I’m old, and grew up on Yamaha DT’s and Honda Elsinore’s. I’m not sure people today understand how important these bikes were in the day. Previous to these, a lot of people were riding step- through designs like Honda Cubs and CTs, which were great in their own right of course, but the Yamaha DT’s were a revolution, not just evolution. So many great memories on the back of one of these.
Im old too, but just after you. I started riding at 12y/o in the Appalachian mountains of Southwest Virginia. Coal mines & Gas wells practically connected the entire county of over 500 sq. miles! After my buddy gimmie me a ride on the back of his bike, I was hooked!! Our group was typical for the time & economic situation, & that was ,"Whatever you had, you rode". So thats him at 70lbs.(drippin'wet) always in the front, literally FLYING his '82 YZ80, W.F.O. everywhere, ALL THE TIME ! His parents doubled up on a Honda 3 Wheeler, & his lil bro on a Honda 50, his neighbor was floating a Yamaha "Fat-Cat" ,an older neighbor kid was "in", a Honda Odyssey , (Remember those?...) another guy was about 4 ' tall & rode a Yama XT 600!, & creepy dude rode a Kawasaki 800cc. street bike, & always last was "Fun Uncle " Dave , who cruised a freakin' Honda Gold Wing ! ...through the tight-azz woods n backroads, & sometimes even single track trails ! I kinda felt outta place with my '84 Honda XR 200 because it was the only "normal" bike for that kinda riding. I'm sure we caused some double takes when we passed by, but NOBODY CARED!! We we're havin' a ball & still, to this day, those we're the BEST times anybody ever had in a million years !! Guaranteed !! ....Anybody ever see a Honda Gold Wing hitta' hill climb ??? ...with a steep drop off on one side & a big patch of poison ivy & "stinging nettles" on the other !?? ...No he didn't make it & ,yeah, it took at least 15 minutes for us all to stop laughing & catch our breath ! ... GOOD TIMES !
Many years ago I was getting into short track racing on a shoestring budget. I picked up a 75 DT250 from a police property auction. It had fallen off of someone's trailer on the interstate, and they just never bothered to go get it out of impound. I won the bidding at $105.00 and brought my score home. The wife was not thrilled. New handlebars, and a tank off of on old DT80 from a salvage yard, stripped off the Yamalube system to run premix. Rattlecan red and white paint job. First trip to the old flat track north of Azle TX was an education. Dead last, a lap down to everyone. Took the engine apart and brought the cylinder to a local shop. I ordered a Weisco racing piston and some dual stage reeds. They got the piston at the shop on the following Friday. The cylinder was bored and honed to match the piston. I brought the parts home and assembled my engine on Saturday morning. Loaded up that afternoon for the Saturday night racing. Came in fourth place. I was thrilled with the improvement. There's something to be said for riding a slow bike fast. I wonder where that bike is now.
20:24 Difficult to see on screen, but if it's like a winged lightning flash resembling a '7' (probably a Japanese character), then that's a standard Mikuni carb for early 70s DT1 Yamahas.
@@mazdarx2347 Although Yoshimura do now do carburettors, they didn't start making them until the 90s, and they have the full Yoshimura logo, the same as on their exhausts ヨシムラ.
I had a well used 1978 Yamaha dt250 as a teenager that I purchased from my uncle for $150 in the early 90’s. That was some of the best money I ever spent. 😅
You could see on her face how much she loved and misses her husband. She was sad to see the bikes go but definitely happy they were going to go some where they would be cared for and brought back to life.
If you want to make that DT1 scream, place the MX jug on it with a high compression head. Make sure you port the cylinder, narrow the ring saver in the center of the exhaust port not to much, match the cylinder liner with the aluminum and polish the exhaust with a mirror finish, the transfers and intake smooth but not shiny. Use the DT1 carb for better bottom end and try to find a torque pipe. The bike will pull like a Suzuki 350 of the same year up to about 70 mph or so. There were also some wide ratio gears available. Lots of fun! That was my first bike build.
I rode a Suzuki GS1150ES while buying parts at the dealer I got to know the owner. It was family owned and operated.The owner was one of the best mechanics I have known.His son was ranked in the top 10,I think he was 8 in the nation on 250 before he got injured. His brother was just as talented.People from all over the country sent two strokes to the shop for race prep. I was amazed at the orbital port jobs. I was taught to port and polish street heads. The 1150 was drag raced after being built.They got me into dirt bikes and I ended up with a 125 that was a back up for a super cross racer they sponsored. I did more trail riding than track and loved drag racing. The brothers still have the shop to this day.
