http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0NKukoLllc Spring has arrived and there is the sweet sound of ringa-ding-ding in the air. Enjoy the trip back in time. This was a winter restoration project of a CT3 that sat in my father-in-law's barn for the past 20 years. I had never heard it run myself until yesterday. The pay-off is sweet. To see the entire restoration in photos, see this link: http://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/thread/855013/video-pics-1973-yamaha-enduro-project/0 Scotty_rides Romans 5:8
Great job on both bikes guys. I love the sound of a two stroke , I like to go out and fire up my old KT-250 once in a while to remind me of the good ol days of motocross. Plus the neighbors dog that likes to bark for 3 hours straight goes right into his dog-house and keeps quiet the rest of the day. I have to get me a vintage Yamaha enduro, Something pre-76 would be cool.
Thanks Yours is cool. I really like seeing these old bikes coming back from the trash piles. They make you laugh when you finally go down the road on them. Not many new cookie cutter bikes do that for me anymore. Mine started out like this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkDu2TfZ770 One more video of the Fresh 1973 CT3 CT175. For your listening pleasure.
Very nice!! I had a '71. I've been asking this question (for my buddy) in all these Yamaha CT restoration threads. Where do you find tires for these bikes? He's got a CT2 that he's working on but is having trouble finding tires. Any help would be appreciated. Really cool that you put your bike on Youtube for us all to hear!
I could not find the original front tire size (2.75x18) so both tires are now the same as the original rear size 3.25x18. I bought trials tires from bikebandit. They say Golden Boy on the side. They are Shinko SR241's from BikeBandit. They look correct and are working fine so far. -Scott
Concerning the original tire sizes... I own an 800 mile original CT1 that my mother in law bought brand new (title is actually still in her name). I'm doing the ground work now for starting full restoration as soon as I finish the current rest project I'm doing. Mine has 3.25-18 in front and 3.50 in rear not 2.75's and 3.25's. She states these are absolutely the original tires that it came with from the factory.
You are right. I was mixed up last night. For my CT3, I could not find the 3.25's. So I put the 3.50 Shinko SR241 on the front and rear. I saw some other threads where others had trouble finding that front tire size as well. That CT1 looks really solid. I was missing a few peices that you have. Ebay has plenty of new-old-stock parts. BikeBandit has a surprising amount of Yamaha OEM parts. Good luck on your project. It may help you to browse the details of my project (in pictures) at: http://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/thread/855013/video-pics-1973-yamaha-enduro-project Here are specs for CT1:
I just love the look of those early Yamaha's especially in that metallic orange. I want a DT250 or 360 but just picked up a Kawasaki F7 175.
Enjoying the summer with our restored 1973 Yamaha CT3 175cc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2wZE8Y93Lg
The CT3 175cc is still going strong after 400 miles on the road and trail. Its nice to get plenty of seat time on it after working all winter in the basement, just imagining what it would be like to ride. It looks so formal on a trail ride with all the gold and chrome compared to all of the plastic-clad dirt bikes. I like jumping between the CT3 and my YZ250F throughout the day on the trails. I push them both pretty hard now that the honeymoon period is over. Here are a few new pictures for those interested in these old bikes.
Bumping this thread, because I'm thinking about putting those tires on my CL350. How has the durability been? Are they good on the pavement? thanks, john
I'm pleasantly surprised with the Shinkos so far. I have about 600 miles on them (mostly road) and they are showing no appreciable wear. Not hard-core knobbies but work just fine for this bike in dirt and even a little mud also. Scott