Rare $700 Barn Find 1980's Dirt Bike Won't Run

[@dopedrums]

Man, the nostalgia. We used to race these around town in the 90s on our way to the tracks and occasionally get chased by the fuzz. Good times!

[@joncooke479]

same as that

[@allan9603]

Had my beer and Doritos ready for this one. Joe, Vinny and old bikes, doesn't get any better! Allan in Columbia, SC

[@jimcarlisle2309]

Brings back Memories, I like it a lot!

[@seansysig]

New Piston ring , crank seal, sprocket, chain. The carb float pin just needs heat gun and PB Blaster. I’ve used a soldering iron on pin end to heat pin then ice water to break loose seized pin.

[@IHOPTHIS]

highly appreciate cutting out the purchasing process, right to the point, no jib jab from the seller telling you their whole life story, awesome video!!

[@hrc5534]

I recently discovered your channel and have really enjoyed your videos. Very well done in my opinion. I've learned a lot about mechanics (of which I know nothing) and it has been fascinating to watch you bring lost causes back to life. Amazing skills. I don't know how you find so many unusual things. You certainly do have a beautiful home. Dog seems a bit nuts. Keep the great stuff coming. So much fun!

[@adamtyson1728]

I've been watching Joe for about 4-5 years now and still love his videos

[@hrc5534]

They really are good!@@adamtyson1728

[@NotYourAverageAngler]

He is a legend

[@hrc5534]

Amazing for someone so young.@@NotYourAverageAngler

[@wjb111]

Nice YZ! The old YZ’s are hard to kill. Vinnie gives it his approval! 🐶🐶

[@norcoman876]

USE AN AUTOMATIC CENTER PUNCH FOR THE NEEDLE PIN! you know those spring loaded ones you push and it hammers the center punch when it releases

[@jayjudd6518]

I’m happy that we will get to see a tear down Coming .

[@MM-ig1iv]

I love the older bikes the most. 80's and 90's style, even better than today's style. Just something I grew up with.. you can't beat it.

[@Jeffrose_]

Back in the mid to late 80's those YZ's were super cool. The 125 was a screamer.

[@cylewinkler916]

I use an automatic center punch to get stuck float pins out. Works amazingly & it doesn't cause any damage to the carburetor float arms

[@88s10Durango]

Its a great morning when you have a coffee and a new 2Vintage video :)

[@samelz89]

I ended up with one of these in mint condition original pipe, fresh rebuild, looks brand new for 800 dollars from the second owner ever and the bike honestly belongs in a museum

[@thebigguy8306]

Welcome back, missed you Sunday! Nice little Yamaha. At my age normally do not look at anything below 500-750cc, but a lot of fun can be had at the 125-250 range

[@AnthonyRBlacker]

It's really good to see, even though it's ratty and painted and all, it's nice the gas was empty the coolant topped off and the oil looks like it was just serviced then stored for a lifetime. I appreciate when people CARE about their possessions and don't just put them away all wet and dingy.. Nice. I can't wait to see how this comes out, we all had Yamaha bikes as kids, YZ80 YZ125 and well there were some Hondas in the crew too, but man this brings back SO many memories!!

[@marcdavid5841]

I’ve own a lot of bikes in the past and never once considered painting the plastics. Every winter I would tear down the bike and rebuild the top end, also check everything else I only touched up the frame and engine with stock colors.

[@rzfs1v]

I wanted this bike so bad when I was a kid. My neighbor had one and it was so cool... I was a little jealous.

[@snowyowl7042]

🤣I was thinking the same for the 250 he had. Kid in the neighborhood had one - so jealous 🤔maybe now? Nope, to old and big (fat)

[@briankennedy5578]

​@@snowyowl7042just need to loose weight or better yet, get a 490

[@dominickserignese8837]

The driveway looks GREAT!