I'm fixing an old seized up Honda. Had to melt the piston off. The wrist pin got hot and nearly welded to the piston and connecting rod. Managed to get the wrist pin out and order parts. Connecting rod is fine. It's videos like yours that remind me it's not months of work to fix things like this but just a few good days of work with several weeks of waiting on parts and then waiting again for correct parts! Gotta love when kids drive things without checking oil first
Super stuff Craig and Dan. I forget to comment how much I enjoy your motocross history notes. And there is special east coast flavor I was never aware of in most of your videos.
Craig, I’m a 61 old bloke and believe it or not my first bike was a Yamaha DT1 250 and I painted it yellow as well. Man, you bought a smile to my face tonight, I have so many memories of that old bike beating my mates on their Honda MX’s and XL’s it was a beast. Thanks for the memories. No snow here bud, just sunshine and blue sky’s cheers from OZ
dear craig, thanks for making these videos. I've watched them all. channels like yours gave me the confidence to tackle my own motorcycle project. Tonight I got it running right! and just wanted to tell somebody. it's an 82 suzuki 450. i'll finally be on two wheels this spring.
Craig your enthusiasm is contagious and it is always enjoyable watching you and Dan. Your videos are always a lot of fun and rewarding. I rode a Suzuki 250 2-stroke, no idea what model as it was very secondhand. Very much of the same style and error. Long live the 2 Strokers.
I love these old dirtbike videos. The hard lives they hold have so many memories, especially for that nice lady. Looking forward to the MX video and a sympathetic resto on both of them 👍
When I was 10 I saved up enough gopher trapping money to buy a 1973 Yamaha 175 enduro. It was way too much bike for 10 year old me but we figured it out and never killed each other. It was the ultimate freedom for a kid like me, I was all over the county on that thing working for farmers or just flying down the gravel roads!
I’ve never worked on a bike . But dammit isn’t it the best watching Craig ? His enthusiasm is what keeps me coming back every week. He’s genuine and I appreciate how he treats people . That means a lot about a person . Keep doing Craig things and the we will keep watching you !
What a treat a new video to start the weekend. That nice lady did the right thing calling you she knows you will breath life back into them. More people that have old bikes and cars in their garage or shed and there just rusting away should call people like you . Great video's keep them coming Dan needs a raise 😂
A tip for cleaning points in hard to reach places: Cut a rectangle out of a soda can and fold the Emory cloth over it and then scuff the points. It's like viagra for your Emory cloth
Take two deep set ring spanners in each hole of the flywheel, with a gentle rocking motion and occasional tappy tap tap, tap on the centre nut will remove the flywheel.. Have to be careful not to crack the magnets inside Yes a little sketchy but if one is in an emergency...
This brings back some really good memories Craig. I bought that exact same MX 250 new in 1973 when I was 12 years old. It was a great bike, and it is still my favorite looking bike from when I was younger... I only had it for about a year because Honda came out with the 1974 CR250 that was supposed to essentially be a factory race bike out of the crate, so I sold the MX to a friend of mine and bought the CR250. The Honda was lighter, faster and handled better than the MX, but the MX was no slouch. It's cool to see you as enthused about the MX as I was, and still am. I'm looking forward to seeing what you think of it when you get to ride it. Of course it will be a little different because my bike was new, and this one has had a lot of hours put on it, but even still, it should still be cool...
Your video reminds me of a funny story. Around 1980, my buddy and I took our DT's into Montana. We stopped to cool our bikes at the border. When we resumed, his 250 wouldn't start. After 10 minutes, it kicked back and started. We lined up to race to town and took off. When my friend didn't show up, I went back to find him sprawled in the road and his bike in the bushes. His bike somehow started backwards sending him over the handlebars when he popped the clutch. R for race!
Except, I've never rode. But other than that!! J.K. All true sept bike wasn't leaning against a tree. Bent th bars a little n hadda straighten the front wheel with my knees n twisting the bars... Took a rope n 3 people to get it back up the hill. Buddy said, "I saw you. It was like you just decided to go straight over! Like there was a bridge or something there!" We laughed pretty hard about it after !!! Bike dont have a reverse. 100% positive about that. Google it. Guess he was embarrassed & made all that up as an excuse. ...Orrr. YOU MADE IT UP FOR SOME REASON. ...but yeah. Bikes no have a reverse gear bro. Duhh!
@@Rob.DB. Swear to God it was true. The best we could figure, the points were worn out causing it to kick back and backfire. Must have been close enough to TDC that the engine started backwards when it kicked back.
I had that same DT-1 in 1980. It had been sitting for a few years and after honing the cylinder and cleaning the carb I was the happiest teenager in my neighborhood!
Grew up saving old DT, YZ , RT Yamahas along with others. My favorite was a Yamaha 250 i bought that had wires hanging out from behind the flywheel. We used a junkier parts bike to save it and few new parts. It had a bombardier engine with 3ring piston . Was a mountain goat in the hills .
