1969 Yamaha DT-1 Rebuild, ASMR Special | The Shop Manual

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By the time Buzz Aldrin first set foot on the moon, this Yamaha DT-1 was out in the world, throwing roost. Some 54 years later the old DT was called into action for a CTXP adventure, where it hauled Ari across the entire length of Wyoming. Now it’s in the TSM Resort & Spa for a rebuild. So brew some coffee or crack open a beverage and sit back and enjoy another ASMR edition of The Shop Manual.
Read about Zack and Ari’s epic ride across Wyoming here: rvz.la/3JAdboR
Looking to tackle a rebuild? Here are some essential tools:
Stockton T-Handle Set rvz.la/3wR42R8
Motion Pro Crankcase Splitter V2 rvz.la/3wVIClQ
Stockton Clutch Tool rvz.la/3Y1GTaH
Other Handy Tools rvz.la/3X1eWyy
Maxima Formula K2 Two-Stroke Oil rvz.la/3HSb7WX
Shinko 244 Dual-Sport Tires rvz.la/3js56Id

[@RevZilla]

Inspired to fix up an old bike? RevZilla has the tools you need to tackle the job. rvz.la/3YqvC3C Read all about Zack & Ari’s adventure in Wyoming on Common Tread! rvz.la/3jBqGKa

[@kostadinsotirov1072]

Would an ultrasonic cleaner help with such restoration to better clean the metal and engine parts? Just wondered? It would have possibly saved Ari loads of time.

[@TurkeyCreek-ek8mj]

I still have a bunch of parts from my 1970 DT1 if you would be interested.

[@martinheitmann1315]

Just started watching these guys and I'm hooked. Keep it up.

[@biggreeen3271]

@@TurkeyCreek-ek8mj I'm interested in DT 1 parts, I have a 69 that I would like to fix!

[@czarekp3552]

and all that in only 36 minutes...

[@boomer8393]

RevZilla struck gold, bringing Ari and Zach on board. Their humility, passion and enthusiasm for everything 'On Two-Wheels' is intoxicating. I've been riding and reading for over 50 years, and watching these two young men on their adventures and endeavors never gets old. If RevZilla continues to produce content like this, I will continue to watch these videos and purchase my gear from RevZilla, in order to support more content from Ari and Zack.

[@JDuBz815]

Agreed. I've been giving them my business just for the content.

[@Surpriseify]

The second they open a shop in the EU they will have my buisness aswell! haha A man can dream

[@FranklinBurns42]

Same here!

[@nzslackie]

I've been buying RevZilla stuff from New Zealand for a couple of years .. but I still support local shops as well.

[@doug2766]

+1

[@matthewbrown7659]

A Common Tread rebuild video with Ari? Is it Christmas?

[@R0mans13]

It’s like Hanukkah because they’ve given so much recently lol

[@reidthompson8979]

He did the trail 90 from the Alaska road trip too many month back, go check that out!

[@FL-ym6hm]

It feels like it, doesn’t it.

[@Bubbleuprubberdown]

I miss wrenching on bikes (my first a ‘74 Tr-5t). I bet I know why Ari said nothing, had no music in the background… I worked like this for hours in my shop. The old bikes always had something to say and I would listen to their stories. Best part of completing a rebuild is to chance to hear them sing again. Cheers Ari and crew! 👊🏽✊🏽🤘🏽

[@bullfrogjay4383]

Please let Ari do more rebuilds. I absolutely love this, seeing new life breathed into these machines.

[@jthchs]

Just want to acknowledge the amount of work that must have gone into this video. The production quality and editing is so pristine. So satisfying all the way through. Great job. Just curious, how long did the actual build take?

[@xz-2229]

wondering the same thing

[@patches350]

36 minutes and 34 seconds, after all he is a professional.

[@AriH211]

Thanks for the acknowledgement, JT. Credit is due to the editor, Stephen Gregory, and the videographers, Andrew Gerety and Spenser Robert. All told it was probably a 30-40 hour process to rebuild (and film) the bike.

