Hi All:

I'm in the market for a '76 DT125 with its 21" wheel.

'75's are turning up, but no '76 at an acceptable price threshold. (One was a "collectors" auction site with a $5,500 price tag on it. No freakin' way I can spend that much for a bike that's to be RIDDEN.)

Aside from paint/badging, can you help me to know exactly what's different functionally? Such as:

* Are the forks the same?

* Are the front hubs the same?

* Are the rear shock mounts in the same location?

* Is the seat the same? (I've been told the '76 has a "one year only" seat.) I ask about the seat because if the '75 seat has less foam height than the '76, then it will sit lower. I'm after the tallest Yamaha 125 w/e-start.)

I figure if '76 bikes aren't out there in reasonable quantities, then I can purchase a '75 and either:

A. Be happy with the 1/2' or so less seat height and 19" front wheel.

B. Lace up a 21" wheel to it. (IF a '75 has the same forks/hubs as a '76.)

IF I'm successful at finding the right DT125, it is being purchased as a long term riding bike. I love doing dual sport rides aboard a vintage 125 and a AT/DT series is the most user friendly out there. I think such a bike will be perfect to add to the stable to finish out my riding years upon. But I need the seat height of the later DT125 e-start bikes on account of I have a somewhat lanky 6'1" frame. (Short AT's dont fit me worth a darn.)

Thank you very much for any input.

V-man
 

Being in the UK, I can't answer your specific queries. However, a good starting point is to look at sites like CMSNL and Partzilla. If you select on a particular part for a particular bike and scroll down a little, both sites will show which other Yamaha models used that part.

I did a bunch of research after you said the 1976 DT125 had "forward mounted" shocks.  And you are correct! 

Shock mounts appear to be moved forward maybe a 1/4" to 1/2"... not much.  Not as much as they were on the 1976 DT175.  I had compared from pictures before but either didn't notice or had  2 pictures of the same year...  The paint is almost identical and someone could have used the "Enduro" decals/badges from a 1976 on a 1975 in place of the "Enduro 125" badges...  or vice versa. 

In any case, shocks were different and seat height was likely kept low.  On either model, you can install slightly longer shocks.

You are probably right about the seat and it's likely the tank is different too.  I'm way more familiar with the 1976 DT175 and it has a "one year only" tank and seat...  as well as many other "one year only" parts inside the engine/transmission/clutch.  I don't know about any 1976 DT125 internal changes...  I like the magneto models feature of not needing a battery or working charging system to run. 

1974 and 1975 models in both the 125 and 175 were almost identical except for paint and cosmetics as far as I know so a 1975 might have more parts availability than 1976...  that's true for the 175 at least. 

And since you're stuck on electric start...  even though the 175's are super easy to kick over...  you can even start them by hand...  you could open your search to the AT models as well.  It just depends on the "look" you want. 

Since you are taller, swapping the entire fork/triple clamp setup from a 250 is a popular upgrade and with slightly longer shocks will likely get you the seat height you want.  21" front wheel can be either laced up or swapped over from another bike too. 

I'd pick the model you like the best and has the best part availability.  I personally hate the flip top gas tank cap with a passion so I'd go for an AT1 or a 1975 DT125. 

Good luck on your search!

Thanks fella's for your input.

Mark:

So you now think the '76 has shock mounts slightly more forward than a '75?

Reason for this latest round of questions: I may have found a '75 that may be too good of a deal to take a pass up.

Consider: The bike in question has only 740 miles on the odo, and is a second owner bike. It's all original. (Even has the tool kit!) According to the video I have of it, it runs/sounds great. Also appears to be in very good cosmetic condition. AND the owner is willing to meet me halfway which puts the trip to take possession only 3.5 hrs drive one way. (Money/bike changes hands at noon, home before supper.) Seller is to supply additional pics over the weekend. This may be a go.

As for a '75 vs a '76, from what I know at this point, the front rim/spokes, front fender, and seat may be the only spec differences between the two models. (EXCEPT the '76 may have a bit further forward rear shock mounts.)

IF the above is so, and IF after taking possession I feel I still want the additional .5" - .75" or so the 21" rim/shock mounts the '76 adds at the seat... I could obtain a 21" rim/spokes, and a replica fender and I'm there. However, I may find that "as is", the seat height of the '75 could be "good enough" compared to the ultra low AT3 that Wild Child had.

As for the AT series: I would prefer the high mount front fender and additional height of the '75.

Mark: Yes, the "Magic Button" is worth the price of admission to me (brush maintenance, battery). At nearly 71 years of age I'm doing great. I have no problems kick starting bikes, including the high 12:1 compression on my awkward-to-kick Sachs-powered '72 DKW.