[@ronaldnajarian7506]

He never fails to bring a smile to my face. It's Vinny that I am talking about

[@norcal8718]

😂😂😂

[@just4kicks950]

Nice pickup my friend 🔥🙆. I think everything about YZ is great. I honestly can't believe it starts on the first kick with no compression. It's definitely a good one & wants to live 💪👍. Salute 2 vintage 😎✌️

[@luuk-out-below9804]

Looking forward to the engine/clutch teardown and assessment!

[@kenjohnson5498]

A spring loaded center punch will remove the stuck float pins most of the time, learned it from a retired lawnmower mechanic

[@davcon3]

Glad to see the vid. Had an 1987 back when. Loved it!

[@mikeolson7188]

Joe u can use c a small needle nose vice grip and very lightly squeeze the float pin posts then use the correct size punch to tap out the float pin.Dont squeeze the posts to much,just a tad as this will allow that float pin to be removed so u can replace your needle and seat.i think those 125's had a boreable cylinder back in 85 an 86 so u might be able to either lightly hone cylinder an install new piston kit,or if it has worn badly get the correct piston after u measure the one thats in it and have it bored/finish honed to proper size.Dont forget to replace the main bearings and the crank seals so that smoking stops 4 u.Have fun ...

[@NewBootGoofin40]

You need to buy an ultra sonic cleaner. Definitely makes cleaning carbs and parts an easier job. Might even free up that float pin.

[@TheHowitz]

I might be mistaken, but I think for the last two dirt bike videos you made, you put oil down the cylinder before ever checking compression. Then you would say "lets put oil down the cylinder" and do it again to see what that did to the rings. Or maybe the editing is off. But this also lines up with when you take a compression reading at the end after riding it and its at 85psi...because thats what compression is with 0 oil in the cylinder.

[@aarongrabowski3775]

If compression goes up with oil in there its not always the rings. It could be the cylinder is totally scored up.

[@frankdodson3534]

Most likely the piston scored the cylinder do to thermal expansion excessive heat and if it didn't get hot then a broke ring could score the cylinder or it could be none of the above and only excessive where do too many hours of run time.

[@mikespain8655]

Without a leak down test and visual inspection, it is mostly guessing and conjecture.

[@frankdodson3534]

@@mikespain8655 so true Mike just guesstimation?

[@mixingasnhaulinass]

This dude don't know, you see him over Rev every bike he starts when it's cold and still used the throttle cable to adjust the idle 😅

[@frankdodson3534]

Ya it's amazing bin watching him for some time now and he is pretty good but does stuff like that And it never has caused him any problems amazing all that reving and revenge

[@joshuawills4488]

Yeah I jus love to see dad and son having fun together like this. Keep it up guys

[@michaelworley6241]

Is that was my old bike.? Had the same bike. 86? Brings back memories. I couldn't touch the ground, had to be creative starting and stopping. Thanks for sharing

[@MM-ig1iv]

I used to ride a mean 1986 yz80 as a kid but the yellow and black one. It's was fast! The damn thing actually used to terrify me.. when that powerband kicked in.

[@adamtyson1728]

The 90s was the last great decade imo. Good ol days

[@2strokemxclassics]

💯

[@Ash1978E]

Ken Kaplan would be proud of those frame rails. Lol

[@AFK365]

Grind the end of the pin off with a dremmel or small grinder on the carb and punch the pin out and replace the needle jet pin

[@edwardestes8038]

So what do you do with all these repaired machines Joe....do you flip most of them and keep the ones you like.....or just store them away..? I enjoy your skills and knowledge.!!

[@charless2867]

Buy a new brush per protect. It helps substantially

[@jimcarlisle2309]

Worth your hard work!

[@ericlum5286]

I understand why you put some oil in the cylinder,to try to free up the rings if there stuck. But You do know that you're not going to get an accurate compression reading after you put oil in the cylinder right?

[@Antiquefarmequipment]

One of his last vids, he did that. He put oil in it, turned it over, did a comp test and then added oil and it made a big difference. It's not a big deal.