I had a friend in high school (late 70s) who rode a '72 Yamaha 250 enduro as his daily driver. I was always jealous as my parents wouldn't approve of me having a motorcycle (at least not my mom). You got a great deal there with it coming with his racing gear. Neat history.
MX 250’s and 360’s had chronic gear box issues. I vintage raced an MX 360 in the late 80’s. 4th gear dogs sheared off. Handled surprisingly well. DT’s had gearbox issues, too. I had a pile of spare engines just for gearbox parts. Brings back memories.
When using temperature in relation to how it feels to people F makes way more sense. 0 cold, 50 comfortable, 100 is hot. In between those points is exactly what you think it is.
Did ya let Diane know her hubby's bike lives again? Was this one his? Anyway... great work guys!!!! My wife was a supportive gal named Diane as well. Taught her how to ride in 1977. She retired her 650 Honda last year. We're both 71. I quit 25 years ago, but rode other peoples bikes. I got a fixer-upper out in the garage right now to ride again this summer with no plan to ever stop riding again.... ever!!! Thanks Craig!
... Those "shocks" with the resivour were one of the first things to go ... Replaced them with adjustable koni's .. Those factory shocks had the dampening of a screen door closer ..
I had a Yamaha YZ 100 in the 70's. It had a steel monoshock. 6 speed transmission, and it was fast. I also had the Yamaha racing Jersey similar to the one she gave you. I tried to look like Bob Hannah. I was very proud of it. I would wear it to school. My dad use to say if he knew what he was buying I would have never had that bike. 😂
I had a '73 CT3 175 that I rode on desert trips and used to commute to school and work in high school. These two bikes are definite cousins to that one.
This is rapidly becoming a two stroke fanatics channel (not a bad thing). Allways amazed how none of the barn find bikes have rust covering there rings. I would never try and run one without checking the cylinder and piston otherwise damage could be made worse just trying to start it...... Take the exhaust off and check them first before just trying to run it. Fun to see these old bikes pump smoke and annoy the green lobby 👍🇬🇧🇺🇲
In February, 1979 I bought a brand new 1978 DT250 off the showroom floor, for $1,100. The inside of the tank on Craig’s new bike looked better than the one mine had when new. Mine came off the boat with the gas tank pre rusted.
Congrats on your new bikes, Craig! The Enduro is likely a 73 DT3 as they had the 21in fr wheel, that carb is the orig btw (that casting mark is correct). Waiting for MX now...and yeah the orig ignitions were grim so hope youra works at least!
Growing up in the 70’s was the absolute best. Grew up riding DT 90’s, DT 125’s, DT 250’s, G3 and G5 100’s, and Ace 100’s. Lots of great bikes. Yeah they didn’t ride like today’s bikes, but we had the absolute best times!! Weather didn’t stop us!! Rode them all year long even in the snow!!
I'm kinda jealous...... I've been looking for a bike from my youth that was one of my most favorite, a 1973 Kawasaki 175 F7. Been searching far and wide, this video has reignited my passion for my search. Very similar bikes, as Kawasaki also made a 250 that could be a twin to these, but since I owned the 175, it has a special place in my heart.
Nice pair! Looking forward to all the work, lol. Had a few Yamaha's over the years, lol. Including a 72 DT-1 360, definitely was a screaming 2 stroke! Thanx !
Lovely old DT, my first bike was a 125, I rode that places I can’t even believe now looking back 50 years later. 😂. It had some sort of yummy hot up kit with a different t piston etc.
I graduated in '72, and my gang's favorite place to hang out was at the Yamaha dealer, right next to the diner. From '68 to '74, it was a regular stop, so we got to watch the evolution of the MX from basically an Enduro with knobbies, a 21" front wheel and a magneto (Enduros had electric start!) to that sleek 73 you have there. Yamaha color coded the tanks to displacement, which was cool. Good times - I love seeing these old yammies come to life - I had mine spread across the workbench more than a few times! I still have my magneto puller!
When I was 12 I rode my dads DT250. Had to take off from a stump as I could not reach the ground. That thing would kick back horribly. It had a 21" front wheel and I always assumed that was the standard wheel. Learn something new every day. Cool bikes.
I really enjoy watching your channel. I grew up in the 70's. I have a scar on my leg to this day, a scar theater never broke the skin, but I have a scare from a 70's 360 Yamaha Enduro
I had a Suzuki TS 250 of the same approximate vintage as those two machines back in the late 70s or early 80s. What a tank it just kept on going through anything I threw at it. It was my first bike and it spent most of its time off road since neither of us was street legal at that point.
Thanks for the MX/YZ info. I always wondered why someone would buy an MX Yamaha when there were YZ's available. I had no idea they were exclusive the first years.
