Picked up this 72 U7E (V70) step-through at Mid-Ohio for $300.
 
 
 
A non-runner but had good compression, perfect seat and good bones. Came with a set of new tires on the side to boot, so I took a chance on it.

Using much of what I learned here restoring my 69 AT1, I was able to fix it up with minor effort.
1. Cleaned tank and petcock (minor rust and dried fuel deposits)
2. Cleaned carb and original air filter
3. New OEM crank seals left and right
4. New friction discs for clutch
5. Cleaned/adjusted points
6. Inspected and cleaned dynamo and brushes
7. Added missing leg shield (new repro)
8. Cleaned, oiled, adjusted chain

Result was a cool little retro cub clone. Electric start. Everything works. Three speed tranny (auto clutch) pulls two-up to 45mph no problem. Will live on as a camp bike for my buddy and his girlfriend who summer on a small island off Portland, ME. Hated to see it go but it's a great feeling to bring another old Yamaha tiddler back to an even longer, useful and fun life. It's a little head turner, IMHO!
 


 

Very nice! 

I love those little bikes and as I get older they become more my speed. 

Good one. We only got V50 & V90 of that era down here in NZ & both were kickstart only although the V90 had 12 volt DC ignition but was still a flywheel alternator style but 12 volt. Had good front forks on the 90 with a floating brake so the front would dive under braking rather than climb, with brake plate floating anchor up the forks a bit. Battery on the 90 was same as RD350 12volt. I had a few 50's & one if not two derelict 90's & regularly rode the 90 to work as clipped along out of town. Only let down is the crash box gearchanging which is hard on the gear dogs but best to hook second quickly as that's the big gap ratio change. Anyway--sorry, reminiscing & worked in the shop in those days. Just a not & maybe i'm wrong as long ago but i thought the U7 was the previous model with rotary valve & crazy external gearchange like the YG1 little road bike. Anyway, Enjoy.

Here's a google image saying U7E 1972 but i don't know i guess they carried the name on with model change. All good. 

Love love love to see cool Yamahas brought back to life again! Really like the color!

I dig the color too. According to the books, it's Mandarin Orange Metallic. I think it was offered in the states for one year only, being 1972.

I was surprised too... I saw a U7 that had the rotary valve YG1 engine with Sachs ball-lock transmission at a "scooter club" event here in Las Vegas about 10 years ago.  It was a little more modern frame than my MG1-T and had the leg shields...  but still a step through.  They said it was a 67 or 68? 

I've only seen a 1967 U5 in the manuals here but the bike I saw was definitely a baby blue U7.  But back then the Yamaha online parts books didn't recognize there was an MG1T either. 

The 72 U7 looks like a great bike too though..  I'd be proud own it...  especially this one!

 

RT325,

Right? Took me a minute to get used to shifting this little beast. Like you say, 1st is very short and to shift smooth(er), you gotta hit second almost right away at like 10mph. Similar to my AT1 in fact. The 3 down pattern took a little mental adjustment and then to tap the heel to down shift took a little getting used to. A couple test rides and I was off to the noped races!

This one is reed induction. If I recall correctly, 72 was the year Yamaha went with reeds across the board on their small displacement two-strokes.

JT2 was still a rotary valve...  but yes, the small "rotary jet" Yamaha engines of the 1960's were pretty much replaced by far cheaper, narrower, and less complicated reed valve engines.

PS, I have the service and parts manual for this bike. I will scan and upload if of interest to any here.