[@mikerafonemusic6177]

that things got alot of potential..i have an '86 yz490 needs the case welded by kickstarter..not sure how that happened somebody gave me the bike. it was missing kickstarter and gear and clutch cover

[@michaelbiel7473]

Looks like it needs a crank seal on the oil side.

[@MrNatureboy2010]

Sweet Deal ! I owned this bike back in the day when I could run and gun. That bike was a beast ! I'd love to find one that we'll kept for that price.

[@giraffeapproved]

That bike brings me back to my childhood

[@dominicwebb8000]

It’s either the clutch side crank oil seals or the crankcase gasket leaking oil from the gearbox into the crankcase. Considering how’s long it been sat I’d go for the oil seal 1st.

[@briankennedy5578]

Would be silly not to just do both while your there. And you can look at trans gears and clean out all the grit and metal shavings. Guarantee there's some in there.

[@vigorousboredom7016]

I had one very similar to that one. Mine was an 83 YZ125 but this one really brings back the memories. In spite of the colors, it looks very similar to mine.

[@Eric--zs6um]

I had an 81 yz 125 and it was right side kic and right side chain drive. Love yz 125's . The 83's were best looking yzs I think. The 85s had really gd low to midrange with not much run out on top. Vg in the woods. Great video.

[@scott729]

I couldn't stop laughing man. It looked like you were spraying for mosquitos .....

[@EmmysCoolVids123]

How cool seeing something vintage ( I was born in late 90s). I love bikes too. Awesome vid.

[@GNX157]

You should get a temporary fuel source set up that can be hung from the ceiling and hooked to the carb. Sort of like an IV stand but without the stand to knock over. A bottle of some sort, hose and on/off valve. Something similar to what James Condon uses on his James Condon channel, but again hung from the ceiling since you’re working on bikes, not generators.

[@AnonaMoose-l3m]

Joe, we missed ya, hope all is well! Nice project, hope to see a couple more videos from this one, curious what the cause of the low compression would be. Any updates on that German/Norwegian moped?

[@memorris2]

Im so friggin jealous! Id love to find an old 125 like that for 700 bucks!!!!!!

[@lukeashton1098]

Great channel, always look forward to your videos I rode yz125, 1988 for over 10 years in the Australian bush and I know these bikes in and out and your one sounds like it needs a going though top and bottom end and the clutch

[@kennycampbelljr5896]

'86 YZ125 was my 2nd dirt bike. My neighbor had an '85 YZ125. On the '85 the radiator shrouds are smaller and the chain is on the right. Yamaha has had the kicker on the right since at least '83 because my cousin had an '83 YZ125 his was yellow and black kicker was on the right! Oh the memories of those old bikes.

[@briankennedy5578]

Pretty sure Yamaha always had kick start on right. more of a European thing on the left. They suck too.

[@bryankerr69]

I agree with you on not understanding why people paint plastics. I would just buy new in the color I wanted. Black is easy to find. Like I've said in the past, I never see you check the condition of the reeds in the 2 strokes you fix. The frame alone is worth restoring the bike. Nice find.

[@hondaryder3779]

Very beautiful landscape with nice gravel and dirt roads, i'll have to put it on my bucket list. My 2000 Transalp 650V would love it there, i'm running Mitas EO7's plus' 50/50 tyres and i'm very satisfied with the on and off road capabilities and longevity of them. I wish you lots of fun on your reliable mountain GOAT, mine only needed the front suspension bearings replaced once, no other prblem ever. It's a Honda 🤷🏼‍♂️😊 Well maintained ofcourse, i service it every 6000km., check tyre pressure and oil level every week, clean and lubricate my DID gold chain regularly. None riders sometimes ask if my bike is new😁 Keep care of your baby and she'll never let you down.

[@GSRRACING]

Always am super exited when ya post man love the videos.

