1969 Yamaha CT1 Project!!

Just, just bought a barn find today. 1969 Yamaha CT1 with under 2k miles from the original owner. Included all manuals, warranty card, period plate and even the original issue WA state title.

The tank is a rust bucket inside but read about the trick? to use a battery charger and electrolysis to clean it out. Found the thread on Bing: http://will.mylanders.com/mc/notes/read.pl?file=96.

Plan is to strip it down to the frame. The street stuff is already off since it was used off road last. Tired are shot but really it's a clean up and fix the tank and then see what we got kind of a bike.

Sweet, I honestly don't know how you guys do it. I can barely find my #$#% let alone an old bike to rebuild. Keep us informed.

*Make sure you read up more then just that one article. I seem to remember one guy trying it but a little differently. Took all night (if not longer) and he had some improvements on how it was done. Can't remember where i read that thou.

Good to know. It sounded too good to be true. Perhaps the Kreem kit instead. Acids aren't fun but haven't seen a tank so cruddy before. Thanks for the tip.

Inspector wrote:

Sweet, I honestly don't know how you guys do it. I can barely find my #$#% let alone an old bike to rebuild. Keep us informed.

*Make sure you read up more then just that one article. I seem to remember one guy trying it but a little differently. Took all night (if not longer) and he had some improvements on how it was done. Can't remember where i read that thou.

GRRRRRR !




do keep the pics of the project coming .this is what i want to find (or something like it) . just dont know of any barns to dig threw !

Very stoked!

I'm going to have to go with Shane on this one. Proper etiquette would have been to show a pic of said bike in begining stage.

Oh I am staying with etiquette. That's the current day pic of the bike. It's a bit fuzzy but the bike needs some TLC and cleaning. Also does not run now due to rust in the tank and likely clogged carb.

i dont see any pic ! i am just going to sit here and wait till i see one pop up !




really, i am..........










still waiting

Error between the keyboard and seat.

Shane wrote:

i dont see any pic ! i am just going to sit here and wait till i see one pop up !




really, i am..........










still waiting

That's what I'm talking about. A project like that would be sweet. Something to goof around on in the neighborhood and all.

yes !finaly, been sitting here a long time ........ thats what i would like to do. now just gota find that barn. keep the pics coming !

Question #1: Where is the best place to find a replacement air filter? I belive these were foam & oil filter so perhaps can rebuild it by getting the appropriate foam. Any ideas? thanks!

What was the difference between a Dt and a Ct? I had a 1970 Dt-1, but I don't remember a Ct.

Still learning but I think the CT ended in 69 and DT started in 1970. Not much as far as I can tell. My Clymer manual might show some suttle output differences. Will have to check.

Cool project! It looks like a larger version of the first motorcycle I ever rode, a Yamaha "mini enduro" DT-60? My uncle showed up one day with a pair of them and we had a blast! They started me down the path.

I have derusted the tank. I used the Kreem kit for this. Seems to have worked well. Harbor freight had a more chemically friendly tank derust but didn't work on 40 y/o rust!

I also registered 'il capra' much to the delight of the local DMV agent. Because I had the original plate and titles, I was able to register it as an antique and will never pay for registration again :).

Next up is tire change, new brake shoes on front and then taking the springs and rear rack for rechroming. Any recommendations around the Eastside?

Thanks!

I have a wire wheel from HF that cleans up the springs nicely. For a restoration, wondering if rechroming is wise. Any thoughts? I would think the rear rack (luggage thing) is ok and needs it anyway.

Comments welcome.

Update for this week. Old tires that shrink suck to get off. New tires/tubes ready but need some liners to from Yamaha first. Everything is ready shortly to fire up and just see il capra runs.

Next week chain guard, fenders and gearbox covers go to powder coaters for recoating.

I love the old ones! This is a project right up my alley, keep us posted with pics!

I would check bike bandit for a lot of your oem replacement parts, they have full drawings for most bikes. I order from there usually when buying for my 81 xt.


upon further review.... http://www.bikebandit.com/houseofmotorcycles/1969-yamaha-motorcycle-ct1/o/m7049

good luck!

Thanks Griz...actually I have sourced all my parts from them. Found them via looking for 1969 CT175 schematics via Bing.com.

I picked up some wirewheels and polishing wheels from HF and actually may just leave them polished. They are basically ready for re-chroming but I am having second thoughts. Easy enough to do if needed but thought it would look more period correct. May bring this project down to the classic car show in Kirkland to see what kind of comments I get.

Pics:


The shocks and springs can be replaced of course but thought I'd go original. The carrier was rusty and now that I look at the price paid ($10 @ HF) I'm pleased.

More to come.....

Man, those shocks look great! Good work.

Thanks guys....dumb question. What's the best way to get the half moon collars off the shock tower? Cheap spring compressors? I want to clean the shocks before they go back on.

More tomorrow...

If you can find a spring compressor that will fit in those tight springs, that would be the way to go. Other than that, you could try a ratchet strap or two on them. Or a shop press with a bracket that fits into the spring. Whatever you do, just be careful! I have been bitten by springs, and it is not fun.

Shocks lookin good!