[@MattExzy]

No word of a lie, I was thinking about the last one they did to myself just yesterday and hoping for a new one... woohoo!

[@Mattherat]

Second this! Amazing stuff!!!

[@RoyMiller.69420]

Man, I rewatch the CT-90 rebuild all the time, that video is like one of my favorites, and now this will be added to my watch later collection haha.

[@hisride]

yeah same. love this, and a japanese guy who if you search gsx400 impulse restoration. he has just finished it and has a 7 part series. love this kinda stuff. these guys are living my dream

[@MotoSafariAdventures]

yes it was so fun to watch

[@RoyMiller.69420]

@@hisride Thanks for recommending that, I'll definitely check it out.

[@mickenoss]

Wondering now if the Honda is going to get the same treatment, these videos are an absolute pleasure to watch.

[@ukhin]

@@mickenoss honda seemed to be doing perfectly fine lol. Amazing machines!

[@LittleDarkOne58]

As an apprentice motorcycle technician this stuff is absolutely golden. Ari is so incredibly talented and methodical with his work, it's a pleasure to watch and consume. Thanks for sharing!

[@bena3341]

I am at least as good at pulling things apart as Ari is. Putting them back together on the other hand...

[@grinmoto2497]

Love it! Complete tear down and rebuild without vapor blasting, painting the gauge face plates etc. Leaving that 54 year history intact. Bravo

[@redtobertshateshandles]

Including the swing arm bushes. They looked bad.

[@afidarkside]

Anyone can tear apart a motor, but putting it back together is a science. Measuring the clearances, balancing the crank, it was just amazing. Thank you Ari.

[@brianricketts4320]

Amazing that we all sat and watched this video where not a word was spoken for 36 minutes and were entertained. Speaks volumes to the quality of content and production of this team. For me it was very meditative and I consider it some of the best production on KZbin. Great job.

[@DeepBarney]

Probably also a strong indicator we're on the autism spectrum. But I'm pretty sure that goes hand in hand with being into motorcycles.

[@bena3341]

You should check out My Self Reliance. Similar style with almost no speaking. About a guy who is building his own off grid setup by hand.

[@chopperenduro6590]

Exactly , loved it . First bike bought w/ paper route $ was a new leftover 74 DT100A in 76 , 47 yrs later l still have 3 old DT's all in very good to mint cond , watching Ari work reminded me of working on my various enduro's thru out my 61 yrs .

[@iansmart3979]

I love how you painstakingly rebuild it and then immediately go out and flog it, just what it was designed to do :)

[@officialbazzargaming]

Laid it down on the rocks too lmao

[@kiloai]

I do love the way you restore the motorcycle. Till now you are the only one that restored and leaved as it be. No new painting, no new tires, etc. You did not kill the history of the bike. The scratches and rusty parts are the living soul of it. Great work. Really enjoy this video.

[@NickArthfael]

These ASMR rebuild videos are medicine for the soul!!!

[@RG-500]

I came here to say the same thing. Beautifully edited video. Thanks, guys!

[@chriswildt3101]

Having owned (and repaired) two of these DTs the most amazing part of this video is the lack of curse words from Ari. There are some really baffling design elements to these bikes when you start pulling them apart. Great stuff

[@jeffperkins8921]

Maybe that's why they decided to go 'no talking' for the video.🙂

[@secaII]

Yeah, I’m sure some cursing was involved, lol.

[@nicolaf970]

I just love the style of your rebuilds no voice overs no stupid music just spannering at its best ❤

[@joshsstuffs5877]

I'm an old 4x4 truck guy and have never considered owning any motorcycle until I began watching your videos. Good work.

[@charlesmorris8491]

Come on man. Get you a motorcycle!

[@tahoehiker]

Be careful Josh. Motorcycles need company when you're gone so you'll end up with several!

