The 1968 DT1 was the bike that started the real Enduro Excitement in 1968. At a time when the US was escalating the war against Vietnam, many of those lucky enough to stay stateside will recall it as the year the DT1 changed the US motorcycle scene, and altered the course of motorcycling forever.
Nothing like it was really available. The DT1 offered power, and price in a way that the European bikes could not touch. Penton, Montessa, Greeves – all offered dedicated and competent dirt bikes, but they were expensive.
The idea of a bike you could ride to the track on the weekend and compete and then wash it off and ride it to work on Monday was an innovation. Even for those who didn’t race, it provided tractable power and weight in a dependable package. Yamaha also included it’s reliable Autolube Oil Injection.
Yamaha was the Apple of the day. They designed a motorcycle we hadn’t asked for and didn’t even know we needed – but when we figured it out – we couldn’t get enough!

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 69 Yamaha Shop Guide

Service Bulletin #M5-084 re Voltage Regulators

190 Pound DT1 Article from Cycle Guide Magazine

68 DT1 250 Cycle World Test

68 DT1 Cycle Guide Test

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This is the manual for a 71, however it is the closest we have.

71 DT1E (250cc) Service Manual

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68 DT1 Dealer Brochure

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