Had a maroon 1972 175 cc 21in front wheel. Learned on a 66 Trail 90, then a Honda SL100. The Yamaha was a complete rocket ship comparatively. Good times.
Diane has given up a part of her history. I feel for her, I hope you respect these two bikes. Her giving you her husband's gear is something special. Please keep it all together.
Uncanny, im working on making a classic vinduro/mx bike from an old Yamaha AG100 and i was just googling images of these bikes last night for ideas. Such awesome era of bike, so cool to see the old guys gear and setup.
I had a CT 175 - what a blast it was! Replace the clutch and was surprised to find that the clutch disks appeared to be made out of a phenolic-type of material as opposed to metal.
7:07 - That's awesome she still has all his riding gear but I don't know if I'd be able to take it, I'd want to keep it w/ the bike but I'd prefer she have them.... That would be an awesome jersey for riding in an old bike race or something but it's too cool to mess up. I'd be terrified I'd wreck or catch a branch and rip it.... It would still be awesome framed and mounted on the wall. 😮👏👍 Edit: 8:08 - The hardest part about going somewhere is driving in reverse on the way home.... 🤣
Both of these bikes are some of the first things I ever rode. I was lucky and did these along with Hodaka, Maico, the sick Yamaha 400, and later came the Suzuki's, meaning the RM's... Craig and Dan you're bringing back some fantastic memories... I'd love to get a hold of that Triumph... Could you send me her info?
Later on the MX was just the DT without the road legal stuff. If I'm not mistaken, the MX lived in the Yamaha line-up for a few more years after the demise of the DT and sometimes they were labeled "RT". Basically Yamaha's competition for the play bike XRs from Honda.
@@anthonytilling3442 Yes, that was the case in North America. In Brazil (and possibly other countries, but I only went to Brazil) they kept the "MX" moniker. They were actually really nice and quite inexpensive when compared to equivalent Hondas.
Couldn't help but feel for the lady. That must have been so hard on her. Thank you, ma'am!
It's great she found someone that is going to take care of her treasures.
Good words fir!
Gah, when she brought out the jersey and helmet and leathers, right in the heart. Got something in my eye, brb
Yea, same here. I imagine that was pretty hard for her to let go of that stuff.
Yep someone just started to cut onions here.
me too.
Huge respect to that Lady for allowing you to keep these rare machines alive.
His wife did the right thing passing those bikes onto you Craig! It was great to see the DT running again! I can't wait to hear the MX!
I’m old, and grew up on Yamaha DT’s and Honda Elsinore’s. I’m not sure people today understand how important these bikes were in the day. Previous to these, a lot of people were riding step- through designs like Honda Cubs and CTs, which were great in their own right of course, but the Yamaha DT’s were a revolution, not just evolution. So many great memories on the back of one of these.
Im old too, but just after you. I started riding at 12y/o in the Appalachian mountains of Southwest Virginia. Coal mines & Gas wells practically connected the entire county of over 500 sq. miles! After my buddy gimmie me a ride on the back of his bike, I was hooked!! Our group was typical for the time & economic situation, & that was ,"Whatever you had, you rode". So thats him at 70lbs.(drippin'wet) always in the front, literally FLYING his '82 YZ80, W.F.O. everywhere, ALL THE TIME ! His parents doubled up on a Honda 3 Wheeler, & his lil bro on a Honda 50, his neighbor was floating a Yamaha "Fat-Cat" ,an older neighbor kid was "in", a Honda Odyssey , (Remember those?...) another guy was about 4 ' tall & rode a Yama XT 600!, & creepy dude rode a Kawasaki 800cc. street bike, & always last was "Fun Uncle " Dave , who cruised a freakin' Honda Gold Wing ! ...through the tight-azz woods n backroads, & sometimes even single track trails ! I kinda felt outta place with my '84 Honda XR 200 because it was the only "normal" bike for that kinda riding.
I'm sure we caused some double takes when we passed by, but NOBODY CARED!! We we're havin' a ball & still, to this day, those we're the BEST times anybody ever had in a million years !! Guaranteed !!
....Anybody ever see a Honda Gold Wing hitta' hill climb ??? ...with a steep drop off on one side & a big patch of poison ivy & "stinging nettles" on the other !?? ...No he didn't make it & ,yeah, it took at least 15 minutes for us all to stop laughing & catch our breath ! ... GOOD TIMES !
awww, Diane is a gem. I just want to give her a big hug 🤗
Yes!
Waking up to a new bearded mechanic video is like waking up Christmas morning
Mabe u need to get out a bit more ,
I agree, it is like a gift.🎁
😕
Your parents must of hated you 🤣
Yes! Always fun ☺️.
