Bike Restoration tips

[Crawdaddy 96]

Really excited about the new (used) bike in my stable.......CiD's 197? DT125....we threw in a new Walmart battery when I arrived at CiD's last night and the old girl fired right up....

Thanks again Chris!

Now I need to start the job of "refreshening" the bike.....I'll go through it and lube cables, clean carb, change oil, etc....basic stuff......but I need some pointers/help beyond that....

I contacted a local body shop about fixing up/repainting the gas tank (dents/rust) and oil reservior tank but what about general corrosion/light rust all around?

I've heard of folks using oven cleaners like "Easy Off" and/or "Alumibrite".....light sand paper, etc......

Not looking for the bike to be showrooom clean......just want to clean it up/dress it up a bit......

Any/all pointers/tips/suggestions welcome.....I've never "restored" a bike before....

[Uncle Champ 116]

Congrats,

I have been told to shine the chrome use real Windex and aluminum foil, why it works I don't know but I got the tip from a good friend.

I tried it on old pitted chrome and it helped.

[ADV Bum 205]

There is a bunch of tanks on ebay that are in great shape. Cheaper to buy on of them than to fix the dented one.

[SteelRain 0]

CLP and an old tooth brush.

TO prevent oxidation on the chrome a light coat will also help.

[TrophyHunter 15]

Like many over 50, I kept getting emails for Extend so I finally clicked on it. Very useful.

If my bike gets any bumps or bruises or starts with a little rust, I spray the spot with this stuff. I also used it on a car restoration where I couldn't get everything with sandpaper or blaster.

Congrats on the new bike!

[amgems 79]

I had a 1971 RT1B (Yamaha 360) for about a year. About a year ago. I learned lots from the guys on Yamahaenduro.com Some guys live here in SD. They put together some rides once and a while. It's a funky web site, sometimes I can get to it, sometimes not. But there are guys there with a lot of smarts about these bikes. I know a little bit about 'em. I know a guy who can make your tank like new. It will take him a long time, like a month and a half, and cost about $400. Let me know if you are interested. You might be able to buy a tank for that bike. Check the classifieds on Yamahaenduro.com

[Crawdaddy 96]

I know a guy who can make your tank like new. It will take him a long time, like a month and a half, and cost about $400. Let me know if you are interested.

NO!

[hoss314 0]

cleaning chrome such as removing the blue? Rubbing alcohol works good for that too.

removing rust: I like Naval Jelly

Oven cleaner will strip everything if you let it sit long enough. I have only used it to remove old caked on grease and dirt when restoring an old Jeep I had.

Depends on where/what the rust is located....you could remove with using a shell media blast or Naval Jelly. But, it would still need to be re-chromed.

Ride it down! I can help get a game plan for you over a cold B

Lots of good paints out there that work similar to powder coating.

[hoss314 0]

May try a paintless dent repair guy...they do a good job removing door dings on used car lots.

[Zenosan 2]

Muriatic acid (swimming pool addative) will take rust off anything Chris. Just follow up with baking soda to neutralize it.

Also Vintage Husky in San Marcos will restore fuel tanks. Not cheap so I would search Ebay for a good used one first.

Nice Bike. I had two of them in the past, a DT360 (fast bike) and a DT100 that my 4'11" wife rode for several years.

[Crawdaddy 96]

Thanks everyone.....some good tips......rust really isn't that much of an issue since Chris took good care of it.....mainly just grime and corrosion with age......was thinking some type of engine degreaser and Mothers metal polish for engine cases/cylinder.....lot's of elbow grease/tooth brush scrubbing (cylinder fins).......maybe a buffing wheel on a drill bit for the cases.....

We'll see about the gas tank/oil tank......the oil tank is fine.......I'd just have it painted to match the gas tank.....most of the gas tanks I've seen on ebay aren't a heck of a lot better than what I have.....seems like some bondo and sanding would do the trick......no need to pop anything out....the rust/dents aren't major just noticeable......not sure where I can find the decals for the gas tank.....maybe the body/paint shop would mask/paint'em on somehow?........again, not looking to do a "showroom" restoration......just a nice "refreshening"

Hoping the YamahaEnduro.com forum will yield some good parts sourcing info and tips/tricks

I'd also like to find the metal "125 ENDURO" placard for the exhaust pipe/guard.....I saw one exhaust on ebay that had it in tact.....but I'm not willing to buy an exhaust to replace a placard.

