V80 Specifications

Hi All,

Would anyone know if the V50/V80s are 6 volt or 12 volt? Looking at retro fitting the switch gears as the V series have the indicator assembly on the left and the headlight assembly on the right which is opposite to the Townmate and in my opinion makes riding easier as controlling the throttle and indicator with the right hand on the Townmate tends to be annoying.

Cheers, Frank.

6 volt according to battery http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Yamaha-V-80-1982-0080-CC-Battery-/360635605179?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts_13&hash=item53f78ea0bb

My V80 is 6 volt as original 1982 never messed with 4.000 mile one owner bike

Is it not odd, that Yamaha who would have been amongst the Japanese motorcycle manufacturers to introduce modern and reliable electrical systems (including in the 1960's flashing indicators and electric starts even on small and commuter bikes) and were instrumental in establishing the internationally accepted standard of indicator switch at left hand, should have taken the inexplicable decision to reverse this in the 1980's on its Townmate. I can see no logical reason for it at all, particularly given that without a clutch lever to operate there is even less for the left-hand to do!
I wonder if it was the fault of a designer at Yamaha, perhaps new to motorcycle design and given the task of the 'new T50/80' layout, who thought it looked good on paper, no-one noticed and then it went into production by which time it was too late to change it. Does not sound very 'Japanese' though. Just a thought...

Never given it much though actually, as the T80 is the only bike I have with indicators. Looking at a Yamaha DT175 switch it has all the functions on the LH side, so by moving the indicators to the right it de clutters the left side leaving it for just the lights & horn. Personally I have no problem with that. Does seem strange that Yamaha reversed the set up on the T80 especially as by then it was common in cars to have the indicators on the left of steering column, and the Townmate being a commuter bike was probably aimed at the car driver rather than the dyed in the wool motorcyclist.