Try cold war motors, you might like it!
Dianne is SO sweet and true. What a perfect vendor. If I was there I'd buy that GT6 in a heartbeat !!!!!!!!
Many years ago I was getting into short track racing on a shoestring budget. I picked up a 75 DT250 from a police property auction. It had fallen off of someone's trailer on the interstate, and they just never bothered to go get it out of impound. I won the bidding at $105.00 and brought my score home. The wife was not thrilled. New handlebars, and a tank off of on old DT80 from a salvage yard, stripped off the Yamalube system to run premix. Rattlecan red and white paint job. First trip to the old flat track north of Azle TX was an education. Dead last, a lap down to everyone. Took the engine apart and brought the cylinder to a local shop. I ordered a Weisco racing piston and some dual stage reeds. They got the piston at the shop on the following Friday. The cylinder was bored and honed to match the piston. I brought the parts home and assembled my engine on Saturday morning. Loaded up that afternoon for the Saturday night racing. Came in fourth place. I was thrilled with the improvement. There's something to be said for riding a slow bike fast. I wonder where that bike is now.
Right on ! Im betting that guy hadda hardon crossing the line !! 😉
Prolly with Craig now!
20:24 Difficult to see on screen, but if it's like a winged lightning flash resembling a '7' (probably a Japanese character), then that's a standard Mikuni carb for early 70s DT1 Yamahas.
It was
I was thinking Yoshimura markings on that Mikuni carb
@@mazdarx2347 Although Yoshimura do now do carburettors, they didn't start making them until the 90s, and they have the full Yoshimura logo, the same as on their exhausts ヨシムラ.
I had a well used 1978 Yamaha dt250 as a teenager that I purchased from my uncle for $150 in the early 90’s. That was some of the best money I ever spent. 😅
You could see on her face how much she loved and misses her husband. She was sad to see the bikes go but definitely happy they were going to go some where they would be cared for and brought back to life.
If you want to make that DT1 scream, place the MX jug on it with a high compression head. Make sure you port the cylinder, narrow the ring saver in the center of the exhaust port not to much, match the cylinder liner with the aluminum and polish the exhaust with a mirror finish, the transfers and intake smooth but not shiny. Use the DT1 carb for better bottom end and try to find a torque pipe. The bike will pull like a Suzuki 350 of the same year up to about 70 mph or so.
There were also some wide ratio gears available. Lots of fun! That was my first bike build.
I rode a Suzuki GS1150ES while buying parts at the dealer I got to know the owner. It was family owned and operated.The owner was one of the best mechanics I have known.His son was ranked in the top 10,I think he was 8 in the nation on 250 before he got injured. His brother was just as talented.People from all over the country sent two strokes to the shop for race prep. I was amazed at the orbital port jobs. I was taught to port and polish street heads. The 1150 was drag raced after being built.They got me into dirt bikes and I ended up with a 125 that was a back up for a super cross racer they sponsored. I did more trail riding than track and loved drag racing. The brothers still have the shop to this day.
You could do all that or mebbe just buy a different bike..?
I'm fixing an old seized up Honda. Had to melt the piston off. The wrist pin got hot and nearly welded to the piston and connecting rod. Managed to get the wrist pin out and order parts. Connecting rod is fine. It's videos like yours that remind me it's not months of work to fix things like this but just a few good days of work with several weeks of waiting on parts and then waiting again for correct parts! Gotta love when kids drive things without checking oil first
Super stuff Craig and Dan. I forget to comment how much I enjoy your motocross history notes. And there is special east coast flavor I was never aware of in most of your videos.
Craig, I’m a 61 old bloke and believe it or not my first bike was a Yamaha DT1 250 and I painted it yellow as well. Man, you bought a smile to my face tonight, I have so many memories of that old bike beating my mates on their Honda MX’s and XL’s it was a beast. Thanks for the memories. No snow here bud, just sunshine and blue sky’s cheers from OZ
dear craig, thanks for making these videos. I've watched them all. channels like yours gave me the confidence to tackle my own motorcycle project. Tonight I got it running right! and just wanted to tell somebody. it's an 82 suzuki 450. i'll finally be on two wheels this spring.
Craig your enthusiasm is contagious and it is always enjoyable watching you and Dan. Your videos are always a lot of fun and rewarding. I rode a Suzuki 250 2-stroke, no idea what model as it was very secondhand. Very much of the same style and error. Long live the 2 Strokers.
I love these old dirtbike videos. The hard lives they hold have so many memories, especially for that nice lady.
Looking forward to the MX video and a sympathetic resto on both of them 👍
I love the enthusiasm you have for old bikes.
