New Project!!
 

Not like I needed one..........but I couldn't say NO!

A month or so ago, I was asked if I'd be interested in a barn find. The owner just wanted it out of his garage. Some old Yamaha or something. My neighbor wasn't sure. I said, "definitely maybe". Once I'd seen it, I'd let him know. I didn't have a lot of info and I didn't want some hunk of late-80's or early 90's abused junk, that wasn't old enough to have any value or useable parts. Heck, I had no idea how complete it was.......and free is only free if it's worth having, right?

My neighbor picked me up yesterday morning and we made the 6 mile trek to find this baby. It's had been left outside too long and will need a full restoration but it's all there, low fender, rack and all. I had to take it. No paperwork but i'm not worried about that. It has to be way off the grid by now.

1969 Yamaha CT1 175. It turns over and shifts but it doesn't run yet and will need full attention. I'm hoping to start on it sometime this month....but Mrs. 2LZ warned me of many other projects that need attention first. Drat............ Oh well, worth the wait.

Looks like a great bike to fix up. A quick internet search reveals a lot of parts available pretty cheap. Should be a great in town bike, or light trail duty machine..

Awesome! I have the 1971 version in my shed that I obtained in a similar fashion. My plan is to donate it to a friend who wants to get back into riding.

Mine lacks that sweet rear seat and rack setup.

That is a worthy project. Thanks for sharing it with us. :tup:

Just looking at the geometry, I think it would make the bike dangerously unstable to have someone sitting that far aft.

I have a '70 DT1 that I donated to a local school for a shop project. I have to go and fetch it back. They stripped it down and did a bunch of work. It is, of course, in boxes right now. Can't complain about free work though!

Nice Weld!

I have a true love for the old dual sports (before they were called that), regardless of brand. Probably great memories from my youth.... This one will be more of a collector/restoration than an actual rider. I've had (all quite used) an AT1 (125), CTI (175) and a DT1 (250) before getting this one. My middle brother had a '71 Suzuki 185 Sierra I used to sneak away with when he was in college and my oldest brother brought back an RT1 (360) from Japan on the ship before they were being sold in the US, back when he was doing his Viet Nam tour of duty. Fortunately, he left it at our house between leaves....with the keys!
I felt like I was the coolest kid at the swimmin' pond when I was riding that. :-)

Me too! I have a TS250 and a TS185 in the shop, and I still have my first road-legal bike, which is an old TS100.

I'll be following your CT-1 project closely. :D

How is the powerband on the pre-expansion chamber/power valve two strokes? I've ridden one or two but so long ago I don't remember.

Remember the TC Suzuki's? Same as the TS's but they had one less gear and the high-low range tranny! Not as popular back then but would be quite collectable today, I bet!
Too bad I didn't live closer Weld....I'd jump on that CT1 you have in your shed.... :-(

I would say "for the time"....they were quite spunky! The reed valve (torque induction) was really added to help stop plug fouling and make then a little more crispy than anything else I think.

I remember riding my brothers 185 Sierra, then a friends SL175 Honda....and the 2 stroke KILLED the 4 stroke, regarding power, response and weight.

Not only do I remember, I'm on a TS / TC / TM forum. One of the fine members here is also present in that shop.

If my buddy changes his mind on this CT-1, I'd be happy to ship parts to you.