Yamaha CT-3 final assembly and start up

In this video I finish up the assembly, and start up the 1973 CT-3 Yamaha 175 Enduro.

[@marcelmorin90]

You remind me of myself we go the extra mile for somebody and the smile on their face when we give them the bike back is payment in itself. You did an awesome job on this one.🙂👍

[@montana2strokeracer]

Yes sir, it is a good feeling and I'm happy that he wanted to save it and in this case hand it down to his grandkids. He couldn't have bought another one for the money spent, that is as reliable and fun. Thanks for following the series, I appreciate it.

[@jamesws3]

Wow! Fired right up after the new plug. Sounds WAY better than before. All the clattering and noise are gone. Sounds great. Awesome work as always! Another one old saved by a master craftsman.

[@montana2strokeracer]

Oh man, the first time I cheap out and stick the old plug back in, it bites me in the butt, LOL. Yes, it sounds like a new one, with that I am happy.

[@ootyguy9805]

Hi Dale, great restoration on a budget I guess. Sounds great and I am sure it would run well too. Enjoyed watching the series!

[@montana2strokeracer]

Thank you, sir, but it was not a restoration, just a repair of several things, he just wanted to get it going and make it reliable to give to his grandkids, yes, we were on a budget on this one. I would have liked to repair other things, but it is always about money, and you have to respect those concerns.

[@grahamsampson769]

Nice work Dale! The owner was smart to have you go through his CT-3.

[@montana2strokeracer]

Thank you, Graham, I think he will be happy with it. Should be good for another 50 years???

[@thegenrl]

I had a '76 DT175 growing up, loved that bike. The sound brought took me back to places long gone (taken over by urban sprawl). None the less, thanks for sharing!

[@montana2strokeracer]

I know, I feel the same, use to be able to ride anywhere, not anymore. The sound and the smell take me back. Thanks for hanging out in the shop with me.

[@jeffsilver4730]

Nice work Dale! Really enjoyed this series. Learned a bunch. Thanks for taking us along for the ride.

[@montana2strokeracer]

Thanks Jeff, I am glad you like this series, more to come, also some new stuff coming too. Thanks for spending time with me in the shop.

[@petermckee1061]

Thanks Dale. Great series. Enjoying all your videos.

[@montana2strokeracer]

Thanks again Peter, glad you are enjoying the series.

[@alangreen5858]

Amazing to see this old trailbike up and running. The 125 cc version of this was the first bike I owned, it was second hand in 1977 and cost £250! Wish I still had it they are fetching £3000+ now in good condition, though mine got a rough life back then.. Mine was blue probably the colour you can see below the bronze paint on your tank and the spark arrestor extended much further out from the expansion chamber and had a slight crank in it, maybe a 125 vs 175 difference perhaps? I remember ditching the autolube system and going to premix as it always seemed to oil plugs. The other weak spot was the clutch actuator it was a multi-start helical affair set in a nylon mating 'nut' turning rotary into linear movement. The nylon would wear and make the clutch action stiff and give poor release. Happy days and many hours of fun!

[@montana2strokeracer]

Hey Alan, sounds like you had a great time indeed with the old Yamaha. I have so many of the same memories from my time growing up around them. Yes, I think this was a blue one originally, don't know what possessed someone to paint it like that, but it is what it is. I personally have never had problems with the auto lube system as long as you use a good two stroke oil. Yes, that clutch actuator leaves a lot to be desired, they have an aftermarket brass one you can get now from what I understand. I have yet to try one though. But the bottom line is they were just so much fun and still are. Thanks for spending time in the shop with me.

[@RicardoValdes-r6w]

Nice Yamaha but I do agree Sir that the tank would look much better if it wasn’t in the conditions that is in due to the blue color and few dents. The engine sounds strong .. Thank you for the work you do and the outcome of your videos. Rick. 👍

[@montana2strokeracer]

I totally agree Ricardo, if it were mine, I would have to straighten it up and paint it.

[@RicardoValdes-r6w]

@@montana2strokeracer Absolutely Sir. The bike does look great however with the tank getting a good resurfacing and with the detail you are so well able to apply with paint the end result would be amazing if only the owner would like to have it done which he should under your professional care.. I still remember when I was riding my Kawasaki KE 125 in yellow and black when I was around age 16 and the two strokes are such great machines and when kept clean and well maintained these are time capsules unit that can last many years. Mine had the Hooker expansion chamber shortly after the 750 miles in breaking in. Then while serving in the U S Army in 1979 I bought a Kawasaki KE 250 that was green with the black gas tank stripes and that Kawasaki was a solid bike that I rode to and from Ft. Lee and to A P Hill in northern Virginia on assignment for over 100 days. I am now going to turn age 65 in August and value the old days so much more and good people like you Sir in particular, your sound good driven spirit is what makes you exceptional and truly blessed. !’

