DT125R ARCHIVE

Heerflick · DTR Respected Member

My new old DT

Calum122 · Guru

Yes mate I like it. Get her professionally painted and that will be Mint!

ConnorDTR · DTR Respected Member

Beautiful! Would look great as a restoration with it being so original

scrimsmustang · DTR Mechanic

Sharp knock that into shape, needs starting from the frame up and a pink seat cover and fork gaiters when it gets put back together though. Just to keep it original.

Heerflick · DTR Respected Member

scrimsmustang wrote:
Sharp knock that into shape, needs starting from the frame up and a pink seat cover and fork gaiters when it gets put back together though. Just to keep it original.

Ahh, that explains the leaky seat cover, must be a pattern replacement. I thought black seemed an odd choice as well. So the gaiters are wrong as well? That explains why they are in good nick then! Have stripped the frame bare tonight, luckily it came apart quite easily. Will be getting the chassis parts refinished first then make a decision on if/when to do seat etc. The rest of the bike is pretty servicable. It must have been a good usable bike when it was abandoned to the elements. Acouple of the switches were seized or not contacting but once removed and sprayed with ACF50 they all seem fine, the harness plugs were just starting to corrode so again fixed with ACF50. Even the suspension links and all the bearings are good and just need grease!

Before I started to strip it today I couldn't resist a splash of fresh fuel in the tank and firing it up. 2nd kick and sounds like a new one! Even managed a ride up the lane here. The main lights worked and the headlight was really impressive-much better than my Lucas and CEV equipped bikes! I think I've struck lucky here and am going to enjoy using this bike, they always satisfy more when you get a bargain, don't they?

scrimsmustang · DTR Mechanic

Heres the decals for it on ebay

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Yamaha-DT-125R-Vinyl-Sticker-Set-1988-2002-/171509972594?

-- Edited by scrimsmustang on Wednesday 22nd of October 2014 09:39:12 PM

Heerflick · DTR Respected Member

Thanks for that scrimsmustang, does this mean this colour scheme was a one year only job? I knew mine was older than the 1998 in the logbook but I wonder where it was all that time before? Standing in a shop maybe, but I always thought these were fast sellers? Maybe the pink put all the macho 1990's teenagers off? The frame and engine numbers match up as; 3MD 196*** but all the sites I've seen so far are a bit vague about dating them-or maybe I just don't understand them!

Took the frame, swing arm and all the black bits for blasting and powder coating this afternoon, the rest of the job will be mainly washing and wire brushing stuff. I have got off lightly here I think.

MIGHTYMAN · DTR Senior Member

Heerflick wrote:
Thanks for that scrimsmustang, does this mean this colour scheme was a one year only job? I knew mine was older than the 1998 in the logbook but I wonder where it was all that time before? Standing in a shop maybe, but I always thought these were fast sellers? Maybe the pink put all the macho 1990's teenagers off? The frame and engine numbers match up as; 3MD 196*** but all the sites I've seen so far are a bit vague about dating them-or maybe I just don't understand them!

Took the frame, swing arm and all the black bits for blasting and powder coating this afternoon, the rest of the job will be mainly washing and wire brushing stuff. I have got off lightly here I think.

Pictures!!!

Heerflick · DTR Respected Member

OSmightymanOS wrote:

Pictures!!!

What about the two pics at the top? That's the bike. It's now in a thousand pieces with all the rusty stuff gone away for blasting and powder coating so not much to take pics of! The pink doesn't appeal to me much but that's what I got so, hey ho. I'm not gay by the way, I drink beer and everything.

MIGHTYMAN · DTR Senior Member

Heerflick wrote:
OSmightymanOS wrote:

Pictures!!!
What about the two pics at the top? That's the bike. It's now in a thousand pieces with all the rusty stuff gone away for blasting and powder coating so not much to take pics of! The pink doesn't appeal to me much but that's what I got so, hey ho. I'm not gay by the way, I drink beer and everything.

Yes but we love pictures of the build in progress! Some before and after of bits you have cleaned up maybe? Swingarm before and after powder coating?

Heerflick · DTR Respected Member

Ok that's fair enough-but I forgot sorry! The rusty stuff is now away being done. I will do some pics then of the rebuild if I can hold myself back long enough. I want this bike for my winter commuter and greenlaner. Pink is just wrong though innit?

MIGHTYMAN · DTR Senior Member

But it's classic! You won't see anyone else with it out on the trails that's for sure!!!

Heerflick · DTR Respected Member

OSmightymanOS wrote:
But it's classic! You won't see anyone else with it out on the trails that's for sure!!!

Classic!? But it's the newest bike I've got! No, I bet the pink bits got rubbed off. Ooer, time I turned in then.

