kodiakbill

Thanks, Tony. I've purchased on Ebay & installed the lower/forward footpegs & brake pedal kit. The seat you mentioned would complete the package. Rear shocks are shot and I'm looking for economical replacements. I had revived this TY from abandonment and find it is a great learner bike for those wanting to get started in the dirt. Plus, I like riding it myself. Bill PS I also found a TY175 that is more of a donor bike than a candidate for restoration.

Has anyone a suggestion for a more generous seat for my 1974 TY250? I want to trail ride rather than trial ride. Is there any easy bolt on seat from some other model that will put enduro-comfort under me? Thanks Kodiak Bill

I do not remember hearing the Taurman name. I arrived in 1976 and went straight out to the fishing grounds for about three solid years. Maybe it was a Coast Guard Family that rotated off-island before I became aware of them. There was a impromptu MX track at the fairgrounds in those days (and one has been rebuilt there in recent years). I'll ask my brother who got here in 1969. Speaking of Montana daredevils and bandits, The Sandy Bandit ,Cliff Majhor, tells the story of a jumping show he preformed in Butte, MT once upon a time and impressed a young Robert Knievel.... Thanks for the parts tips.

Thanks Dave. Someone here on the island suggested Lynwwood Cycle in Washington State as a source for vintage Yam parts. Premix sounds good and would simplify my search for a throttle cable, I'll make one. Yes lots of 175 & 250 TY's were around here at the end of the earth. Maybe a dozen. Back in the day Alaska got all the non-current models as consumers here wuld buy anything offered. Can you believe four Norton Atlas Scramblers were sold here (and three still exist)! Bill

Brian, thanks for your reply. Yes, Kodiak city on Kodiak Island, Alaska. We have a Yamaha dealer that stocks no parts and is really just an auto tire store. The old-time Yamaha dealer left years ago and sold his old stock as a lot off-island. There ARE a lot of old rusty Yamaha's laying around but occasionally a garage door opens to reveal a cherry, never-ridden product ot 60's/70's. Parts for my 1976 XT500 come from Thumper Stuff and Ebay.

I spotted a forlorn TY250 out in the rain and just had to rescue it. Cost me a hundred bucks. It is part yellow 1974 and part blue 1977. Frame is 434-000xxx and engine is 493-20xxxx. It's 99% all there and would probably start and drive but I optioned to give it a quickie restoration first. Then do it up right if it bike runs and drives fine. The Good: Motor is free and has spark & compression, wheels are round, steel tank solid, seat/fenders/side/skidplate cover present, lighting kit present and presentable. The Bad: White death in the carb (needs rebuild kit), broken upper throttle cable (how does one replace just the upper?), marginal front brake cable, clutch cover busted under oil pump, big dent in headpipe. The Ugly: Does not seem to be many parts available for this model. I've never ridden a trials bike unless you count my Bultaco Matador way back in 1970 but his might be the perfect bike to get the wife interested in dirt biking? I told her "I bought it as a present for YOU, honey" Kodiak Bill