[@CJordanNicholson]

Props to the editor for going through THAT much footage.

[@sew2prosper]

Ari is the reason why in my head I believe I can fix my Honda thats been sitting for 3 years. 😂😂😂 Makes it all looks so easy.

[@MichaelMcClelland1]

The dry ice is a trick that is new to me. Thanks for that!

[@21broadway]

Awesome!!! Gonna try to watch this in one sitting before the kids wake up!! Watching Airi work is a treat!

[@bfaith40]

Fantastic way to preserve this little work horse. I watched you and Zach fight your way across Wyoming and was in awe of your bike triage in the frigid cold! I'm so so happy to see this old bike get the love and attention it deserves on this amazing rebuild. Another great build video. Well done Ari!

[@brianm263]

Nice work Mr. Henning. You single handedly dropped my blood pressure.

[@earlbigod]

The TLC the DT deserved after it's trip. Top job.

[@brianrainey2739]

Was anyone else waiting 36 minutes for Ari to speak? 😄 A very relaxing and therapeutic way to spend Saturday morning on the coldest day of winter. -31C or -400C with the windchill. 🥶🇨🇦

[@paulghost4074]

You must be from Winnipeg lol.

[@brianrainey2739]

@@paulghost4074 nah, Winterpeg is too cold for me, I’m just from Ottawa where we are having the easiest winter in memory. Last week Mother Nature slapped us with 3 wicked cold days as a reminder of her power…

[@joethompson297]

I’m not even sure what is the most impressive part of this video? Ari’s skill in completely tearing down and completely rebuilding the DT1, or the detailed engineering that goes into a motorbike, or the editing, or the shop with all the tools to pull it all off! Brilliant!

[@randythompson8848]

My cat could watch this all day. The audio!

[@doodskie999]

Man I just love these kinds of videos. No talking, no music Just pure mechanical sounds (yes I know its called ASMR)

[@gwot]

what you just described is not ASMR.

[@jefffawcett1626]

One of the best bike mechanics videos I've seen. Great content!

[@johnhancock1855]

Pretty cool the way he got the crank to zero out with a mallet.

[@DuncanJimmy]

There's just something mesmerizing about watching a bike get taken apart piece by piece in silence and then slowly rebuilt with clean or new pieces.

[@Euclidescunha]

I am a die hard 2 stroke fan. In my over 30 years of riding in Brazil, I had 2 Yamaha TT125, 1977 and 1979 and 3 DT180, 1983, 1986 and 1988 (the first with front disc brake). From all the bikes I had when living in Brazil (9 altogether), the 5 two strokes are the ones I miss the most. Great rebuilt!

[@julian23561]

Thank you for this video. This reminds me so much of my father, he was a mechanic and worked on so many two-stroke bikes and what you did here made me relive the memories of me watching watching my father work on his bikes with passion. The sound of two strokes remind me of better times, when I was living the best of my life without even knowing, ignorant of pain of losing people I truly cared about. thank you.

[@armanharith3933]

Can we acknowledge how important it was for Ari tighten the clutch housing diagonally. It's an underrated knowledge.

[@thinkdunson]

underrated would mean people don't value it as much as they should. but in my own experience, everyone knows it and does it that way. we all know how important it is, so i would say it's appropriately rated.

[@Toochwerks]

It's important to always tighten down in a cross pattern. Clutches. Wheels. Unless otherwise noted (cylinder heads for example) I always cross tighten

[@armanharith3933]

@@thinkdunson yeah. I'm just saying for my POV from where I am working currently. They don't understand the value of cross tightening which is quite sad.

[@johngallagher8626]

Tightening the clutch fasteners can safely be done in any order as they are shoulder screws. The cylinder head must be tightened in stages diagonally.

