Appreciate some advice and help on buying an old Twin Shock DT

[JDS]

Hi Guys ( and Gals)..

Some 5 months ago I was up for getting back into the DT groove after some 25 + absence, when I unfortunately had to deal with a family crisis which needed all my focus and left me financially disadvantaged. ..Anyway, those times are behind me now and things turned out thankfully okay.

Now I’m back on the quest for one of these Twin Shock DT’s and would appreciate your advice guys.

Ideally I would like a DT400, but came across this beauty on FleeBay and had to have a look ..

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=110414822994

Met the seller at his home and I must say he was a genuinely nice chap with a real passion for these DT’s, twin shock and MX … (sorry not my cup of tea the later MX’s, but hey each to their own).

This 1975 DT 250 had everything I’m looking for. Although I don’t profess to be an expert on these models like some of you guys, but this bike appeared to be unmolested, has loads of originality, and seemed like the real deal.. Basically loads of Patina.. I'm not trying to help this guy market his bike, but it did seem to me too be a nice example of these old DT's

The only real thing that put me off this bike was that when I asked about the comfortable cruising speed of these old 250’s, the vender honestly told me about 50 to 60 mph.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not after some kind of model day road bike to go tanking up and down the motorway on (I’ve already got a Beemer for that purpose), it’s just that I would like to have own one of these old twin shock DT’s and be able to use it for the odd commute on the motorway and upto bike meets. . This is why ideally I’m after a 400.

So do you guys recon this 75 DT250 is a cracking buy and at a good price, or should I hold out for what I real want, which is a DT400 ????..

I saw a DT400 twin shock on ebay some two months ago, but when I went to view it, it wasn’t in as nice a condition as this DT250 .. Do you guys think that I won’t ever find a pukka DT400 in this same condition ??

[Cynic]

Hi Guys ( and Gals)..

Some 5 months ago I was up for getting back into the DT grove after some 25 + absence, when I unfortunately had to deal with a family crisis which needed all my focus and left me financially disadvantaged. ..Anyway, those times are behind me now and things turned out thankfully okay.

Now I’m back on the quest for one of these Twin Shock DT’s and would appreciate your advice guys.

Ideally I would like a DT400, but came across this beauty on FleeBay and had to have a look ..

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=110414822994

Met the seller at his home and I must say he was a genuinely nice chap with a real passion for these DT’s, twin shock and MX … (sorry not my cup of tea the later MX’s, but hey each to their own).

This 1975 DT 250 had everything I’m looking for. Although I don’t profess to be an expert on these models like some of you guys, but this bike appeared to be unmolested, has loads of originality, and seemed like the real deal.. Basically loads of Patina.. I'm not trying to help this guy market his bike, but it did seem to me too be a nice example of these old DT's

The only real thing that put me off this bike was that when I asked about the comfortable cruising speed of these old 250’s, the vender honestly told me about 50 to 60 mph.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not after some kind of model day road bike to go tanking up and down the motorway on (I’ve already got a Beemer for that purpose), it’s just that I would like to have own one of these old twin shock DT’s and be able to use it for the odd commute on the motorway and upto bike meets. . This is why ideally I’m after a 400.

So do you guys recon this 75 DT250 is a cracking buy and at a good price, or should I hold out for what I real want, which is a DT400 ????..

I saw a DT400 twin shock on ebay some two months ago, but when I went to view it, it wasn’t in as nice a condition as this DT250 .. Do you guys think that I won’t ever find a pukka DT400 in this same condition ??

He's not wrong on the cruising speed, the 175 is lower than that at 50-55. I would be very surprised if the 400 is much more than the 250 TBH. Maybe 70, if you can handle the vibes and the fuel consumption. They were meant for point and squirt when dual carriageways didn't exist and there was only the beginnings of the motorways.

More importantly a DT400 in the condition of that 250 will probably cost you twice that of the 250. 3-4 thou is not that shocking for a good one.

