Picked up a rough '68 dt1 parts bike as needed single plug head for my '68 restoration project that's in progress. Parts bike likely missing 80%+ of parts but is #'s matching so the "wheels are now turning" this old dt1 may want to come back to life - eventually.
Here's my newbie question - other than the obvious items I'm aware of that are unique to '68 (tach, muffler, tail light bracket, fuel tank, lower chain guard & I'm sure other stuff) if I picked up a 1969 DT1 donor bike are majority of body & engine parts correct & interchangeable? Since I'd need countless parts didn't want to attempt purchasing individually.
Would appreciate any guidance if this a reasonably doable long term project?
Thanks!

the transmission,cylinder can be interchanged from a 1969 model. the carb could be used but it is not correct on a 1968 DT1. early 1969 DT1s used the same magneto cover but the later one have the 4 screw covers on them. the crankshaft can be interchanged but is not 100 percent correct. the oil tank can be interchanged and if it is a late 1968 DT1,the fuel tank can be interchanged. the front fender can be interchanged.

the pipe could be used but is not correct for a 1968 DT1.

the 1968 DT1 has a smaller steering dampener than the 1969-70 DT1 has.

I think it is a very doable project. it will take time looking for parts but looking for parts and being persistent is a must.

the transmission on the 1968-69 DT1 is different than the trans on a 1970-71 as the gears on the later DT1 has a finer pitch than the early DT1s.


you know about the tach but the speedometer on the 1968 DT1 is unique to that year as well.

Bigdog,
Your comments exactly what I needed as I'll obviously need many engine components as well as numerous nuts/bolts, frame components, brake linkage, etc. that should transfer over nicely from an early 1969 dt1. VIN # DT1-039XX. I currently have a spare '68 dt1 lower chain guide and bought '68 dt1 fuel tank yesterday so 2 less items to locate.
THANK YOU for the expert advice!!
swm

I will post some pictures of the speedometer. I have one but it is a mess. here is a NOS one and I got this pic from Enduronut back in 2008.

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notice the trip knob along with that flat area on a 1968 DT1. the 1969-70 speedo is round here. the trip knob was only used in 1968.

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1969-70 gauge can here.

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here is a pic of a 1969-70 instrument and the 1968 DT1 instrument on the left. the dial is similar and I am not sharp eyed enough to spot a difference. there is one little difference and that is how Nippon Seiki marker is arranged on the 2 different instruments,I think the one on the right is really a 1971 piece and it is currently on my 1971 RT1B.

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another thing I forgot to mention,the headlight ears for a 1968 is different too and only used in 1968. the headlight bucket has I think a 8 mm hole for mounting with no dampener,just a straight hole there. I have pictures of these somewhere too if you need them.

for the record,the 1968 DT1 speedo is from a later bike SN DT1-100xx

I also have a very early 1968 DT1 that is #02xxx. the tool box came from that one and the tool box is different from the later ones I have.

there is enough running changes to write a novel on and I am not joking!

Here is what I know about the '68 DT1 since there were 4 frames (00,01,02,03) there are a variety of changes between the 4 frames. I have two '68 DT1 blue parts manuals that were printed (as I recall Feb 1969) with the changes for all 4 frames. As I remember under 2,XXX had blue headlight beam indicators, the kick starter clamps/bolts at the 4 o'clock position (this is one of the most difficult parts to find besides the lower chain guard you spoke of having), and the coil wire for frame 00 had a different color than those made after. There were different size engine bolts for different frames as well, as they put bigger diameter bolts in as the year progressed. The fuel tank in the first 2,XXX were held by 6mm bolts then they went to 8mm until #13,000 where the dual puck design was incorporated to the frame/tank. Another thing is there is no rear tailight wire/retainer keeper on the rear fender like 1969 and after, but I do not know if that was missing only for the early versions or for the whole model year. I have DT1-00500 and it is 5 parts short of being factory correct (I hope!). I have a friend in Covina, CA who has all the parts and will be giving them to me ( I send him cases of canned red salmon every year) next time I get down that way. If you need any more information send me an email and I will put you in touch with my Covina friend that has many '68 DT1's #362, 777, and quite a few more under 3,000 and I think 13 or 14 still in his stables. Oh, also have DT1-12078 and it will be GYT's this or next year. I want this one as a rider as it is so loud I could wake up a few neighbors here in Alaska in the Summers when I am not out fishing.

wow,welcome aboard drdrmann! I am glad more 1968 DT1fans have found their way here! you have a very nice pair of 1968 DT1s!

I have a 1968 DT1 numbered 100xx and it has the 10 mm rear upper engine mount bolt with the larger spacers.
there was a TSB on this and I wonder if that bike had the TSB done to it or if it originally came that way?

Enduronut is our resident expert on these and if I remember correctly he said that change came earlier in the model run than the 1 I have.can't remember when it came into effect but at 1 time I did.

the early 1968 I have has the 8 mm spacers and bolt. those spacers on that are hard to find.

when I start putting the early 1968 back together,I will do a thread on it and my later 1968 DT1 will also make a appearance in that thread. and of course it will be a open thread so anyone that is a member here with a 1968 DT1 can come in and comment and post pics and stories on their 1968 DT1. it will be a great thread for every 1968 DT1 enthusiast.

another difference I forgot to mention,the rear fender had a running change too. there is a clip on the fender to hold the tail light wiring loom that was on a original rear fender from # 100xx and the one from the #02xxx DT1 is not there.

I found a place that is reproducing the dampener rings for the small 1968 DT1 tachs.
www.claussstudios.com/id48.html

it is 3/4 down the page on the right hand side.

Thanks for the comments BigDog, but the picture of the 2 DT1's was taken by Bob Burnett and mine has the correct 1968 Japanese license plate for a 250cc MC (the biggest allowed then) and is #00500 and Bob's is behind mine and is #7101 almost smack dab in the middle of the model year.

I know Enduronut is an expert on the DT1 and has been to Japan to do research on them. My friend, Mark D in Covina is also an expert and picks apart every DT1/RT1 he sees if someone is selling it as stock. He has a lot of parts, and maybe some day they might be available to me. If someone is going for factory fresh like I did he might be willing to let go of a few parts in the future, but they won't be cheap.

Glad to know there are so many real DT1/RT1 enthusiasts. My first bike was a JT2MX mini enduro, and I have over 10 mini enduros and GT80s in my herd now!

Thanks for the tip on the tach rubber ring, could use one or two!

I have a good pipe, not cheap. PM me if interested.
Capt Dave

I am really enjoying this thread while increasing my knowledge of first year DT1!! I'm amazed how many items were tweaked during the '68 production, but is fascinating as well.
My current (and first) '68 resto project is VIN # DT1-04336.
The rolling parts bike I picked up last week is DT1-03969 & once it's delivered will decide if I'll tackle a long term restoration since it's missing so many parts, but is # matching.
Thanks again!!

Here`s the pipe.