[@JDuBz815]

When he dumped it at the end... We've all been there, dude. Those bikes were built for that and they've seen worse. I learned to ride on dad's '76 Suzuki TS125. We still have it. Original engine, still starts and runs. Just over 4k on the clock. It's no museum piece, but it's almost better that way. The 3d printed tank badges are dope.

[@Made1nPortugal]

I could watch this again and again and again.

[@JasonYergin]

My first bike was a 78 DT-125 and I LOVED that thing to death.

[@marcpigeon7796]

Hello Ari, forty some odd years ago I’d visit my uncle Joe (Joe Bolger of the motorcycle hall of fame) as a young boy and sit for days on end watching him work on bikes and invent tools for working on them. This video , shot without music brought me back to those wonderful days. Thank you so much. 🏍🇨🇦

[@AriH211]

Thanks for sharing Marc, I'm glad we were able to bring back a little of that magic for you.

[@mt1885]

That Piston must have been sitting at a Yamaha dealership for 50 years amazing to find all of the parts/bearings/seals - con-rod kit.

[@tdeloriea]

Saved this for Sunday morning coffee. Wise choice. Was like going to church. Gauge rebuild was high worship.

[@evenlucky]

Ari is truly a great mechanic🔥

[@shadowred1980]

Superb, loved this. We just need to get Zack warmed up for a daily ride of the bike. :)

[@countryjoe3551]

YES!!!!!! That DT1 really does need the Daily Rider treatment.

[@nikolovell]

I know it took a long time to edit this video, so props to you editor

[@ivaxelicodum]

If this video was ten hours long I still would watch it.

[@sickossfu3786]

I work in an office and I watch this while I work because somehow this video puts my soul at ease

[@MrSpeuca2000]

thank you all at revzilla for the amazing videos. stuff like this really makes he happy. even though i am homebound after surgery due to my brojen arm when i fell with my BMW F650ST can't wait to rebuild it. and whatching you guys just gives me more energie!

[@willhall4631]

never realized how easy it is to rebuild a crank instead of replacing it. I'm going to practice on a few old cranks now, thanks for the inspiration.

[@donsscooters]

I've had good luck using acid or etching mag/aluminum wheel cleaner on cases and some other parts. Spray on then brush it around with a small brush then rinse well with water hose. I always test on the bottom first to figure how long to leave it. I hate seeing them painted on resto jobs. I love the clean, repair, and rebuild job you do. Thanks for posting it.

[@Nifilheimur]

Looks like someone fell in love with that old warhorse enduring thru Wyoming:p Awesome video and especially liked that you put focus on getting it in great working conditions rather than focusing on looks or converting it into some abomination! It has earned its patina:p

[@onlineretail3550]

This is the best stuff. Just plain work with no jibber jabber. What a delight😅

[@j.w.3345]

Best video I've seen in a long time! I miss my 72 DT 175. She never let me down.

[@Dheeeeraj]

These are therapeutic! I'm a layman. I have no knowledge on building engines or bikes and yet i watch these. These are done so well! Part of the charm is that the character of the bike is retained! Awesome video Ari! 👌🏻

[@mmazz30]

No annoying music, just pure mechanical sounds and excellent filming and editing. Ari, these video rebuilds of you and Zacks epic adventure are brilliant. Best duo going. Love how the old bangers can be repaired with simple tools.

[@quintoneversull4219]

Keep that bike forever. I own a 1973 ct3 and a 1974 dt175. I’ll own a 1978 dt 400 this weekend. I love these bikes. I plan on giving the two smaller bikes to my sons when they are old enough to ride them.

[@petes_CE]

I could watch these videos all day.

[@retro_grade]

As a newbie 'KZbinr', I have a massiave appreciation for the amount of work that goes into a video like this and getting all of those shots, with the sound. It makes any repair job escruciating. As dumb as it sounds, even not being able to listen to the radio for that amount of time and work in complete silence is a big detraction from the fun 😂 Well done.

[@stlskybob]

Kudos on refurbishing the speedo and tach! Awesome video, thanks!

