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1972 Yamaha V75 (U7E) Motorcycle

(SOLD)

  • 2-stroke 72cc engine (4.9 HP)
  • 3-speed semi-automatic gearbox
  • Top Speed 52.8 MPH
  • Electric starter
  • 169.8 lbs
  • 225-17/250-17 tires

July 30, 2014 - I didn't think it would take long to sell the Yamaha, but even I was surprised to have it gone tonight after listing it one day on Craig's List!  I had a message when I got home - the fellow said he wanted it and would come by tonight with cash in hand.  Which he did!  I had to scramble a bit to find all the things I had for the motorcycle, but pretty much everything was located.  I have a NOS headlight coming which I will get to him next week.  There was no profit involved, but also, no loss!  I pretty much broke exactly even, and had a good time fixing the bike up.  That's what makes the old vehicle hobby fairly practical (OK, that might be a stretch).  Most people play golf, or go boating or have other activities that cost money.  I usually get most of the money from my hobby back!
July 26, 2014 - There was a package in the mail when i got hoe today from Wayne Tyler, license plate guru and old car buddy.  I bought a NOS Virginia 1972 motorcycle plate from him off eBay, and he did not disappoint.  The plate was still in the original wrapper, and made the perfect finishing touch to the Yamaha.  Of course, now that this winter project is done, I have lit for sale on Craig's List!
July 21, 2014 - I finally got the last bits pulled together on the Yamaha.  The turn signals did not work, and the signal lights and mirrors were rusty.  I was able to get NOS Yamaha lights and mirrors, and finally got the turn signal wiring figured out.  The bike is surprisingly peppy, and starts with the first push of the button.  I still need to clean it up and do some finally tightening and adjustment, but everything is work well.  It's actually a pretty snazzy little motorcycle!
May 23, 2014 - The Yamaha is alive and well!  I installed the battery and put the rest of the covers and shrouds back on, and then took it around the block and then to the gas station.  Good power, the transmission and clutch are excellent, and the brakes work well.  And yes, I did learn my lesson with the Centaur.  I wore a helmet and kept the speed down.  It's fun, but it's almost done - which means it's gonna go soon.  I'll tinker a bit more, but it will be for sale soon.  I'm not really a motorcycle person.
May 21, 2014 - With everything running, it as time to invest in a battery.  I have been using the old Sonata battery to start the Yamaha, but that was no good for riding.  Turns out the original battery is very hard to find.  I checked the Internet and found the measurements: 5-1/8" wide, 3-9/16" deep, and 4.5" tall, 12 volts and 7 amps  After a couple of tries, the clerk at Battery Plus in Norfolk said he had an equivalent that was 6 Amps instead of 7, but should work.  I went there tonight after work, but the battery looked too big - I had him measure and it was 6" long.  No good.  So I borrowed his tape measure and found one almost exactly the right size and 8 Amps.  It is charging now, and I hope to have the Yamaha running and on the road by this weekend.
May 20, 2014 - It took a few days to get around to working on the carburetor, and when I did there was an unhappy surprise.  Someone had pulled the float and needle valve from the new carb.  Luckily, it was almost an exact match to the crab on the Yamaha, and the old parts swapped over.  Getting the old carb off was more of a challenge.  The choke piston was locked in its sleeve and would not come out.  Since this also locked the carb body to the choke cable, I had to use a lot of force and carb cleaner.  Again, luck was with me and it finally popped free.  I cleaned it carefully and reassembled the new carb with all parts, and installed it.  Success!  The bike starts and runs great, and the throttle and choke both work properly.  I ran her through all three gears, and checked the lights and brakes.  Once I find a battery and get the panels back on, I can take her for a ride.  I made a video of tonight's operation check.  It's on YouTube at: http://youtu.be/IWSa0Yfn_fU
May 15, 2014 - I took the carburetor apart and cleaned it up as much as I could - when I put everything back together, the bike started up and ran perfectly.  For about ten seconds.  Faced with an unknown, 42 year-old carb and no spare parts, I hit eBay and located a NOS carb for $89.  That was a no-brainer, though like the fuel valve, it had to come from Thailand.  It has finally arrived, and I plan to install it this weekend and see if that cures the issue.  Given the state of the original carb, I consider it money well spent even if something else is wrong.
April 15, 2014 - I got the new fuel valve in from Thailand, though it took a while.  That did not solve the issue, though I am glad I got the new valve.  The old one and the filter were really nasty.  However, as you can see on the left, the inside of the carburetor was pretty bad as well.  The float was stuck in the closed position.  I pulled the float, needle valve, and jet out and cleaned them.  When I got it back together, she would start instantly and idle, but dies when you give her any throttle.  And the choke has no effect at all.  Looks like the main jet has some further disassembly required, but I am very close.  She'll idle smoothly with no issues.  Once I get the main jet cleaned out, she should be ready.  I posted a video of starting and running the Yamaha on YouTube at: http://youtu.be/jcEWYlHqsW8

 
March 17, 2014 - The Yamaha will start and run for a short time, but dies.  I am pretty sure the issue is the special vacuum-operated fuel valve assembly.  It has had gas sitting in it for years, and is probably gunked up.  However, the repair manual specifically says not to disassemble it.  I was able to find a new one for $22 on eBay, and have it coming.  No rush to get her running, especially now that I have a new Jag to play with.
March 13, 2014 - I've been tinkering with the Yamaha off and on the past couple of weeks.  Took the seat and fairing off, and pulled the fuel tank and oil tank.  Everything looks very clean, except for some mud wasp nests that I cleaned off - no damage to the paint!  I hooked up a car battery and everything electrical worked except for the turn signal flasher.  However, it did not start.  I pulled the point cover and cleaned and reset the points, and put in a new spark plug, but she still didn't fire even with starting fluid.  My goal was to find out if the issue is electrical or fuel-related.  I left it alone this past week, and tried again this morning.  I pulled the plug and shot in some starting fluid and tried again.  This time she started and ran for a few seconds!  So it's definitely fuel.  Not surprising.  I need to pull the carb and get it cleaned out.  There was some oil smoke - a good thing because it means the 2-cycle feed is working.  Got the owner's manual in from Australia yesterday.  And also got an offer from someone in the club who wants to buy it!  Not yet, folks.
March 4, 2014 - Previous plans and winter storms have kept me from doing much of anything to the Yamaha, but I have spent some time on eBay finding goodies.  Yeah, my usual.  I have added an owner's manual, factory shop manual, and points.  The battery looks to be a 12-volt, and I'll have to search one of those out.
March 1, 2014 - My antique car club's annual swap meet was today, and this 1972 Yamaha V75 motorcycle caught my eye.  It was priced at $700, and looked very clean and complete.  I have always liked the Honda Super Cub of the same period, and the V75 was built to compete.  After checking it out over a few hours, I finally made an offer and got it for $450.  It hasn't run in a while, but has good compression and looks like it will be easy to fix up.  I already found and ordered the only two damaged parts off eBay (the front marker lens and a cover retainer knob), along with a repair manual and a sales folder.  When I got it home, I took the covers off and determined that the fuel vale is clogged.  I plan to take it apart and clean it, then see what fresh gas and a new spark plug do.  The battery is missing, and I'll need to figure out if this is a 6 or 12 volt system - apparently both were used.  Anyway, it fits in the garage, was cheap, and looks like it will be fun to play with!

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