68 yr1

pfo186 · Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2011 12:26 pm Post subject: 68 yr1

hello all, i'm new to the forum!

i just recently purchased a 68 yr1 and started the restoration process. i have a couple general questions:

once restored (in stock form) are these reliable & ridable bikes? would i be able to do a little road trip with bike (around a 5-hour ride) and not struggle or is this bike mainly just for bombing around town close to home? i'm not worried about it being comfortable, just reliable and able to cruise comfortably around 65 mph.

i have a 77 xs400 i restored, but i'm new to the 60's era two strokes and any help would be appreciated.

thanks!!

MR.CHocko · Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2011 3:36 pm Post subject:

Yes you can do a 5 hour ride on your bike. However, because it is over 40 years old I do not reccomend that you take it out on the highway, and ride it at highway speeds. Now do not get me wrong that bike can go 80 miles and hour, but it will be a very uncomfortable and unsafe ride in highway traffic.

yamasarus · Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2011 4:04 pm Post subject:

The YR1 in proper tune will break 100mph. I would not hesitate to take a frame up restoration on a 5 hour ride on the Interstate, but as in all motorcycles, the back roads are more fun in every way. I have to admit if you are used to modern bikes and their bulk it would make you very nervous at first. These bikes were used in drag racing for years after they were out of production. They are great bikes. A Yamaha District Rep by the name of Ron Knapp held records for years in Drag Racing. I once asked why he hadn't moved up to an RD350. His reply-"because they haven't beat me yet."
It will be much faster than your XS400! Very Happy

MR.CHocko · Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2011 4:19 pm Post subject:

I did 80 while riding one a while back, and I swear that bike didn't miss a beat. I could swear that bike could do it all day and not have any problems. It could probaby beat my CB500K in a mile, but not going to try that race anytime soon.

Rizingson · Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2011 4:51 pm Post subject:

In it's day it could travel cross country reliably, but....before I'd attempt a trip like that on a 40+ year old two-stroke I'd make sure your crank seals were sound as they are the biggest issue in bringing a two-stroke back from a long period of hibernation. If you run at highway speed for long you want to make sure you do not have any lean burning conditions existing, as a holed piston or complete seizure will get you. Make some shorter runs first and read your plugs, until you get some confidence in the engine making sure it performs consistently with no power loss/drop-offs. (that might be a soft seize warning)

Bentwheel · Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2011 6:04 pm Post subject:

If you are interested in a Yamaha Service manual, PM me. It has a good section on the Mitsubishi built DC generator the YR1 uses. BTW if your bike is a YR1 the year would be 1967.

pfo186 · Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2011 7:44 am Post subject:

thanks for the responses guys, this really helps.

the bike sat in a barn for 32 years and is in decent shape, but needs to be stripped and gone through completely.

one cylinder didn't have the spark plug in the head, so moisture got in and there was some rusty soupy goo in the cylinder and in the bottom end too. i plan on splitting the cases and re-doing the bottom end bearings and what not. i'm assuming ebay is the best place to get that stuff?

thanks again!