Collectable 70's and 80's dirtbikes?

[MMC250R]

Considering putting togather a collection of some of the bikes from the 70's and 80's. I know it may be somewhat opinion but what are some of the more "collectable" or sought after dirt bikes from those years.I have a line on a 80 model YZ 465 and in another thread i was advised an 81 was more collectable if any of the 465's were ,thats the kind of info i want,what bike and specifically what year.Im mainly looking for info on the big four companies, Honda,Yamaha,Suzuki and Kawasaki. I was born in 68 so the 70's bikes went by before i was 12,i got my first dirtbike in 79,an XR80 thats when i got into them.Just wanting some of what i missed out on.Thanks

[BrittB]

Considering putting togather a collection of some of the bikes from the 70's and 80's. I know it may be somewhat opinion but what are some of the more "collectable" or sought after dirt bikes from those years.I have a line on a 80 model YZ 465 and in another thread i was advised an 81 was more collectable if any of the 465's were ,thats the kind of info i want,what bike and specifically what year.Im mainly looking for info on the big four companies, Honda,Yamaha,Suzuki and Kawasaki. I was born in 68 so the 70's bikes went by before i was 12,i got my first dirtbike in 79,an XR80 thats when i got into them.Just wanting some of what i missed out on.Thanks

The 78 Kawasaki KX250A4 is the one to find. For Suzuki, the RM250 A,B,or C model. For Honda, 74 CR250. For Yamaha, 74 YZ250A. There are other bikes by other companies that shouldn't be forgotten. 71 BSA B50 MX, 77 CanAm MX-3 250, 73 CZ250, 79 Maico Magnum 250, 76-77 OSSA Phantom GP III. I didn't list big bore bikes because the 250's make for a better all around bike and most people cut better lap times on them anyway. The YZ465 is a bull in a china shop. Ride it on a track before you lay down your cash.

Britt

[Dwight_Rudder]

I have a garage full of 1970's and 80's dirt bikes. Mostly Enduro & ISDT models. Honda SLs & XRs, Hodaka, Penton, Ossa, Zündapp, Puch, Husqvarna, Suzuki, Hercules, DKW, Sachs and BSA. I have several examples of each brand.

Dwight

[Wabbit16]

Honda trail 70 FTW!?

[MMC250R]

Are the Yamaha TT's or IT's anything anybody wants?

[MEANDMYDRZ]

Considering putting togather a collection of some of the bikes from the 70's and 80's. I know it may be somewhat opinion but what are some of the more "collectable" or sought after dirt bikes from those years.I have a line on a 80 model YZ 465 and in another thread i was advised an 81 was more collectable if any of the 465's were ,thats the kind of info i want,what bike and specifically what year.Im mainly looking for info on the big four companies, Honda,Yamaha,Suzuki and Kawasaki. I was born in 68 so the 70's bikes went by before i was 12,i got my first dirtbike in 79,an XR80 thats when i got into them.Just wanting some of what i missed out on.Thanks

I think you have a wide open field as there are so many different bikes from that era. You may want to buy a book like 'the motorcycle dictionary' and look through it and see what appeals to you, the book may also say how many were made of that year. I personally and fond of the early yamahas pre mono-shock, I just like the look and like you reminds me of my youth. I think you need a 68 yamaha DT1 which many say was the real first enduro, this bike is still fairly affordable and is quite collectable and is also the year you were born!

This is a 68 DT1 and is from a recent issue of Motorcycle Classics(great magazine!)

[zrxer]

Are the Yamaha TT's or IT's anything anybody wants?

Yes. Me.? I remember one time, probably around 1982, me and a friend were riding our Honda 185s (me XR him XL) on the hard pack at the beach here (when you could still do that). We were cruising in top gear pretty close to being topped out, when out of nowhere a guy on a IT 465 or 490, I don't recall although it looked pretty new, came up from behind us and slowed for a moment, then went by us like we were parked as he banged off a couple more gears. We looked at each other with our mouths hanging open and pretty much in unison said "Fu@#u%&@u#@k! We were probably about 15 or 16 at the time. Obviously, that bike made a lasting impression.