[@montana2strokeracer]

Hey Richardo, thanks for all the kind words, I sure appreciate it. Thank you for your service to our country. I also served in the Air Force for 21 years, most of my time spent in the great white north and overseas. Those early Kawasaki's were beautiful bikes, the laser decals were the greatest. But they are sure hard to find parts for these days. The F7 I have been working on is such a cool bike, but I just have trouble finding anything for it. I remember when Hooker made those pipes, I think they had them for everything then. Now....hard to find. Growing up when we did these old bikes were a very large part of our lives, I gave them up for all the family things and cars for about 30 years then came back them in my early 60's. Now in my 70's I am living the same bike experience as in my teens and 20's, but just not riding as much. But the enjoyment is still there.

[@RicardoValdes-r6w]

@@montana2strokeracer Thank you Sir. I appreciate you very much and the fact that you are my fellow veteran brother means so very much to me to my heart. God bless you each day more and more. 🙏

[@RicardoValdes-r6w]

Is like wearing a nice pair of pants and shirt too but with shoes with holes Lol !

[@dcwebb1]

Great job and love your channel and excellent MC content!

[@montana2strokeracer]

Wow, thank you, sure appreciate you spending some time with me.

[@UPTHETOWN]

Wow, sounds like a new bike

[@montana2strokeracer]

Yes, sounds so much better, got rid of the clank, clank, clank. Thanks for watching.

[@RDEnduro]

Strong work Dale!

[@montana2strokeracer]

Thank you very much, appreciate you following the channel

[@kevinmoses1605]

Nice job. I wish you could go over my '75 dt250 with a fine tooth comb. Great admirer of your work. I'll keep watchin'.

[@montana2strokeracer]

Thanks Kevin, I will be working on a 250 mx engine soon, I don't have the bike, so I am limited there. I do have a 72 360 enduro that I ride, so it comes in for maintenance at times. Sure, appreciate you taking time to spend it with me here in the shop.

[@retromechanicalengineer]

Lovely sharp sound Dale. Testament to the care and attention you give your engine builds. Best wishes, Dean.

[@montana2strokeracer]

Thank you, Dean, I treat them like my own. I really love the old 60's and 70's bikes.

[@CK-Cycles]

Sounds and looks great! Nice work.

[@montana2strokeracer]

Thanks Chris, trying to save another one.

[@garyevans9509]

Sounds perfect dale same as my gold one

[@montana2strokeracer]

Thanks, you sir, this one is just about ready to go home, just need some warmer weather to give it a ride and fix any short comings.

[@michaelzang9739]

I have a dealers booklet that I received when I was shopping for my 1971 AT1 125 that I bought in 1971. The salesman wrote down all the prices of the different models of the bikes I was interested in then. That particular model .in 1971 priced for $649 in the Pittsburgh area.

[@montana2strokeracer]

Wow Michael, that is a cool story, and to still have that kind of documentation.... that is super cool. It doesn't seem like much money now, but in the 70's that was a lot of dough. Wish I could buy a new one today for 649.00. Holy cow.... give me two.

[@LarryJohnson-tc7xc]

I think the bike turned out nice Dale. Sounded promising.

[@montana2strokeracer]

Thanks Larry, think he will be happy with the outcome too.

[@malcolmbrady1958]

Another one bites the dust !! Great Job Dale ! So with these 6 volt archaic charging systems that were fitted on these era bikes, what type of voltage numbers should we be seeing at the Battery, Max & Min figures please Dale, THX for posting these video's, I find them really interesting, although I watch many KZbin channels on Classic bikes, your channel is superior, & sticks out from the rest. Malc U.K.

[@montana2strokeracer]

Yes, sir Malc, another one in the done pile. These charging circuits are indeed archaic, this type charging system really doesn't start charging till about 3000 rpm, that's why a lot of driving in town where the stop light is used a lot, they tend to discharge the battery pretty quickly. The system should be checked for about 2 amps or less at 8000 rpm according to the manual, daytime, and then they say 8.5 volts or less at 8000 rpm nighttime. I like to see a steady climb to about 7.5 volts at the battery at say 4000 rpm with the headlight on. I just really look to see if it climbs as rpms go up. You can actually on these magnetos, switch the green wire to the red going to the rectifier to increase the charging rate, but you wouldn't want to do it long term because it would overcharge the battery, but in a pinch you could. I would probably just charge the battery with a charger if it were low. Thanks for all the kind words, I try to make them interesting and informative, but I know some are better than others. I am always on the prowl to find new projects, I have some twin cylinder scramblers coming up, and would also like to start the flattracker with the RD250. Just need to finish up some stuff. Thanks for watching I sure appreciate it.