[hobiee 28]

Brillo pads work great on cleaning up the chrome bits. Just get it wet and go to town. Wash it off and it shines bright. DO NOT put simple green on the bike unless you want it ruined.

Please don't use bondo on the fuel tank.

[hobiee 28]

Here are some tank badges and such

http://www.amazon.com/Vintage-Motorcycle-Yamaha-others-YAM_T2B/dp/B005RR8RSS/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1365567713&sr=8-1-fkmr1&keywords=1972+yamaha+dt+decals

[hobiee 28]

Go here for parts too

http://www.bikebandit.com/houseofmotorcycles/1972-yamaha-dt2/o/m7093#sch216299

[slagnado 0]

I picked this up....thanks to Trophy Hunter. I think the previous owner did a good job. I could ask him.

[Crawdaddy 96]

Go here for parts too

http://www.bikebandit.com/houseofmotorcycles/1972-yamaha-dt2/o/m7093#sch216299

Thanks Brian, the bike is either 74 or 75......no tank Badge......different tank graphics.......see top photos....

[Crawdaddy 96]

Ride it down! I can help get a game plan for you over a cold B

I will once I know it's mechanically sound to make the trip.......wondering what the range will be on the 2 gallon tank??.......probably pretty darn good....only one way to find out

I'm envisioning Kathy riding the easy way between Bar 10 and Toroweap on this bike......I'm also envisioning that trip taking ALL day

[Crawdaddy 96]

Please don't use bondo on the fuel tank.

What's the issue?

[amgems 79]

Parts:

http://www.vintagemx.us/cgi-bin/swapmeet.cgi

http://www.classiccycleevents.com/hanford.html

http://www.nwvcp.com/ (Very good inventory fast shipping)

http://www.boats.net/parts/search/Yamaha/parts.html (Good inventory slow shipping)

Tanks:

http://www.redfeathermotorsports.com/restoration.html (this was the guy who did my tank, I think it was $250 not $400, local in SD)

http://www.gas-tank.com/

[socalhodaka 104]

Parts:

http://www.vintagemx.us/cgi-bin/swapmeet.cgi

http://www.classiccycleevents.com/hanford.html

http://www.nwvcp.com/ (Very good inventory fast shipping)

http://www.boats.net/parts/search/Yamaha/parts.html (Good inventory slow shipping)

Tanks:

http://www.redfeathermotorsports.com/restoration.html (this was the guy who did my tank, I think it was $250 not $400, local in SD)

http://www.gas-tank.com/

Redfeather is good, Frank the owner is also the Pres of CALVMX.

[Crawdaddy 96]

Parts:

http://www.vintagemx.us/cgi-bin/swapmeet.cgi

http://www.classiccycleevents.com/hanford.html

http://www.nwvcp.com/ (Very good inventory fast shipping)

http://www.boats.net/parts/search/Yamaha/parts.html (Good inventory slow shipping)

Tanks:

http://www.redfeathermotorsports.com/restoration.html (this was the guy who did my tank, I think it was $250 not $400, local in SD)

http://www.gas-tank.com/

Redfeather is good, Frank the owner is also the Pres of CALVMX.

Thanks guys.....kicked him an email

[Crawdaddy 96]

Picked up the bike this morning......"light"/cosmetic restoration complete

repaired dents and repaint gas tank

add new sticker kit to tank (stickers are in 3 parts and don't line up....disappointing)

repair dent and repaint oil tank ( added new oil to tank)

add new sticker to oil tank

clean and repaint exhaust

add new sticker to side heat guard of exhaust

replace right side brake lever

touch up front fork covers (did not remove them just touched them up)

Touched up front and rear fender

cleaned and repainted cylinder head

light rubbed engine side cases

misc touch up

Let's Ride!

[Honda90 0]

Righteous. Totally.