JDS

Cheers again sacha for the forum tips.. Now I see the tick box you mentioned in the right hand corner... What would I do without you hey ! dt502001... She's to nice and honest to do a full restoration on her.. I'd like to replace all the internal engine bearings and seal to insure everything is okay going forward, but not to touch the exterior paint work on the casings and spoil the original patina. " Fear Wear & Tear" is the cool ! The carb needs sorting out because its p**sing out fuel.. I suspect it might need a new float and float valve.. Anyone know where I can get some NOS parts for these carbs ? (Does “Allens” still do parts for these carbs ?).. The other parts I need at the moment are a front Takasgo wheel ( original buckled) and a NOS inlet manifold ( original perished). I’ll try and get some pics of the Yam 650cc Flat Tracker next time I’m down that neck of the woods and post some pictures.. Sniff6.. I like your averter … I’m a big mutt fan as well and own 3 boys myself.. I have 3 Hungarian Vizsla’s I used to like the NR750 when it came out, and although it was the inspiration for Tamburini’s 916 ( well at least the headlamps, exhaust exit and single sided swinging arm) I personally don’t think its looks have stayed the test of time like the Ducati.. Is it me or does Michael Neeves look ill in that video.. he looks so thin and gaunt. .

Hey.. How you doing mate ?. It's an import... I've tried getting a date certificate from yamaha but no joy there.. They said it was to old for their records.. Bugger!. I know the dealer in London your referring too ( Motorcycles International or something like that) and the owner is called Frank.. He has a Honda NR 750 up for sale at £100,000.. Good bit of self marketing to get punters to his store.. Please post a few pics of your old DT400 and have you got out of this model all together or just taking a break.. I hope I’ve done the right thing and not bought a bike of my youth only to be disappointed. They said never meet your heroes... LOL !

Cheers for the link Sacha.. I now have a photobucket account.. This is a steap learning process this forum stuff.. Here are some pics of the DT400. PS: I don't seem to get any notice of posts from this thread.. Is there a tickbox I need to tick ? Cheers John .

Well Chaps I finally bought myself a DT400 after 2 to 3 years looking for the right bike to turn up.. I don't know how to attach pictures on the forum, but if someone could give me a few tips, I'll do my best to post some pics. Cheers John

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

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.

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

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

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

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 ??

Hey Vudu.. Thanks for those kind words of encouragement.. You have a nice pair of Yams ( and no that is not some rude euphemism for something else).. That cracking DT250 in Portuguese orange looks stunning.. That is my favourite colour and spec of all the DT’s, but I do like the power of a 400.. Cheers for posing the pictures.. My personal circumstances have recently changed, and my quest for a mint DT400 twin shock has had to take a very back seat priority.. Maybe, later on when I get my stuff back together, I can resume my search.. I want to thank all you Forum guys out there for all that invaluable infor and helpful advise you’ve shared with me, and it was very kind of you guys posting up pictures of your Pride and Joys.. Thank you all very much JDS

Hi Chris.. PM sent.. Cheers Mate JDS

Hi Chris.. Thanks for your post.. I'm very interested in what you have written about your current restoration project, and I would defo like to discuss a few things further with yourself, if that's okay with you.. I'm away from my home PC at the moment, and I also need to respond back to Twin Shock, as he was kind enough too send me some pics of his DT400 ( Wow... what an example)... I've only used my works Laptop to get my emails, and have noticed that you guys have posted on this thread... Please give me few days to get back home and onto my own PC, as work will kill me if they find out I'm using their PC for this purpose.. You DT guys really know your stuff, and I'm glad I've registered on here before diving in head first to buy a DT.. Cheers Guys PS: Chris I used to belong to the VJMC, and I still do the Festival of 1000 Bikes at Mallory Park on my mates Ex-Percy Tait Triumph T00C 500cc... Haven't been to the Old Stafford show for some 4 years, when I stopped restoring old Triumphs.. It got to the point when every year the same old shagged out and rusty British bike spares would be up for sale by the same traders.. I suppose its different when it comes down to the Japanese stuff, but as I'm looking for early Jap stuff I bet it's going to be the same deal.. This is why I'm not looking into getting a rstoration project, but more a 100% original bike with tons of patina or an already restored bike..

Blackhat 250 .. Have sent you a PM

PM sent

Stunning isn't it

I know about how frustrating it can get when it comes to bike restoration.. I’ve been doing late 1960 Triumph Bonnies for 25 years, and finding some of the NOS parts for those is like trying to find a pair of breeding Dodo’s.. That example Chrisp got off ebay looks like a decent enough starting point for a restoration job.. I’ve imported TT 120’s back from the States, which came over just as a matching Frame and Crank cases, and then spent 6 years finding all the original NOS bits and bobs.. If you ever go to the NEC British Bike museum, their 1967 TT120 was one I supplied.. I’m getting to old for all this hunting around for the right nut & bolt, I rather buy a concourse bike that someone has already done, or get someone like Dave at Redrose to restore an example like the one you posted, upto show condition.. All I have to do then is enjoy the bike and keep it in show condition for others as a reference example of the marquee.. It just takes time and patience to find the right bike, and I don't mind waiting.. What I appreciate is all you guys giving me advise, as I'm a complete newbie in this field..