[kobascle]

I had onr of these 250`s. Mine was orange and white though. This one looks like it has been painted 400 colors. Anyway. If your not wottied about torque? Change the rear sprocket out to one that is three teeth smaller and you`ll be able to cruise 65 to 70 mph all day long. I used to commute 40 miles one way to work and rode my 250 at highway speeds 65 to 70 mph without a problem

[chrisp]

Hi, i'm currently restoring a 73 DT250 and a 76 DT400, so i have a fair bit of experience with these bikes.

The yellow DT250 currently on ebay looks ok (I haven't seen it in the flesh) and I would imagine it will go for the thick end of £2000. Prices for the twinshocks, especially the 250 and 400 are strong, and getting more expensive. Dave at Redrose Retrobikes sells 400's (when he has them) for the 3-4000 mark.

Both bikes are now very rare....member blackhat here imported one from the states. Ebay US is a good source of parts, it's amazing whats out there if you sit and wait.

Having said that, complete bikes (250 and 400) are pretty rare, only a few turn up each year that i can make out.

Hope this is of some help.

Chris.

[JDS]

Cheers guys for all the advice and guidance. It’s much appreciated.

It will be interesting to see what this eBay 250 achieves at the end of the auction. It has already made the sellers reserve price, so at least he's happy..

After reading what you guys have posted, it makes me think that waiting for a DT400 to turn up for sale is the right decision to make, even though it might take sometime.

This ebay seller has a friend who apparently owns a 100% fully resorted twin shock 400 in Black & White. I have left my details with this seller, and hopefully his friend might be in the market to part with his DT400. Watch this space.

Chris.. Cheers for the info, and would love to see some pictures of your restored projects. I did see a pukka 70’s DT400 with a genuine less than 5K on the clock sell for about £1400 on Ebay USA, but I haven’t got the energy nowadays to go through all the hassle of importing a bike into the UK.

I used to restore 1960’s Bonnies and was big into importing parts in from the States, and I still own a 1969 T120 and have some parts left over.

Trying to import a complete bike in from abroad is a real hassle and time consuming, and I’d much rather just buy one that has already been through that process and has been registered here in the UK.

Spoke to David at Redrose at the beginning of the year when I first toying with the idea of getting a DT, and although he is a very helpful chap, he’s a bit reluctant to hold much stock at the moment.

I'm sure something will turn up in the end.

What do you guys think of Yamaha IT400's or Suzuki PE400's ?.

Thanks

John

[Twin Shock]

Someone will be getting a very nice 250.

[blackhat250]

Hi Guys ( and Gals)..

I would like a DT400

I asked about the comfortable cruising speed

Hi john ur back .. , Well we"ll start on cruising speed . yest i was on highway[for U,S.A membrs]

60 mph= 3,800 rpm [on 16 tooth] front sprocket [15 standard] Now i tried a 17 tooth , and it drops revs to about 3.400 .at 60mph. but there is slow throttle responce when needed And if its windy [often is] 4th gear is needed , So am on 16 tooth. Also ther easy stalled in first gear[ esp.off-road]

Now the DT250 on ebay is nice [ colour is correct yellow UK 1975 DT250. ] our DT 400s were black/White.->purdy rode one in avengers [google DT250 In film] Orange was USA.spec,[1975] Uk changed to orange 1976

Kobisicle for u, [This link.]

[JDS]

Hi john ur back .. , Well we"ll start on cruising speed . yest i was on highway[for U,S.A membrs]

60 mph= 3,800 rpm [on 16 tooth] front sprocket [15 standard] Now i tried a 17 tooth , and it drops revs to about 3.400 .at 60mph. but there is slow throttle responce when needed And if its windy [often is] 4th gear is needed , So am on 16 tooth.

Now the DT250 on ebay is nice [ colour is correct yellow DT250. ] our DT 400s were black/White.->purdy rode one in avengers [google DT250 In film] Orange was USA.spec,[1975] Uk changed to orange 1976

Kobisicle for u, [This link.]

Hello mate.. How are you ?..

Thanks for the response, and " You The Man" on these old DT's..

