Reasoning for a 6V system for the Townmate.

Hi All,

Just thought about putting it out there to see what you folk think might have been the logic behind designing the Townmate with a 6V electrical system as opposed to a 12V electrical system. Does anyone know if there was any particular reason for doing so? I cannot see why Yamaha chose the 6V path at a time when most other models were 12V, particularly when they already had an identical engine that ran 12V in the YFM80, YFM100 Badger/Raptor.

Regards, Frank.

in the 60s most bikes ran 6 volt in fact cars were 6 volt up till then or some were

That might have been the case in the 60s but we're talking the 80s when everything ran on 12V. The reason I find it odd that Yamaha chose to design it with a 6V system is because they had the same engine with a 12V system fitted to the YFM80 Quad bikes.

may be the t80 was ment for the Asian market ,were they just followed on with what they had there,
after all how many of 125 size bikes that we get in Europe are made for Europe most are adapted to suit our law

When did the YFM80 Quad bike come onto market? a Google search says they were made 1986 to 2008 but most that seem to be for sale are post 2000. So this would have been after production of T80 ceased. So Yamaha would have modified the T80 engine with 12 volt generator & starter motor after T80 production ceased. This would explain why the T80 was not fitted with an electric starter. The 6 volt system works ok apart from lighting which would be better with 12 volt, but as the T80 was only aimed at a commuter market & ridden mainly in urban areas with street lighting then the 6 volt system was dreamed sufficient.
Paul Goff is now doing 6 volt LED indicator bulbs so that would address poor indicator problems.

John, your explanation seems to be a valid one but what year was the last year for the T80? 1996?
The YFMs were 12 volt even before then but I do think production did run from the mid 80s.

were the yfms and t80s made in the same factory or country

I would imagine on a different production line but definitely made in Japan, early ones anyway. The ones for the American market would have been made in the US, I think.

in that case they most properly just used up all the bits they had left, seems strange to use 6 volt in the ninety's Honda 90s went 12 volt in the 80s

Barker exactly my point. Yamaha in their wisdom went to 6V.

well im glad we managed to solve that one

HOWS SYDNEY THIS EVENING IM OFF ON A TRIP TO LONDON AT 6.30 IN THE NORNING THOUGHT OF YOU HAVEING YOUR FIRST PINT IN THE SUN
WHILE IM RIDEING IN THE DARK WAITING FOR THE SUN TO APPEAR FROM DOWN YOUR END

Bloody marvelous here in Sydney. 30C, sunny with some afternoon thunderstorms to cool things off. Sunrise is at 6.30AM and sunset at 8PM. Might go down to the beach on the T80 for swim after work.....Ahhhhhhhh!

Sorry to rub it in.......

you bitch

I know i'm a bit late contributing to this thread, i've just read it. My first new bike in 1964 was a Honda CB72, i was 16 at the time, like a dog with two tails. The CB72 was introduce in 1959 and had twelve volt electrics back then, i remember my older motorcycle mates had Triumph Bonnies and BSA Super Rockets and would blow me off on outward Sunday runs, but on the ride home in the dark they stayed behind me and rode at my pace, because i could see where i was going and they couldn't. So if Honda saw the light back in 59, why couldn't Yamaha who were their main competitor.

In regards to this topic, that's the million dollar question. Unless you find someone who was responsible for marketing the Townmate in Europe or even speaking to an engineer involved with the production of it (highly unlikely), then we will never know why.

What makes it more confusing is the YFM80 Quad bike of the same vintage, which shared the same engine apart from the 4th gear, ran a 12 volt system anyway, both ignition and lighting. Yamaha did have the means to easily design the Townmate with a 12V system but chose not to for some reason.

I've converted mine to run 12V lighting and left the ignition on 6V. Had it running for nearly 2 years now and not a problem. After doing the conversion which is very straight forward, I can't see why Yamaha prefered 6V over 12V.

I have even spoken to some tech guys here at Yamaha Motor Australia and even sent emails to Yamaha Japan but the guys here couldn't explain it.

Food for thought!

Hi, any chance of you showing us how to convert to 12V, or if you have already done so, a link the thread.

Thanks,
Ade.

Hi
I have used all LED bulbs in mine and kept 6v
Headlight is as bright as a car in fact it now really gets the four wheelers attention
All off eBay from China ( where else!) few pounds
You just need to run them direct from the battery (smooths the voltage) rather than direct from the generator as original
Ps
Anyone have a side stand from the early model they want to sell
Regards
Onthebrakes

Onthebrakes wrote:Hi
Anyone have a side stand from the early model they want to sell
Regards
Onthebrakes

Dont forget you will also need the earlier type footrests with the bracket on to fit the stand.
There is a new footrest with bracket on eBay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MITSUI-MOTOR-CYCLE-FOOTREST-22F274110100-yamaha-townmate-T50-T80-/291605697898?hash=item43e50dd56a:g:XYkAAOSw~bFWN1Dn

adespin wrote:Hi, any chance of you showing us how to convert to 12V, or if you have already done so, a link the thread.

Thanks,
Ade.

Yeah, sure. Look at this thread:

https://yamahatownmatet80.forumotion.co.uk/t664-6-volt-to-12-volt-conversion

Cheers, Frank.

Thanks for that Frank, great info'. Now that i have finished restoring my GT380 this week, it's time to start on the T80 ready for the spring, should be a lot easier and cheaper than the Suzuki as there is not a lot of chrome parts and i already have the new exhaust, rims and spokes, so it's mostly paintwork as it's running fine. Will look into converting to 12V at the same time.