Yamaha Fs1-E, How to Restore

The Yamaha FS1-E is a 1970s icon. Introduced in the early ’70s, it became an instant success, giving 16-year-olds their first taste of motorcycle performance and freedom, and totally overshadowing the other mopeds available at that time.

Many riders had their FS1-E for one year only before progressing to larger machines. Today, nostalgia for the youthful exuberance engendered by the ''Fizzie'' has resulted in many ex-owners wanting to recreate their pride and joy.

Most FS1E ‘s have not endured the test of time well, and very few good original examples exist. There are, however, plenty of restorable machines around, and this book guides the do-it-yourself restorer through the process, from the minefield of initially finding a machine to restore, to the potential pitfalls of a first restoration. The bikes featured and photographed for the book include a seriously neglected 1974 machine, a part restored 1976 model – of dubious type, and a 1975 DX model which arrived as a pile of bits.