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Makotosun

GFrench- TWO 1971 JT1Resorations

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GFrench- TWO 1971 JT1Resorations was created by GFrench

Well here I go again with yet another great Restoration Project or should I say Projects! 

Being Retired now with a nice new Shop... I got the Time and Space to work on multiple projects at the same time

A few years ago living in Colorado- I stumbled onto a Craigslist listing down in Colorado Springs showing a neglected 1971 Yamaha DT1 250- it had a few mix mash of parts but overall was a pretty complete bike with original parts.. it was Priced VERY WELL- seller almost gave it to me.

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So I headed down with Trailer to pick it up- after meeting and talking to the seller he took me back behind his house to were the DT1 250 was parked next to a tree... Yep it was rough but a good deal for me.

As I am rolling the bike out of his yard... I see an old weather beaten shed... asked him if he had any other bikes or parts he may have and want to sell.... he paused and then he said... you know I have a couple of Mini Enduro's that I was going to get going for the grand kids... but now they have all grown and have no interest.  Then he said "are you familiar with the Mini Enduro's"??  I tamped down my excitement and said... "yeah I have heard of them"- HAHA!

So he took me inside and saw two of them and they were very complete...one had a  few odd parts here and there and the other one was all there.

We haggled and was able to also load them up- SCORE!  That was 11 Years ago and bikes have been waiting patiently on me to get them going.

SO.... Here we go-  this will be a long term projects to get both of them back to showroom condition.  The Green one is a JT1L while the Red one is a true JT1 -  I will just make both of them the MX version since I do not have any of the lights and parts.... Many updates coming so stayed tune!

Here are the bikes and Video as I got the first one up and running and sounds great.

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Here is the first start up on the Green One... just took some carb cleaning etc and fired right up!




 
If it ain't smokin', it's broken!
1970 RT1 360
1970 RT1 360
1971 CT1 175
1971 DT1F MX 250
1971 DT1 250
1971 DT1 250
1971 RT1 360
1973 RT3 360 "Black Widow"
1973 RT3 360
1974 DT 360
1976 IT 400 / redesigned as a 75 MX400
1980 YZ 465
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Last edit: 11 Mar 2026 09:05 by GFrench.
11 Mar 2026 08:52 #1

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Replied by GFrench on topic GFrench- TWO 1971 JT1Resorations

All-  Let me know if you CANNOT SEE the images- using Photobucket for the pics and want to make sure it is working correctly.  Thank you
If it ain't smokin', it's broken!
1970 RT1 360
1970 RT1 360
1971 CT1 175
1971 DT1F MX 250
1971 DT1 250
1971 DT1 250
1971 RT1 360
1973 RT3 360 "Black Widow"
1973 RT3 360
1974 DT 360
1976 IT 400 / redesigned as a 75 MX400
1980 YZ 465
Last edit: 11 Mar 2026 10:19 by GFrench.
11 Mar 2026 10:18 #2

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Replied by Swoop56 on topic GFrench- TWO 1971 JT1Resorations

Photos came out fine .
11 Mar 2026 11:46 #3

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Replied by GFrench on topic GFrench- TWO 1971 JT1Resorations

cool- Thanks
If it ain't smokin', it's broken!
1970 RT1 360
1970 RT1 360
1971 CT1 175
1971 DT1F MX 250
1971 DT1 250
1971 DT1 250
1971 RT1 360
1973 RT3 360 "Black Widow"
1973 RT3 360
1974 DT 360
1976 IT 400 / redesigned as a 75 MX400
1980 YZ 465
11 Mar 2026 15:04 #4

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Replied by Reed valve Richards on topic GFrench- TWO 1971 JT1Resorations

Just love the patina on that yellow bike, if it was me, I would keep it like that - I just love how every bike tells a story through it's faded paint, rust and scratches. Looks like a great fun find!
Yo Joe, Go Joe
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Last edit: 12 Mar 2026 08:18 by Reed valve Richards.
12 Mar 2026 08:18 #5

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Replied by GFrench on topic GFrench- TWO 1971 JT1Resorations

Got some more time in the Shop to get a start on one of the two Mini Enduros.....  Since one bike (Red / White)  is a true original 1971 JT1 I will be restoring this bike to 100% Orginal Stock Color set up.

So... since I do have two of them- decided I will start on the last owners crazy green painted on to get it tore down and start the process.... my vision for this bike is I will be painting it like the 1971 RT1 360 MX-  Black with the Red Pin Strip and Silver fenders... this should be a very fun project.

