PW50 changes through the years.

I have a 1995, 1998 and a 2004. They are all pretty much the same. The only thing I have noticed that has changed between them is the electical harness. Each one is slightly different, but that is something that wont really matter.

The shafts have been fine. The oil pumps suck, I would replace the oild pumps with a plug that you can buy and the just pre mix the gas. I have used the aftermarket plastics also, green actually, they are perfectly fine. There is actually quite a bit of aftermarket stuff you can get for the things. Check out Pwonly.com.

Get rid of the oil pump and mix the gas.

These bikes havent changed since 1990 I don't think.

Mix the gas is an excellent tip. I don't think they have changed since whenever they came out. But, if u buy a used one, u may/may not have the throttle limiters (one on the carb slide and a screw block on the throttle). And the washer in the exhaust head.

Great starter bikes. Just watch out for stretching on the head tube around the bottom race.
my son put two years on his before moving up to a ktm.

THe only thing that changed over the years was the plastic. Tank and rear gaurd changed a few times and colour.
In Australia Yamaha according to my local dealer only had standard and 1st oversize for the topend but Yamaha also sold a 50cc
Scooter with the same engine that had 3 larger piston sizes so I got a lot longer out of an engine with 4 kids.

Picked this '05 up for $110. Had about $325 in it in the end. Don't be afraid of the aftermarket top end kits, carbs, and such. I put an $18 ebay carb on this one, and it ran good. I had less than $100 in the plastic and graphics. If you watch, good deals are still out there on evil bay.

Put the green one together for about $350. Another blue '05, had about $300 in it.

The oil pumps are reliable. Make sure you bleed the system, there is a bleed screw on the pump. Also, keep the oil bottle at least 2/3 full at all times. Once the bottle gets low on oil, and the bike falls over, they can get a gulp of air in the oil line from the bottle, causing a momentary loss in oil feed to the pump.

I used the pumps, and 1-2 ounces of oil to a gallon of gas as a back up. Never any problems.

I have a QT 50 geared differential, complete, with PW axle installed, new bearings, seals ,brake shoes. Slightly lower ratio than the PW, for better pull out of corners. Also have an OEM Yamaha top end, complete with new cylinder. Will never use it, as the rider is too big now for PW's.


There are several bicycle steering head races and bearings that fit the PW, and are a bit stronger than the OEM stuff.

This was my modded one in 1993. Before the rocket ships they make today. It had: spoke wheels, pax racing pipe, YZinger 60cc kit, handmade right side swing arm, xr75 forks, single shock, frame work, handmade Bradshaw sticker kit, and I'm sure the list will go on. Ill have to check and see if I have anymore pictures of it laying around

Someone say KTM ? I picked these up recently . Paid $220 for the pair. The air cooler had a new stator just installed , then the gas tank promptly split open. Cleaned the carb, found a used tank, and it fired right up, ran very well. It sold quick.

The water cooler is an '05. Theft recovery. Unfortunately , The engine was over heated, flaked the plating off the cylinder. In the process of putting it back together. Will be keeping this one for a bit.

This is how the green PW started out. A clapped out '87-88 model. A guy in my area had tons of new ,Chinese knock off (Longcin) inventory for a PW clone model (PY 50). Bought a new frame for $20, wheels for $15, plastics for $25.

A beater can be rebuilt for low dollars if you are patient and thrifty.







You will end up with some left overs.

One of the good things about being loyal to my local dealer since 1974. It's not Craigslist or any of the classifieds where the best used bike deals can be had. All but the 88 PW were picked up at the dealer service department.

People bring them in, get the estimate, and never return for their bikes. Basically abandoned. The dealer sends a certified letter to the owners. If no response, I believe after 90 days, it becomes property of the shop.

I can usually pick them up for the estimate fee, or just a few dollars more on top of the fee.

Have purchased at least 20 bikes in the last few years this way. Many of them runners, just needing a bit of clean up.

If it's a Chinese model, $50 gets them all day long. Had about $200 in this one, total.





$225 total on the quad. Like new.





$50. Put a used tire on it, and a $10 chain.










If you have any shops in the area, ask them about abandoned service bikes. Just use a little judgment on overall condition verses investment.

I tend to stick to the kids stuff, as it sells easily once they are straightened up.