SS Stands for Street Scrambler

I was reading any and all motorcycle magazines I could get my hands on, including Cycle, Cycle World, and Cycle Guide. I was pouring over and studying all the motorcycle ads at great length and drooling over the larger displacement (250cc and up) motorcycles for the street. I dreamed of the day when I would someday pass my skills test and get my official New York state motorcycle license...and all the freedom that went with it!

More than a decade before, the British coined the various landscape crossings “scrambles.” Basically, riders went from point A to point B on two wheels as fast as they could, often with little or no rules. This was usually in the competition form and more descriptive phrases were coined, including motocross, enduro, cross-country, hare-and-hound and trials. Each with their own rules, regulations and running specifically modified motorcycles for that particular event.

My earliest recollection of the word “scrambles” came on a sunny, Sunday afternoon in 1969 when my father took my cousin and I to “The Scrambles” at Andre’s Farm in Fishkill, New York. I remember being captivated by the noise (mostly two-strokes at the time) and the smell of racing Castrol in the air. In the racing scene, this was just before the Japanese became serious, so the dirt bikes and specialty models carried names like Bultaco, Ossa, Montesa, Maico, Husqvarna, and CZ-Jawa. These were the dominate two-strokes. You did occasionally see a 650cc Triumph/BSA/Norton but they usually ran against the big twins and (depending on the skill of the rider) were not always competitive. That said, these high-pipe Brit twins demand top collector coin today.

I am not exactly sure who invented the word, but around 1966 the term “Street Scrambler” came into vogue. This is not to be confused with the popular 'SS' (for Super Sport) moniker in the auto world, which no doubt is more popular. This was several years before the term “Enduro” and several decades before “Dual-Sport.” became a popular lable. Street Scrambler motorcycles were easily identified by their high pipes; most often mounted on one side and along with the requisite down-sized headlamp, bobbed (and in some cases, raised) front fenders, high bars with a cross-member, and slightly smaller fuel tanks.

Most all of the major motorcycle manufacturers of the time had them, and if you were around and paying attention in mid-to-late 60’s, you will remember many of the bikes pictured here, including:

< 1967 Suzuki 250 Street Scrambler (high pipe version of the fast and famous “Hustler”)

< 1969 Kawasaki 350 A7SS (the high pipe version of the Avenger)

< 1969 Yamaha 250 DS6-C Street Scrambler

< 1968 Honda CL350 (they also made this model in 450cc)

< 1968 Triumph Trophy 650

<1967 BSA Firebird Scrambler

< 1970 Norton 750 Commando 750SS

Overall, this was basically a marketing pitch to give potential riders the illusion that the bike could be taken off-road. The reality was that most of the above mentions bikes were virtually street bikes with high pipes. They could manage flat dirt roads, but that’s really about it. The theme among all models of this type were that they were very good looking motorcycles, even standing still. Most importantly, and especially to a lanky teen-ager, they looked way cool and at any and every angle!

I remember seeing the Yamaha ad for the green 1969 DS6-C 250cc street scrambler in one of the period motorcycle magazines, and I was so mesmerized by this bike I cut the ad out, mounted it in a frame and hung for years on my bedroom wall! I wanted one of those so badly, but at the time it was financially out of my reach. They also made a smaller version of this same bike, in 200cc - but same style - green, with high-pipes, etc. There was a local Yamaha/Triumph dealer in Hyde Park, NY and I used to visit there often, drooling over these bikes on the floor!

I am sure many will read this article and reminisce: “I had one of those bikes and flogged it mercilessly in the woods, trails, desert etc." There were many exceptions of course, but I can remember that the class winner of the 1971 Baja 1000 was on a modified Honda CL350! What's the old saying about the arrow and the Indian?

Again, this was a few years before Yamaha came out with their now famous 1968 DT-1 250 and coined the term “Enduro.” This highly successful line of bikes were designed and specifically suited more for off road use than street use, but they could do both. They came in every size; 90, 125, 175, 250, 360 and later 400. In my humble opinion, Yamaha set the stage for the entire “dual-sport” movement with this line of fine motorcycles.

Sorry to say I never did purchased the badly wanted street scrambler I described. However, in 1971 and at the tender age of 17 I bought my first “new” motorcycle. That bike was a 1971 Yamaha RT1-B 360cc Enduro, two-stroke single. The RT1-B cost $999 new, and I put 20% down and my dad co-signed a loan at the local bank for the balance. My first experience with financial responsibility. I washed dishes at a local restaurant on Friday and Saturday nights for two-years to pay off that bike.

When I think back, I probably rode the Yamaha 75% of the time on the street and about 25% on the dirt. Because it was my “first new bike” I doted over it and didn't want to beat it into junk. However, in the end, it was well worth the price of admission and sacrifice for all the freedom and joy it brought me. Several years ago, I found an example of this bike on eBay, bought it, and had it shipped to my cousin’s house in upstate New York where he restored it for me. I rode it a few years back when I visited him and the experience was memorable! I am currently out of space in my garage, so he is looking after it until I can free up some room. I need to get it back here, and soon!

Until next time, RIDE SAFE, and don’t let that vintage motorcycle languish in your garage or shed. Restore it, ride it, and put her back into circulation! JJ Cerilli

SOURCES:

*VMOL archives

*Web Base

*Lost Motorcycles: The Street Scrambler.Kitchner-Waterloo. http://lostmotorcycles.blogspot.com/2009/05/motorcycles-street-scrambler.html

*The Standard Catalog of Japanese Motorcycles 1959-2007. Doug Mitchel.