[@thagamer200]

Best way to start the morning !! 2Vintage and some breakfast :D

[@mikebennett5284]

Use a spring loaded punch to remove float bowl pins that are pressed in works great and no damage to the carb

[@gordoncook7613]

Nice YZ125, they were a sharp looking bike, all white and red. I see it's missing the red boots for the front shocks and red grips. Nice find!!

[@andrewjones3483]

I have been watching your channel for a few months now, your very methodical and thorough with your repairs. I have intermediate mechanical knowledge, I like the way you explain step by step mechanical repairs for those who have limited knowledge but want to make there own repairs. It's great to pass on knowledge to others never stop learning in life!. My father in law had a YZ 250S, I replaced a broken arm for the power valve. It was reasonably fast before but after the repair it just took off like a rocket!.

[@blackbartbartholomew7122]

I use citristrip a lot. It works great but if it drys it doesn’t work as well. It works best if kept damp. Great vid!

[@d-squaredoutdoors5670]

Definately helped with the mosquito problems.

[@danielparsons3995]

Wow i was getting worried about you, haven't seen a new video in 8 days. Good to see you back 👍💪

[@HaydenBauguess]

Great video, when you put on the citristrip cover it with plastic wrap and it will work much better.

[@picklesgherkin]

35:28 definitely a good crop duster👍👍perfect for them annoying flying insects

[@johnhicks735]

Only if it's still stiff feeling going back in the carburetor float pin body housing area only though Joe.

[@jimmy_dirtbike]

Willing to bet $100 you need a crank seal, friend. One of the main things I do when I buy a dirt bike is replace the crank seals. Currently doing a CR80. When I opened the case, the crank seal was all the way out and the crank case was full of rotella T4. lol Previous owner blew the crank seals out somehow. Either way, its getting fixed. Doumenting it on my page as well. Keep up the good work Joe.

[@lumidgd7495]

Also, you know far more about bikes than I do, but I recommend for next video, next time you try to start a bike don’t hold the throttle open. You can see in this vid the bike only started as soon as you let go of the throttle.

[@lumidgd7495]

Nice buy, another great vid! Can’t wait to see what it looks like with the plastics restored

[@fraes2465]

I finally got my '87 YZ80 running this summer after a much needed rebuild 😊 love to see the work on its bigger brother! It was a bit sad seeing and hearing it perform at 50-60% power though ☹️😅 the end result will be a beast of a bike! Can't wait!!

[@BradenBooth.]

Soon as I got this notification I couldn’t click faster

[@elijahtaveras1787]

No cap

[@cashmoney722]

no dailys☹️

[@seanzanni2437]

Very true

[@reecehignett95]

Gayyy

[@neversaynever7623]

Same old shit though

[@maritimer4sure]

Awesome.. I wish I would have come across your KZbin Channel or one as good, Back in the early 2000's. I had an 87 Kx 250 and my middle son had a 95 kx 125.. Would have been an Awesome trouble shooting solution. Anyway I Love your content, very knowledgeable . Two strokes ROCK.. Thanks.

[@bryanglover3217]

If you put steel wool on a Q-tip put it in a drill and polish the seet usually quit leaking good trick at least you didn't have to buy a battery for this one

[@jonathanglanville5265]

Definitely crank seals.Its been sat a long while,had the same problem with mine.smoked like hell and the compression kept getting lower. Yamaha made the best dirtbikes,in the 80''s. Just,please wear your biker boots,they are known as leg breakers.

[@WilL-lt7zv]

Like the paved driveway alot looks good!

[@pjc5437]

Joe, if you wrap your Citistrip with saran wrap it works much better/longer. Great bike, love to see you bring it back to original!

