1970 Yamaha L5TA Trailmaster 100

Steve Searles · Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 2:16 pm Post subject: 1970 Yamaha L5TA Trailmaster 100

Just got a free 1970 Yamaha L5TA Trailmaster 100. It is running but needs tank sealed, new tires, etc., etc. Doing my research I believe this to be a one year model as the previous were 80cc and this was the last year. Yamarus, am I correct? Here we go again. Is it worth putting money into or not, I am on the fence. It is cute but will need to be repainted, both red, gray and black. Opinions? Pics coming soon. Just a little rust on rims. Dent on headlight bucket and left ear. Chrome side panels very nice and knee pads very nice. Paint would make it look nice but heck, it may be only worth $500 when I get it done. That would just not be worth it.

Steve Searles · Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 6:39 am Post subject: L5TA Opinions Please

I am still not good at pics to resize to 800 x 600. Anyway, why would I spend $800 on a $500 motorcycle again????

KirkN · Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 7:33 am Post subject:

Oh, what a cool little bike!

My Dad had one back in the early-mid 70s when I was a kid, kind of a yellow-gold color. Chugged all around our hometown outside Cleveland.

But, yeah, from a purely financial point of view, it's hard to justify.

Have fun with it, whatever you do.

Kirk

MR.CHocko · Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 8:20 am Post subject:

I have pistons and rings for the L5 and the other dirtbikes, not to mention the air filters,etc. So parts is not a problem. Whenever you restore a bike it is never worth the money you put into it. Do it because you enjoy it.

dorT500 · Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 8:41 am Post subject:

80-cbx-pilot · Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 8:56 am Post subject:

Steve,A friend of mine has a bike simular to yours and we don't know much about it.Here is a picture-if anyone know anything about it please let me know-Thanks Mike

Steve Searles · Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 5:46 pm Post subject: Yamaha Trailmaster

The YG5 was an 80cc from 67-69 with dual sprockets on the back. The L5TA was 100cc and a single sprocket on the back. They called these Trailmasters. 4 gears maybe all down???

yamasarus · Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 6:39 pm Post subject:

Steve. I am not that familiar with these. I do know that there weren't many of them. They were competing with the Enduros of the day. Which would have been better, a 90 Enduro or this? I am not much on putting a ton of money into little bikes---my preference. The larger bikes can be ridden anywhere and generally are worth more.
Little stuff is fun, though.

Steve Searles · Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 6:24 am Post subject: OBD

I tend to agree with you on the little bikes. The 500cc or larger you can go for an afternoon vintage ride with other bikes. That is another use. The tiddlers are just for pit bikes but not for the open road. I think I will get it running and ride it with the rust for a while. That way I have very little invested, can work on my other larger bike restorations and still keep them all. I AM ADDICTED. I have Old Bike Disease. OBD

yamasarus · Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 6:54 am Post subject:

OBD----There is no cure............ Cool

yamasarus · Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 6:54 am Post subject:

OBD----There is no cure............ Cool

Steve Searles · Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 6:18 am Post subject: Trailmaster 100cc

Here is my cute little Trailmaster. I am falling in love with her. She is a spicy girl with 12 volts and electric start. It even has Hi/Low range and I just ordered conventional trials tires for her. I guess I will freshen up the paint some but I need to stop before I get carried away. All shifting for the four gears is down. Nuetral is at the top. Pretty unique piece as Yamaha only made the 100cc one year.

Rizingson · Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 8:02 am Post subject:

I think you're doing the right thing for now, just clean and touch it up, get it running best you can then enjoy. Some times the best thing about these older bikes is just their uniqueness of features etc. that make them cool to keep around. So what if they aren't on everybody's wish list, but you probably have the only one in town!

Blue · Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 7:48 pm Post subject: Hmmmmm

Actually Steve that is kind of a neat looking little bike, so a little touch up and a rub here and there, I mean, it runs. Also you don't seem to be doing to badly with the resizing and posting, I can recognize evryone you've done as a motorcycle, Laughing

...Blue

twinjet · Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 12:50 am Post subject:

looks like yl2 with yl1 gas tank?