Can I Get This 1960's Yamaha Motorcycle Running?

I am 75 years old, graduated in 1966 from HS. I had a Honda sport 50 , I weighed 120 lb. my friend weighed 200 so he bought the Yamaha 100 , just like the one you are working on, it was blue too. We rode the wheels off those bikes that summer come September we went into the Army together, and our adult life started. My friend passed a few years back. This vid brought a tear to my eyes. all the memories we made that summer. Hearing that motor run was great, if only you could bring my friend back. Thank you for sharing. be safe again thank you.

This is quickly becoming my favorite channel. The only downside is that I keep getting inspired to buy more project bikes...

Over 30 years ago my mom died of cancer and her motorcycle, a Honda CB100, sat in the basement until my dad passed away. It's now in my garage and your video has inspired me to get it running again. Thanks. It would make my mom happy.

I’m 81 now and you just brought so many memories back into play! Cruising down the streets of YT and this bike image caught my eye. I bought a red YT1 in ‘67 as my first bike to commute to work. Great little ring-a-ding dinger! Replaced it with Yamaha 100 dirt bike once I discovered the joys of playing in the dirt. So much fun, so many kisses from “angel of death!” and blatant overconfident abuse of physics! Thanks for the memories!

"We don't need gloves where we're going."   "To the hospital?" That was a good one, Dan. Loving all the vintage motorcycle content. I'm glad to see Sean is getting into vintage bikes as well. It all started with that old Indian...then the WLA...and now he's got a frickin knucklehead.

I love how a lot of stuff on this channel is under $1000, unless it's a customer. Craig is basically the polar opposite of BnB now, and i absolutely love it. Lots of stuff thats obtainable to almost anyone. The world needs more Craigs.

You're not just bringing back bikes.. you're bringing back memories. Thank you, TBM.🤗

Hi Craig, I bought a 1966 yt-1 in 1970. Came to me for a hundred bucks with a stuck motor. Installed new rings and drove it for two summers. Sold it running. I had so much fun on that bike, also I only weighed in at almost 120. Great memories. Now 70 years old and still riding, and still riding Yamaha..

Best part of Friday! I love how Craig optimistically says "and you can do it too". I can't. I really can't.

Off course you get it running Craig 😊 Its a Yamaha ! It will never die ! And as a Yamaha fanboy i would thank you so much (again)for putting another Yamaha back on the road. Keep em comming ❤ God bless this beared mechanic and the good old US of A ! ❤🏍🙏🏻🇺🇲

YL1 was my first motorcycle - bought around 1971 (age 21). Parents didn't say much, but I presume they were not pleased. Couple years later, living outside Cleveland, I headed home in the dark (about 40 miles) and decided to take the "Ohio Turnpike" toll road for the first time, just a few miles, as a quick shortcut. Toll taker at the entrance gate looked down at my little bike with a sneer – wondering if it would go at least the minimum speed. She let me go, and obviously, I lived through the experience. The bike had a worn clutch but was still functional. The next spring, I replaced the clutch plates and promptly started popping little wheelies with the thing. First time I'd ever done that. Lately I've been missing that bike, and presto – I stumble on this video.. Four years later, after my Honda CL350 was stolen outside my apartment, I bought a Yamaha R5 - 350, which was refined into the RD350. Of all the bikes I've owned, that R5 was the best.

Its great to see an American who loves old Japanese stuff, nice one Craig (I'm in the UK). It would be cool to see this cleaned up with new tyres and the petcock fixed taken on a mini adventure somewhere.... I feel this bike deserves more content :)

I know nothing about bikes. 51yrs old and never been on one. But just spent last 3 evenings watching your vids. awesome.

I had a 1965 YL1 when I was 16 years old. It was not called a 'YL1', rather a 'Twin Jet 100'. Bought it new. This little bike started like a champ on first kick every time; even in the coldest weather. It was amazingly quick for 100 cc's (I only weighed 145 pounds). Insurance cost just $37/year and when you cancelled for the winter the insurance company sent you a '$rebate'. I had a part-time job after school and that gave me the money to buy the bike and operate it. Loved that bike!! Absolutely loved it!!

What a beautiful little Motor Cycle

I've never owned a yamaha, always been more of a suzuki guy myself, but it makes me smile seeing more of these old girls saved from the scrapyard and put back on the road.

Your engaging content has been truly enthralling, especially in showcasing the revival of these bikes. Personally, I'm drawn to the idea of witnessing a complete restoration process—watching these bikes transform not only mechanically but also aesthetically into their best possible versions. I believe there's a considerable audience that shares this particular preference. Keep up the fantastic work, and please continue to showcase the captivating journey of these bikes undergoing total restoration.

You don't see many of these old Yamaha's running around anymore. I don't believe it's worth much, but a spray paint "restoration" would be kind of neat to see. Glad that the inside of the tank was in good shape.

What a testament to Yamaha quality. It's amazing that it started 3rd kick. Love this channel.

that is one fun machine! I started my motorcycling with a used 1966 Yamaha YL1. Mine shined up with coca_Cola! I was 16 years old and spent $100. I rode mostly city streets , and the tires were terrible, but I learned a lot on that bike, Including how to wheelie! That came in handy when I replaced the yl1 with a DT175! I have had 15 motorcycles and this first one was very great experience for me! Good luck ,,,,,now back to the video I stopped to post my smile🙂 JT in Northern Illinois.