40-year-old Yamaha SR500 Retro Bike Unboxing: Watch Video

The retro roadster flaunts a transparent battery!

In the 1970s and ‘80s, the US market saw a huge influx of Japanese motorcycles and the Yamaha SR500 was one of them. Even though it had a short stint in the USA, which lasted all of three years, the bike quickly gained popularity. Curiously, of the estimated 15,000 examples sold there, one was unboxed this year. That’s right, after four long decades!

The video posted by Bikes And Beards channel on YouTube shows the hosts unboxing the retro roadster and bringing it to life for the first time in over four decades. Luckily, even after all these years, the bike had no signs of rust or any other unexpected issues. And four decades ago, this bike came with a transparent battery!

Yes, the lead-acid battery on the 1978 Yamaha SR500 came in a see-through casing, which wasn’t just innovative for that era, but is also unheard of even today. Bits like the dual pod instrument console, chrome fenders, engine casing, headlight and even the fuel filler cap were all in pristine condition.

Most of us may not be aware of the Yamaha SR500, but this four-stroke legend was in production from 1978 to 1981 in the USA and till the late ‘90s in Japan. This bike was notorious for its kickstarter that busted Yamaha’s then technical director’s ankle. The only way to get it started without injuring yourself was to follow a set of sequences mentioned in the owner’s manual.

The Yamaha SR moniker continued to be on sale in some Asian markets and the SR400 bid adieu just last year, having been on sale in Japan for 43 years! Though the SR500 was not on sale in India, it would have been, in our books, the perfect rival for the legendary Royal Enfield Bullet 500.

If you have been on the lookout for a retro Yamaha bike, the upcoming RX100 electric bike could be your only bet.