Dt400

[racezilla500]

I saw this old heap in the paper today. Says it's "scary bad fast". Anyone know anything about this beast? How about you DT250Rider, any clues? They want $500 for her.

[scream'ntwostroke]

Lol scary bad fast!!! lol. If its a 500 two-stroke hang on!!!!!!

[racezilla500]

I think I should've been a little more clear. The title of the thread is what I am talking about. It's a late '70s DT400.

[brock_fuzzy_69]

my buddy has one of those motors he got an LT 250 that was bastarized with that big yamaha on it

it sounds insane but i dont know yet how it runs
nice that it has a compression release so that you can actually kick that big bastard over

[racezilla500]

Yeah my 500 sucks to kick too. I've always wondered about putting a compression release on it. I've been told that it would be tough because of the water jackets.

[Banshee]

I have always thought you need to get something like what they use to start the Indy cars for the Zilla. Just take the kicker off and slap one of those on and hit the button. It would save you the weight of a kicker just don't stall it out.

[Kane]

I have an old IT400 in my collection and yeah, it's scary fast. A real mean mother. Kicks easy, pulls sweet, real dependable. In decent enough shape, I'd be all over it if it were a local ad around me. This bike is virtually bulletproof. The DT is a tad heavier but essentially the same bike.

[brock_fuzzy_69]

yeah by me in the paper a guy has a basketcase dt 400 for 200 bucks
sounds like just the motor and frame tho

i cant get over how easy it is to start

[zillaguy89]

the DT is an enduro version, and it should be STREET LEGAL!!!!! WOOHOO!! I know mine is. Here's how I it works I think: The IT is essentially the same bike as the DT without the speedo, tach and lights, and then you move up to the lightened motocross big dog YZ's. THe gearing on the DT leans a little more toward street use, so they don't get out of the hole all that fast, but I'll say this, my DT, running like total garbage, wo'nt pull the front wheel up, but it will rip a rut in the ground like nobodys buisness. if it would hook i bet it would wheelie. Mine would also do 60 down the road with another gear to go running like crap. Back in the day Yamaha had way more engine choices...100, 125, 175, 185, 200, 250, 300, 360, 400, and i think they even made a 460 for a couple years. the 460's are rare and only in the early 70's.

Its probably so eays to start cause its just like mine...almost no compression. =) Mines got enough to run, but the power just isn't there, even though it'll still rip a rut in the ground from a roll like i said. if you want it, and have the money for it I would say go ahead and get it. See if you can talk him down a little. if its a complete frame and engine, like missing headlights and stuff jump on it an use it as a trail bike, or you can buy aftermarket stuff to get it street legal, if its a DT its got the magneto to handle it. And between wiseco and Yamaha, they still make most of the important stuff for it to keep it going. At first it may be kind of a headache to get it going, adjusting points and the like, cause it depends on they year whether it'll have points or a CDI ignition. the MX's and YZ's from the mid-70's were CDI, but the "lower" line bikes were still points. Maybe Kane can clarify that a little better. He is right though, they are quite heavy, but they sit real low more like a street bike, seat height wise so you really don't notice the weight that much. The suspension is fairly soft though, so I don't think they'd take a jump of more than a foot or 2 with out modifying the shocks, or maybe mine is just too worn out. =) I'm gonna quit rambling and say that it will be a fun toy if you can get ahold of it, but it probably won't be a balls out racer.

Take a good look at it and make sure its worth the 500 bucks. Kane is also right when he says they're bullet proof....nothing on one is plastic, its all steel, thats another reason for being so heavy.

[zillaguy89]

I can't really give you any hints on the going rate for one...I think the 400's are a pretty rare bike anymore. I know I only paid a fraction of that for my 250, but it wasn't running when I got it. THe magneto coils were hastily cut out by some moron. that was a nightmare, but I got it going again, and as of right now I've only got about 200 bucks in it, but the guy I bought it off of basically said get it out of my sight, 50 bucks takes it home.