Project "Li'l Smokey" '72 Yamaha DT250

[Whitey80]

Actually bought this bike about 2 years ago from a local guy on Craigslist. Always wanted a tracker style bike since I was young and my dad used to race flat track back in Oklahoma when I was a kid on his CL350. I, of course am not going to be racing this bike, but just appreciate the style.


Have ridden it around in the state in which I bought it, and after finishing my last cafe bike project, am now very focused on this one.


Here are pics of it as I bought it (actually from the original CL posting)

It sat completely unridden for almost a year now.
Pretty much like this.....

Kind of sad, I know

 

[Whitey80]

I've spent the last couple of days (full days, from 8 am to 7pm) working on this old thing. It was mechanically quite solid and strong to start with, so not really intending to do much more than cosmetic work.


Used the good ol' appliance epoxy to paint the spokes and hubs, and cleaned up the hoops.

Also did the lower fork legs and triple clamps with the same paint.


Picked up a real headlamp bucket from the salvage yard, and ripped the whole bike back to bare frame.


Cleaned up the motor and used VHT wrinkle finish on the case and high temp flat black on the cylinder and head.
Then started hand-filing the cooling fins.

At this moment, I am doing the body work on the tank and prepping it for paint as well. Looks that it has been a number of colors already! (and bondo'ed previously as well)

Pretty much going for a Flat/ Gloss black combo across the whole bike and will do a camel color seat and grips. Gonna still be pretty simple. Gotta look through my box of parts and see if I have the Autolube system still there. Pre-mix is a massive pain in the ass.

 

[Bobby4Prezz]

that is the sickest exghaust i've ever seen! are u using that on the bike or would u sell it? PM me!

 

[Whitey80]

Threw the front end together to get a feel for it, so the frame is definitely going to be black.....but should it be flat or gloss??? Opinions?

 

[bbillington]

if you go gloss on the tank, then do flat on the frame.

bike was pretty sharp to begin with... what are you planning for the seat?

 

[teazer]

I would have said SATIN on the frame and running gear, but some is already black gloss, sooo. Gloss everywhere, but do the tank in black gloss but with metallic black pattern for a black on black look.

And a slim tracker style seat would finish it off perfectly.

 

[Whitey80]

Thanks.


As far as the seat, It'll be a traditional, slim tracker seat, running from tank to back of frame, camel (dark beige/light brown), pleated

 

[Ease]

Any progress on this build??
Looking for similar projects to my 77 TS250... Digging the knobby tires

 

[smvirili]

Hey dude. Your project is just ridiculous. So sweet it is, and exactly what I've been looking for in these forums.
I just got a RT360 a couple weeks back and have started a resto but wasn't sure whether to do a factory resto or go custom since it's an enduro.
You've just inspired me to do just that. I'm no where near as advanced as you but I'm gonna try my best, keep it simply and slowly get her going. I'm still a student so cash flow is relatively low but I'm looking forward to a long term commitment with her.
Thanks heaps for sharing. I'm sure many others feel the same.
Can't wait to see the updates man.
cheers.

 

[Whitey80]

My oh my.....been a long bit since I update this one.
Recent photo....some asshole still needs to make a seat, but runs solid after a total rebuild, of which I suppose I should post photos.

 

[cleoncleon]

This ride looks gorgeous, sir.


I'll be checkin' in, I originally wanted to build a cafe, but, my tastes pulls me towards a brat/track/cafe.. ;D
We'll see..

 

[Whitey80]

almost there! just a few things to to finish up. here's some photos from the seat build and a some showing where she sits now, with the new belly pan, mud guard and seat.

 

[RedPlastic]

sweet ride dude..you ever take if off any sweet jumps?

 

[kneedragger74]

That bike is great. Actually both bikes are great!

 

[SD_Native]

That is an awesome ride. I have a DT125 and would love to do something similar with it. Did you ever find the autolube system for it?


Also, and I suppose anyone can answer this one, my DT's stock air box is a wet type (soaked in oil), but I'd really rather put on a pod filter like you did. What carburetor and air filter are you using? Will using a dry filter instead of the original wet adversely affect how the bike runs? Thanks,

 

[Whitey80]

That is an awesome ride. I have a DT125 and would love to do something similar with it. Did you ever find the autolube system for it?


Also, and I suppose anyone can answer this one, my DT's stock air box is a wet type (soaked in oil), but I'd really rather put on a pod filter like you did. What carburetor and air filter are you using? Will using a dry filter instead of the original wet adversely affect how the bike runs? Thanks,

I did find it in the box of shit that came with the bike. You can see it in there, as I have yet to put the cover back on it.

As far as the filter, I couldn't honestly tell you, it had the pod on it when I got it a few years ago.

 

[smvirili]

TrueGreg, it's looking so damn good!! That lower fairing makes it look like sex on two wheels.
Man you must be so close to finishing. what do you got left on it?


And did you upholster the seat yourself. How did you get those ribs in so smoothly, It looks like a pro job. Friggin awesome!

 

[JustinLonghorn]

Yes sir, I can dig it.

 

[chrisf]

That looks much better! Well done on a great bike.

--Chris

 

[Whitey80]

TrueGreg, it's looking so damn good!! That lower fairing makes it look like sex on two wheels.
Man you must be so close to finishing. what do you got left on it?


And did you upholster the seat yourself. How did you get those ribs in so smoothly, It looks like a pro job. Friggin awesome!

Need to make a small steel piece to cover the underside of the seat at the tail, run the wiring to the rear lamp (epoxy the wires to the underside of the metalwork so it doesn't get ripped off by the spinning tire, its a close fit, I left 1/2" of clearance) and do the final painting, same color, just parts that need reworked after fabbing.

I used marine grade vinyl and 1" fiber batting, and took them to my mother for sewing.