Yeah! Some 68 DT1 parts from a fellow Yamaholic showed up today! NOS emblems, seat cover, tail light bracket, and gasket. Some used but usable parts too!  The gentleman bought at the dealership over 40 years ago! Two different tail lights…one has Stanley and made in Japan and the other one just says made in Japan. Wonder which one would be more correct for a 68 vin 12XXX? Could the Stanley one be for later bikes? 69 or 70 even?

Still needing speedo, early kicker and light/horn control! 

My 13xxx VIN has Stanley and Made in Japan on the taillight. 

Thanks JGersh…need all the help anyone is willing to share. All my other bikes 71 to 78 have Stanley lights and bulbs. The one with just made in Japan looks older but just guessing. I’ll probably polish up the Stanley one when I get that far.  By the way my second 68 that is just for parts now (no VIN anywhere) I’ve narrowed down to an early bike based on Tech Manual differences and other info in manuals to maybe VIN 2800 to 3300. It had the early tank with the 6mm bolt holes for the under tank bracket. My 12XXX bike has the larger mounting holes 8 or 10mm. 

Thanks for your info…I look forward to more contact as.the project moves along!

I don't know for sure what you have there but I have seen vintage "aftermarket" parts that are pretty much identical to original...  except they are missing the brand name. 

If I had to guess it would be the Stanley is original and the other one is an aftermarket?

Hopefully one of the experts will know. 

Yes MarkT I don’t know how long replacements have been around. Also after I posted I looked on the chrome back plate and it has Stanley on it. The Stanley lens has “67” in the lettering like what you’d see on car tail lights to approximate the age of old cars.  Pretty sure you’re on the mark MarkT. I’ll plan on the Stanley lens. Both lenses have no cracks or scratches so either should clean up nicely. Thank you!

If anyone comes across an early style kicker for the 68 DT1 I am in need of one. The kicker that has the bolt running vertical instead of horizontal. Mine has the splines stripped and was drilled and pinned through the kick shaft. Thanks in advance!

Any other 68 DT1 parts too that you may be willing to part with!

 
 

Might be able to help you out with a speedometer.  Looks like you are doing a great job doing a correct restoration.

Thank you Justcurious…Please send me a PM or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Thanks!!!

That was quite the parts stash you got, the taillight bracket can be pricey!

With regards to the kicker, mine isn't perfect either. My plan is to use the newer style in the meantime while I repair the "correct" arm. For running purposes then I will use the later, more common kickstart arm, and if I "show" it, I will put the early style on.

I could well be wrong on this next point, but I suspect there was a point in manufacture where they may have started using the later style mid-production. If one could ascertain when that might have been, and your VIN # was on the 'new' side, you could just use the later style kickstart arm and actually be "correct". I have to think they changed that arm for a reason, maybe they were breaking or stripping too easily. 

I absolutely know that I have magazines from 1968 showing both styles in the reviews. 

I assume you will be doing a repaint? Will you do that yourself of send out? I am at the contemplation stage on that part of the project. 

I’ve discussed the topic of the 4 o’clock kick arms with the in house ‘68 expert Enduronut and this was his answer:

”I've found a substantial amount of indicators that point too them being installed on each and every 68 DT1 model that left the factory.”