After further research, input from fellow members here and studying as many photo's that i could, I decided to install all white grommets on this 1970 DT1. Most were white on the bike anyways. I think they look better and i am convinced the 70 models came all white. This bike cleaned up very nice for a original bike with very few mods. Hard to believe it's over 50 years old and no one rode it to death or into the ground.

Originally i went to buy the 1971 DT1 or at least favored it, but as it turned out I had to also take the 70 DT1 to be able to take it home. Now most would say that's not a bad deal. But reality is, these bikes are not cheap to buy! So i had to spend a good amount of cash to get what i wanted. And i just retired to boot. This ended up being a good decision in the end though!

The 71 is a little better original bike then the 70, reason i was favoring it. "but" after riding both bikes, playing around with them and after completing the service and clean up of the 70 i am now leaning towards the 1970 DT1 as my favorite!  As much as i thought these bikes were close to being the same, there worlds apart. In fact there is more differences then what is the same. Yamaha really changed this bike from 70 to 71. The biggest change to me is the exhaust pipe. After close inspection, measurements and weighing both pipes, you clearly see the difference. Installing the 71 pipe onto the 70 bike changes everything. It sounds different and it makes the 70 DT1 feel more like a 360 then a 250! The fact that the 70 DT1 is a much lighter bike and the 71 pipe is tuned better, it's a good combination for sure! And no the 70 pipe is not plugged up. Bike runs equally good to the 71 with there stock pipes on, maybe a hair slower.  
1st off the 70 DT1 is much lighter feeling bike. It feels more like a 175 then a 250 compared to the 71 DT250. pushing it around the garage and out riding it, there is a big difference how they feel. 2nd the 71 has heavy street tires on it plus balance weights. This doesn't help either. Turn signals. larger triple clamps, forks all add up to it's heavy feel. Even the pipe weighs about 1.5 lbs more then the 70 DT1's pipe. 

Anyways just some evaluation having both bikes side by side. Things might change once i get done with the 71 DT1 and have the correct tires on it and get it as clean as the 70 DT1. One thing is for sure it has the better paint on the gas tank and oil tank between the 2. The 1970 as mentioned has a few more changes from being 100 % original, like the seat foam (KDI) seat cover ( not known) but nice. Air cleaner lid, speedo and tach cables ( KDI) mirrors and a few other odds and ends i installed.




 
  


 
 

They are both beautiful bikes.

Thanks Mark. I've been looking for years for one of these! Now i have 2. Lol!

I know the feeling.  I spent decades looking for another 1976-1/2 Husky 250CR...  First new bike I ever got.  When I was about to give up and build a "replica", not one but two showed up nearby that were identical...  even bought at the same dealer...  to my original bike.  even VIN's are very close.  And they were both like new, bought by business partners who rode them once or twice and then kept them in their warehouse. 

My first ride ever on a motorcycle was on the back of a 1970 DT1.  So I'm kinda partial to that model too.  Don't see many of them. Here's a couple of pics from 1970.

 

 

 

Nice! Great pictures to still have from 1970! I was tempted to switch seats from the 71 to the 70 but there different too. Yes it fits but the 70 seat pan doesn't have the place to mount the seat stopper and bracket that's on the 71. Besides it does no good to rob from one nice original bike for another. I just have to except the fact that the bikes are not going to be 100% original. No matter how much you want them to be.

Awesome photos a picture says a thousand words

       

Mark,

Here is one out in California at a bike show today. Watched the video on Facebook. To shinny for me. 
 

  

Just what i thought from the beginning, After countless hours of cleaning, preserving and servicing on the 71 DT250 it's showing it's true colors as being the nicer original bike between it and the 1970. I am still waiting for the new front tire so i can finish up the front end but the rest of the bike is done. What sets it apart is the beautiful original paint especially that gas tank, oil tank and headlight bucket and mounts. Frame and fenders are cleaning up nice too and the frame only needed a few spots of touch up to keep it looking good. 
It's a remarkable bike for being original and 50 plus years old. Doesn't even look like gas was spilled on the tank when refueling because there is no clear coat or paint discoloration at the gas cap.
I should have both bikes completed by next weekend or the weekend after. (depending on front tire arrival ) then the test rides begin between the 2.(weather permitting)  It's going to be hard to pick which one to keep. I may just have to bite the bullet and keep both and most likely will.

   

 

Finally received the front tire from Revzilla today for the 71 DT250. Bikes are pretty much done and equipped the same now. Did some test riding and even with equal tires the 71 DT250 is the Cadillac of the 2 bikes. Solid, heavy feeling, smooth power band, deeper exhaust tone, plusher suspension. The 1970 feels light on its feet, Not quite as smooth power band but close, tinny sounding, feels faster but i don't think it is. Seems to rev faster or higher just a bit. Manual steering damper is noticeable too! Both bikes are very fun to ride "but" clearly different. The 71 DT250 is more closer to a 72 DT250 but without reed valve and a different gas tank. I am lucky to have both these original gems! Here is some latest pic's: 

  

And finished both up just in time! I now came across another DT250 this week. Crazy how things go sometimes! 2 months ago i didn't even have a Yamaha in my garage. Been dry for awhile now. Then i fine the 70 and 71 clean original bikes which is lucky in its' self. 

Then this week i had the opportunity to purchase this low mileage 1968 DT250 so I did. Shows 668 miles on it. Has blue light high beam, turn in tip exhaust, original tires, Guess it has the early strange rim locks on it! idle adjuster in the top of the carb and some other rare original things. I do have some NOS original tank badges and some other items for the bike. 

Supposedly it starts and runs. Will try that in the next 2 days. Not sure what i am going to do with it? fix it up as a rider? frame up restoration? I told myself no more full restorations about 2 years ago! It looks like a fun bike to restore, much easier then the newer Enduro's for sure. Only time will tell?

What do you guys think? Any one ever seen flat top fork covers like this? (last picture) Is this unique to the 68? I have never seen them before?