Just bought the same bike--fully original with 5800 miles! This is my first venture on the road. I've ridden off road most of my life, except for the past 15 or so years. Still have my KX125---but wanted a two stroke for the street. Watching you ride, for the most part, shows me that the riding/shifting is much the same---but no power shifting, of course! Can't wait to get on the thing---great video--thanks!
I had that exact same bike in 1973, bought used for $500. I loved that bike. Used to whoop my friend with his 350 Honda. One of the many bikes that I wish I could have kept. Thanks for the video. It was a trip down memory lane.
Had the same model in 1972 as a 17 year old, just found another in 2023 in excellent condition same gold and black colours as the one I had, cost me a fortune but I just had to have it, 😂
Raced one of these in the IOM TT in 72 and 73. A great bike, totally reliable (until its last race when it died). I raced three seasons, had many class wins and never a problem with the engine. The handling was a bit iffy though!
I bought my first 1972 Yamaha YDS7 in November 1971. In just over a year, I put on over 14,000 miles. I sold it, since I was able to afford a car, but not both. Then in June of 1975, I found one for $400, that had only 400 miles on it. I put on over 5,000 miles on it before selling because I had orders for Germany. They were great little bikes. I still think of picking up another, or a 350/400 two stroke, just for kicks. I might even trade one of my Honda ST1300s for one! ;)
This was my 1st bike in `75 bought with school summer jobs. Looked good but it never felt safe and I did not like the feel or sound of a 2 stroke. Saved up again and later bought a Guzzi LeMans. To be fair, as a school kid I didn`t have the money or the skills to maintain it all that well. Looking back it would be interesting to to have another go on one, having owned over 30 bikes since. A friend of mine who bought a 650 bonneville a year later used to say that "2 strokes got up his nose", but I`d like to give it another chance. Your bike looks exactly the same as mine did, so it`s a great nostalgia trip to see one again. Thanks for the video.
I had a 68 Yamaha 200 when I turned 16. It would do 95 MPH with a passenger we only weighed about 140 each but it's Soo much faster than the trail 90 I rode before.
Those were the day's, when you could put a teenager on a +30hp bike, with nothing more than Dad's old piss pot on their head, a Woodbine behind their ear, and 2 bob in their pocket for a Nookie Brown and a packet of Golden Wonder from the Offie, ......where has the time gone, I really miss them.....back to the garage to reminis 😂
i changed the bars on mine to the ace bars, really helped the handling imho, transfering my weight onto the front wheel, stopped it pattering under power in the corners ;o}
This makes me a bit sad, it feels like yesterday that this was just an older bike, and now it is half a century old. I had rd400s D and F, and a much older Kaw A7 avenger 350. Also Gt750, and later RG500 ... and now I am more than half a century old.
Good day my friend, I noticed you're in a Colorado I was like this looks like my hometown...lol I was wondering if you still owned the bike? If so I just purchased one and had a few questions for you Returning to the bike and jetting it for altitude
Had one of these in 1974 up til then I had had a YAS3 125cc and CS3E 200cc Yamahas, this was my first proper bike I was 18 at the time mine was yellow and white, hearing yours really brings back some great memories. Where the hell did you manage to get a bike that's 50 years old that looks nearly new?
I've owned it for about 15 years now and had to do a fair bit of stuff (new top end, chain, sprockets, cables, levers, etc...) but it's always looked very good cosmetically.
@@stevekennedy8264 I bought my Yas3 Yamaha 125 from North Shore Motorcycles in Takapuna (Hauraki Corner) in 1973 I had a flat in Esmonde Rd and rode it all over Auckland it was a great feeling to be able to go wherever I wanted whenever I wanted such a feeling of freedom riding a motorcycle, of course, I crashed it, I mean I was 17 lol.
I still have the bike and love it, I'll likely own it for the rest of my life. It's such a cool piece of history and I have a lot of nostalgia for the bike. It's a very easy bike to ride (low seat height, mild power deliver, manageable weight, etc...) but because of it's age and availability of parts I wouldn't consider it a great bike to "learn" on.
Just bought the same bike--fully original with 5800 miles! This is my first venture on the road. I've ridden off road most of my life, except for the past 15 or so years. Still have my KX125---but wanted a two stroke for the street. Watching you ride, for the most part, shows me that the riding/shifting is much the same---but no power shifting, of course! Can't wait to get on the thing---great video--thanks!
I have the 1972 R5C 350cc version! Looks identical to your bike with the same mandarin orange scheme. Such a joy to ride!
I had that exact same bike in 1973, bought used for $500. I loved that bike. Used to whoop my friend with his 350 Honda. One of the many bikes that I wish I could have kept. Thanks for the video. It was a trip down memory lane.
I nearly bought one in 1975. Opted for a Honda 250 k4 instead. Happy days 😊
Thanks for the memory. Had mine in 76. Jump up from my Honda CB350 K4. What a step up in performance, scary back then
Properly synched carbs and properly ridden. My DS7 is going back on the road thanks to this video.👍
I got the exact same bike on turning 17 in 77. I got the exact same bike on turning 62 in 22. I just love it. Always will. Thanks for the video.
Had the same model in 1972 as a 17 year old, just found another in 2023 in excellent condition same gold and black colours as the one I had, cost me a fortune but I just had to have it, 😂
Haven’t seen one in England since the late 70s. Lots of RD’s though.
Raced one of these in the IOM TT in 72 and 73. A great bike, totally reliable (until its last race when it died). I raced three seasons, had many class wins and never a problem with the engine. The handling was a bit iffy though!
