too, all the convenience and gas mileage without the insurance company cashing in as they like to do.
But if you want to say you have a 650 and don’t want 100HP, you can always get a newish Royal Enfield and be nostalgic at the same time.
After several years of Honda 50’s and CL 90’sI still think of 305’s as being kind of a big motorcycle, even though I have a CB750 now
I do too and I wanted a 305 bad when I had my Cushman Eagle but I ended up getting a BSA 650 Lightening instead. The only bike I’ve had that I want again though is the Kawasaki 900 Z1. Having said that I’m going to be moving to a more rural area soon and I think a small bike like this would be great to have just to putt around on.
I had a 67 YLC2 trailmaster rode the wheels off it, can’t remember whatever happened to it, last I saw it it was in the parents barn over 50 years ago
This has an interesting configuration.
Single seater with a luggage rack.
Must be like you said Scotty, perfect as a campus runabout.
Auction update: this one ended with no bids, was relisted at $3,500 or offer, and is now listed as no longer available.