When I was 10 I saved up enough gopher trapping money to buy a 1973 Yamaha 175 enduro. It was way too much bike for 10 year old me but we figured it out and never killed each other. It was the ultimate freedom for a kid like me, I was all over the county on that thing working for farmers or just flying down the gravel roads!
You should totally do a series restoration the race bike!
And then put on the jersey and go racing :)
^ This!!!! Yes!!!
Woo, always a good morning when waking up to a bearded mechanic vid!
Awesome video Dan and Craig. One more save.
A beautiful Triumph GT6!
I had a mark 2 '70 GT-6. What a blast!!!!!
Congratulations on the new shop.
I’ve never worked on a bike . But dammit isn’t it the best watching Craig ? His enthusiasm is what keeps me coming back every week. He’s genuine and I appreciate how he treats people . That means a lot about a person . Keep doing Craig things and the we will keep watching you !
Craig says, "You can't beat these old Yamahas!" Then he immediately whacks it with a hammer! Great video, guys.
What a treat a new video to start the weekend. That nice lady did the right thing calling you she knows you will breath life back into them. More people that have old bikes and cars in their garage or shed and there just rusting away should call people like you . Great video's keep them coming Dan needs a raise 😂
A tip for cleaning points in hard to reach places: Cut a rectangle out of a soda can and fold the Emory cloth over it and then scuff the points. It's like viagra for your Emory cloth
Damn clever sir
so ure young and need viagra is what i read. ure right about the triangle
Take two deep set ring spanners in each hole of the flywheel, with a gentle rocking motion and occasional tappy tap tap, tap on the centre nut will remove the flywheel..
Have to be careful not to crack the magnets inside
Yes a little sketchy but if one is in an emergency...
it is "emery" ... Emory is a university in Georgia
Wrap emery over a feeler gauge, always works for me.
Wunderbar! I enjoy these old bikes.
Great episode as always. Love the back and forth with Dan. 😂
This brings back some really good memories Craig. I bought that exact same MX 250 new
in 1973 when I was 12 years old.
It was a great bike, and it is still my favorite looking bike from when I was younger... I only had
it for about a year because Honda came out with the 1974 CR250 that was supposed to essentially
be a factory race bike out of the crate, so I sold the MX to a friend of mine and bought the CR250.
The Honda was lighter, faster and handled better than the MX, but the MX was no slouch.
It's cool to see you as enthused about the MX as I was, and still am. I'm looking forward to seeing
what you think of it when you get to ride it. Of course it will be a little different because my bike
was new, and this one has had a lot of hours put on it, but even still, it should still be cool...
Craig and Dan (and Greg); it would be so cool to see you restore that sweet MX and bring it back to Diane to show her again.
Your video reminds me of a funny story. Around 1980, my buddy and I took our DT's into Montana. We stopped to cool our bikes at the border. When we resumed, his 250 wouldn't start. After 10 minutes, it kicked back and started. We lined up to race to town and took off. When my friend didn't show up, I went back to find him sprawled in the road and his bike in the bushes. His bike somehow started backwards sending him over the handlebars when he popped the clutch. R for race!
Except, I've never rode. But other than that!!
J.K. All true sept bike wasn't leaning against a tree. Bent th bars a little n hadda straighten the front wheel with my knees n twisting the bars... Took a rope n 3 people to get it back up the hill. Buddy said, "I saw you. It was like you just decided to go straight over! Like there was a bridge or something there!" We laughed pretty hard about it after !!! Bike dont have a reverse. 100% positive about that. Google it. Guess he was embarrassed & made all that up as an excuse.
...Orrr. YOU MADE IT UP FOR SOME REASON. ...but yeah. Bikes no have a reverse gear bro. Duhh!
@@Rob.DB. Swear to God it was true. The best we could figure, the points were worn out causing it to kick back and backfire. Must have been close enough to TDC that the engine started backwards when it kicked back.
@carlbrown8830 good point on the points! No pun. Kickback SUCKED!
I had that same DT-1 in 1980. It had been sitting for a few years and after honing the cylinder and cleaning the carb I was the happiest teenager in my neighborhood!
Grew up saving old DT, YZ , RT Yamahas along with others. My favorite was a Yamaha 250 i bought that had wires hanging out from behind the flywheel. We used a junkier parts bike to save it and few new parts. It had a bombardier engine with 3ring piston . Was a mountain goat in the hills .
First bike was a 73 DT-125. Still have the title. Love how those bikes sound. Oil injection was awful. Eventually just premixed.
I had a friend in high school (late 70s) who rode a '72 Yamaha 250 enduro as his daily driver. I was always jealous as my parents wouldn't approve of me having a motorcycle (at least not my mom). You got a great deal there with it coming with his racing gear. Neat history.
