Ossa Yankee 500SS

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File:Ossa Yankee 500 SS 1.jpg
Classic Bikes Ossa Yankee 500SS
Production 1976
Class Classic
Engine
Two stroke, parallel twin,
Compression ratio 8.0:1
Ignition Motoplat electronic
Transmission 6 Speed
Suspension Front: Hydraulic telescopic forks
Rear: Dual shocks
Brakes Front: Single disc
Rear: Single disc
Front Tire 3.25 x 18
Rear Tire 4.00 x 18
Weight 158 Kg (dry),
Fuel Capacity 18 Liters
Manuals Service Manual



Engine[edit | edit source]

The engine was a Air cooled cooled Two stroke, parallel twin,. The engine featured a 8.0:1 compression ratio.

Chassis[edit | edit source]

It came with a 3.25 x 18 front tire and a 4.00 x 18 rear tire. Stopping was achieved via Single disc in the front and a Single disc in the rear. The front suspension was a Hydraulic telescopic forks while the rear was equipped with a Dual shocks. The Ossa Yankee 500SS was fitted with a 18 Liters fuel tank. The bike weighed just 158 Kg.

Photos[edit | edit source]

Classic Bikes Ossa Yankee 500SS Classic Bikes Ossa Yankee 500SS

Overview[edit | edit source]

Ossa Yankee 500 SS









In the 1960's, John Taylor of Schenectady, New York decided to begin building in the United States, a dual-purpose motorcycle, that would not only compete with European enduro-type motorcycles, but excel by being more powerful, better built, more reliable, and faster.

There were only about 760 of this model built by Yankee Motor Company back in the early '70's. The concept for the engine had been designed by Eduardo Giró of the OSSA factory in Barcelona, Spain. The engine was actually a joining of two single-cylinder, 2 cycle, air-cooled engines into one torquey twin with a common crankshaft and cases. Although the engine was designed primarily for the roadrace courses of Europe, Eduardo wanted this engine to offer versatility for both road and dirt use.

The engine could be made to fire with both pistons together, as a large single cylinder engine would and, with a relatively easy method, be made to fire with each piston taking its turn at the top of the stroke, as most twin-cylinder engines of the time did. Originally, it began with the OSSA 230 cc. engine cylinders, pistons, and crankshafts, but by the time the motorcycles were actually produced, the OSSA became a 250 cc, and therefore, the Yankee became a full 500 cc twin.

This was 1969 and OSSA was a growing force in the off-road motorcycle market. Yankee Motor Company imported the OSSA moto-cross and enduro models, seeing great growth in those years, 1968-71. With the help of dirt-track expert, Dick Mann, the OSSA's were more than competitive in the 1/4 mile short track races of the time.

This success spawned the production of the DMR, the Dick Mann Replica, a highly tuned 250 cc OSSA engine set in a special frame totally manufactured in the Schenectady facility. This run of 250's was a trial for the soon-to-be 500 cc Yankee Z motorcycle.

Delays in production were eventually the Yankee's downfall, as lighter, more reliable motorcycles made their way into the American market. By the time the first Yankees rolled off the assembly line in 1971, the weight differences were large enough to make the serious enduro rider shy from owning the Yankee.

Source



Make Model Ossa Yankee 500 SS
Year 1976
Engine Type Two stroke, parallel twin,
Displacement 488
Bore X Stroke 72 x 60 mm
Cooling System Air cooled
Compression 8.0:1
Induction 2x IRZ 24mm
Ignition Motoplat electronic
Starting Kick
Max Power 58 hp @ 7500 rpm
Transmission 6 Speed
Final Drive Chain
Front Suspension Hydraulic telescopic forks
Rear Suspension Dual shocks
Front Brakes Single disc
Rear Brakes Single disc
Front Tire 3.25 x 18
Rear Tire 4.00 x 18
Dry Weight 158 Kg
Fuel Capacity 18 Liters

External Links[edit | edit source]

http://www.yankeetwin.com/index.html