Vintage Enduro
YAMAHA DT100
Yamaha first kicked-off its DT lineup in 1968 with the 250cc DT-1 – a model that would help to usher in a new market for dual-sport machines. The DT-1 (also known as the Trail 250 in other markets) would be included as one of the Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan’s 240 Landmarks of the Japanese Automotive Technology. Upon its release, the DT-1 was flying off showroom floors, resulting in Yamaha completely selling out of its initial 12,000 unit production run. This would lead the tuning-fork brand to expand the DT lineup to include an array of models ranging from 50-400cc’s.
1960’s As the 1960’s drew to a close, US motorcycle sales were on the decline, forcing manufacturers to explore previously untapped markets in hopes of increasing revenues. A er thoroughly reviewing market trends and crunching the numbers, Yamaha’s suits felt their best op on was in the form of small o -road models – similar to some of the machines being produced by companies in Europe like Husqvarna and Bultaco. Yamaha invested heavily in the marke ng of this new line of trail bikes, running dozens of full-color two-page spreads in magazines.
ft
tt
ti
ff
tt
fi
ti
ff
ti
ft
ti
ft
ti
ti
ti
ti
The Japanese marque’s campaign focused on the machines’ versa lity, highligh ng the on and o -road capabili es of the DT models. The “race-derived” engineering was another key element of the DT’s marke ng. Powering the DT100 was an air-cooled, 96cc, two-stroke, torque induc on single with a 7.2:1 compression ra o. The li le tenthliter thumper made a claimed 10hp at 7,500rpm, 7 -lbs of torque at 7,000rpm, and topped-out at a li le over 55mph thanks to its ve-speed gearbox and a 205lb dry weight. The suspenders on the DT100 consisted of dual shocks in back with 3.5inches of travel and a telescopic fork up front with 5.7-inches of travel, and the brakes on the pint-sized Yammy enduro were drum units – fore and a .
This particular 1975 DT100 is a real gem, unrestored and 100-percent bone-stock. The thing wouldn’t appear out of place on a showroom floor with the paint and chrome looking brand new. Even the seat is pristine. The bike has had some work done to it such as the addition of new fuel lines, filter, and spark plugs. It also recently underwent a topend rebuild as well as having its carb and tank cleaned before being retuned to factory spec. All of the lights and switches still work and a new set of knobbies have been thrown into the mix, making this example 100percent ready to hit the road, albeit it would also make for a fantastic display piece.
In addition to the bike itself, the sale includes a few goodies such as an original manual, complete records of all work and maintenance performed, and the original blue and yellow license plate. Yamaha’s DT100 possesses a collection of aesthetic features that today’s modern-retro craze heavily borrows from. If parked alongside one of Yamaha’s modern heritage models it could easily pass for a new motorcycle. The fact this DT is adorned in factory “El Toro Orange” is just the icing on the cake as far as I’m concerned. Even after nearly 43 years, it’s a damn fine looking machine.
ff
tt
ti
ti
ti
ti
ft
ti
ft
ff
tt
ti
ti
ft
The Japanese marque’s campaign focused on the machines’ versa lity, highligh ng the on and o road capabili es of the DT models. The “racederived” engineering was another key element of the DT’s marke ng. Powering the DT100 was an air-cooled, 96cc, two-stroke, torque induc on single with a 7.2:1 compression ra o. The li le tenth-liter thumper made a claimed 10hp at 7,500rpm, 7 -lbs of torque at 7,000rpm, and topped-out at a li le over 55mph thanks to its ve-speed gearbox and a 205lb dry weight. The suspenders on the DT100 consisted of dual shocks in back with 3.5-inches of travel and a telescopic fork up front with 5.7-inches of travel, and the brakes on the pint-sized Yammy enduro were drum units – fore and a .
ti
fi
As the 1960’s drew to a close, US motorcycle sales were on the decline, forcing manufacturers to explore previously untapped markets in hopes of increasing revenues. A er thoroughly reviewing market trends and crunching the numbers, Yamaha’s suits felt their best op on was in the form of small o -road models – similar to some of the machines being produced by companies in Europe like Husqvarna and Bultaco. Yamaha invested heavily in the marke ng of this new line of trail bikes, running dozens of full-color two-page spreads in magazines.
1975 This particular 1975 DT100 is a real gem, unrestored and 100percent bone-stock. The thing wouldn’t appear out of place on a showroom floor with the paint and chrome looking brand new. Even the seat is pristine. The bike has had some work done to it such as the addition of new fuel lines, filter, and spark plugs. It also recently underwent a topend rebuild as well as having its carb and tank cleaned before being retuned to factory spec. All of the lights and switches still work and a new set of knobbies have been thrown into the mix, making this example 100-percent ready to hit the road, albeit it would also make for a fantastic display piece.
Photo by Arsyah
In addition to the bike itself, the sale includes a few goodies such as an original manual, complete records of all work and maintenance performed, and the original blue and yellow license plate. Yamaha’s DT100 possesses a collection of aesthetic features that today’s modern-retro craze heavily borrows from. If parked alongside one of Yamaha’s modern heritage models it could easily pass for a new motorcycle. The fact this DT is adorned in factory “El Toro Orange” is just the icing on the cake as far as I’m concerned. Even after nearly 43 years, it’s a damn fine looking machine.