For this edition of Classic Ink, we are going to take a look back at Yamaha’s 1976 Motocross lineup.
In 1976, Yamaha offered the most technologically-advanced and comprehensive motocross lineup in the sport.
In 1974, Yamaha introduced the first YZ125, YZ250, and YZ360 as limited edition works replica machines aimed at pros and experts who could afford their exclusive price and use all their additional performance. For average racers, Yamaha offered their MX line, with lower prices, mellower motors, and far less use of exotic materials.
In 1976, there were only two mini motocross offerings from Japan. Honda’s versatile XR75 offered easy-to-use power and bulletproof reliability, but its four-stroke powerplant lacked the power and performance of Yamaha’s smallest YZ.
In 1975, Yamaha upped the motocross ante by bringing long-travel suspension to the masses. Introduced on the ’75 YZ125, MX250, YZ250, MX400 and YZ400, Yamaha’s revolutionary Monocross single-shock rear suspension immediately leapfrogged the suspension performance of every other machine available. The monoshocks delivered twice the travel of the traditional dual shock suspensions of the time and allowed Yamaha pilots to charge through whoops and over jumps that would leave lesser machines broken and battered.
In 1975, Yamaha stole the headlines with their revolutionary monoshock rear suspension. For 1976, Yamaha upped the ante by adding an all-new air fork to their full-size YZs. Interestingly, these unique air/oil forks only lasted one year before Yamaha replaced them with more conventional spring/oil forks on the 1977 YZ models.
For 1976, Yamaha revamped their motocross offerings by folding the exotic YZs and more pedestrian MX machines into one comprehensive lineup. All the machines now bore the YZ moniker, but the new racers lacked the exotic materials and premium prices of the original works replica Why-Zeds. The new YZ100 and YZ175 got the monoshock upgrade for 1976 with 125 and larger YZs also adopting a trick air fork up front. Today, air forks are fairly common, but in 1976, this was cutting-edge suspension technology. With their monoshocks and air forks, the YZs offered the most advanced and adjustable suspension available from any manufacturer.
It was pretty hard to go wrong with a monoshock YZ250 and a Toyota mini truck bike hauler in 1976.
Another advantage the YZs had in 1976 was their “Torque Induction” intake systems. Torque Induction was Yamaha’s name for the reed valve they installed on intakes of their two-stroke machines. At the time, many manufacturers were still using less sophisticated piston-port intakes and the addition of a reed valve gave the YZs an advantage in torque and throttle response over several of their rivals.
The all-new Yamaha YZ400 was one of the most potent machines in motocross in 1976.
In 1976, Yamaha offered one of the most impressive motocross lineup in the sport. The new YZs were somewhat less exotic than the old, limited edition YZ models, but they delivered much of the old machine’s performance at a more attainable price. With motocross machines of 80cc, 100cc, 125cc, 175cc, 250cc and 400cc, Yamaha had a YZ for every age, size, and preference in 1976.