Thanks for those pictures and advise.. Its much appreciated.. I'm beginning to get a bit more knowledgeable about this forums communication and more importantly DT’s.. The picture of the orange coloured DT is a 1976 DT400B in non standard Portuguese Orange which was only available on the 250 version… Hey… impressed..Your not… Alright then … I found that Orange coloured 400 during a Google search, and managed to email its original owner a nice chap called Clive, who apparently has got a show winning DT.. I’ve asked him to consider me if he ever wants to sell it.. I prefer the 400’s and my preferred choice would have to be the Black & White version.. However, saying that the Orange on DT 250 is a stunning colour and is without doubt my favourite. Cheers Alan for the web link.. I’ve already been in contact with Dave at Redrose and we’ve had a quick chat and are in email communication. Dave is going to keep an eye out for me, and hopefully with all his contacts a pucker DT will turn up for sale, and I’ll have a new 2 stroke stead to play with by next summer

Hello Blackhat250.. Cheers for the info.. Is there somewhere I can find out some more details about the different models produced for the various World Markets.. Has someone written a Bible Book for the DT’s..???? Really would appreciate if you did find some time to bang over some pictures of some twin shock models.. If you want, I could PM you my email address The way I see it is that if I’m going to get back into DT’s, I might as well go for the model I always dreamed of owning, ever since I bought my first DT 175.. The twin shock models may not have the handling performance of the mono-shock models, but as I’m not going to use it for any serious off roading, I might as well buy the model that most gets my rocks off.. PS: Now I know this is going to sound incredibly ignorant, but what does the abbreviation “just been spanked fae O.G.O.A.B “.. You have to cut me some slack, as I’m a newbie.

Have had a butchers in Blackhat250's Gallery for some pixs, and it was empty.. Rang Dave at Redrose Retro's today and had a quick chat about what's cuurently available, and unfortunately Redrose are not buying any stock at the moment, due to the current financial climate ( which is totally understandable).. I have emailed him my details, and hopefully one will turn up in the future and I can officially get onto the path of become a DT owner once again.. If anyone out there hears of a DT400B come on the for sale market, then please send me a PM.. Has anymore got any info and pictures of the various DT 400 models and versions.. Are there any good web sites to visit to get this info ??? Cheers for all you help so far.. THE QUEST CONTINUES

Wot ho ... Small World Hey ... I thought your DT looked like an 175MX, but I didn't want to say as I couldn't made out much detail in the picture, but I suppose the rear suspension should have been a big clue .. Doh !! I didn't quite think that Uxbridge one was the real deal for me, and there appeared to be several parts not quite right about it, even though it was a nice bike and would make someone very happy to own it.. REDROSE... Yes... That's the guy's ... Cheers mate your a star.. I'll take a look at blackhat250 gallery, once I get the hang of this forum.. The American 400's are my first choice of the DT models, and the twin shock look and all those small extra bits of chrome really do it for me.. Thanks again mate!!!

Hi There Oldgitonabike... Thanks to for the welcome... You appear to have a nice DT400 there mate.. There was one that recently came up for sale on Ebay in the Uxbridge Middx area, but I did find it until near the end of the listing, which didn't give me enough time to view the bike.. I thought the was a company up near your neck of the woods specializing in DT restorations.. Do you know of them ?? My fav DT400's are the early US models, especially the enduro version with the lower front mud guard and twin rear shocks.. I'm into Old School , and have a 1969 Bonnie

Hi Everbody... I've been reading occasionally the various threads on this forum for a couple of weeks, but this is my first post, and I thought it was time I said hello .. I've been looking at getting back into Yamaha's 2 strokes , as I used to have a 1983 Yamaha DT 175MX, many.. many.. many moons ago.. Recently felt like reviving my youth by buying another one.. However, when I think back to those days, the bike I really hankered for at the time was the DT400.. I’m now trying to find an original DT400 here in the UK, and as you all know they are hard to come by .. I remembered reading a small article in MCN sometime ago about a company doing restorations on DT's somewhere up in the midlands or maybe Derbyshire, but I can't seem to find that article or their details on the net I've been in touch with a nice chap called Clive who owns a cracking DT400, and recons they do come up from time to time for sale.. So can any of you guys help out and put me in the right direction or advise me on who to contact that may assist me in my quest.. Cheers John