1979 Yamaha IT 400

[Jalopyshoppe]

So, I got rid of my TT-R 125 Yesterday, and this was part of the deal. I don't know what I want to do with it, but it's pretty clean. It runs well. I feel like it might be cool to do a fork swap and upgrade the shock, but who knows. I gotta figure out how to plate it first. If anyone has advice on that subject, I'm all ears. I have a title, branded off road. I know I can't change it in CA, but maybe a Montana wash? Oregon?

 

[augustiron]

South dakota plates anything. Over the phone. Without an SD address needed.

 

[ScottRNelson]

I know I can't change it in CA, but maybe a Montana wash? Oregon?

Idaho will let you plate it. You can get a plate on anything here.

 

[wilit]

I could have sworn that you could plate anything in CA prior to '86 just as long as it had all the stuff required of a street bike, like lights, horn, signals, etc.

 

[ScottRNelson]

I could have sworn that you could plate anything in CA prior to '86 just as long as it had all the stuff required of a street bike, like lights, horn, signals, etc.

That was true until 2004 when they closed that loophole.

 

[SFMCjohn]

wow, sweet survivor, congratulations!

Cycle, March 1979:
1979 Yamaha IT400F

speaking of plates, OMC is telling us the Sheetiron 300 is back on this year ...

 

[Jalopyshoppe]

wow, sweet survivor, congratulations!

Cycle, March 1979:
1979 Yamaha IT400F

speaking of plates, OMC is telling us the Sheetiron 300 is back on this year ...

Holy shit. 36hp and 29ft-lb, and a chromoly frame. I had no idea that that bike was so cutting edge.
I don't think I want to keep it, to be honest. I took it for a short run, and it's goddamn scary. The front brake is as effective as dragging my feet. The bike pulls pretty damn hard, and it's geared wide. The engine is mild for a 70's 2 stroke, but it's downright violent compared to today's engines.

I don't think I was cut out to mix gas and haul that much ass.

 

[1962siia]

Gotta love Yamaha. If only that was a 1978 model then the plate would be easy. Doesn’t it have a twin shoe up front? That thing would be awesome vintage Baja material or sheetiron or lab2v or....

Edit just read the article John posted. Wow super cool machine.

 

[auntiebling]

wow, sweet survivor, congratulations!

Cycle, March 1979:
1979 Yamaha IT400F

speaking of plates, OMC is telling us the Sheetiron 300 is back on this year ...

"wheelies in the first four gears are simple even for people who don't normally ride unicycle."

 

[Jalopyshoppe]

Despite the positive reviews, I sold it onward on Christmas day. Whatever vintage dirtbike platform I get will likely be 4 stroke and have a plate. I think I only like 2 strokes paired to CVT's.

 

[SFMCjohn]

Despite the positive reviews, I sold it onward on Christmas day. Whatever vintage dirtbike platform I get will likely be 4 stroke and have a plate. I think I only like 2 strokes paired to CVT's.

enjoyed your description of your brief ride on that beast ...

speaking of vintage dirtbike platforms, for those of us who bleed Honda red:

1979 Honda XL-250s:

Sensing that there might be something to this new competition and wanting to showcase its new trail bike, Honda offered entrants of the first Dakar Rally a discount on the Honda XL-250S. The deal also included complimentary factory support with a DC3 airplane, an 8 man support team that included 4 engineers, and 2 unimogs to carry tents and gear. Twenty-nine Honda XLS motorcycles participated in the 1979 Dakar Rally and 15 crossed the finish line in Senegal. Third place went to Philippe Vassad piloting an XL-250S.