This little thing was on my ebay radar for a few days.. the seller had it listed at $25 starting price.. ..it stayed there until the last day before it ended..
So I said yeah.. why not.. I threw a $100 bid and I was high dude for $25..Yay!! but then somebody came in at the last moment and outbid me for $2.. bummer!!
Oh well no biggie.. gots lots on my plate already .. yep...
2 days later here's this email from ebay.. "you have a second chance"...HA!
Seems the big bidder is in like Montana and didn't think how much it was gonna cost to get the thing from Texas to where he was... and the sale got canceled... and now I'm the proud owner.. sight unseen to some degree... of a 1973 Yamaha LT3
Buddy of mine is picking it up.. gonna bring it to the race track...in Dallas this weekend.. where I will be.. Yippie!!

Here was the ad description !

"1973 Yamaha Enduro 100 LT3. For parts or a great basis for a restoration. Bike is complete and original. Has a clear, original Texas title. 1135 miles. Bike has been in storage since 1979, mostly in outbuildings.

The Bad:
Engine is locked. I filled the cylinder with PB Blaster a few times and let it sit several days. Still won't turn over.

Exhaust header is completely rusted out. Probably a good indication of rust buildup inside the cylinder.

Gas tank is dented, (but still holding 37 year old fuel.)

Front wheel is slightly out of alignment with handlebars.

Handlebars seem to have a slight bend on one side.

The Good:
Everything appears to be there and original, except the toolkit and fuel line. Even has a set of original keys. Seat has no tears. See pics - ask for more if you want to see something specific.

Brakes work. Shocks are not frozen.

As far as I can tell, it has not been torn down. Except where I pulled the tank and plugs to inject the PB Blaster, and where I pulled the clutch cover to put a wrench on the crankshaft.

Original clear title.

Original Owner's Manual in pristine condition. Original Warranty Guide Book. Also has the 1980 license renewal form which was never completed.

History:
I am the second person it was handed down to from the original owner, in non-running condition. I acquired it about 6 months ago.

The first person it was handed down to says that it was apparently running at the time, but had "electrical problems". He never pursued fixing it and it has been in storage at his place for about 35 years or so. He gave it to me when I helped him clear out his storage shed."

So did I blow it.. ??? More important.. with the issues noted.. roached exhaust.. lock motor.. Is this one I should build..restore..or just part out..?

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When you ask if I blew it, what are you asking?

Did you pay $100 for this motorcycle with that dated title?

asco

$100 ???
Clear Title ???

I say keep it

The bike has tx tag dated last in 79..
The title ...yeah I think its clear.. but what you see is all I had to go on..
Yeah..paid 100 bucks and gonna give my buddy 50 more to fetch and deliver..

"Did I blow it? "
Asking about the general worth in as much as these bikes I have little experiance.. I guess I could triple my $$ parting.. but this bike looks so complete.. I am a racer..but love restorations.. again I am bush league in knowledge on the Yammy enduros..just recently..the last few years getting in the swing..so.. stupid ?? are likely to be asked.. lol

The answer to your question lies in what you do with the bike, and also your objectives. If you end up having $900 in the bike and it's only worth $600 on the open market then yes -- you will be married to that motorcycle until you're ready to retire ..

Specifically, this is what I would do. Remove the fuel tank. Remove the head and try and get the cylinder off after removing the exhaust and the carburetor. You're going to need to continue lubricating and you're going to need a rubber mallet, one that you can throw away later. Machining costs are pretty high -- in addition to finding another exhaust. That alone without the carburetor overhaul my gut feeling is going to be $375 conservatively. What you do after that will answer your own question.

Incidentally I recently purchased two bikes that are newer than yours, 1978 you might be able to find them if you look around and my idea is to do as little as possible with a "small tiny little bike," maximize my profit and put it into something that has more upside potential ...

A lot of resources here -- will be able to help you with the final determination is absolutely 100% yours. Welcome and if you need some advice -- I'm sure you will get more than you asked for. "$100 is not too much money considering all the lights, wiring, gauges blinkers, and so on and so forth."

Yes, the most important things are an air cleaner and a fuel filter ...

asco

I say you scored!

I might have a pipe you can have in a parts lot I just bought... free, you pay shipping. (Or drive to Nevada to pick up ) All I know is it's smaller than a AT/CT pipe and looks too big for the 60/80 so I'm assuming it fits a 90/100. I'm sure we can measure and find out. Or I can compare it to the one I have on my LT2..

If you decide to part it, or sell the whole thing, I'd love to have it for all the lights, etc for one I want to finish someday... mine has been stripped to "dirt bike". LT2 was my first "real" bike when I was a kid... LT3 is pretty much the same bike as LT2 except purple instead of green.

If you part it out I would be interested in the Owner's Manual and Owner's Warranty Guide Book.

I need those for the LT3 I got recently.

Wow, you were lucky & good on you for saving another one. Probably in similar but better condition than my HT1 90cc i bought for $100. My story & pics would be up here somewhere, rotten header pipe & all. With the locked up motor & probably corrosion growing piston to the bore, get a holding tool onto the flywheel & fry it back & forth & she might free up. Mine was 'bad' but got it free & still haven't had the top off & goes as good as new Great days--bring em back i say--or through here we'are bringing them back!!.

If you decide to bring this one back please start a resto thread for us to watch. Looks like a keeper, like you say it's all there, all you need is time and patience. to the site.