Yamaha DT125R Restomod – BikeBound

BCKustoms returns to his two-stroke roots… 

The unique Yamaha DT-1 250 Enduro and the lengthy line of successors it spawned stay a few of the hottest, influential bikes to come back out of the Nineteen Sixties. Right here was a light-weight, budget-friendly, simple-to-maintain two-stroke path bike with lights and a license plate.

“Priced at $580, $400 lower than the Husqvarna 250, the DT1 provided a stage of reliability that the Swedes may solely dream of… Yamaha employed skilled racers to showcase the DT1 and, in February of 1968, two months earlier than the machine was launched, Keith Mashburn notched the primary race win for the Yamaha DT1 on the Ascot TT.” –Motocross Motion

Fashions in varied displacements could be produced over time, the dual shocks could be winnowed all the way down to a mono-shock setup, and the DT collection would in the end change into liquid-cooled with fashions just like the DT125R — also called the DTR125. Sadly, we by no means obtained most of those newer liquid-cooled, power-valve bikes right here in North America, in order that they’ve all the time had an unique attraction.

Within the UK, nonetheless, the DTR was generally often known as the “L’s Angel” for its learner-legal standing. By all accounts, the bike was a hoot on the pavement and off, thanks partly to the powervalve-equipped engine and long-travel suspension:

“There’s nothing like caning a two-stroke on tarmac, giving it massive with the throttle and slamming up and down the gears…. Take it on the paths and the chassis feels so gentle and agile it ploughs effortlessly by way of mud and rocks, with respectable floor clearance to clear the ruts.” –Visordown, reviewing the DTR

Not too long ago, our pal Yann from BCKustoms reached out with a brand new toy meant to take him again to his two-stroke, Baja-loving roots:

“The final film I noticed, The Desert Mentioned Dance, intensified that want to get one other Baja bike after the BCK-050 DR650 “Baja Runner” of final yr.”

He picked up a beat-up, poorly-running 1988 DT125R and set to work restoring it to its former glory with some nods to the white / purple YZ400F motocrosser of the late 90s. Highlights embrace rebuilt engine and suspension, powder-coated body, Excel rims, Giannelli exhaust, DoEnduro headlight, Drivemode DMD2 dashboard, NC Design Workshop saddle cowl, and “each single half checked, changed, or restored.”

The result’s the “Smoky Runner,” which seems prefer it may have simply rolled off the showroom ground. The examine journey was one for the ages — I journey to the Spanish Tabernas Desert, the place so most of the nice Spaghetti Westerns like Sergio Leone’s Greenback Trilogy have been filmed.

“I over-enjoyed it and it will stay one in every of my finest rides ever regardless of it led to a hidden ditch on the backside of which lay two concrete partitions. Shit occurs. Broke myself however it regarded like Smoky had extra luck than me. Anyway, again on the workshop, all has been checked and is definitely rebuilt to go for the following journey within the Pyrenees subsequent week…”

Glad you’re okay, Yann — take pleasure in your journey within the Pyrenees. We’re jealous!

Yamaha DTR125 Resto: Builder Interview

• Please inform us a bit about your self, your historical past with bikes, and your workshop.

Hello there, I’m Yann, a 51-y.o. teenager who likes to journey bikes. I realized a bit about constructing them and racing throughout my years however I’m nonetheless dreaming concerning the subsequent one. For years, because the early minutes of the 1996 Terrafirma III film, I’ve been an important fan of US desert races, the Baja races, Johnny Campbell, and so forth. The final film I noticed about it, The Desert Mentioned Dance, intensified that want to get one other Baja bike after the BCK-050 DR650 “Baja Runner” of final yr.

So I’d prefer to let you know a bit extra concerning the final construct and final journey then!

• What’s the make, mannequin, and yr of the bike?

The preliminary bike is an ‘88 Yamaha DTR125. I obtained it final summer time, full and rolling, however in a poor situation besides the engine, which was rebuilt like new. I knew from the beginning I’ll have lots to do with this one. The RPMs weren’t in a position to recover from 6000 so I used to be anticipating exhaust valve changes. With new spark plug, filters, and gas, this might solely work.

• Why was this bike constructed?

As I’m by no means fed up with new toys; I needed to return to the primary ever bike I owned, a ‘96 Yamaha TZR 125, however constructed for my present expectations and rides. Additionally, speaking about 2023 occasions, I wanted to current one thing new and this was the right excuse. One facet of the constructed can be to have the likelihood to take away actually fast the lighting system to show the bike into an MX racer for coaching.

• What was the design idea and what influenced the construct?

I fell in love with the TZR once I noticed it within the retailer up to now. For only one time, I made a decision to have a motorcycle that regarded like one in retailer, all new components, with a design impressed by the colours I like probably the most and a Yamaha manufacturing facility design. I made a decision to examine which off-road Yamaha has some iconic DNA and stopped on a ‘98 YZ400F, the primary four-stroke MX bike they produced and its purple/black/white manufacturing facility livery.

• What customized work was achieved to the bike?

