1975 Yamaha DT125B: its alive!

In this video I clean up the fuel tank, install a new seat cover, repaint the fenders, get the carburetor back together and solder some wires to finally get it fired up and ready for a ride!

[@ericturner2477]

DT125 was my first motorcycle. This brings back memories.

[@megastick9324]

Keeping my eye out for a fairly complete 360. Those old big bores were beasts.

[@Garage2Trail]

I have a ‘74 DT360 that I got done on my channel as well. I’m still fine tuning the jetting but she’s a torquey beast!

[@LastLine247]

Love hearing this things pop to life!

[@Garage2Trail]

Picked up a couple more at mid Ohio!

[@jlrutube1312]

I had a green 1972 100cc Yamaha Enduro when I was 13 and then sold it and bought this exact same one as here in the video when I was 17. (A 1975 125 cc with red and white tank exactly like this ... brand new but had been sitting unsold at the dealer for a while) I paid 625 dollars for it on sale. These came with semi-knobby tires, not full knobby. The 125 was such an excellent bike and I really loved it. I never had any of the bigger enduros from Yamaha, although I did ride my friend's 360 once. I'm 65 now and have a 1300 cc cruiser but I wish I could still get one of these old Enduro's but unfortunately I don't really have much good land to ride on.

[@Garage2Trail]

Man, $625 is what we pay now for these things all roached out lol. Very cool though, and thanks for sharing! I love hearing stories about all these bikes!

[@crazeyspivey]

I have used the apple cider vinegar trick many times.....it works far better if you can put the tank outside in the hot sun, and let that vinegar get up in temp. Let it sit for a good 5 days before draining all the rust crud out. If it isnt perfectly clean of rust, you can add the screws and just pour back the vinegar that came out......the crusty crap will stay on the bottom of the jug, so just leave that in the jug. You can add just a bit of water to replace the loss, or more vinegar. Also, I save the vinegar and reuse many times. Dont forget to add a cup or two of baking soda after rinsing the tank with water. Add about a quart of water with the baking soda and slosh it around real good, even let it sit for 30 min or so. Then do another water flush. After this, you want to use a blow dryer and dry out all the moisture after it has dripped most out. If I am not going to use the tank for awhile, I will fill it up with old diesel fuel, which will prevent any flash rusting.

[@Garage2Trail]

That is all excellent information, thank you for sharing! I’ll have to try the next one out in the sun! I do reuse the vinegar as much as I can and also use the baking soda to flush it out. I appreciate you sharing all of that.

[@crazeyspivey]

@@Garage2Trail Your welcome. I just bought a '74 Yam 125 identical to the one you are restoring. Have to put it on hold until I finish two Kawasaki 175s ('72 and '73). I am like you and have way too many vintage bikes that need restoring. The most rare is my '72 Suzuki TS100 "Suitcase Cycle" which were custom made to fit into a suitcase and stow-away behind the seats of a small airplane. Has quick-release connections, and comes apart in 3 pieces.

[@Garage2Trail]

That’s awesome, I’ve seen those portable bikes. Pretty cool!

[@wattie1050]

Nice one , great to hear it starting up ,thought it nearly went first kick 😮👍 sounded good out on the road , a wee run will certainly help free engine , clutch Etc up .Good job .👍 looks good with just the right patina .👍👍

[@Garage2Trail]

Thank you! It was a decent runner and with a little time it probably could have been polished off a bit more with lights and stuff. I sold it today at Mid Ohios swap meet!

[@wattie1050]

@@Garage2Trail that’s some quick turnaround 👍🤣🤣nice one I suppose you can’t keep them all ! Look forward to the next revival 👍👍

[@Garage2Trail]

@@wattie1050 yup! I need room for more bikes to bring on the channel too!

[@Bramble734687]

Great video…got one of these I’m restoring in the UK so nice to see what you did to get it going….thanks

[@Garage2Trail]

Excellent, glad to help in any way if you have any questions. Thanks for watching!

[@brianbaird3]

Beautiful bike

[@Garage2Trail]

Thank you!

[@user-ol5zr3pb9n]

Like the work you did with the bike but why not having done the bottom area of the seat by sanding it lightly and applying some black paint to freshen up the material within ..

[@Garage2Trail]

Thanks! A lot of times I just focus on getting things running soundly first then go back after to freshen things up cosmetically. Don’t always do it unless it’s real bad and sometimes I don’t film it to save time and not have the videos run too long.

[@Workerbee-zy5nx]

I'll have my fuel shaken not stirred. 😃

[@jeschreindl]

Nice work i hope you get the electric start working 😁

[@Garage2Trail]

Thank you! We are on the way to Mid Ohio now so she may be sold soon :)

[@jeschreindl]

Did it sell?

[@johnnyjohnson2942]

Use a mixture of Acitone and ATF 70/30ish. Strait oil will take years to penetrate down into a torqued bolt.

[@Garage2Trail]

Good to know! I’ll have to remember that for next time. Thank you!

[@tom1263]

Nice! I have 2 I will try to make 1 out of. Did you try the electric start?

[@Garage2Trail]

Yeah, unfortunately the brushes on the dynamo must be shot because it tries to turn the motor but it binds up. I didn’t have the time to tear into that because I needed to get it at least run for mid Ohio.