[@vogtlandheli]

your carb setting on the low side is also to rich thats why its so smoky - i think the problem is the carb-inlet-valve which lets to much gasoline in the engine (mostly this valves leak arround the outside of the screwed in valve-housing-there is an o-ring which wears and then lets fuel trough)

[@MadNath]

Love all these vids buying and diagnosing repairing

[@steveneddy9492]

Need to determine which end of float pin has spline on it. That's the end you want to come out. Other end is smooth. Hold pin in a vise if possible or put vise grips on it and then clamp vise grips into vise..

[@ryanjohnson1814]

Sometimes it's better to get new plastics, always enjoy seeing a good fork spring and seals rebuilt.

[@richToFEn1337]

Can you do a clutch on this or something I've got an 86 250 with a clutch problem I can't figure out and have been waiting for you to dig into one of these so I can get a good visual on the correct parts I know you had an 87 250 a long time back but it was deemed too far gone to work on which came out right as I got the bike haha

[@davidmarcey7970]

I had an 86 yz 250 absolutely loved that bike

[@amykryptonite]

I always like these video's.i learned so much from them.

[@sctek]

Really cool bike, love the 2 stokes, used to have a dt125r from the 90´s, still miss it

[@justincarter1802]

Your air fuel mixture screw may be set incorrectly causing it not to be able to idle lower. Try turning your air fuel mixture screw either 1/4 in or out, and then turn the idle down. if it doesn't improve you've went the wrong direction with the mixture screw. Do this 1/4 turn per time on the mixture screw. Its probably within 1/2-3/4 of a turn off right now. If turning the mixture screw in or out doesn't allow it to idle it may be lower compression as you mentioned.

[@eddiestonerbud7188]

Would be good to see a full restoration of one of these older bikes

[@SteveTheCanadian]

Awesome video my dude 👌 I learn quite a bit from every episode you put out :) Always great to see another machine revived and rolling! Just picked up a 93 suzuki ltf 250 that needs some love. These videos are amazing to watch and go back on for info!

[@corporalclegg914]

it deserves a tear-down & rebuild, IMO. these YZs are definitely getting tougher to find in a potentially runnable state. I love the KXs from this era, too. my best ‘80s bike was an ‘86 CR80 that beat everything (big-bore bikes, too) off the line. I quickly outgrew it, but kept it…it is what I picture when I hear “factory freak” because it just seems to have that nature. the mid-‘80s through the ‘90s are my Golden Age for dirt bikes.

[@johnhicks735]

Joe use A mini butane pencil torch to slightly heat it up around that needle jet float pin out with. Tap it out using A small hammer and small tipped punch to release it out of one side with. Then use needle nose pliers to turn and remove it with.

[@3xLau]

REMEMBER, the sprocket becomes sharp when the chain is worn, so it must be replaced together.

[@briankennedy5578]

You got the mosquito fogger edition🤣 Hate those damn mosquitoes. AHH that shit will burn out. Good find

[@chrisdebardlebon349]

Joe, I cracked a back rib trying to remove the drain bolt on a brand new Honda. I have since purchased a breaker bar.

[@DariusBarazandeh]

great work Joe! Def its getting there!!

[@kernelbadness]

Bet you won't leak test. Crank seals left the chat a decade ago.

[@sled_neckx9972]

Leakdown test > Compression Test

[@Muddjones]

Sometimes the cluch plates will stick if the bike sits for a long time

[@MM_in_Havasu]

I'd say you have a leaky clutch side crank seal with the amount of smoke that thing is emitting. That bike rips otherwise. Your compression after riding the poop out of it says rings bigtime. Great video, Joe!

[@JohnWhite-tg9wf]

had one of these in the 90's, exhausts blowing to

[@hoosierway]

I was beginning to worry about you. This was a little longer period of time between videos. I missed my Sunday afternoon 2_vintage new video. Good video Joe.

[@aarongrabowski3775]

Damn bro, now thats an antique!!!

[@Dono743670777]

I'm glad you're 4 hours north of me! I you steal all the good deals! 😂

[@snowyowl7042]

Great find, always a learning moment. Wow, subs up views up