Project YZ Start Here

1980 Yamaha YZ125G Restoration

Where Do I Start?

Where does that highway go to?

The first decision that I made for my project bike was that I was going to build a racer. Every change made to the bike would be towards that goal. If a lighter or stronger part could be substituted for the stock one it would be done.

If I could do make the bike look like the factory Yamahas from the late 1970's or early 1980's all the better. Of course those bikes were pure perfection and I started with a candidate for the dumpster.

Some vintage folks might cringe at the thought of modifying a vintage bike or part. But strangely enough some of these people will search high and low for an NOS (New Old Stock) part, spend a lot of cash and then take it to the races. I don't know about you but I drop my bike every once in a while and it gets banged up at the races. After a few races your bike never looks the same as it did when you first got it.

Then there are vintage guys that build their bikes into perfect replicas of what rolled off the showroom floor. They go into every detail to ensure that the bikes are perfect, right down to the warning decals. So of these vintage bikes are so awesome it makes your eyes hurt when you look at them.

My feeling is that back in the 70's and 80's you never saw a "stone" stock bike on a track. Many bikes were stripped of their original OEM parts and were replaced with aftermarket parts before ever seeing a race track! Make sure that you consider this before spending a small fortune on a stone stock vintage bike.

The point is it is much easier to finish your project if you know what you want to accomplish. For some folks that's a bike they can ride or race on the weekends. For others it is creating a "master piece" that will be displayed in their garage or living room.

Which path is best one for you? Don't ask me. Get a mirror and ask that guy!