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TY 50 and 80: The TY for teens!

ty 50 1978

First appearing in Japan in 1975, the TY 50 was released in numerous versions in Europe starting in 1976. Local legislation sometimes required restrictions (TY 50 “M” for “moped”), pedals, different lighting, seats of varying lengths, 4- or 5-speed gearboxes, different wheel sizes, different compression ratios, different carburetor sizes, etc.

The TY 50 benefited from an engine previously developed for the 1973 GT 50, which also served as the basis for the “mini” 80 and 80 TY models. This range was the perfect entry-level range for introducing young riders to trials.

1975: The beginnings

TY 50 modèle 538 Japonais 1975
TY 50 model 538 Japan
TY 80 modèle 554 Japonais 1975
TY 80 model 554 Japan

1976: European expansion

TY 80 type 597 Japonais 1976
TY 80 type 597 Japan
TY 50 type 1F4 Suisse 1976
TY 50 type 1F4 Switzerland
TY 50 type 1G7 Anglais 1976
Type 1G7 England
TY 50 type 1G4 Français 1976
Type 1G4 French
TY 50 type 1G6 Belge 1976
Type 1G6 Belgium

1977 : Consolidation

Publicité TY 50 1977
Advertisement TY 50 model 538
TY 50 538 rouge 1977
Type 538 Japan in red
TY 50 1G4 Français 1977
Type 1G4 France
TY 50 1F4 Suisse 1977
Type 1F4 Switzerland
TY 50 1G7 Anglais 1977
Type 1G7 England

1978: The evolution of wheels

Major innovation: The French 2J7 version from 1978 features larger wheels (17/19")!

TY 50 rouge française 1978
French version 2J7 red
TY 50 bleue française 1978
French version 2J7 blue
TY 50 belge 1978
Belgian version 2J9
TY 50 allemande 1978
German version 2J8
TY 50 anglaise 1978
English version 2K0
TY 50 hollandaise 1978
Dutch version 1X7

1979: The comma makes its appearance in Japan

Le Japon voit aussi apparaître la virgule en 1979 mais conserve les petites roues (16/18") sur le modèle 538.

TY 50 verte Japon 1979
Model 538 Japanese green
TY 50 rouge Japon 1979
Model 538 Japanese red

1980: The latest versions

TY 50 française 1980
Latest French version 2J7
TY 50 belge 1980
Belgian version 2J9
TY 50 allemande 1980
German version 2J8
TY 50 anglaise 1980
English version 2K0
TY 50 Japon 1980
Latest Japanese version 538
TY 50 Japon 1980 alternative
Final Model 538

1981: Regulatory adaptation

Necessary change: The TY 50 is also switching to 80 cc in Europe (Type 2V9) to comply with changes in local legislation!

TY 80 européenne 1981
European TY 80 type 2V9
TY 80 européenne 1981
European TY 80 type 2V9

The legacy of the little TYs

These machines left their mark on an entire generation of young riders. With their ease of handling, reliability, and affordability, the TY 50 and 80 allowed many teenagers to discover the joys of trial riding before moving on to larger displacement bikes.

Their diversity across different markets demonstrates Yamaha's adaptability to various European regulations, while retaining the TY spirit that made them so appealing.

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