1969 Yamaha YR3
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- Flywheel
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1969 Yamaha YR3
A local shop near me has a 1969 Yamaha YR3 350 2 stroke twin. Been there a long time, 5+ years. Solid project, complete, low miles, hasn't run in years. Guy wants (5 years ago) $1500. I drove past the shop and it's still there, thinking about making the guy an offer. Haven't found alot of info on this bike on the net. Seems to be the precedessor to the R5 and RD350. Parts are rare. Any of the older gentlemen on here remember anything about these bikes? Is it something to consider or avoid?
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Re: 1969 Yamaha YR3
The YR5 is a cracking machine. As you say the forerunner to the RD series. Spares are reasonably good too. A very attractive looking machine to my tastes, if you can get it for a fair price go for it.
Cheers Geoff
Cheers Geoff
- jabcb
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Re: 1969 Yamaha YR3
I’ve seen the YR3 but never really looked at it that closely. Its listed in the online parts manuals so you can check for the availability of key parts.
Looks like a fun project if you can get some key parts like oversize pistons.
Its worth joining a two stroke forum that covers Yamaha. They will be able to clue you in on issues.
Looks like a fun project if you can get some key parts like oversize pistons.
Its worth joining a two stroke forum that covers Yamaha. They will be able to clue you in on issues.
BAS (Bike Acquisition Syndrome) - too many bikes but have room for more
Suzuki:
GT750 2x75
GT550 72 & 75
GT380 72
T500 69 project & 73 project
T350 69 & 71
Honda 85 CB650SC & 86 CB700SC
09 Triumph Bonneville SE
Suzuki:
GT750 2x75
GT550 72 & 75
GT380 72
T500 69 project & 73 project
T350 69 & 71
Honda 85 CB650SC & 86 CB700SC
09 Triumph Bonneville SE
- Evans Ward
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Re: 1969 Yamaha YR3
I have a 1967 YR1- pic below. 4400 mile original. I went through the engine last year. The 69 R3 was the last of this 1st generation and has some unique one year parts to it. Personally, I love the styling of these old machines. PM me if you have questions and if I can help.
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1976 Suzuki GT750 (Maui Blue), 1972 Kawasaki H2 750 Mach IV (Candytone Blue), 1984 Yamaha RZ350 (KRR- Yellow/ Black).
- Flywheel
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Re: 1969 Yamaha YR3
Thanks for the responses. Think I'm going to talk to the guy at the shop on Saturday. Possibly check to see if the motor is seized and make 100% sure it's complete. As for today I think I'm going to check Partzilla to see what is actually still available for this machine as jabcb suggested. BTW this bike sits in the front window of the shop... Like a pet store with a cute puppy in the window scratching at the window saying "Take me home" every time I drive by...
Last edited by Flywheel on Thu Feb 08, 2018 11:54 am, edited 1 time in total.
- Evans Ward
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Re: 1969 Yamaha YR3
Post up a pic of it later and can tell you what's complete/ missing/ original etc. I have some surplus parts myself that fit it and a lot is still available. Exhausts and gàuges are one year only
1976 Suzuki GT750 (Maui Blue), 1972 Kawasaki H2 750 Mach IV (Candytone Blue), 1984 Yamaha RZ350 (KRR- Yellow/ Black).
- Alan H
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Re: 1969 Yamaha YR3
IIRC, that was called the YDS3 in the UK. I remember them in the late 60's/very early 70s.
Plenty of info online - here's some pics;
https://uk.images.search.yahoo.com/sear ... 3&fr=yfp-t" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
More info;
https://uk.search.yahoo.com/search?p=ya ... s&ei=UTF-8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Plenty of stuff on ebay if that's the one you need.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_nkw=yamaha+yds3" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Plenty of info online - here's some pics;
https://uk.images.search.yahoo.com/sear ... 3&fr=yfp-t" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
More info;
https://uk.search.yahoo.com/search?p=ya ... s&ei=UTF-8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Plenty of stuff on ebay if that's the one you need.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_nkw=yamaha+yds3" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Think of how stupid the average person is, then realise that half of them are more stupid than that.
- tz375
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Re: 1969 Yamaha YR3
Almost right Alan. YDS is the 250 version, YR is the 350. 250 more common in the UK at the time and 350 more common in the US I believe.
Looking at google pictures of YR3, some seem to have a tank and seat that wrap over the side panels and others have a tank and seat that runs above the side panels. Presumably they are different years. Did teh YR1 and 2 have the more curved bottom edge and the later R3 have the straight tank bottom or the other way around?
Looking at google pictures of YR3, some seem to have a tank and seat that wrap over the side panels and others have a tank and seat that runs above the side panels. Presumably they are different years. Did teh YR1 and 2 have the more curved bottom edge and the later R3 have the straight tank bottom or the other way around?
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Re: 1969 Yamaha YR3
Sorry I don't have a pic and the shop isn't on-line. IIRC it does have the original clocks (two) unlike your YR1 Speedo/tach combo. Pipes have the "funneled down" tips.Evans Ward wrote:Post up a pic of it later and can tell you what's complete/ missing/ original etc. I have some surplus parts myself that fit it and a lot is still available. Exhausts and gàuges are one year only
TZ... I believe from what I saw they all have a curved bottom edge, its just that some of them had a two-tone paint job and starting on a horizontal seam on the tank were painted black below that. The one I'm looking at is solid orange in color
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Re: 1969 Yamaha YR3
Sounds like it has the correct clocks and "pea shooter" pipes. Hopefully it has the 2 rubber air box snorkels as those are expensive. Sounds original!
1976 Suzuki GT750 (Maui Blue), 1972 Kawasaki H2 750 Mach IV (Candytone Blue), 1984 Yamaha RZ350 (KRR- Yellow/ Black).
- Alan H
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Re: 1969 Yamaha YR3
Probably so. Very few 350s about here as that class of bikes were considered too small for serious biking and too big for learners who were limited to 250s back then. Although tbe 350 Bridgestone opened peoples eyes a bit.tz375 wrote: 250 more common in the UK at the time and 350 more common in the US I believe.
Think of how stupid the average person is, then realise that half of them are more stupid than that.
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Re: 1969 Yamaha YR3
Wasn't the bridgestone a 2-stroke harley?
- Alan H
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Re: 1969 Yamaha YR3
No, the Bridgestone 350GTR was a disc valved 6 speed two stroke twin. I'd still like one - missed one last year to be truthful.
Pics below;
https://uk.images.search.yahoo.com/sear ... r&fr=yfp-t" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Pics below;
https://uk.images.search.yahoo.com/sear ... r&fr=yfp-t" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Think of how stupid the average person is, then realise that half of them are more stupid than that.
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Re: 1969 Yamaha YR3
You are probably thinking of the Aermacchi 2-st (Walter Villa w/champion etc.) badged as Harley Davidson. sportston.sportston wrote:Wasn't the bridgestone a 2-stroke harley?
Bridgestone were an innovative manufacturer. Urban myth has it the as they supplied all the other Japanese manufactures with OEM tyres they were told they would lose the OEM tyre business if they kept on producing bikes.
Cheers Geoff
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Re: 1969 Yamaha YR3
Ah that must be what I was thinking of Geoff. Thanks. I read an article a while ago about the Bridgestone, but also read one about the Harley, I guess I must have muddled the two. Pity that Bridgestone stopped making bikes. I wonder what would have been...