when minibikes were legal...81 YZ60

krazee1
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krazee1
Edited Date/Time 1/1/2021 6:17pm
With all the CPSC talk I thought it was time to look back at how much fun minis were...I'm almost done restoring my 1981 YZ60.
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newmann
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newmann 2/12/2009 9:06pm
2/12/2009 9:06pm
Tell me about that swingarm, what brand is it? I have a super nice 81 YZ60, unrestored original with all the #1 plates still on it. Had to put a fresh top end on it when I got it. I think someone here recommended that a KX60 piston would work in it. Had to copy the cutaway on the intake side and cut the KX piston to match but it worked out perfect. I also have a NOS DG pipe hanging in the garage for it along with a couple nos pieces of plastic. I also have a nce 1980 YZ50 , a nice low hour1980 CR80 (purchased from the original owner) that I added a gold DG arm to, a cobby looking but complete and running RM60 (with a few NOS plastics) and a NOS still in the original bos DG gold radial head for an RM50. I would probably consider selling a lot of crap I've accumulated over the years as it seems to get a little overwhelming at times. Some of this stuff really gets in the way of projects I'd like to concentrate on.
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krazee1
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krazee1 2/12/2009 9:22pm
2/12/2009 9:22pm
newmann wrote:
Tell me about that swingarm, what brand is it? I have a super nice 81 YZ60, unrestored original with all the #1 plates still on it...
Tell me about that swingarm, what brand is it? I have a super nice 81 YZ60, unrestored original with all the #1 plates still on it. Had to put a fresh top end on it when I got it. I think someone here recommended that a KX60 piston would work in it. Had to copy the cutaway on the intake side and cut the KX piston to match but it worked out perfect. I also have a NOS DG pipe hanging in the garage for it along with a couple nos pieces of plastic. I also have a nce 1980 YZ50 , a nice low hour1980 CR80 (purchased from the original owner) that I added a gold DG arm to, a cobby looking but complete and running RM60 (with a few NOS plastics) and a NOS still in the original bos DG gold radial head for an RM50. I would probably consider selling a lot of crap I've accumulated over the years as it seems to get a little overwhelming at times. Some of this stuff really gets in the way of projects I'd like to concentrate on.
I think the swingarm is a thor or CRF I can't remember which. The wheels are meryls pro wheels. Other than that its pretty much stock. I would love to get a dg pipe for it if you ever want to sell it let me know.
mr50racer
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mr50racer 2/12/2009 9:32pm
2/12/2009 9:32pm Edited Date/Time 2/12/2009 9:33pm
I remember doing the original testing on that machine,,,,,,,,Back in the day with old Ed sheidler.......1979 if I remember....
mr50racer
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mr50racer 2/12/2009 9:32pm
2/12/2009 9:32pm

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trick121
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trick121 2/12/2009 9:59pm
2/12/2009 9:59pm
That's pretty cool you had the chance to test the prototype bike with Ed Sheidler. Imagine the stories Ed could to tell about bikes, riders, and the factories.



anniebert
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anniebert 2/12/2009 10:10pm
2/12/2009 10:10pm
That YZ60 is nice.... I'm jealous.
ocscottie
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ocscottie 2/13/2009 1:18pm
2/13/2009 1:18pm
newmann wrote:
Tell me about that swingarm, what brand is it? I have a super nice 81 YZ60, unrestored original with all the #1 plates still on it...
Tell me about that swingarm, what brand is it? I have a super nice 81 YZ60, unrestored original with all the #1 plates still on it. Had to put a fresh top end on it when I got it. I think someone here recommended that a KX60 piston would work in it. Had to copy the cutaway on the intake side and cut the KX piston to match but it worked out perfect. I also have a NOS DG pipe hanging in the garage for it along with a couple nos pieces of plastic. I also have a nce 1980 YZ50 , a nice low hour1980 CR80 (purchased from the original owner) that I added a gold DG arm to, a cobby looking but complete and running RM60 (with a few NOS plastics) and a NOS still in the original bos DG gold radial head for an RM50. I would probably consider selling a lot of crap I've accumulated over the years as it seems to get a little overwhelming at times. Some of this stuff really gets in the way of projects I'd like to concentrate on.
krazee1 wrote:
I think the swingarm is a thor or CRF I can't remember which. The wheels are meryls pro wheels. Other than that its pretty much stock...
I think the swingarm is a thor or CRF I can't remember which. The wheels are meryls pro wheels. Other than that its pretty much stock. I would love to get a dg pipe for it if you ever want to sell it let me know.
Looks like a CRF to me, that thing is bitchen Dan.
Digger437
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Digger437 2/14/2009 6:06am
2/14/2009 6:06am
Wow looks good. Here is one of my YZ60's that I raced in a vintage race last summer.
krazee1
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krazee1 2/14/2009 8:19pm
2/14/2009 8:19pm
I think you're right Scottie...CRF had some cool stuff back in the day...didn't Brooks ride for them for a while?