MX 250’s and 360’s had chronic gear box issues. I vintage raced an MX 360 in the late 80’s. 4th gear dogs sheared off. Handled surprisingly well. DT’s had gearbox issues, too. I had a pile of spare engines just for gearbox parts. Brings back memories.
"Foot peg works." Nice. Also, a shop with a floor drain. Really nice.
Those bikes are awesome- something my dirt bike cousins would ride- DT's, KLR, etc.
A new Bearded Mechanic video. It's gonna be a good day.😀
Saw 1° and thought “that’s not cold”. Then I remembered it’s in old time 1700’s measurements.
lol same thought here
1* freedom units. not commie measurements 😂
When using temperature in relation to how it feels to people F makes way more sense. 0 cold, 50 comfortable, 100 is hot. In between those points is exactly what you think it is.
I had a 74 125 MX and I think Yam called those reservoirs ''Thermo-Quad'' shocks. Whatever they called them, they still SUCKED!😂
Did ya let Diane know her hubby's bike lives again? Was this one his? Anyway... great work guys!!!! My wife was a supportive gal named Diane as well. Taught her how to ride in 1977. She retired her 650 Honda last year. We're both 71. I quit 25 years ago, but rode other peoples bikes. I got a fixer-upper out in the garage right now to ride again this summer with no plan to ever stop riding again.... ever!!! Thanks Craig!
... Those "shocks" with the resivour were one of the first things to go ... Replaced them with adjustable koni's .. Those factory shocks had the dampening of a screen door closer ..
I had a Yamaha YZ 100 in the 70's. It had a steel monoshock. 6 speed transmission, and it was fast. I also had the Yamaha racing Jersey similar to the one she gave you. I tried to look like Bob Hannah. I was very proud of it. I would wear it to school. My dad use to say if he knew what he was buying I would have never had that bike. 😂
Great stuff Craig, hope to workshop comes together for you.
I had a '73 CT3 175 that I rode on desert trips and used to commute to school and work in high school. These two bikes are definite cousins to that one.
This is rapidly becoming a two stroke fanatics channel (not a bad thing). Allways amazed how none of the barn find bikes have rust covering there rings. I would never try and run one without checking the cylinder and piston otherwise damage could be made worse just trying to start it...... Take the exhaust off and check them first before just trying to run it. Fun to see these old bikes pump smoke and annoy the green lobby 👍🇬🇧🇺🇲
F150 with no bed step? You're a wild man. Makes it so easy to load and unload bikes. Grizzly Trader.
Great Job Craig ,i am Well envious of those Bikes Mate ,A once in a Lifetime find .Best Wishes from Neil in Wales UK
In February, 1979 I bought a brand new 1978 DT250 off the showroom floor, for $1,100. The inside of the tank on Craig’s new bike looked better than the one mine had when new. Mine came off the boat with the gas tank pre rusted.
That 1973 MX is a great bike. Super motor for vintage racing.
Congrats on your new bikes, Craig!
The Enduro is likely a 73 DT3 as they had the 21in fr wheel, that carb is the orig btw (that casting mark is correct).
Waiting for MX now...and yeah the orig ignitions were grim so hope youra works at least!
I enjoy your videos having raced off road in the 70s onwards. Your knowledge of the early years is sort of light.
Growing up in the 70’s was the absolute best. Grew up riding DT 90’s, DT 125’s, DT 250’s, G3 and G5 100’s, and Ace 100’s. Lots of great bikes. Yeah they didn’t ride like today’s bikes, but we had the absolute best times!! Weather didn’t stop us!! Rode them all year long even in the snow!!
You were absolutely right about old Yamahas!
I'm kinda jealous...... I've been looking for a bike from my youth that was one of my most favorite, a 1973 Kawasaki 175 F7. Been searching far and wide, this video has reignited my passion for my search. Very similar bikes, as Kawasaki also made a 250 that could be a twin to these, but since I owned the 175, it has a special place in my heart.
Nice pair! Looking forward to all the work, lol. Had a few Yamaha's over the years, lol. Including a 72 DT-1 360, definitely was a screaming 2 stroke! Thanx !
That's an awesome find and great that you got it running!!!!
So nice to see these bikes, I have a silver 1973 Yamaha SC500 besides the Mulholland shocks it's in crazy original condition
Great episode. Love the history and the drives.
Lovely old DT, my first bike was a 125, I rode that places I can’t even believe now looking back 50 years later. 😂. It had some sort of yummy hot up kit with a different t piston etc.
I graduated in '72, and my gang's favorite place to hang out was at the Yamaha dealer, right next to the diner. From '68 to '74, it was a regular stop, so we got to watch the evolution of the MX from basically an Enduro with knobbies, a 21" front wheel and a magneto (Enduros had electric start!) to that sleek 73 you have there. Yamaha color coded the tanks to displacement, which was cool. Good times - I love seeing these old yammies come to life - I had mine spread across the workbench more than a few times! I still have my magneto puller!