Not a lot really this time… The bike has been stripped down, each single half checked, changed, or restored. All the body has been sandblasted and powder coated in black, together with the wheels.

The engine was freshly rebuilt with a brand new piston, so it had only a full upkeep and paint with out eradicating too many components. (All new components saved and the general build-off simply took a pair weeks earlier than I left).

All new physique components, cables, brakes, Heidenau K60 Ranger tyres, new seat cowl from NC Design Workshop, new rear shock and entrance fork overhaul, Giannelli full exhaust… Besides the seat cowl you gained’t discover in store ‘trigger it’s been made for that paint scheme. The brake rotors have been designed at residence, in addition to the exhaust warmth safety, to recall the YZ400F.

Massive due to DoEnduro who is definitely offering selfmade 3D-printed head lights for commonest enduro bikes. So I discovered one to suit the white KTM design entrance enduro plate. And it really works nice!

• Does the bike have a nickname?

Everyone is aware of the two strokes are smoky and my builds are nicknamed “Runner,” so I discovered “Smoky Runner” fairly cool, considering of the good Smokey Mountains I’d like to cross with this bike.

• Are you able to inform us what it’s prefer to journey this bike?

Driving that bike is like returning to your roots. Firstly as a result of all of the riders of my era began with two-strokes. After all, it jogged my memory additionally of my previous TZR, however this time I may go away the street.

With simply 28 hp, it’s not as highly effective as my earlier ‘96 Honda CR however I’m too previous for these dangerous rides. So I’m positive with that. Additionally, I’ve been fortunate sufficient to have my examine journey in southern Spain, in a desert the place a few of the most iconic western motion pictures have been filmed.

True additionally I admire it lots after a 150-mile journey the day earlier than on my BMW F650 Funduro (The Dezert Runner, see earlier article) to have the ability to soar on this light-weight racer, which is sort of half the load. Humorous to get again to the “no energy” low RPM zone after which to have that engine screaming to provide its finest. With so many new components, the bike was actually like a 2023 bike check.

I over-enjoyed it and it will stay one in every of my finest rides ever regardless of it led to a hidden ditch on the backside of which lay two concrete partitions. Shit occurs. Broke myself however it regarded like Smokey had extra luck than me. Anyway, again on the workshop, all has been checked and is definitely rebuilt to go for the following journey within the Pyrenees subsequent week throughout the Wheels & Waves competition.

• Was there something achieved throughout this construct that you’re notably happy with?

Actually, it’s not been a giant venture. Purchased the donor bike final summer time as all of the components I wanted and waited to have time to start out this, which occurred simply three weeks in the past, and I completed simply in time to load the bike into the van for the Path Journey Days and my Tabernas desert journey. I’m simply proud now to have constructed a motorcycle which suggests lots to many down right here, as I do know this mannequin wasn’t bought within the US. All fashionable LED gear and DMD2 app for the dashboard is a bonus.

This was form of an previous dream of mine to have a two-stroke again within the workshop and for me to return to the beginning of my motorbike historical past/expertise. We nonetheless have numerous components accessible right here, because the mannequin was produced fairly unchanged from 1988 until 2003 and we are able to even improve to a 175cc equipment or transfer to a 200cc engine, which was already accessible the identical yr. However retaining a authorized 125cc model with a piston which lasts about 20K km is a giant bonus together with that OEM Japanese reliability. So I’m not prepared but.

There another element I’m so happy with. As an important fan of Pol Tarrés, I discovered a sticker on his earlier bike which made me chortle a lot. That sticker says “Warning – You’re not Pol Tarrés” simply in case I begin to really feel too assured on the bike!

The Desert Mentioned Dance

Right here’s the movie that impressed Yann. We extremely suggest it.

“That is the story of 4 males, whose ardour come earlier than any paycheck. Drawn to a problem, and the romance of dancing with the unknown. Pushing themselves far past the place most individuals really feel alive. Every with motivations of their very own. From chasing a childhood dream, to honoring a fallen teammate taken too quickly. A 5 time champion searching for reliving his former glory, and a younger Ironman attempting to show his place on the high. A motley crew united by motorbike with the widespread purpose of proving to themselves and to the world that they’re alive and that the dance should go on. The Baja 1000 is like no different…”

Builder Thanks

Particular due to my sponsors:
@daytona73 / leather-based firm
@moskomoto / Powerful gear-Exhausting journey, Bikes baggage
@motul_france
@heidenauer_reifen / German high quality tyres
@makadamkulture / Bike & Breizh occasion September Twenty third-Twenty fourth 2023
@noline.france / cleansing wipes
@delkevicuk / Motorbike exhausts
@supersproxusa / Motorbike sprockets
@bellhelmets / #bellpowersports

Particular due to my technical companions:
NC Design Workshop for upholstery (@nc_design_workshop)
@DoEnduro for the 3D printed off street headlight
Siminox for laser-cut stainless components
Cap Enseignes for all stickers
WRS Italy for the YSS rear shock (@wrs_italy)

Comply with the Builder

Web site: www.bckustoms.com
Instagram: @bckustoms
Fb: fb.com/breizhcoastkustoms/

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