[@magellanicspaceclouds]

The DT is finally getting the treatment it deserves.

[@davidblack5857]

Brings back memories when I was a mechanic for Long Beach Yamaha when it used to be at the top of PCH above the traffic circle in the 70's. Great job on the video.

[@fabiopunk1661]

No words, no music, just expert work with a few meaningful facial expressions by the master. This is art

[@rockbay79]

Ari has wicked rebuild skills!!!! I wish I knew half what he knows about motorbikes!!!

[@AriH211]

I wasn't born knowing it! We named the show "The Shop Manual" for a reason. I always reference a bike's shop manual when diving in. It's got all the needed specs and instructions.

[@tombishop8083]

In 1968 my Dad replaced my Yamaha 125 with a yellow DT250 Enduro. Allegedly the first one sold W of the Mississippi as claimed by the Denver dealer. I was real hot shit on that bike. Rode it to school, to work and all over the foothills of the Rockies in that area - summer and winter both. Laid her down a couple of times in icy intersections riding back from work at midnight. I think he loved it more than I did. I graduated and went away to college and younger brother inherited it progressively thrashing and trashing her until eventually it was part of a trade for an old beater car he bought. Wish I had kept her. Great video. Brought back memories of the work I did on her over the years.

[@eksnacks6030]

More of these Rebuilds Please! this style of video is Amazing!

[@dmaxcustom]

Yes. I hoped and wished for this!!! Neat idea for an episode would be to explain the whole why of the engine balance via hammering. While most people will never have to do that, I am extremely curious as the whys behind all this.

[@23Shadowfox23]

You mean with the crankshaft? There is no guiding rail, so you have to keep measuring/hitting till the overall rotation axis is straight. If it isn't in the tolerances the engine will damage

[@randywilliams4325]

When he pressed the crank pin out the 2 crank shaft flywheels were out of phase after assembly . The pin is a press fit with no splines or key way . The hammer is to get both flywheels back in phase . He was measuring the amount the flywheels were out of phase on the v blocks . He got it back to less than .001”

[@17austintaylor17]

Ari's organization and 3S is something I aspire to. It's wonderful. Also, I have never watched an ASMR video and not wanted to go insane until I watched the CT90 video, and now this one.

[@richardrutel6806]

Got to hand it to you, Ari. That was really impressive work.

[@RonKoppelmann]

2nd the votes for more rebuilds! Fascinating to watch, with or without narration, but I prefer the narration. That first ride following that work has to be awesome.

[@michaelbennett1978]

One of the most incredible videos I have ever seen, at first I wanted commentary but then I realized it was perfect as is!!🏍

[@johnatucker3]

Guys... you could make a video 3 hours long of Ari rebuilding bikes and I'd watch every second. Super satisfying! Thanks for the ASMR!

[@bravethewildgaming8139]

The no commentary rebuilds are therapeutic 👌 the way you just clean it up and get it mechanically sound, but leave most all the bruises reminds me of the Yamaha rt360 I owned before. It was fairly mechanically sound, and full of bumps and bruises. Please keep doing these non commentary video

[@dannyboy163]

AWW LORD I was HOPING you'd do another rebuild and HERE IT IS!!

[@guylr7390]

The best yet. The soothing sounds of bringing a tired bike back to health. Thanks Ari.

[@NorCalSaint]

Should run a contest to guess how many hours this actually took to complete... Great video!

[@kenhaupt1865]

That was one of the coolest videos I've seen in a while!

[@VickyDemonChild666]

Dr. Henning at his best.. whatta video... amazing 🙏🏻🙏🏻🇮🇳🇮🇳👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻

[@scottbayles3407]

Amazing amount of skill and patience! Kudos Ari! Love that it is a careful rebuild and not an attempt at a trailer queen restoration. Great customer tank badge on the right side.

[@pilkjaer]

Thank you for doing this. This bike deserves this restoration and it really served you well. When is Honda restoration video with Zack is coming?

