July 1st
Yamaha Motor Co. Ltd is founded.
The first Yamaha motorcycle, the YA-1, is a 125cc two-stroke nicknamed 'Aka-tombo', meaning red dragonfly for its maroon and ivory two-tone paint job.
Helmet laws repealed in Florida. Within 12 months motorcycle fatalities increased by 48.6% and deaths in Florida accounted for 9% of the USA total. Though obviously well deserved, the state did not receive a Darwin Award.