ajl124

Forks back from re-chroming at Rockrome in Liverpool. Loads of other parts arrived from Fowlers so time to start reassembling the DT.

Bit quiet for the last couple of weeks but the Frame , swinging arm and other parts back from the powder coasters. Came to £100 all including ten other parts. Strange how the owner of the powder coasters remembered me after thirty odd years quote " Are you from Alsager, didn't you have a FSIE ?" Only other progress at the moment is putting more fluorescent lighting in the garage. Can't do a proper job with poor lighting.

Good points Neo and Airhead perhaps I'm getting a bit carried away.

God these parts are expensive secondhand! Thanks for the link ref the mudguard Airhead and the paint clarification. Has anyone had handlebars powder coated, if so did everything fit back OK with the thickness of the coating, I'm thinking clamps ,throttle etc? As the fender support should be cad plated gold. I will see if I can get it coated similar colour ? Or may be zinc plated with a yellow/gold passivate. Andy

Welcome and good to see another DT175MX not too far from me. Looks like a nice bike. Andy

Thanks for the comments guys. The reason I bought it was I wanted an early example as I've had later ones, also it has only had three previous owners. Airhead I haven't extended the stand just removed the paint to earth the welder. Any takers on the paint question ? Also any idea apart from ebay where I could get a rear mudguard as mine has been melted by something by the back light? Andy

A bit more progress this afternoon. Side stand bracket. It was a bit worn so I've done a weld repair to get the thickness back and ground back to correct thickness. New bolt and the stand fit a lot better. As for the stand,when I got the bike ,when in the up position it hit the rear footrest and seemed to be worn in this position. I have welded up the wear at the up stop on the stand if that makes sense. Have a look at the picture and see if you guys think the angle of the stand in the up position is correct. eg. Parallel with the frame lower rails ? Andy Untitled by Untitled by ajl124, on Flickr">http://Untitled by ajl124, on Flickr

After months of thinking ,research etc, I have taken the plunge and stripped the the DT. The bike is original including indicators and clocks, but someone has been over most of the cycle parts with black Smoothrite or similar paint. It came apart eventually, with the swing arm pivot bolt seized and monoshock to swing arm seized, the most challenging parts. All parts now boxed ,bagged and labeled where necessary. I am leaving the engine complete at the moment and concentrating on the cycle parts. Frame is stripped of every part including steering lock and off to the powder coaters soon, along with other parts. Which brings me on to a question. Frame should be gloss black, but what about the rear light housing, bash plate , fork yokes, headlamp brackets, chain guard and guide, handle bars and under seat rear mudguard support? I remember some of these were satin black on my 79 bike back in the 80's. Would like to get this bike looking original. I will post some images soon Andy Untitled by ajl124, on Flickr">http://Untitled by ajl124, on Flickr

Thanks Airhead haven't come across Trail and Trials before, will give them a try. Andy

Just started stripping my 78 DT and need some advice on spare parts. I need swing arm pivot bushing the long steel one, nylon top hat bushings and the chain roller. Also the monoshock pivot pin ( the one with the split pin ). There is a kit for the swing arm available a Yambits, has anyone used it ? Can't see the the pivot pin on Yambits. Do Yamaha still stock these parts ? Andy

Glad it wasn't just me that thought it was a bit steep.

Just had an quote to blast and powder coat my frame and swing arm. Over £200 was the quote, what sort of price are you guys paying? Andy

Thanks for the comments , the words just kept coming last night. More progress tonight. Earth lead fitted from voltage regulator and now the lighting voltage at the headlamp is down from 10 v ac to 6.8 v ac. Pleased with that. Andy

Thanks for the kind words Airhead. Yes the Fiat still turns heads. Will make up a suitable lead and fit. What is current thinking regarding frame finish - paint or powder coat ? My thoughts are powder coating is a bit hit and miss quality wise. Westfields have a lot of problems with shelling off and corrosion setting in. Andy

Hi all been lurking round here for a while now and think it's time to introduce myself. Located in Cheshire not far from J16 M6. Had a few Yams started on a M reg Fizzy in 78 then a very brief 6 weeks with a Superdream ( long story) Sold that and bought a DT 175MX T reg. Sold that and graduated into cars, college etc. Found my way back into bikes in the 80's and bought a DT again to race in enduro style events in the late 80's down in Coventry. They were on a short circuit but did last for 2 hours. Put that bike back to standard minus indicators and sold it. Later I had a TRX850 from new and sold it a couple of years ago after my wife dropped a hint. That was a really nice bike with carbon Microns and R1 front brakes. Sold it and bought a Westfield kitcar which I use on track days and spirited drives ! Anyway had the urge to revisit my youth again not to go quite as far back as a Fizzy but to a DT. So I have found myself after a bit of searching an early white/red and black S reg 13000 miles ,complete with clocks , indicators, original front and rear mudguards and seat strap ! I'm not sure if I will do a concours type restoration or just a really nice job, new paint etc but not to get too hung up about all the really fine concours detail. Progress so far is : It starts, runs , has 6 gears, lights work, oil pump works, in fact if the forks were re-chromed and new seals fitted, I think it would pass an MOT, so I'm pleased. Just received a load of parts from Yambits. One question which you may be able to help with. The voltage regulator is located on the LHS below the airbox with a yellow wire coming out of it. Question . Should the regulator be earthed by a separate wire coming off one of the fixing screws? Will keep you posted of progress. BTW. This is another project I did about 12 years ago and still going strong. http://124sportspider.com/_/Homepage.html Andy