Yamaha DT125 81

[Mattyouk]

Hey guys I'm new here. Looking for some advice on my first ever bike ! I work in a joiner shop and pretty much every one there rides bikes, and seeing so many nice bikes everyday I think I've caught the bug. I'm 21 and looking to do my CBT the weekend.

My mate at work has offered me his Yamaha DT 125 81. I don't know what the bike has had done to it or mileage etc, have only seen pictures as of yet and it looks real tidy.
https://i797.photobucket.com/albums/yy251/mattyouk/578085_10150824864112374_556507373_9791479_1716567164_n.jpg
He's said I can have it for £900 which sounds a good deal to me but I really don't know a phat lot about bikes just yet! He's the kind of bloke who definatly looks after his bikes as he spends more time cleaning them and getting them running perfectly than actually riding them.
Any advice on these bikes and this one in particular would be really appreciated. I forgot to mention as someone will probably ask I would be using this bike as a commuter to and from work everyday only a 10 minute ride and will be looking for a bike to go on general rides too.

[Nexus Icon]

That's a lovely example and if it runs as well as it looks it's worth £900 of anybody's money. Mileage is pretty unimportant at that age, IMO, as it's pretty unlikely to be on its first piston.
Tbh, even if it needs a new one now it's a cheap enough job and would still be worth the money.

Hell, I'd buy it right now if it was offered to me.

As for your specific case, a 10 minute commute each day isn't ideal for a 2 stroke as it will barely be warm by the time you're switching it off. This 'may' accelerate wear - opinion is divided but I believe it's detrimental - but keep on top of the maintenance and she'll see you right. After all, it's lived for 30 years you're unlikely to kill it off in a few months.
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Greetings from Shitsville!

[Mattyouk]

Thanks for the reply. I think it looks awesome and its aged better than me from the looks of it I will use it for a lot of commuting too. Would it be good to leave it idling for 5 minutes before i set out in the morning? I don't want to ruin it after its lasted this long!
I'll definitely ride it for more than just work will go to the gym on it and general commuting through the week. With some long rides on country roads etc the weekend, it will definitely get used. It has all of the receipts on the parts its had on it so will post when I know its history. Along with photos of it being worked on too! I wanted more of a sports style 125 bike but I'm pretty sure I wont come a long a bike like this for this price for a while. Slowly starting to love the idea of owning it

[Mattyouk]

Do you have any experience on this bike or heard much about them? Can they really run well after 30 years on normal general maintanence?

[Nexus Icon]

Well personally I wouldn't leave it idling for 5 minutes from cold. Idling doesn't really move enough fuel, and therefore oil, around the engine for my liking. And doing that from cold seems about the worst combination. I would start up, put on helmet and gloves and ride off. I'd keep the revs lowish by short-shifting for a good few minutes though, turning of the choke as soon as it will tick-over unaided - so only a minute or two.

There will be others who suggest different tactics though.

Your best bet is ask the owner what he currently does and adopt that for now.
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Greetings from Shitsville!

[Nexus Icon]

Adding: I never owned a DT but have owned and ridden other 2 strokes of the era, back when I was 17.... 1987
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Greetings from Shitsville!

[sidewinder]

A simple solution for you turn your 10 min commute into 20 or 30 min one .Nice looking bike as well..

[Teflon-Mike]

[Mattyouk]

Helpful replies thanks guys. Sounds like they are good bikes, will see if I can take a look at it on the weekend and keep you updated any ideas on what revs it should idle at 2000? 1500?
Will definitely be wanting to install HIDs, also AT THE MOMENT I'm not even thinking of upgrading to a more powerful bike, so may do some research on a disk brake conversion if the brakes really are as bad as you say. I'm quite respectful of how dangerous bikes can be plus I will be doing a lot of rush hour commuting so want to know i have good brakes when I need them.

[Quornholio]

I'd guess between 1k and 1500. Lovely bike though.

[Teflon-Mike]

[Mattyouk]

Going to look at it tomorrow and hopefully have a little ride on it... bet i drop it
He's got pictures of it being restored so this should make an interesting little thread. Hopefully I will have it by next weekend if everything is OK.

[Mattyouk]

Been to see it this evening.. It genuinely does look as good as it does in the picture. Starts straight away frame has been sandblasted no signs of rust anywhere. Idles at about 1250 rpm.
It was dripping oil while running from the exhaust gasket. He said hes positive its because he's put too much oil in? I'm not too worried anyhow as if its a genuine oil leak it should be just an easy gasket change?
Also as he hasn't ever rode this bike, bought it as an investment a few months ago the bike will go up and down in gears fine.. but we can't seem to get it to go from first into neutral. once you cut the power it returns to neutral fine and when changing into first with the clutch down the bike will push forward a little.
This changing down into neutral is what I'm concerned about really but I'm not sure if there is a certain way of doing it? neither is the owner.
Overall I'm impressed with the bike and for £1000 I get the bike, taxed, MOT for 2 months (which I can't see anything it will fail for let me know if you can!) a Roofs helmet, jacket, Kevlar trousers, gloves and a bike cover.
I guess I'm just nervous to take the plunge lol any advice massively appreciated... or a bit of a nudge

[HJM]

personally mate, as a first time bike, id get something newer, and something that can take a knock or two. This seems a little fragile for a beginners bike. But im just being boring!
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"90% of all statistics are made up"

CBT-18/04/2013

[Mattyouk]

Ooops I forgot... while it sounds like it runs fine, it is kicking out a lot of white smoke and aparantly he says it's just because it's been sitting there for a while and needs a good ride. This is coming from our gaffer who actually bought the bike and rode it back, said it went after a little while.

[Nexus Icon]

Sounds like it needs a bit of adjustment on the clutch but it's hard to tell from here.

White 'smoke' is probably condensate from the exhaust. White is indicative of water but you don't have that issue with an air-cooled bike.

At the end of the day it's your decision. I would have it in a heartbeat in my position, as I wouldn't need 100% reliability to get me to work, but your circumstances might be a bit different.
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Greetings from Shitsville!

[Quornholio]

Where is the oil coming from? I'd be a little concerned if he has overfilled it, depending by how much. Is it engine oil, or 2t?

[Mattyouk]

Well I have put a deposit on the bike! I went to see the bike again yesterday and we cleaned it up and had a good look at this oil leak. There was a bit too much oil in so we changed it and put some new oil in. The leak was from a few pinholes in the exhaust so no biggy.
So excited now to get my CBT done and get out on the roads! Thanks for your help.

[Nexus Icon]

Enjoy your purchase and your freedom

If you break it I will give you £20 and a 4 pack of lemongrass flavoured Lucozade for it.
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Greetings from Shitsville!