[@pauljenkins2501]

That was the most enjoyable stripdown/rebuild video that I have watched in a long, long time. Thank you for making the video, and thank you for doing the right thing by sympathetically rebuilding that bike.......

[@ncbinline6114]

That dry ice trick is brilliant, never would of thought of that in a million years🤙

[@defaultuser3410]

I have no mechanical inclination, but I was totally mesmerized by this video. The meticulousness, the effort put in to get everything right...wonderfully entertaining video, thanks!

[@marcoluoma3770]

I don’t know how to thank you enough for this meditative video. It’s soothing to see a master at his craft. My Uncle Vic had this bike in ‘69 and it cemented my love of motorbikes. Based on that I got a Honda SL125 in ‘71, and 52 years later, I have a Yamaha 250 in the garage. Thanks again.

[@Croth4r]

Mad respect! he can fix it, he can ride it, he is ripped!

[@testtesting7740]

Quite therapeutic and satisfying.

[@DustySquitoNM]

Oh man, that was such an awesome rebuild of a truly deserving bike. Really enjoyed the video!

[@bossb2539]

Can’t begin to tell how enjoyable it was to watch Ari do this very “old school” technical work. The man is amazing! I owned a 68’ DT1 bought it new. One of my favorite bikes…wish I still had it! Thanks RevZilla!!!!

[@BacktrackADV]

Still have my ‘68 DT-1. Haven’t done anything with it for 20 years… but Ari’s video has certainly inspired me to get it running. Wonder where he got all the rebuild parts?

[@ghendricks001]

BRILLIANT BRILIIANT BRILLIANT ! THIS VIDEO IS A MUST FOR ANY ASPIRING MOTORCYCLE TECHNICIAN TO WATCH. I WAS TOTALLY ENTHRALLED FROM THE START TO FINISH. YOUR SKILL TOWARDS ADDRESSING ALL OF THE 'FINER' TECHNICALITIES TOWARDS COMPLETING THE PROJECT ARE BEYOND BELIEF. MANY MANY THANKS, gah (Eltham, Melbourne, Australia)

[@0xteknogeek]

Honestly inspiring, makes me want to just take things apart, clean them up inside, put it back together....do it again

[@yuricorrea2491]

I found you guys because of that trip. This rebuild after thing you guys do is the best. Great camera, edit, audio, car, everything. I hope you keep doing it for the next ones! Thanks!

[@thomasmrozovich7631]

The juxtaposition of this and the Wyoming trip show the incredible depth and ability of this crew. Top tier.

[@TubbyTrialTeam]

Love it. Great you kept it usable and not fully restored

[@jamesmathews243]

This, ladies and gentlemen, is what years of practice looks like.

[@c.meyers2882]

Whenever I feel depressed I watch something from Ari or Zack and feel normal again. Thanks guys. Fantastic editing. (btw, Ari reminds me of Tate in "Where the Crawdads sing")

[@fitzstermoto]

That was amazing to watch, thank you for producing this guys - awesome job!

[@soilsmanadv6673]

This is one of the best videos of a rebuild I have ever seen Thank you Ari

[@nathanbanks7091]

I could watch videos like this all day...

[@garyguyette9739]

Ari is the man, in all of my MMI training I’ve never split a cluster.

[@johnpagejr.7628]

I am amazed how you got the complete rebuild all in one 36 minute video. I loved it! Great job Ari and crew.

[@paulwallace9644]

thank you sir its a pure pleasure to watch a craftsman at work

[@88s10Durango]

I was 14 years old back in 1974 , my grampa had that exact bike , I learned to ride on that very bike and loved it ...

[@nightfury6836]

I watched from start to finish. Beautiful stuff!!! I love that there was no music; just the sound effects… Great way to end the week 😎🔥😉 Now I’m gonna change the engine oil on the R3 with my Revzilla haul 😚