Yeah the Ebay DT250 seems to be the real deal, and the current owner was nice enough to spend some time showing me around the bike.. I'm no expert on these Jap Classics, but I know an unmolested example when I see one.

If I could find a 400 in this condition I’d be happy. As I’ve got older I tend to prefer genuine un-restored examples of old motor bikes. There’s nothing wrong with a correctly restored example of a bike, especially one built with NOS parts and carefully researched components, but the problem with these restoration projects is that you tend to be over protective with them and become afraid to use them.

I’d jump at the chance of getting a decent restored DT400, but then I’d start looking for another one to use as a general purpose run around.. I’ve to many bikes already and the wife would go Ape S**T if I added two more to the collection.

Have you any good suggestions on books or publications detailing the history and model changes of these old DT’s

Thanks

John

PS: Do you know anything on Yam IT's or Suzuki PE's ? These could be an alternative consideration if I can't find a DT400

[Airhead]

PS: Do you know anything on Yam IT's or Suzuki PE's ? These could be an alternative consideration if I can't find a DT400

The only similarity between an IT and the old DT is the name on the tank. The IT as you may well know is a pupose built enduro bike and would pee all over a DT with two gears still left so if youre extremely lucky to find one of these prepare yourself for some exciting rides. However not many were sold due to the specialist market and the increased price of these bikes so you may struggle to find one and also struggle to source parts. By all means search for one and good luck with it, the same applies to the suzuki PE.

...Paul

[JDS]

The only similarity between an IT and the old DT is the name on the tank. The IT as you may well know is a pupose built enduro bike and would pee all over a DT with two gears still left so if youre extremely lucky to find one of these prepare yourself for some exciting rides. However not many were sold due to the specialist market and the increased price of these bikes so you may struggle to find one and also struggle to source parts. By all means search for one and good luck with it, the same applies to the suzuki PE.

...Paul

Hi Paul..

I understand where your are coming from on these later enduro models.. and I totally appreciate they are two different beasts. The DT is a cool layed back Steve McQueen type bike, where as the IT or PE is a crazy Eddie Kid machine.

Do the IT models need more maintenance.. ie: piston & ring change every annual service ??

Do the IT's also share the same auto lube system the DT's have, as I believe the PE's do not have pre-oil mix systems.

I'm not after a wild performance machine, just a cool two stroke enduro to have a bit of fun on now and then and be able to take me and my wife on the odd trip down the motorway to visit friends and family.

Thanks

John

[Airhead]

Sorry John, cant help with the specifics of IT ownership, but i'm sure these guys Here will be able to.

[Twin Shock]

The IT Yamaha's are competition enduro bikes, they do not have the autolube system and are not legal for road use in the U.S. anyway. I have a 1986 IT 200 and it is close to performance of the YZ except with a wider gear box ratio.

[JDS]

Cheers Paul for the web link.. Very handy.

And thanks Twin Shock for the heads up on the lack of an autolube system on these IT models.

No autolube : have to carry 2 stroke oil around + more hassle = Back to the good old DT models.

[Airhead]

Cheers Paul for the web link.. Very handy.

And thanks Twin Shock for the heads up on the lack of an autolube system on these IT models.

No autolube : have to carry 2 stroke oil around + more hassle = Back to the good old DT models.

I very much doubt they have pillion carrying capacity too, ie footrests.

[blackhat250]

I very much doubt they have pillion carrying capacity too, ie footrests.

Yeh O.Git!"s right on this one, the seat is way too small. thers rear footpegs" but unless ur 11st.& the wife a size 8 . u"ll be sitting on the tank. [ like i was ] wen mates RD400 BROKE Down.

Picture it am 16st & he 17 st , musta looked like them mules in india overloaded. & not good to steer wen sittin forward like that ,

[JDS]

Hey Chaps.

That 1975 DT250 sold for £1799 on ebay.. Someone's got themselves a nice little bike for summer, if summer actually ever gets here.

Could you guys please keep an eye out for a 1970's DT400 and give me a shout if you happen to see a nice one for sale..

Thanks

JDS