ap951
2nd Gear
Posts: 279
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Post by ap951 on Dec 4, 2016 20:07:02 GMT -5
ok, with that information I think I can state the obvious.
#1 I still think this is a Yamaha DT, blue/white tank? must be a 75 DT175 #3 Ah, an RE5 #4 For some reason I knew that was a trials bike seat resting on it but the non-trials tire made me think different. I can see that it is a silver engine four stroke, looks like a TL125 (74)
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Post by redbug2 on Dec 4, 2016 20:47:59 GMT -5
1976 DT175. Close enough. Purchased 5 miles from my house. 100% original. 1100+ miles. (One Year Orange US bike in the background) 2016-12-04_08-29-07 by redbug22016-12-04_08-37-20 by redbug2#3, 1976 RE-5. A real project bike, purchased $500 with title. Turns over fine. Never had it running. Got it in boxes. Amassing missing bits when I can. Re5 Project Bike #4, 1974 TL125. Another project bike, it does run, $275 years ago. TL125 Crappy Pic...
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ap951
2nd Gear
Posts: 279
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Post by ap951 on Dec 4, 2016 22:35:10 GMT -5
that is a beautiful DT175, perfect for running short errands on. I love that shade of blue. In the late 70's I spent many Saturdays at the local motocross track. There was always the distinct smell of Castor bean oil (mixed with the gas) in the air. I always thought is smelled like a cox model airplane. Anywho, a few years ago I was able to purchase several pints & I occasionally will use it in one of my 2-strokes just to relive that smell.
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Post by redbug2 on Dec 5, 2016 6:47:24 GMT -5
I know what you mean about the castor oil smell. They say smells can bring you back. When I'm at a swap meet and someone drives by with a two stroke burning castor oil I have flashbacks to when I was 14 riding with my friends on the weekends. In January we would leave early while the ground was frozen. By noon it would warm up and we would be in a sea of mud. For lunch we would start a huge bonfire and eat the sandwich's we had stuffed in our pockets. I need to get some castor oil for my 2 strokes! Maybe I should mix a little into the RE-5?
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ap951
2nd Gear
Posts: 279
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Post by ap951 on Dec 5, 2016 22:12:19 GMT -5
really good carefree times, the smell of 2-stroke bean oil takes me back. It doesn't burn as clean as new synthetics so you have to be careful. I wouldn't use it all the time however once in a while causes no harm. I hadn't thought about trying it in my RE5, hmmmm........
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Post by redbug2 on Dec 8, 2016 9:56:19 GMT -5
OK, last one to identify is #2. It's what's left of a 1988 Yamaha DT50. Here's a pick of my completed dt50 (in the background). I have about 8 DT50's. Bought out a collection of them. I enjoy riding the DT50. You really have to manage your power. It will do 50 downhill with the wind behind you. It will hold 45 on the level if there is no wind but it's working hard to do that. Bike in front is the other bike I mentioned. 1977 Honda Trail CT125. One year bike in US. Enclosed chain, single seat, utility rack, factory bark busters, front and rear stock mud flaps along with other log guards. Transmission from Trials TL125 was in the bike. They kept building it for Australia. 77 ct125 and 88 dt50 by redbug2
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Post by redbug2 on Dec 20, 2016 7:07:14 GMT -5
After further reflection and signs of bad corrosion under the varnish I have decided to strip it off and polish. Just got started. 20161211_145454 by redbug22016-12-13_02-47-29 by redbug2Just had the bike accepted into a show in March. I have a long way to go!
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Post by wayne on Dec 20, 2016 17:22:16 GMT -5
Hmmmm.............that's a pretty tidy bike you have there.
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ap951
2nd Gear
Posts: 279
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Post by ap951 on Dec 20, 2016 22:25:23 GMT -5
I have to admit my tendincy is to preserve (rather then restore) orginal paint, plating, finish, patina etc. I've purchased used parts (including fasteners) as replacement only becuase they were still original but in better shape than a part that might be on a bike of mine. (rather then re-painting/plating) That said, the varnish on the aluminum engine covers to my RE5 was so bad that corrosion was really setting in. I made the decission to remove the varnish & polish the cases before the aluminumn became pitted beyond repair. I did all of it including the intake so it would match & I never regetted doing it. I have no problem with restoration but if a nice orignal example can be kept original I find I'm happier with it.
As Wayne said: "that's a pretty tidy bike you have there"
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Post by redbug2 on Dec 21, 2016 7:43:34 GMT -5
Thanks.
Saw it on craigslist years ago. It was at a pawn shop in OH listed for $4000? Had my brother-in-law go look at it and he said it was pretty nice. He Paid them $3000 and my brother-in-law wanted $1000 out of the deal, so, $4000 delivered. I figured it was worth it to find a bike in great shape with 7000 miles. I got it running last year. I probably paid too much but it's nice to have something good to start with.
Yes, it was a tough call stripping the varnish but when I got it out in the sunlight I started to see the corrosion. The corrosion was so bad on my 75 RE-5 that I had to replace one of the rims so I didn't want this one to go that far. I'm not touching the paint. I have found a used original rear fender that is better than mine that I will be putting on. I'm not re-chroming anything. I really don't like bikes that are over restored. If you look close on this one you can see some signs of age. I like that.
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ap951
2nd Gear
Posts: 279
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Post by ap951 on Dec 21, 2016 18:09:51 GMT -5
you did real good purchasing that bike for $4,000 Looking at the pictures of your DT175 & CT125 I figured originality was important to you. The rims on the RE5's are magnisium & they corrode very fast once the clear coat is compromised. Since you have more then one RE, you may want to polish the cases that are in the worst condition and spare the ones that are the least corroded.
I will add that it's been close to 4 years since my cases were polished & they no longer have that bright chrome look but a nice slightly dull polished look. If you didn't know any better you would think the bike came that way.
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Post by don07tncav on Dec 21, 2016 20:21:19 GMT -5
It's a nice looking bike you have. Wanting to get mine on the road and cleaned up then decide about painting and rechroming.
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