Any Mechanically Inclined Folks? - Yamaha Smaller Bike Rebuild

HomesteaderWife

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So this may be a SUPER long shot and a crazy project, but I have always had a goal to learn to rebuild and work on a small engine. I was not lucky enough to really learn much from family growing up, but I have a little knowledge here and there from four-wheelers, boats, cars, etc. I've been wanting to really in earnest take the time to learn, save, work hard on something. While my husband is doing some of his other woodworking projects and helping family with building projects, I wanted something to tinker with because I just enjoy learning a little bit of everything. When I mentioned wanting something to work on, he mentioned his kid brother's bike that was in the old barn. So here's what I am working with (will include photos in future posts)-

Young adult bike, Yamaha possibly a PW80 from image searching it (haven't done much digging outside of this). It has been sitting in a barn for around 15 years. The bike was lent to some other younger family members before parking it and it was in fully operational, working order at that point. It was suspected they put the wrong gas/bad gas into it and stopped running. That was all I knew. Upon pulling the bike from the barn I realized that - someone has pulled the carb apart. No battery. Obviously there is rust and wear to the whole thing. Wheels still spinning, tires obviously shot, suspension feels good in the front. Kick start feels alright also. Again I really do not know a lot about stuff like this so I am just stating a few observations in hopes it will help.

I know it will likely be a SUPER long process and sure it will cost in the long run, but I think it will be an achievement and also something to bring some nostalgia to the guys if I can get it going again. I would just save up here and there to work on it if I can.

Where should I look to begin with this thing? I know it would help to try and find what model and year, so where could I look for some info on that on the bike? Again even if there was a battery (there isn't) I knew it would be no good. Carb is taken apart but pieces were stuck in an old lid so may all be there. Gas tank was disconnected has a bit of something inside which I'd get cleaned out. Seat and back plastic are off already. Not concerned about looks to start, just want to see how to get it running. Not terribly experienced but I pick up on stuff and love to learn so thanks for any help.
 
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The super long shot project first photos - barn state, then pulled from barn to look over.
IMG_3432.jpg IMG_3438.jpg IMG_3433.jpg IMG_3433.jpg IMG_3434.jpg IMG_3435.jpg IMG_3436.jpg IMG_3437.jpg IMG_3439.jpg IMG_3441.jpg
 
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This may be TOTALLY doable. RESEARCH the " NUMBERS "!!
Either by :
SERIAL # of Bike
FRAME # of Bike
ENGINE # to determine " C.C. , Build , Year "
MODEL # of Bike [ this will give different " Configurations " ]

Looks to be a " LATE 80's " bike.
Sorry ... I only worked around 29+ years as a MECH. But what do I know ???

First thing ...
Try to turn over engine at least 720 degrees [ 2 revolutions ] with a 1/2 " Breaker Bar & socket [ to fit crank ].
If this is okay ... ENGINE is NOT frozen !!
This tells you that pretty much that the , Pistons , Crank , Valves , are " okay" [ they may still be worn/damaged ] we'll test LATER.
CARBURETORS are available at any " Salvage Parts Yard " [ cheap ].
We'll go into " CARB REBUILD " later.
Check " TIMING " if Parts are ... okay ... I'm thinking this is some sort of a " Breaker Points , Cap , Coil " type system. Can't tell from Pictures.

LOOK into ... "SALVAGE YARDS " !!! These Guys have pretty much EVERYTHING you need. AT 1/4 of The PRICE of O.E.M !! Also ... if you find a " Good Place " ... they LOVE to B.S. with you about their knowledge and What you Don't Know !!! WORTH the Education... you'll learn more form them than any.. Goo-Goo search
 

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