The Yamaha TW200 Thread...

[NJ-Brett]

Thanks for the info.
Does anyone know, besides the changes made in 2001 I think, if all the other parts are the same?
Same motor parts?
I read the 1995 does not have a trip meter???
Would the 95 take the newer speedometer?
I use the trip meter to tell when I will need gas...

A kick starter is nice to have, the drum brakes likely work fine off road, I do not do much night dirt riding so the lower power headlight is not a big deal, I like manual carbs over the CV ones, so its all good except maybe the trip meter...

Originally Posted by assquatch20

I'm pretty sure the only year that was kickstart only was 87. I've got an 89 with e-start. The rest of what you've got there sounds about right.

[assquatch20]

Originally Posted by NJ-Brett

Thanks for the info.
Does anyone know, besides the changes made in 2001 I think, if all the other parts are the same?
Same motor parts?
I read the 1995 does not have a trip meter???
Would the 95 take the newer speedometer?
I use the trip meter to tell when I will need gas...

A kick starter is nice to have, the drum brakes likely work fine off road, I do not do much night dirt riding so the lower power headlight is not a big deal, I like manual carbs over the CV ones, so its all good except maybe the trip meter...

I think one thing that changed a few times over the years was the stator and some other electrical stuff, not just in 2001. I think the cam adjuster is different after 2001 as well, but not sure. Otherwise the motor should be the same aside from stator.

A few of the Tdub guys use those trailtech units as a speedo and odometer. Others use a gps. I think a gps with a bar attachment would be better since you're offroading. As far as the trip meter goes, I couldn't say for sure if it would work.

[SpencerCompton]

I took a pretty nasty spill around 40mph blasting down some jeep trails in the bald eagle state forest a month or so ago. The rear cyclerack kept the ass end from getting damaged but the front got a bit busted up. We didn't have the right tools so I spent the next 60 miles of single and double track with my handlebars positioned at 4 o' clock.

So, does anyone have a fork brace and/or front axle laying around? I'm sure
I can find one on fleabay but I'd rather send my money to an inmate.

Thanks,

Spencer

[NJ-Brett]

That has happened to me hundreds of times.
I just kick the wheel back into line, or sometimes bash the wheel against a tree till its lined up again.
I NEVER used any tools to set it right....

I never crashed bad enough to actually bend anything other then bones...

Originally Posted by SpencerCompton

I took a pretty nasty spill around 40mph blasting down some jeep trails in the bald eagle state forest a month or so ago. The rear cyclerack kept the ass end from getting damaged but the front got a bit busted up. We didn't have the right tools so I spent the next 60 miles of single and double track with my handlebars positioned at 4 o' clock.

So, does anyone have a fork brace and/or front axle laying around? I'm sure
I can find one on fleabay but I'd rather send my money to an inmate.

Thanks,

Spencer

[NJ-Brett]

I wonder if the new parts will retrofit to the older bikes.
That might be the stator and regulator for the electrical system...not that I really need any more power.
The automatic cam chain adjuster might be an easy retrofit.

In a lot of area's in the pinelands, gas is not close, and with the little tank on the TW, I would have to be careful, carry spare gas or head out to gas up at some point.
The trip meter is what I use on all bikes to tell when to worry about gas...
I thought ALL bikes had one!

Originally Posted by assquatch20

I think one thing that changed a few times over the years was the stator and some other electrical stuff, not just in 2001. I think the cam adjuster is different after 2001 as well, but not sure. Otherwise the motor should be the same aside from stator.

A few of the Tdub guys use those trailtech units as a speedo and odometer. Others use a gps. I think a gps with a bar attachment would be better since you're offroading. As far as the trip meter goes, I couldn't say for sure if it would work.

[SpencerCompton]

Originally Posted by NJ-Brett

That has happened to me hundreds of times.
I just kick the wheel back into line, or sometimes bash the wheel against a tree till its lined up again.
I NEVER used any tools to set it right....

I never crashed bad enough to actually bend anything other then bones...

tried kicking and bashing it into a tree with no luck, the fork brace(fender mount) got tweaked pretty good. I've tried straightening that out since I got it off the bike but it's just shitty cast metal and doesn't want to cooperate.

[KIC]

Hi guys ! Hey, following the belief that no good deed goes unpunished, I loaned one of my 02 TW's to a friend for the DMV riding test. I just got it back minus the right side panel. Just thought I would check and see if any body happened to have one they would sell. Here is a picture of the one on my other TW.

