year of this yz 50???

The only year of the YZ50 was 1980. If not mistaken, the YZ60 plastic from 1981 is the same. Maybe even the later YZ60's. Keep an eye on Ebay and the swapmeet boards, I've found a few new pieces of plastic for mine there.

For some reason , this song comes to mind .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2riRAGzNzvQ

The only bikes that use this bodywork are the 1980 YZ50 and the 1981 YZ60. The '82 YZ60 is a completely different bike. Unfortunately, new plastic is not readily available for these bikes.

Yellow ones were US models. I think everyone else got the white and red combo.

Try DC plastics?
Do a search for vintage yz plastics. There are at least 2 guys here in the states, there names elude me.

Unfortunately, none of them do anything for the 50 and 60. Everyone doing a restoration has to luck out and find NOS or clean used items on ebay, or refurbish the old stuff the best they can.

These are really cool little bikes.

What is a really clean unmolested YZ60 worth? I think its an 82 but am not certain.

I found one, but the guy wants $900 for it, which I think is high. But it appears to be nearly 100% and pretty darn low hours.

that is a 1980

The bike above is def a 1980 YZ50.
The 82-83 YZ60 are totally different, with their engines being essentially sleeved down 81 YZ80s. Different plastic, safety seat, tank etc.

As far as what a nice 82-83 YZ60 is worth (responding to mxnick)...it depends on who is buying. I've seen restored/preserved ones on ebay with BIN of $2,000 - $2,500. Way too rich for my blood even though it was my first bike and source of some of my fondest memories. But to a collector with deep pockets? who knows.

Classic song ! describes one of my RM twin shockers...

I think 1981 YZ60. The tank decal is '81. Originally the seat would have been black.

In 1982 Yamaha went with red seat (Europe).

That is a 1980 YZ50, nothing other. The yellow plastic came from a US issue 1980 YZ50 or a 1981 YZ60.

I just noticed you're posting from GBR: Great Britain? This changes things a bit since I believe that Yamaha manufactured the YZ50 in 1981 and maybe '82 in a few places such as AU and possibly Britain.

Anyway, it's still a YZ50 and always will be. The plastic is highly sought after, yellow or white, since it's unobtainum. The front numberplate even more so.

Here's mine I restored a few years ago...



And this is my 1982 YZ60 (far from stock), but you can see the difference in the bodywork...

Here is a 1980 Yamaha yz 50

That one has been fitted with the '82-'83 YZ60 tank, seat, front number plate and rear fender. I've always liked the euro spec red and white Yamahas.