When I was 12 I rode my dads DT250. Had to take off from a stump as I could not reach the ground. That thing would kick back horribly. It had a 21" front wheel and I always assumed that was the standard wheel. Learn something new every day. Cool bikes.
I really enjoy watching your channel. I grew up in the 70's. I have a scar on my leg to this day, a scar theater never broke the skin, but I have a scare from a 70's 360 Yamaha Enduro
Awesome she gave you his bike and gear... can't wait to see both these bikes run
That's pretty good shape for a 72 DT. The carb looks factory for a 72. We had 2 of them and a 175 growing up. My dad still has his 72. Fun bikes.
I had a Suzuki TS 250 of the same approximate vintage as those two machines back in the late 70s or early 80s. What a tank it just kept on going through anything I threw at it. It was my first bike and it spent most of its time off road since neither of us was street legal at that point.
Bacon, beans, bread and Bearded Mechanic video….the perfect Friday breakfast!
Thanks for the MX/YZ info. I always wondered why someone would buy an MX Yamaha when there were YZ's available. I had no idea they were exclusive the first years.
Had a maroon 1972 175 cc 21in front wheel. Learned on a 66 Trail 90, then a Honda SL100. The Yamaha was a complete rocket ship comparatively. Good times.
Diane has given up a part of her history. I feel for her, I hope you respect these two bikes.
Her giving you her husband's gear is something special.
Please keep it all together.
I love those old bikes! Wish I could find a nice old barn find that didn't cost an arm and a leg 🤷♂️
13:21 is an example of a cool sound design. Niiiiice
You love those Yami-has! I have a soft spot for the Yamis too!
Uncanny, im working on making a classic vinduro/mx bike from an old Yamaha AG100 and i was just googling images of these bikes last night for ideas. Such awesome era of bike, so cool to see the old guys gear and setup.
love the bikes..and that GT6 .👌👌🇹🇭
I had a CT 175 - what a blast it was! Replace the clutch and was surprised to find that the clutch disks appeared to be made out of a phenolic-type of material as opposed to metal.
Nice, Love the Yamaha Enduros. Got 15 of them!
I enjoy your videos because of how excited you are about the history behind the bikes. I appreciate what you do.
Great video Craig ..
Another success!! Nice work Craig!! You too Dan
I had a 1972 DT-1 250 and loved that bike
Getting the story, the jersey, the helmet, and the pants makes that so awesome!
Quick tip : Wear those Bill Walters leathers during the cold winter riding days. You make look old school, but you ll be warm.
7:07 - That's awesome she still has all his riding gear but I don't know if I'd be able to take it, I'd want to keep it w/ the bike but I'd prefer she have them.... That would be an awesome jersey for riding in an old bike race or something but it's too cool to mess up. I'd be terrified I'd wreck or catch a branch and rip it.... It would still be awesome framed and mounted on the wall. 😮👏👍
Edit: 8:08 - The hardest part about going somewhere is driving in reverse on the way home.... 🤣
Thought the same, let the old lady keep the memories even if the bikes are gone to an better home.
Oh good ole 322 corridor up through the Juanita!
Loads of memories here. My second motorcycle was a 73 DT250. My first was a 71 dt100 that I raced motocross on.
Both of these bikes are some of the first things I ever rode. I was lucky and did these along with Hodaka, Maico, the sick Yamaha 400, and later came the Suzuki's, meaning the RM's... Craig and Dan you're bringing back some fantastic memories... I'd love to get a hold of that Triumph... Could you send me her info?
What a wonderful, heart-warming opening! Love this video.
I use to race a ‘73 Mx! It was a blast! A few years later it was obsolete in Mx, but was great for hare scrambles!
Cleaning points. Fold the emery paper around an old feeler gauge for added strength.
A bike like this has memories! Unlike those bikes that are perfect with no miles😮Dan must be tired…he is pretty quiet this episode…😊
Very cool. Your video made my day. Thanks for sharing.
Cant wait for the MX250 just finished restoring one
Later on the MX was just the DT without the road legal stuff. If I'm not mistaken, the MX lived in the Yamaha line-up for a few more years after the demise of the DT and sometimes they were labeled "RT". Basically Yamaha's competition for the play bike XRs from Honda.
When they changed to monoshock if I remember?
@@anthonytilling3442 Yes, that was the case in North America. In Brazil (and possibly other countries, but I only went to Brazil) they kept the "MX" moniker. They were actually really nice and quite inexpensive when compared to equivalent Hondas.
The mechanic w his beard can fix anything. Love the channel, broski..