Just for fun...Picked up a 1976 Yamaha 175 Enduro

[MidlifeMotor]

I was on vacation in Utah and saw this 1976 Yamaha 175 Enduro for sale outside a guy's house. 24 hours later I rode off with her. Needless to say, a little smaller than the Tenere, but she sure backs up a heck of a lot easier! My 15 year old daughter was instantly hooked on it and wants to work with me on it and learn to ride it. Can't beat that!

It started on the first kick on a cold engine at 72 degrees and 9000 feet elevation. Other than the handlebars being bent, she's in great shape. Looks like I found something to put the rest of my money that I didn't blow fixing up the Tenere.

Paid 675 for it. A good deal to me when compared to Craigslist ads in the major cities in our region.

 

[twinrider]

Nice score, love the look of those old trail bikes. ::008::

 

[Ticeman2]

Love the smell of a 2 stroke in the morning! ;D

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Sweet. Make it red and would be the first motorcycle encounter of my life. Sitting up front holding onto the cross bar as my uncle took me for a ride. Made a hell of an impression and I've been hooked ever since. Probably the reason I've always favored Yamaha.

Enjoy. Thanks for posting the picture. Brought back a flood of memories.

 

[twinrider]

Looks real good and mostly original. I got one identical brand new back June 1976. It was a great one as were all those old Yamaha Enduros. What happened with the new ones like the WR250R? No fun. I guess the two stoke power and the fact they fitted decent seats back in 1976. Whatever. Good luck. I liked mine a lot.
I don't mean to ramble on, but will. I was 15 years old, we had miles and miles of open mountain roads outside Denver. Rode 3000 miles in one summer without even driving on the street. Awesome summer I'll never see the likes of again. Every time I see an old Yam enduro I get all choked up with good memory.

Can picture it now ... with Steve Miller jamming in the background. ::012::

 

[MidlifeMotor]

Good luck. I liked mine a lot.
I don't mean to ramble on, but will. I was 15 years old, we had miles and miles of open mountain roads outside Denver. Rode 3000 miles in one summer without even driving on the street. Awesome summer I'll never see the likes of again. Every time I see an old Yam enduro I get all choked up with good memory.

Thanks for posting this reply. It seems the photo brought back some fond memories. I don't think I will do a full restoration due to the cost will exceed the value, but mostly because if I make it too nice I won't want to scratch it! I am gonna clean her up a lot. It does have a slight leak where the shift lever thingy goes into the case, but I am sure it's just some kind of seal that's been compromised.

If anyone has any service or maintenance tips on these babies, I would appreciate the advice. I can see already it's gonna be a bear getting a lot of the screws out of the aluminum case without stripping them. One is already stripped somewhat and I am leery about stripping it all the way. The original tool kit is with the bike and it has the Phillips type screw driver with it but I am sure previous owners have already done some damage. How hard are these screws to get out once the head is stripped?

 

[Swagger]

Love it .... I had the forerunner to that .... the DT175 (1974). It belonged to an uncle who gave to me to practice my biking skills. ::008::

 

[MidlifeMotor]

So, after a week of tinkering with the 175 Enduro and riding it every night ( and having a total blast), I jumped back on the Tenere for a quick spin. Holy rocket!! There's no comparison of course, but very funny how I can have so much fun on two different, yet similar, motorcycles.

I took the Enduro apart down to the frame and put her back together again. Something to be said for simplicity. Didn't take me long to figure her out mechanically. Heading to Utah again next week. Wife leaving a day early with the Enduro in the bed of the pickup. I am riding the Tenere a day later to spend a week in the pines at 9000 feet elevation, riding trails switching back and forth between the two bikes. Should be interesting.

 

[Ramseybella]

Can picture it now ... with Steve Miller jamming in the background. ::012::

Funny but Steve Miller's take the money and run was going through my head yesterday when the Insurance guy handed me a check for my totaled Triumph Tiger 1050. 8)

Right on Retro Yam as well easy to work on too. ::008::

 

[Yamaguy55]

Fabulous. I had one (CT1) in high school. I rode that thing for 58K miles, as it was all I had except for shoe leather express.

Do yourself a favor and DO NOT remove the Autolube. I think BelRay Si7 is probably the best choice for injector oil, no carbon build up. Don't run it without a battery, the headlight and other bulbs will blow.

Great bikes. I wish I had one right now.