Heerflick · DTR Respected Member

Confirmed today by my local friendly Yamaha shop that my bike was built in 1991. So what happened to it from then till 'first' registration on the Isle of Man in 1998 remains a mystery. Did they really stick to the showroom floors that long? Still convinced the 8,000 odd mileage is genuine, so if used anywhere else it never travelled far. Any one point me in the direction of an online parts list please? Have looked honest, but can't see one yet.

Calum122 · Guru

Heerflick wrote:
Confirmed today by my local friendly Yamaha shop that my bike was built in 1991. So what happened to it from then till 'first' registration on the Isle of Man in 1998 remains a mystery. Did they really stick to the showroom floors that long? Still convinced the 8,000 odd mileage is genuine, so if used anywhere else it never travelled far. Any one point me in the direction of an online parts list please? Have looked honest, but can't see one yet.

Shouldn't worry about mileage on a two stroke. Come the 10K mark she'll want a top end rebuild anyway. 30K a full engine rebuild. I done my top end at 15K, probably would have lasted longer but it had just got nicked, full rebuild at 20K just cause.

Simple to do and cheap. So mileage shouldn't really come into it.

Heerflick · DTR Respected Member

Calum122 wrote:
Heerflick wrote:
Confirmed today by my local friendly Yamaha shop that my bike was built in 1991. So what happened to it from then till 'first' registration on the Isle of Man in 1998 remains a mystery. Did they really stick to the showroom floors that long? Still convinced the 8,000 odd mileage is genuine, so if used anywhere else it never travelled far. Any one point me in the direction of an online parts list please? Have looked honest, but can't see one yet.
Shouldn't worry about mileage on a two stroke. Come the 10K mark she'll want a top end rebuild anyway. 30K a full engine rebuild. I done my top end at 15K, probably would have lasted longer but it had just got nicked, full rebuild at 20K just cause.

Simple to do and cheap. So mileage shouldn't really come into it.

I know what you mean Calum, and I suppose what I mean is how mechanically quiet the motor is, how obviously easy a life it has had as a learner bike for a 'mature' rider and hardly knocked or bashed at all. Usually when you pick up a low mileage bike and then take a close look at it you get to see all the damage that was hidden by the previous owners. This one is hardly touched, just neglected in recent years and still not thrashed about. I think there is still a good number of miles to be had from this motor, it has always been restricted too. Definitely had an easy life! Have stripped them for other people before (and rebuilt them) but never seen one so un-molested.

scrimsmustang · DTR Mechanic

Yeah its a 91 only colour/decal scheme, yours is a 91 3RN4 model in PWS that's purplish white solid. Here's the parts book link for it. Luckily all the body panels in PWS, both fenders both side panels both tank panels and the headlamp cowl are all still available to order new from Fowlers, even the "magenta" seat cover and fork gaiters are if you want it back to original.

http://www.scrimsmustangsclassicyamaharestorations.com/uploads/5/0/1/6/5016464/dt125r_3rn4_1991_parts_book.pdf

-- Edited by scrimsmustang on Tuesday 2nd of December 2014 10:12:32 AM

Heerflick · DTR Respected Member

scrimsmustang wrote:
Yeah its a 91 only colour/decal scheme, yours is a 91 3RN4 model in PWS that's purplish white solid. Here's the parts book link for it. Luckily all the body panels in PWS, both fenders both side panels both tank panels and the headlamp cowl are all still available to order new from Fowlers, even the "magenta" seat cover and fork gaiters are if you want it back to original.

www.megazip.ru/zapchasti-dlya-motocyklov/yamaha/dt125-3410/dt125-26052/3rn4-772074
That's great thanks scrimsmustang, just what I need.

-- Edited by scrimsmustang on Friday 24th of October 2014 11:11:37 PM

scrimsmustang · DTR Mechanic

Ne probs, you could have it in Black/Blue or Purple/Silver if you don't like the White/Pink

Heerflick · DTR Respected Member

If I bought it new the black option would have been favourite for me, or the blue 2nd. I can live with the seat and gaiters as they are and the bodywork is cleaning up nicely too. This bike won't be an immaculate catalogue spec restoration I'm afraid. If it was I wouldn't ride it! This is going to get used and enjoyed, stopping just short of abuse.

I'm hoping it will look like a 20 odd year old bike that is maintained but not pampered and ready for work, the odd Dragon/Elephant rally or simple green lane exploring. Will do more pics soon. Cheers, Steve.

Calum122 · Guru

Bu the looks of things it just wants a very good clean and perhaps frame and swing arm respray?

Heerflick · DTR Respected Member

Calum122 wrote:
Bu the looks of things it just wants a very good clean and perhaps frame and swing arm respray?

That's right Calum, the frame and brackets are away now being powder coated and the rest is with me being washed/brushed up. Ordered new caliper and master cylinder seals yeaterday. The brakes aren't seized solid but like the rest of the bike they were on the point of going over the edge. My wire brushes will be kaput by the end of this job.