[Aleman]

81 Maico 490, 74.5 Maico GP 440,81 YZ 250, 83 CR 480..

[DGXR]

One of my personal favorites is the Yamaha 78-83 (ish) TT 500. Very heavy but absolutely bulletproof and throttle wheelies through 3rd gear. Not sure if they are really sought after but everyone I've met that has one really loves it and is not selling. FWIW

[percyco]

Here's my two "vintage" bikes from my collection. First one is a 1978 Honda XR75 and the second is 1981 Yamaha IT175. XR75's are very collectable especialy the earlier models and the 1981 Yamaha IT line was the only year that they all came in white (blue all other years). When I was a kid my first real motorcycle was a XR75, before that was a Honda CT70 which are also very collectable . All depends on what trips your trigger I guess, most Jap bikes are fairly reasonable to purchase, you can get into more money buying europeon bikes and early MXers . Good Luck !!

[yellowsnow]

i would think you would have to decide between only motocross bikes or a little of everything. and between only 2 strokes or both. narrow down YOUR interests then pick the collectables you like from them. i see no one mentioned the 82 RM 250...thats my project restore and is very unique. i'm not sure how collectable though. A crazy man might just collect only big bore 2 strokes?

[MMC250R]

I guess i prefer motorcross 2 strokes for the most part.I do have a 73 Honda CR 250 as it was the first year and a local bike here in a small town since new.I am in the restoration business of muscle cars so the best way to explain the reason behind my original question was this. I have come to realize from experience that it takes basically the same amount of time and money to restore a 75 Ford Pinto as it does a 69 Camaro. While some may love Pinto's in general it would be a total waste of time and money restoring one.I am wanting to use that same logic in my dirtbike collecting since i was either to young or didnt have a lot of interest in motorcross during the earlier years i asked you guys.I like em all but some just arent worth bringing back from the dead and as we all know dirtbikes for the most part are not found in nicely used condition 20-30 years old.I really do appreciate the info,im just looking through everyones recomendations and keeping track . ?

[JunkmanKX250]

Ive got 3 DT250's (2 1972's and a1969) and an XL125 Honda (cool little bike) and I am looking at a TT500 I like em all

[crandy500]

Anything pre 81 catches my eye. love them all. air cooling no linkage

and drums were the really golden years for mx. Love the new stuff but

70s were really magic for me.

[cblyx6]

Are the Yamaha TT's or IT's anything anybody wants?

WHat do you think? Absolutly the TT's are collectable, I just found this HL ProFab bike last summer, give $500 for it and spent all summer restoring it, they have sold for as much as $18K in a good market, the orange TT, I restored and sold for a little over $3K, I have sold a few other TT's to a gentlman in Australia, they seem t obe a hit over there.

Hope this helps you decide,

cblyx6

[BruceD_500]

KTM495 should be in any complete collection

[rob the snail]

im with bruce there, ktm495 air cooled

and maybe the first monoshock,yz125c 1975

[BruceD_500]

Well I guess then the 490 Maico's and for sure as mentioned any aluminum swing arm Yamaha TT500 in original shape is $ in the bank. As well as any 1976 Yamaha 500 XT or TT.

Can-AM's are cool but don't bring the big$ unless it's a black widow. They should bring more than they do.

Bulltaco Astro's are$ in the banks

Honda SL350's are cool right now

Any of the final year air cooled Japan model 250's

I don't care for 125's at all of any kind but maybe that's just me. I'd rather have a nice 80cc than any 125cc.

I think enduro bikes would also be a good direction for restoration as opposed to straight MX.

TL and TY trials bikes also as well as any other trials bikes should bring more $ than I think they do ? You can find trials bikes that are well taken care of and not abused quite so badly as the average MX bike.

[MMC250R]

Hey guys thanks for all the reccomendations there are just so many neat bikes from those days it does somewhat boil down to personal preference but there are some that everybody loves,those are the bikes i want to put my time and money in not to mention limited storage.I did pick up an above average 1979 Honda CR250 today.Motor locked up as the last rider didnt turn the gas off and it all drained into the bottom end.Original tires,nice plastic and mint original seat, i do like red! Dont stop here i love reading about your favorites.

[MMC250R]

I have located these bikes clsoe by and just want your .02 worth,,,,82 KTM 250,,,,78 YZ400,,,79 YZ100,,,80 YZ 125,,,,81 CR450R. Are any of these anything out of the ordinary and if so why? Also in one reply bikes prior to 1981 were on his list,are the early 80's kinda a stopping point for the more collectable bikes or is this one mans opinion? Thanks again