A little input please

This was left with me a couple of months ago by a neighbor who moved from his rental property in somewhat less that amiable circumstances. It had been brought down from NY and had not been started in a few years. Since he knew I fooled with old bikes he asked if I could possibly get it up and running and give him a call. I was without a project in the last few days so I pulled in the garage and gave it a shot. First let me say my experience with 2 cycles engines is limited to firing up my chainsaw on rare occasions.

It is a 1972/73 Yamaha 100 LT2 with slightly over 1000 miles on the clock. After flushing the fuel system, cleaning the carb, installing a new 15 dollar 6 volt battery, and assorted other little adjustments I guessed at, the damn thing came to life on the second kick. I have taken around the block a few times and it runs pretty decent and is 100 % complete and stock. I have called the PO several times and left a number of messages but so far no response.

My problem is I need to get it out of the garage, so I am going to leave one final message offering him a $100.00 for bike or pay me for the parts and come get it. Of course there is no title but I have contacted the local Sheriffs Office and verified the bike is not hot so I am pretty sure I am going to list the bike for sale in the upcoming weeks. My question from some of you with much more knowledge in the Yamaha field is, what is the bike worth. I don't want to join a two stroke single website just to verify value, and I have found very few of these listed for sale for reference. I really believe the bike will clean up nicely to include paint and finish, some suggestions or input please .......

I restored a 1971 Yamaha JT1 mini enduro. You can still find parts but you will most likely have to buy used from eBay. I don’t know about your state law but most states don’t require dirt bikes to have titles. Also usually older bikes that aren’t stolen are easy to get lost titles for. I got my JT1 as a basket case and restored it. I think it’s worth more to me in value of time well spent. IMHO Unless you find a collector it will be hard to sell the bike at very good or excellent condition.

Yes, I can't see paying $2000+ for such a little bike, and I'm betting I'm not alone in thinking this way. Maybe list it for $1000 or B.O., and take $700 or $800 if someone is so kind to offer it.

5twins said:

Yes, I can't see paying $2000+ for such a little bike, and I'm betting I'm not alone in thinking this way. Maybe list it for $1000 or B.O., and take $700 or $800 if someone is so kind to offer it.

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5Twins, I must agree with you. I see what some are asking for the small Honda 50's and 90's. I can see reliving your youth, but my "fat arse" is not going to fit those anymore. Here in Virginia you can go through the "Abandoned Vehicle Process" to obtain a title, it is not expensive, but it is a lot of paperwork and time consuming. I have done it a couple of times, but I agree I don't think not having a title for a dirt bike is not a really big problem. If and when I list it I will probably price it very reasonable hoping it will make some kid a great first ride and taking into consideration my Dad put my first one together with parts from a caucus he found at the dump.........

Hi Britman,
that purple popper is street-legal once all the paperwork is done. The average biker-Dad would pay a grand for it as his teenager's first road bike

Britman said:

This was left with me a couple of months ago by a neighbor who moved from his rental property in somewhat less that amiable circumstances. It had been brought down from NY and had not been started in a few years. Since he knew I fooled with old bikes he asked if I could possibly get it up and running and give him a call. I was without a project in the last few days so I pulled in the garage and gave it a shot. First let me say my experience with 2 cycles engines is limited to firing up my chainsaw on rare occasions.

It is a 1972/73 Yamaha 100 LT2 with slightly over 1000 miles on the clock. After flushing the fuel system, cleaning the carb, installing a new 15 dollar 6 volt battery, and assorted other little adjustments I guessed at, the damn thing came to life on the second kick. I have taken around the block a few times and it runs pretty decent and is 100 % complete and stock. I have called the PO several times and left a number of messages but so far no response.

My problem is I need to get it out of the garage, so I am going to leave one final message offering him a $100.00 for bike or pay me for the parts and come get it. Of course there is no title but I have contacted the local Sheriffs Office and verified the bike is not hot so I am pretty sure I am going to list the bike for sale in the upcoming weeks. My question from some of you with much more knowledge in the Yamaha field is, what is the bike worth. I don't want to join a two stroke single website just to verify value, and I have found very few of these listed for sale for reference. I really believe the bike will clean up nicely to include paint and finish, some suggestions or input pleaseView attachment 175115 View attachment 175116 .......

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I am from another part of the world with other laws
And other legal rules
But I don't think it is without risk selling someone else's property after a few months.
The owner or the man who left the bike , which can be two different persons as I read this
Can be on vacation
In hospital for Corona not being able to answer your calls.
He or his lawyer may come back and telling something like

" We had an agreement on a mild restoration a xxxx Dollars on this valuable bike in mint condition.
Getting it running ..waving the title
Now we want the sum of yyyy plus legal expenses. "

There is a procedure how it is done without future problems.
I would be reluctant to involve the Police.
What if the bike is stolen after all and you go to the police station.
Here it would be virtually impossible getting out of that without problems.
Big problems

the Officer
" So you are in possession of a stolen Motorcycle "

Ending up with a rap sheet with --- perhaps Your Boss Firing You.

I would rather wait. A bit longer .
I would sleep better.
And then carefully do it right

When it comes to values one can at times be surprised ..

in wisc you can file a mechanics lien to get legal ownership.
no title i'm with the others 800-1000
but moving it on is prolly best electric is going to own this part of the market very soon, old 2 smokes will have antique value only.

If that was a bit bigger I would be interested. I had a Suzuki 125 about like that. Nice little bike for around town or a bit of dirt riding. Not a bad bike to start off on.
I want one like that but in the 250 or bigger range. One a enough newer to have 4 stroke and electronic ignition.
Leo