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So the tear down took all of 35 minutes!  

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Engine started right up and ran perfect... this will be just a good clean up and new Gaskets and Seals

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Surprisingly the Seat Pan is in very good shape... Will put new foam and Seat cover on it once I get it repainted.


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First step is to get the Tanks and Fenders Striped to start the dent removal and body filler.

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If it ain't smokin', it's broken!
1970 RT1 360
1970 RT1 360
1971 CT1 175
1971 DT1F MX 250
1971 DT1 250
1971 DT1 250
1971 RT1 360
1973 RT3 360 "Black Widow"
1973 RT3 360
1974 DT 360
1976 IT 400 / redesigned as a 75 MX400
1980 YZ 465
The following user(s) Liked this Post: swm, RT325, Dirtboy, Snglsmkr, Ht1kid, pahiker, Tinker man
Last edit: 12 Mar 2026 13:24 by GFrench.
12 Mar 2026 13:19 #6

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Replied by Reed valve Richards on topic GFrench- TWO 1971 JT1Resorations

I like your rubber / plastic covered work surface, looks like it must be comfortable to work on. I'm always fooling around under my car port as I love being outside with the bugs! And am usually on a fresh piece of cardboard!
Yo Joe, Go Joe
14 Mar 2026 05:23 #7

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Replied by GFrench on topic GFrench- TWO 1971 JT1Resorations

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It's time to do a little scrubbing to get surfaces cleaned up to prep for the next step-  

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If it ain't smokin', it's broken!
1970 RT1 360
1970 RT1 360
1971 CT1 175
1971 DT1F MX 250
1971 DT1 250
1971 DT1 250
1971 RT1 360
1973 RT3 360 "Black Widow"
1973 RT3 360
1974 DT 360
1976 IT 400 / redesigned as a 75 MX400
1980 YZ 465
14 Mar 2026 13:50 #8

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Replied by JamesHBCA on topic GFrench- TWO 1971 JT1Resorations

The Mini looks good in green! The only sad part of this story is the grand kids not getting to ride the bikes, especially since they look to be in pretty good condition.
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14 Mar 2026 17:29 #9

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Replied by GFrench on topic GFrench- TWO 1971 JT1Resorations

Always good to get some more time in the shop to keep some projects moving forward....

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With everything now pretty much stripped of paint... thought I would take some time to practice laying down the Tank Stripe... have never done this before and it can be a slight challenge to get the exact line... to many time see folks go to all the time and expense to paint and then there is the stripe staring at you that just kills it!  It has to be perfect

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So- feel good about laying this down once I get to the actual painting... but first a lot of prep work is needed.

I have found a really good "Original" looking color for the Red and White that comes in an Aerosol Paint can... Have painted a few of my tanks just using Spray and Clear Coat and have turned out great.

Here is the color sample-  not my bike

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So I will be laying out my process here in hopes it may help a few folks figure out what might work best for them.

Fist step is to spray just a light coat of black flat paint over entire surface of tank... Once fully dries start block sanding to expose all the low spots-  I found these "Flexible" blocks on Amazon and they will really help me stay uniform across the surface of tank to maintain the shape of tank once body filler goes on.

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This will quickly expose the Bad and the Ugly for sure.... I use 120 grit to really work off the guide coat and scratch the metal so once I get to Primer it will have something to adhere to...  will use 80 Grit to create groves in low spots to make sure Body Filler locks on.

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This side of Gas Tank will take a little extra work to address the back half area... I will use my Dent Puller with the Hot Glue deal to pull it back out a bit to get the original shape back..


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The Oil Tank is in really good shape... just a couple small dings to fill

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Once you see the low spots... take your 80 Grit sandpaper and really sand the area- I then highlight the spot with a highlighter so I can clearly see where filler needs to go once I get all spots worked.

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I have become a big fan of the Eastwood Products... they just seem to be good quality for the do it yourself...  Will be using this filler for all the low spots.

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And of coarse my go to from the Frame Paint-  

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If it ain't smokin', it's broken!
1970 RT1 360
1970 RT1 360
1971 CT1 175
1971 DT1F MX 250
1971 DT1 250
1971 DT1 250
1971 RT1 360
1973 RT3 360 "Black Widow"
1973 RT3 360
1974 DT 360
1976 IT 400 / redesigned as a 75 MX400
1980 YZ 465
The following user(s) Liked this Post: Ht1kid
Last edit: 23 Mar 2026 15:48 by GFrench.
23 Mar 2026 15:41 #10

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