new project

[bradwsm]

Well my best friends father had his 1981 yamaha IT175 on the side of his barn for 12 years, so he was happy to give it to me! This was the bike I learned to ride on. So my plan is to turn it into a sort of vintage GP. This model is actually prety cool, the aluminum swing arm is nearly identicle to a 1981 TZ 250, clutch cover is mag, best part is its street leagal (I already registered it just to be safe!) Heres a pic after a couple days work painting exhaust and polishing swing arm. Alot has hapened since then so I will take some new pics soon. I posted it here because I just bought a 1981 suzuki gs 250 front end for it, so I guess it will be a hybrid.

Bradwsm

[haro504]

cool are you keeping the knobbies on it or are you gonna use street tires

[bradwsm]

street tires all the way, I just got a tiny 90/90 18 for the rear! Old school....

[yamaha_george]

Well my best friends father had his 1981 yamaha IT175 on the side of his barn for 12 years, so he was happy to give it to me! This was the bike I learned to ride on. So my plan is to turn it into a sort of vintage GP. This model is actually prety cool, the aluminum swing arm is nearly identicle to a 1981 TZ 250, clutch cover is mag, best part is its street leagal (I already registered it just to be safe!) Heres a pic after a couple days work painting exhaust and polishing swing arm. Alot has hapened since then so I will take some new pics soon. I posted it here because I just bought a 1981 suzuki gs 250 front end for it, so I guess it will be a hybrid.

Bradwsm

Brad,
your lucky to have the It it is an almost bullet proof enging and the best front shocks for its era. I used to use one in the Jungle back home and I never found anywhere it could not stand tall with the bultaco tail bikes the others rode.
Unfortunately some one stole it and the only thing we recovered was the fron shocks which i used for my "patriot" trail racer project.

It will be an interesting build

PS please fill in your location in your profile.
THNX
Y-G

[bradwsm]

So here is some updated pics, took it down to the bare frame painted frame and engine installed rear tire. I also changed all engine case bolts and other mounting bolts to stainless hex head ( case cover were orig philips head ). I got my front end from a 1981 Suzuki gs 250, stems are the same expt for the lower bearing, so a local machine shop is making a collar to increase the diameter of lower stem. After a bunch of cleaning, grinding and polishing front end looks pretty good for $90 on ebay. Will post pics when front end is installed. next is clipons and re lacing some new hoops front and rear.

[yamaha_george]

It is looking sharp, what you doing with the IT front shocks .............

[bradwsm]

getting rid of them. You want them?

[ragedigital]

The engine looks good... does it run?

[bradwsm]

well lets say not yet. When it was put up it jast had a new top end but crank seals were bad, so I am having it addresed when its a roller.

[Neil RZR]

I'm an old two stroke nut from way back. This looks like a lotta fun !!!!!!!!!!!!
More pics!!

[bradwsm]

So the front end is installed with new vortex clipons here is some development shots of the body work, rough pannels are almost done. Note I will be using the stock brake light on new tail.

[bradwsm]

Here are some more pics of the new build, wheels are relaced with new hoops, rtr precision wheel lacing in Tampa did them for me and are the bomb! Body work is coming along I am nearly finish with the tail section, I wanted to make sure colors are what I wanted. Since pics I have added red stripe down the center. I have molded in the gas cap recesses and will soon be molding the actual gas tank section.

[bradwsm]

She's alive!!!! After a couple months, and crazy parts rangleing the old IT is up and running. For the most part everything is together as far as the engine and chassis are concerned, need to bleed front brake and install chain. A TZ front fender is on the way, and then body work and head lights are all thats left to finish and she'll be ready to roll. here are some new pics.

[yamaha_george]

Guy,
That looks well nice and could be areal blast to ride.
Thinking bak the rear brake was real crap. what we did was to lengthen the rear arm (on the rear drum by an 1.5 " to get a better ratio.we also cut diagonal dirt grooves in the brake shoes (although on less yo ride through hub high water you will not need thoughs.
A lower "bug" fairing like old LC's had will keep the crap off the engine & lower pipe and would give the bike the retro look

[China_Racer_1]

DUDE! What a great project. I am on line looking for a bike like thaty to buy and get a project going as well. Shit I love the 2 stroke retro cafe racers. They are my real passion.

Your bike looks amazing and your attention to detail shows.

More pics Please I am really wanting to see what you do with this.

Oh I found this on line if it helps http://www.themotorbookstore.com/yamit19.html

Keep it up!