Some time I will be looking out for a servo kit for the power valve-keep your eyes and ears open please, 3 wire jobbie wanted.

FunkeyMunkeyDavid · Guru

Yamaha TDR125 DT125 Stellmotor Servomotor Auslasssteuerung Auslaßsteuerung 3MB

clicky these are cheap and new buh. used cables and pv casing off DTMX wink

Calum122 · Guru

FunkeyMunkeyDavid wrote:
clicky these are cheap and new buh. used cables and pv casing off DTMX

What that's mad :D

FunkeyMunkeyDavid · Guru

always smile when i see used and abused ones on flea bay for 70-90 squid biggrin

scrimsmustang · DTR Mechanic

Calum122 wrote:
FunkeyMunkeyDavid wrote:
clicky these are cheap and new buh. used cables and pv casing off DTMX
What that's mad :D

They have been on ebay for years Cal, for the piss poor tiny amount of bottom end they give I never bother fitting them on my old DTR,s. Ive got 2 in my spares pile, I did have 3 but I gave one to the fella who bought my White G reg bike a few months back. The old ones ride perfectly fine without them with the blank pinned fully open and the restrictor tube removed from the exhausts manifold go like a proper old 2stroke .

Calum122 · Guru

I agree, once you're moving and in the band. But for town riding then it's just not practical, riding around pinned. I often leave the dt in low revs, below 6K, and without a valve it's a bit of a mare.

Heerflick · DTR Respected Member

Ok that's interesting, I will most likely give it a try first with the valve pegged open and see how it is. I have ridden hairy old school 2 strokes and am not afraid of that, but I do want it to be usable on my pottering green lane expeditions-I'm no MX rider! Plus my reasons for going off tarmac are more about exploring than adrenalin rushes. I've also ridden these models with the full restriction in place as well as full powervalve versions. If this has a reasonable low/mid range with the valve pegged open it will probably stay like that cos I am a tightwad and it keeps things simple.

Thanks again for all your input-it is valued!

The frame came back from the coaters about 10 days ago, looked lovely till I looked at the bottom. There was what looked like a wasps nest of blasting grit that must have drained out of the tubes as the paint was drying and solidified in a lump. I thought about leaving it as it was out of sight, but when prodded it just started dropping to peices. Back it went for another week or so till I could go fetch it. Now here and being fettled for build up. Will look ok but not sure I'll bother with powder coating again. I do like smoothrite and they do that in white as well. Ah well, what's £120? That was for all the frame in white, all the black bits in black again and the swing arm in silver. They all look thicker coatings that Yamaha ever did so no originality prizes for me then.

-- Edited by Heerflick on Friday 14th of November 2014 09:44:09 PM

Heerflick · DTR Respected Member

Well the bike is coming along nicely and I hope to get it MoT'd in a week or two as long as work doesn't get in the way again. I'm at the stage of filling in a V55/5 to get a UK log book and number as soon as the MoT is done. This bike is still learner legal and restricted and recorded as A1 on it's Isle of Man log book. If any of you were to derestrict a bike, would you bother getting the log book done? Or keep it recorded as A1 to help with selling later???

I am not condoning law breaking or reckless activity of any kind. Oh no, not me!

AndyYam · Guru

scrimsmustang wrote:
Calum122 wrote:
FunkeyMunkeyDavid wrote:
clicky these are cheap and new buh. used cables and pv casing off DTMX
What that's mad :D
They have been on ebay for years Cal, for the piss poor tiny amount of bottom end they give I never bother fitting them on my old DTR,s. Ive got 2 in my spares pile, I did have 3 but I gave one to the fella who bought my White G reg bike a few months back. The old ones ride perfectly fine without them with the blank pinned fully open and the restrictor tube removed from the exhausts manifold go like a proper old 2stroke .

It's interesting you say that. I wondered about the difference so I tried a few test runs on my RE, with and without the servo operating and found a huge difference. With the servo working it felt so much smoother to ride and no loss of power up high. I'd be interested to see some dyno charts showing the difference. I always chuckle when i see people listing their DT's with "powervalve pinned open for full power".

Why would Yamaha fit it if it wasnt an improvement and why would motocross bikes which are usually kept in the powerband also have powervalves?

From Wikipedia:

Yamaha was actually the first company to produce consistent results with their YPVS in their race bikes. The 1977 OW35K was the first race bike to incorporate the power valve system and it won the Finnish GP in 1977. The Kadenacy effect was harnessed and controlled to a point that gave Yamaha great advantage over all the other manufacturers throughout the late '70s and into the mid '80s. The first street bikes with YPVS were the RZ/RD350 YPVS (LC2-onwards), and RZ/RD500 GP Replica in 1983-84.