General Discussion Forum

First off...HAPPY THANKSGIVING ALL!  
Again...a big thx to the guys that have been giving input for my 1st dirt bike. Really great you all taking the time with me; I don't think I would be that patient before saying "Dude!...stop being cheap, just cough up and buy a decent, newer bike!"
So, here's the deal...I have a friend of mine that wants to give me a 78 Yamaha DT400. It's in decent shape overall, just hasn't run in 20 years. He's the original owner and says it was running perfect when he just stopped riding it. He never took the fluids out (DOH!). I was thinking it might be cool to strip it down & clean it up as a project bike. It's an enduro and plated, he also has light kit. Never really worked much on a bike before, but my neighbor knows 'em inside and out. Ebay seems to have parts for it. If I pick up the manual, am I in for more trouble than it's worth? Can I get away with sinking $600 to get this dependable?
Here are some pics:


 
Obnoxiously loud, smokey & fun '78 Yamaha DT400

Happy eating all.  
Obnoxiously loud, smokey & fun '78 Yamaha DT400

What is actually wrong with the bike?

Oh, and welcome to the board, if you haven't already been welcomed!  
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No pain; No gain

My buddy said nothing is wrong with it, he just stopped riding it and it's been sitting there...for the past 20 years ever since. Seriously.  So, do I just strip it down, clean & lube everything? My neighbor said something about the cylinder walls possibly getting rusted where the rings are if it's been sitting for a while, thereby screwing up future rings. Worse comes to worse, cant I just put in a new top end? It only has around 2000K original miles on it.

Oh, and thanks for the welcome!  
Obnoxiously loud, smokey & fun '78 Yamaha DT400

bump
(can I do that?)  
Obnoxiously loud, smokey & fun '78 Yamaha DT400

Yeah its fine. Heres what you need to price. chain, sprockets, brakes, brake cables, piston and rings, machine work to have it bored, gaskets, possibly a new gas tank if its rusted out. New reeds(I think those are reed induction), carb rebuild kit, possibly new tires, definetly new tubes. If it comes in at a price thats acceptable, add 100 to 150 bucks for the lil chit you forgot then get it and get redey to get your hands dirty  
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The Idle of a 500 2 stroke is Akin to the Devils Heartbeat


I'm not afraid of the dark, I own the NITEMARE that lurks within.

Oh and some info. It weighed 310 pds. ready to ride, with a  full tank. Stock it would hit 85 mph. It only made 21 hp. It has a 32mm mikuni carb. Everything Ive can find points towards reed induction, Im trying to find out.  
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The Idle of a 500 2 stroke is Akin to the Devils Heartbeat


I'm not afraid of the dark, I own the NITEMARE that lurks within.

Cool...thx! Well...my buddy is just giving it to me, so that's nice. Tank looks clean, no rust.
Think this would make an ok trail bike once it's up and going?  
Obnoxiously loud, smokey & fun '78 Yamaha DT400

Also...any parts with light rust like sprocket...can't I just sand the rust off?
I know I should replace the chain.  
Obnoxiously loud, smokey & fun '78 Yamaha DT400

I would replace the chain and any otehr moving parts with rust. Take the carb apart and clean it and see if, with new gas, it will start.  


Long live 2 strokes!!

Here's a link I found about your bike.

1978 DT400  

--- 1994 CR80R ---

Wow blast from the past. I'v road that bike! I t was a friends when i was 20ish.  Took forever to start but ones it did it was fast! But i was on a dirt road and really got on it. Was Loud as hell i remember. And very short and alittle heavy. But it could rip. Fun bike and ran great and it was worce looking then the pic you have.  
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It's called wash your bike stupid.

WAHOOOOOO!
After 21 years of sitting....6 kicks, a little sure start and....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPJs8Qq33jQ

More work to go, but that little thing was weighing pretty heavy on my mind.
Once again...thanks to all you guys for the help and insight!  
Obnoxiously loud, smokey & fun '78 Yamaha DT400