The Rise of Two-Stroke Street Bikes

June 10 – September 7, 2025

The Museum of Texas Tech University is proud to present its first-ever motorcycle exhibition, YAMAHA: The Rise of Two-Stroke Street Bikes. This special showcase features a rare and complete collection of Yamaha’s high-performance two-stroke street motorcycles from the 1960s and 1970s—an era defined by speed, simplicity, and bold innovation.

In the early 1960s, Japanese manufacturers—Yamaha among them—began reshaping the American motorcycle landscape. With lightweight frames, eye-catching designs, and two-stroke engines known for their power and ease of maintenance, these bikes captivated a growing youth market. Yamaha, in particular, stood out for offering a wide range of models to suit nearly every size rider and every budget.

The 14 motorcycles on view span engine sizes from 50cc to 400cc and represent a focused effort by Yamaha to dominate the street market during a short but thrilling window of time. As environmental regulations tightened in the late 1970s, these street-legal two-strokes were phased out and replaced by cleaner four-stroke models—making the surviving examples all the more significant today.

This collection is the result of a 50-year journey by a dedicated private collector. What began with a single Yamaha motorcycle in 1971 slowly evolved into a mission: to preserve and present the full range of Yamaha’s two-stroke legacy. Over time, the collector tracked down rare models, often acquiring bikes from friends and online enthusiasts to complete the set. Some bikes are beautifully preserved survivors, while others have been carefully cleaned, repaired, and cosmetically restored—always with the goal of honoring original finishes and components.

YAMAHA: The Rise of Two-Stroke Street Bikes is more than a celebration of engineering and design—it’s a tribute to a distinct cultural moment, when young riders across the country found freedom, speed, and identity on two wheels.