Man that thing is sooooo beautiful!!!
I bought my first 1972 Yamaha YDS7 in November 1971. In just over a year, I put on over 14,000 miles. I sold it, since I was able to afford a car, but not both. Then in June of 1975, I found one for $400, that had only 400 miles on it. I put on over 5,000 miles on it before selling because I had orders for Germany. They were great little bikes. I still think of picking up another, or a 350/400 two stroke, just for kicks. I might even trade one of my Honda ST1300s for one! ;)
I got one a year ago.
As it turns out It's a 72' and so am I.
Nothing like 30hp on an old 300lb stroker .
Less strap more brap!
Cheers!
Mein erstes wunderschönes bike und der Beginn eines 40jährigen Bikerlebens! Die Zeit rennt!
This was my 1st bike in `75 bought with school summer jobs. Looked good but it never felt safe and I did not like the feel or sound of a 2 stroke. Saved up again and later bought a Guzzi LeMans. To be fair, as a school kid I didn`t have the money or the skills to maintain it all that well. Looking back it would be interesting to to have another go on one, having owned over 30 bikes since. A friend of mine who bought a 650 bonneville a year later used to say that "2 strokes got up his nose", but I`d like to give it another chance. Your bike looks exactly the same as mine did, so it`s a great nostalgia trip to see one again. Thanks for the video.
I love the maps on the ceiling. I just mounted a bunch of maps in my shop today!
Beautiful bike!
I had a 68 Yamaha 200 when I turned 16. It would do 95 MPH with a passenger we only weighed about 140 each but it's Soo much faster than the trail 90 I rode before.
I had a 74 RD200A in a kind of metallic bronze colour. It was a little flyer, and I covered
almost 18000 miles on it in 3 years. Great Times.
Race tuned speedometer?
I live in CO and have a bunch of nice vintage bikes, especially two strokes. Let me know if you ever want to meet up and ride
Had one same year and color I fitted ace bars and rear sets. Damn it was FAST!.
Those were the day's, when you could put a teenager on a +30hp bike, with nothing more than Dad's old piss pot on their head, a Woodbine behind their ear, and 2 bob in their pocket for a Nookie Brown and a packet of Golden Wonder from the Offie, ......where has the time gone, I really miss them.....back to the garage to reminis 😂
i changed the bars on mine to the ace bars, really helped the handling imho, transfering my weight onto the front wheel, stopped it pattering under power in the corners ;o}
had the DS7 in '72 loved that bike :o} bought a RD250 in '76 hated the disc brake as it was rubbish in the wet never had the same feelings for it
This makes me a bit sad, it feels like yesterday that this was just an older bike, and now it is half a century old. I had rd400s D and F, and a much older Kaw A7 avenger 350. Also Gt750, and later RG500 ... and now I am more than half a century old.
Nice freakin Bike Dude !!!
I have a 1982 Yamaha XT 550 like the one in your garage.
Good day my friend, I noticed you're in a Colorado I was like this looks like my hometown...lol I was wondering if you still owned the bike? If so I just purchased one and had a few questions for you Returning to the bike and jetting it for altitude
I have one in the garage.Noel Australia.
Had one of these in 1974 up til then I had had a YAS3 125cc and CS3E 200cc Yamahas, this was my first proper bike I was 18 at the time mine was yellow and white, hearing yours really brings back some great memories. Where the hell did you manage to get a bike that's 50 years old that looks nearly new?
I've owned it for about 15 years now and had to do a fair bit of stuff (new top end, chain, sprockets, cables, levers, etc...) but it's always looked very good cosmetically.
My mate pixie had a orange and white Rd 125 I had a kh 125 in nz 1981
@@stevekennedy8264 I bought my Yas3 Yamaha 125 from North Shore Motorcycles in Takapuna (Hauraki Corner) in 1973 I had a flat in Esmonde Rd and rode it all over Auckland it was a great feeling to be able to go wherever I wanted whenever I wanted such a feeling of freedom riding a motorcycle, of course, I crashed it, I mean I was 17 lol.
❤ ❤
That many miles on the bike the top end probably ready for redo,
And the crank seals can go bad with age
Let it breathe..😀
Hey Justin. Nice video. Do you still own the bike and how do you like it? Would you consider this a good bike to learn on?
I still have the bike and love it, I'll likely own it for the rest of my life. It's such a cool piece of history and I have a lot of nostalgia for the bike. It's a very easy bike to ride (low seat height, mild power deliver, manageable weight, etc...) but because of it's age and availability of parts I wouldn't consider it a great bike to "learn" on.
I neverheard of the DS7, but I had a 1971 350 R5 back in Finland. What is the difference? Did the DS7 e.g. have reed valves? .
Exactly the same bike as the R5 just a smaller engine, it was the next model the 1973 RD 250/350 that had the reed valves.
I blv DS7 has no reed valves, I have a 74 DT175 that has reed valve, so does my RD400
DS7 bore and stroke 54 x 54mm, R5 64 x 54mm
Ring ding ding and the overun. 4 strokes were so much smoother.
4 stroke is for women and fruity men
Seems like you didn't p it in top gear. It has a 5 -speed gearbox
IS. FOR. SALE😳😳😳😳🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓
I bought one today with 2400 miles and its 10 times rougher than your's with 15k :(
I've done some work to mine but cosmetically has always been pretty good.
Круто
Gloves !!!. Never ride without protection .
Yds7
Specil tuwn yamaha ilove yamah😎