Digger, do they have a mini class in vintage racing? I've got a couple bikes I would love to put my nephew on.
newmann
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newmann 2/14/2009 9:53pm
2/14/2009 9:53pm
Most of your regional or local vintage clubs will have classes for kids whether its old bikes or newer bikes. Being that MX is a family oriented sport, how could anyone leave the kids out??? Now if you happen to be thinking of AHRMA, the American Historical Racing Motorcycle Association, you just better leave the kids and any trick or historically significant minis at home because they are too fucking stupid to realize that moto is usually a family sport. Doesn't matter if your kids are card carrying members of the AMA(another total clusterfuck of incompetent idiots.....see current minibike sales ban) and are covered with healthcare insurance. Nope, just leave their useless little asses at home because there is no class for them. As for the vntage minibikes though, keep turning them out. Eventually all the senile old fuckers at AHRMA will be gone and someone with an ounce of common sense will take over and put a mini class into effect. Or maybe Ahrma will fade away as other clubs come to be with decent ideas in these tough economic times.
Digger437
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Digger437 2/15/2009 7:49am
2/15/2009 7:49am
Well, I'm a 41 year old kid. haha My 1980 YZ125 took a shit in the first moto so I busted out the YZ60 in the second moto and actually finished higher place on that than the 125. The vintage series here in the Midwest, the guys are pretty cool, any age, any size, any age bike they would find a way to let you race. Just cool to be out there rippin around on the old bikes.
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humyam
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humyam 2/18/2009 12:07pm
2/18/2009 12:07pm
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humyam
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humyam 2/18/2009 12:07pm
2/18/2009 12:07pm Edited Date/Time 2/18/2009 12:07pm
What year did the YZ60 come out?
dr516
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dr516 2/18/2009 2:44pm
2/18/2009 2:44pm
I have a restored 81 Suzuki Jr 50
newmann
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newmann 2/18/2009 3:19pm
2/18/2009 3:19pm
humyam wrote:
What year did the YZ60 come out?
1981. Think it was produced from 81-83. 1980 was the only year of the YZ50 but they had a big bore 60CC kit for it.
newmann
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newmann 2/24/2009 1:58pm
2/24/2009 1:58pm
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The Sneak
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The Sneak 2/24/2009 6:09pm
2/24/2009 6:09pm
Digger437 wrote:
Wow looks good. Here is one of my YZ60's that I raced in a vintage race last summer. [img]http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e128/Digger437/yz60.jpg?t=1234620333[/img]
Wow looks good. Here is one of my YZ60's that I raced in a vintage race last summer.
I had a 1983 exactly like this. Got it for xmas in 1985 @ age 7. My parents still have the VHS tape of me riding back and forth in 1st gear in the yard, then getting a little too excited, accidentally pinning it and hitting the side of the shed. Tape ends abruptly with the throttle wfo and the little bike on its side screaming while *I* was screaming, half hurt but mostly embarrassed.

I had that bike until I was 11 because I was very small for my age. Wish I had one as nice as that today.