BUT... I don't know what the future holds in regards to my knees/hips/etc. SO... I'm hedging my bets with e-start. My goal is to ride as long as I possibly can, and I think a DT125 w/e-start can help me do that. IF I go forward on the '75 I've found, and IF it proves to be a good bike... then it will likely be in my dwindling stable of bikes until I can't ride anymore.

In addition to enjoying dual sporting aboard my XT225, fortunately, I LOVE dual sport riding on a vintage* 125, and as we all know, a Yamaha AT/DT series is the most user friendly 125 available. I think I see this as a win-win... even if it's not a '76.

* I like what riding a vintage 125 brings to a dual sport outing. You have to ride one so totally different than when I'm on my XT225 or WR250R. Riding a vintage tiddler is a lot more mentally challenging/etc. Also, because of the nature of a vintage 125 (less power, less suspension), the speeds on forest roads are held down as well. Again: Win-win.

Very excited about adding such a user friendly bike to my vinduro stable. I foresee lots of forest road miles ahead in my future aboard a DT125. I'll have a Magic Button!

Bottom line: I may be making another "bike run" sometime next week. LOL!

V-man

'75 DT125 PARTS QUESTIONS:

Getting serious about the bike I've found, trying to determine the parts situation beforehand. Can any of you help with an answer to any of the following?


* What size chain?

* Anyone know what the tooth counts were on the stock front/rear sprockets?

* Front/rear steel sprockets in assorted tooth counts available?

* Non-OEM headlight available? (Or was the headlight unique and it must be OEM?)

* Fair supply of pistons/rings in assorted oversize? (OEM preferred?)

I suspect my regional Yamaha dealer can still get some OEM parts for it (was the case for the wife's AT3). If so, I intend to get a set of generator brushes, fiber clutch plates, and a carb kit for future use.

ANY advice or input would be most welcomed and very much appreciated.

Thanks.

V-man
aka Andre
 

Recommend purchasing this? Any experience with this manual good/bad?



Ebay link to manual

EDIT: Hm. It must be verbotten to post eBay links.

What I found: A service manual for '74-'76 DT100/125/175's offered by "CYCLESERV PUBLICATIONS".

V-man

Ebay started blocking what I think they call "hotlinking"... this site software inserts a preview of the ebay auction. So technically it was ebay that broke the easy insertion of links.

You can post a link to ebay if you insert the link... you just have to use the insert link function rename the link with something other than the ebay address. I went ahead and edited your post and added the link below the simple copy and paste that ebay blocks now.

Factory and some non-factory manuals are available here in Tech Library.

Ah, thanks for the info and assist on the link issue as well as the info about the tech section here. I have downloaded the "Yamaha Enduro Full Range Manual". I didn't see anything specific to the DT125 series.

I had Wild Child's AT3 under control: Clymer '69-'74 manual in hand, replaced the hard to find (burned out) sealed beam with a bowl/bulb assembly, had a few bulbs on hand and ready, cleaned/installed OEM carb parts/O-rings, had new generator brushes and clutch plates on hand and so forth. Had Wild Child all set to ride her AT3 as much as she wanted with parts on the shelf... but it wasn't to be after the advent of her KLX 140L DS. I sent the above with the bike upon selling. (Except for the Clymer manual for some reason.)

Now I will repeat the process for my upcoming Yamaha Enduro 125: Attend to any issues that I discover upon delivery, and address/acquire some key "wear items/parts" and have on hand for worry free (okay, "reduced worry") riding.

I'm currently rationing the miles I put on my Zundapp and DKW on account of the sprockets are worn, and I'm trying to get another season out of them before I start that process. (The Zundapp will need a custom sprocket w/adapters, for example.)

I worry and plan. It's the way I roll. (LOL!)

V-man

yamaha-enduros.com/index.php/service-man...a-b-c-service-manual

DT125 electrical is pretty much the same from 1969...  engine/trans is basically the same from 69-76 with the major difference being a reed valve added in 1972.... earlier factory manuals sometimes have more detail.  There is a Yamaha Shop Guide from 1969 that covers a lot of theory and can be helpful.

Probably 5 or 6 manuals in Tech Library that cover the 125 and could be useful. 

Thanks again! I will carefully browse the listings here and download accordingly. I also went ahead and purchased the Cycleserve manual for the '74-76 100/125/175 DT series.

After viewing an additional video the owner shot this morning of his '75 DT125B, along with a lengthy phone conversation, also this morning, I've committed to purchasing his bike. Tentative plans are to meet at a halfway point between us (3.5 hr one way for both of us) and the bike and money will change hands.

That so, my previous '76 DT125 thread, and this thread, are now obsolete. I will be starting a new thread for my soon to be received '75 DT125B shortly.

Looks like I'm back in the Yamaha Enduro fold, and I fully expect to keep and ride this bike all the way to my finish line that's out there somewhere! It's going to get a ton of miles put on it.


V-man