The DT-1 was Yamaha Motors' first off-road model and was unveiled for the first time in October 1967 at the dealer meeting of Yamaha International Corporation (YIC), Yamaha's sales company at the time. This slim and handsome model pioneered a new motorcycle category called "trail" µç bikes, and would spark an unprecedented boom in off-road riding throughout the world.
This bike is an early example of these lovely, nimble 2-stroke trailies. It is original with matching numbers and a V5. It was running before being dismantled to start restoration. Although in parts at present, some work has started, for example, the frame has been powder coated, the front forks reconditioned, the seat has been restored and re-covered, as well as a NOS front mudguard sourced.
The owner has run out of time for the project due to other commitments and is keen that someone will take the project on, so is open to reasonable offers. You can make an offer through this page, or via personal contact. viewing can be arranged by prior arrangement, the bike being located in Chepstow.
The story behind the model and the boom actually began on the West Coast of the U.S. in the 1960s. It was a time when a growing number of riders were discovering the fun and excitement of off-road riding in the West's vast expanse of wildlands. One of their favourite riding areas was Saddleback in the Santa Ana Mountains. Its beautiful ridgeline can be seen in the distance from Los Angeles on a clear day, and the name comes from the resemblance of the ridgeline to a horse saddle. This mountain area was where young off-road enthusiasts loved to ride. Around the same time, other young off-road riders in Colorado had started riding trails in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, the range with the highest average elevation in the U.S.
It was around then that Yamaha was selling a number of models designed with this kind of off-road riding in mind under the "Trailmaster" name. These were based on existing road-going machines of the time and equipped with features like engine guards, wide handlebars and mid-mount silencers, but they weren't full-fledged "trailbike" models.
This bike is an early example of these lovely, nimble 2-stroke trailies. It is original with matching numbers and a V5. It was running before being dismantled to start restoration. Although in parts at present, some work has started, for example, the frame has been powder coated, the front forks reconditioned, the seat has been restored and re-covered, as well as a NOS front mudguard sourced.
The owner has run out of time for the project due to other commitments and is keen that someone will take the project on, so is open to reasonable offers. You can make an offer through this page, or via personal contact. viewing can be arranged by prior arrangement, the bike being located in Chepstow.
The story behind the model and the boom actually began on the West Coast of the U.S. in the 1960s. It was a time when a growing number of riders were discovering the fun and excitement of off-road riding in the West's vast expanse of wildlands. One of their favourite riding areas was Saddleback in the Santa Ana Mountains. Its beautiful ridgeline can be seen in the distance from Los Angeles on a clear day, and the name comes from the resemblance of the ridgeline to a horse saddle. This mountain area was where young off-road enthusiasts loved to ride. Around the same time, other young off-road riders in Colorado had started riding trails in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, the range with the highest average elevation in the U.S.
It was around then that Yamaha was selling a number of models designed with this kind of off-road riding in mind under the "Trailmaster" name. These were based on existing road-going machines of the time and equipped with features like engine guards, wide handlebars and mid-mount silencers, but they weren't full-fledged "trailbike" models.
1969 Yamaha DT-1B Project Bike
- Brand: Yamaha Genuine and Pattern Motorcycle Parts
- Product Code: DT1B1969ch
- Availability: In Stock
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