That 81 up top is siiiick. Never seen an aftermarket swingarm for the 60!
liamwilk248 8/1/2009 2:59pm
8/1/2009 2:59pm Edited Date/Time 8/1/2009 3:03pm
i restored this yz50 and yz60 not so long ago, they are really rare over here (the uk) especially the 60, i think they were only brought over here for one year but the 50 was goin from 1980 till 1983, that 1981 60 looks amazing (how do i add pictures, im new to this!) http://www.vitalmx.com/community/liamwilk248,16236/photos/yz50-yz60,105…

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Sledneck
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Sledneck 8/11/2009 8:50am
8/11/2009 8:50am
Man that white 82 brings back memories. Not many in the US had OEM white YZ's
Sledneck
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Sledneck 8/11/2009 8:51am
8/11/2009 8:51am Edited Date/Time 8/11/2009 8:52am
2stroke153
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2stroke153 8/16/2009 5:53pm
8/16/2009 5:53pm
Nice to see all these 60s still around. I have an 81 of my own that i've had for the last 20 years. Been restoring it little by little, but its not nearly as nice as the ones yaw have posted!
newmann
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newmann 8/16/2009 6:25pm
8/16/2009 6:25pm
Think I posted elsewhere, but for those of you restoring the YZ60's that can't find a matching piston and ring set. A Wiseco piston kit for a KX60 Kawasaki will fit right in. Figure out what size you need and bore to fit. There is no cutaway on the intake side so you will have to duplicate that from the YZ60 piston with a dremel or porting tool. I did it, so can you. Works perfect.
spiffy
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spiffy 10/17/2009 5:19am
10/17/2009 5:19am
I had this incredible little bike as a kid and if I'm not mistaken, it was the first mini dirt bike with a kickstand, kick start, and six gears. I was also wondering, (because I remember all the neighborhood kids being jealous of this bike), wasn't this mini dirt bike born of the invention of the famous mono shock years? I remember when this little bike was throttled wide open, I was almost keeping up with yz 80's. Also, I don't remember the exhaust being on the left side of the bike, but; was it ever on the right hand side?
liamwilk248 10/17/2009 11:51am
10/17/2009 11:51am
yes these did come with a kickstand and has a six gears, the exhaust was on the left side on the 82 and 83 the 81 had it on the right side like the yz50, it was very similar to the 50 in 81.
spiffy
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spiffy 10/18/2009 10:32am
10/18/2009 10:32am
Thanks liamwilk248, I'm still looking for the photos of that bike I had, and since I think you are correct on the exhaust being on the right hand side for an '81, I'm pretty sure that is the one I had. Got it from Andrews Yamaha out in Salem, OH on route 62 when Yamaha dealers strictly had only Yamaha's on their floors! My how things have changed, eh?
I think the kick starter and mono shock and six gears were the most amazing features on a mini dirt bike that small. If you could help me to remember one more thing please, was this the first mini dirt bike to feature the famous mono shock?
Cygnus
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Cygnus 10/18/2009 10:53am
10/18/2009 10:53am Edited Date/Time 10/18/2009 10:54am
I bought a blown up 83 for my daughter to learn to shift on had to rebuild the entire motor. She learned to shift on it, then took 3rd overall in the state flat tracking it against a bunch of boys on modern water pumpers. I was proud. Fast little bikes.
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Matt Fisher 10/18/2009 11:06am
10/18/2009 11:06am
The 1980 YZ50 had monoshock, kickstart and a kickstand, but I don't know if it was 5 or 6 speed.
spiffy
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spiffy 10/18/2009 11:27am
10/18/2009 11:27am
Yeah that is what I was wondering, I was trying to remember when the mono shock came out when Yamaha started the mono shock revolution, but didn't know if the 50 or Yz 60 debuted it in the mini dirt bike class that is. No hands down that little Yz 60 was a screamer!!!
I was surprised to find the 50 had a kickstarter, of course then again, I didn't own one of those! Thanks Matt Fisher.
mxnut23
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mxnut23 10/18/2009 1:28pm
10/18/2009 1:28pm
Digger, that thing brings back good memories!! The first bike I rode was a friend of mines and she was scared of it. I rode it exactly twice. Trail riding once with my dad and the second time same thing except I forgot to shift and blew it up. Good times, Thanks again!!!!!
newmann
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newmann 10/18/2009 4:38pm
10/18/2009 4:38pm
1980 YZ50 was a 5 speed and monoshock as well.

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