[@hughdolben6010]

Hi Dale, great video ,it sounds sweet, how are you coping weather over there ,?

[@montana2strokeracer]

Thanks Hugh, we are doing fine, it was a cold one, but in the 40's and 50's for the next week, snow should be gone so we can start over. Winter in the Rockies...never a dull moment.

[@MrVonfelde]

Well, another great job Dale. It sounds and looks great! (As always!) The customer should be super happy. I have an "exhausting" question. .~) So, that thing had been running worn and poorly for a long time probably. (Poor combustion.) It had also possibly been running with both premix AND oil injection as you mentioned. The crank seals were probably leaking and sucking gearcase oil. Lastly, it's 50 years old. All this leads me to worry that the exhaust would quite likely be very carboned up. What do you think, and what is your favorite way of cleaning them out? Hey, it really worries me with you running bikes in a closed room, even with a vent fan running. Do you have a carbon monoxide monitor?? Scary stuff my friend!! Take care! Love the vids! What's next?? Robert

[@montana2strokeracer]

Thanks Robert, all that stuff, it got new seals so it should be happy, it was a bit carboned up, the pipe got to lay on the bar b que for a while, and the spark arrestor was pulled, then tap them with a stick. Thats what I usually do, if it's terrible, I get the oxy/propane torch out. Those bikes don't run very long in the shop, I love the smell of the two-stroke exhaust, don't run them long. My shop is not all that tight with the open dog door. Not too concerned about at this point. I have some new things coming but have some old ones to finish too.

[@MrVonfelde]

Oh no, I didn't mean to umply you might not have changed the crank seals. I meant that it might have been run with leaking seals before, thus contributing to a carboned up exhaust pipe. I'm getting ready to try something. I'm going to plug up ONE end of an exhaust pipe, then string it up vertically. Then I'm going to fill it with a strong lye solution. Then I'll heat the pipe with one of those big propane torch weed burners. Kind of a "poor man's hot tank" setup. Yeah, I'll be careful, and no, I won't be capping it off. Don't want a steam explosion of lye solution!! Anyway, I think it will clean it well... Robert

[@SnapdWrench]

Hey Dale, how would you go about titling one of these if you don't have a title or bill of sale? pre 1981 these bikes didnt have vins that told you information other than make and model. I have three of these bikes that I want to get titled, one my main, and other two for sale. Thanks Dale, what a great bike!

[@montana2strokeracer]

Hi thanks for watching, so far, I haven't had any problems with titles, I always get a state approved bill of sale, get a VIN check from the highway patrol, and send in the paperwork. Now if you do not have a bill of sale here you can do a bond title. You go to an insurance company and buy a bond and wait the time. I'm sure there is more to it than that, but so far, I haven't had to do it. Another option I have heard of is a sheriff's title. Maybe look online in your county and see if that is something they do locally in your area. I called once here, and it sounded like you had to leave the vehicle with the sheriff's department for a period of time to do that. I have also heard of the Vermont title. Never pursued that but heard it's pretty easy but kind of expensive. Thanks again for hanging out in the shop with me.

[@terrytipton8113]

Hi Dale- Is your fuel filter installed in the proper direction? My fuel filter does not have an arrow on it, so I’m a little perplexed as to what is the correct installation. Also, what is your premix ratio? Thank you-

[@montana2strokeracer]

Hi there, mine has an arrow on it, and it is oriented correctly. I always have to look also, because it seems like it should go the other way. I start them on 32:1 using petroleum based Yamalube 2 stroke oil. This is only for starting them to do adjustments. Once I determine everything is working properly. I go to straight gas and oil pump.

[@cainbeeping8480]

Did you notice that the neutral light went out after you cranked it.

[@montana2strokeracer]

I did not, thanks I will check it out.

[@cainbeeping8480]

Better late than never.

[@montana2strokeracer]

Yes sir, winter is for getting rested up for summer.

[@frankdillon6127]

better late than never, 4:12 am Sunday. Yawn!

[@montana2strokeracer]

Wake up Frank