[TheAdmiral]

Originally Posted by NJ-Brett

Thanks for the info.
Does anyone know, besides the changes made in 2001 I think, if all the other parts are the same?
Same motor parts?
I read the 1995 does not have a trip meter???
Would the 95 take the newer speedometer?
I use the trip meter to tell when I will need gas...

A kick starter is nice to have, the drum brakes likely work fine off road, I do not do much night dirt riding so the lower power headlight is not a big deal, I like manual carbs over the CV ones, so its all good except maybe the trip meter...

Here is some more information I compiled after a quick search at the TW specific forum (www.TW200forum.com), which may be helpful. This is not my information, but information taken from different forum posts. I also believe the 1987 model does in fact have a starter as I've seen photo's of them with "Electric" sticker on the side covers and what appears to be a starter. However, I see many 87 owners are reporting problems of obtaining electrial replacement parts and components (CDI for example).

First Gen, if you will was 1987 only, first year of the TW. It had a separate lighting coil; the lights only came on if the bike was running. It had no front running light feature and the safeties were wired slightly differently from subsequent runs. It used a 1987-specific CDI unit. The left engine side cover only accommodates the 1987 charging/lighting system.

Second Gen was '88-'01. It had an improved single phase, self-contained charging system, CDI was specific to those years, 35 watt headlamp, had front running lights and essentially the same system for the entire run. Left side engine cover again only accommodates components from these years

Third Gen '01 to present. They have a higher output three phase charging system, higher wattage headlamp, and their own corresponding CDI unit and push cancelling turn signals. Another slight difference is the left side cover.
More general information:
All TW's are great bikes. Some (slightly} greater than others, depending on your point of view.

'87's had one-year-only charging systems and ignition modules. Aside from that, they are essentially no different from an '88-2000 model. They're becoming a parts problem with regard ONLY to the electrical systems.

In 2001, Yamaha giveth us a front disc brake, (but taketh away our kick starter) slightly more alternator output, a new CV carburetor, and a resettable trip meter.

So basically the bike has had 3 versions of charging system, picked up a disc brake and lost its kick starter in 24-odd years.

All plastics are interchangeable from year one to present. Lots of lovely Barbie colors over the years if yer into that. lol

The basic motor is the same and all parts will interchange except for the left side covers, which have slightly different castings to accommodate the different charging systems over the years. Later models had a self-adjusting cam chain adjuster.

Quality control has worsened considerably on the later model motors, so watch for base gasket leaks. Yamaha has issued a Band-Aid in the form of an "improved" base gasket, but the real problem stems from crappy cases. Some suck, some don't.

All front end parts will swap between years. The disc front end differs from the drum only in the lower legs and that the lower triple tree has a tapped hole for the brake hose mount.

The late model carb drives from the right, early model's cables are on the left.

Swing arms and rear wheels are all the same.

Gas tanks are all the same except later models got a smaller gas cap and Cali models have a fitting for a vapor hose.

Early models have better starter solenoids, relays, and electrical components overall, IMO.
Later models have more output and slightly more protected wiring harnesses.

Lower fork legs lost their drain screws at some point. Early models had them.

Kickstands, frame gussets and welds are better on the older units. Whether this was necessary or not is arguable, but they are different.

The only real interchangeability problems I've encountered have been between the electrical systems, wiring harnesses and switchgear. Lots of variations here, with minor, sniggling changes to the various connectors and components.

[NJ-Brett]

Wow, thanks much for the info!
The 1995 sounds great then, with only the trip meter an issue with me.
I love having a kick starter, had a lot of bikes up to 750's without electric start and never wanted it on any bike really.
The non cv carb sounds like a winner, the electrical system I dont care about as long as I can get parts for it.

[mykdee]

Added the side pelican cases today! What do you guys think?

[mykdee]

[wayno]

Like em! Got them on my WeeStrom but going with Dirtbagz on the TW

First gots to buy a battery after 6 years and 34 miles mine gave up

[Solomoriah]

Originally Posted by wayno

... after 6 years and 34 miles ...

Dude, WHAT? Don't you ride that thing???

[wayno]

Originally Posted by Solomoriah

Dude, WHAT? Don't you ride that thing???

Just bought it and wife hasnt done the ms course so no ride and I am beginning to like it and she may have to buy her own. Only had 27 miles when I bought it.....it is a ball for a 63 yo like me....my feet even touch the ground.

[wayno]

Originally Posted by wayno

First gots to buy a battery after 6 years and 34 miles mine gave up

Having trouble finding trouble finding any thing but an acid filled battery for the 04 TDUB and I live in Kansas City. Will try BMW dealer tomorrow