Page 113 - Motorcycle Trader (February 2020)

1980 YAMAHA DT175 ENDURO

Riding off-road has been around since In 1968 Yamaha released the DT1 – a
the first motorcyclists. At the beginning 246cc, two-stroke single with five-speed
of the 20th century two types of transmission that weighed just 105kg
competition were particularly popular: dry. The DT1 had a strong frame, high
hillclimbs and long-distance endurance exhaust pipe, greater suspension travel
events over what were little more than than a road bike, dual-purpose tyres,
dirt tracks. good ground clearance and full lighting.
By the 1930s, off-road events –
called scrambles in the UK and enduros Sold
in the US – were held regularly.
The bikes used in these events were $1000
typically four-stroke road models. up production to satisfy demand.
Riders removed unnecessary gear, SHANNONS Within a few years, Yamaha added
relocated the muffler higher and models with capacities from 125 to 400cc
improvised protection for the engine. Riders also appreciated Yamaha’s to the range. The DT175 was introduced
During the 1950s, manufacturers such Autolube system where the oil pump in 1974 with twin shocks and three years
as BSA and Norton made scrambler took care of mixing the fuel according later was updated to monoshock.
versions of their road models for export to speed and load. One of Yamaha’s This lot was in original, unrestored
to the US for desert racing. However, marketing slogans was “With every DT condition. The engine had been started
the British scramblers were big and you get a free road bike”. The DT1 was in the showroom, but some light

heavy, and off-road riding was in need well-priced and the initial run of 12,000 recommissioning would be needed.
of a revolution. units sold quickly. The factory ramped Sold at the Sydney Spring Classic.

1949 MATCHLESS G80 Sold

Collier and Sons set up shop in London’s successes generated sales. In 1946 AMC introduced the $5100
Plumstead at the end of the 19th During The Depression years of Matchless G80 with a 498cc pushrod, SHANNONS
century. Under the Matchless brand the 1930s, Matchless released the single-cylinder engine. Front
name they manufactured firstly bicycles, V-twin Silver Arrow and V-four Silver suspension was teledraulic fork with compression of 5.9:1 to be able to use
then motor-bicycles, culminating in Hawk. Neither model sold well and were a rigid rear frame plus a sprung seat the low-octane fuel of the immediate
motorcycles. Single-cylinder or V-twin soon discontinued. The Collier family to cushion bumps. In 1949 a swingarm post-war period. This meant the
proprietary engines were used until the bought AJS from the Stevens brothers frame was introduced, firstly with half-litre engine was relatively easy

company designed its own powerplant in 1931. At the end of that decade inadequate ‘candlestick’ shocks, which to kickstart and was flexible enough
in 1912. Charlie and Harry Collier were they formed Associated Motor Cycles held only 50cc of SAE20 oil and were to chug along at low revs in top gear.
talented racers, with wins at the Isle of and continued production under both prone to leaks. These were replaced Compression was raised to 7.2:1 in
Man TT and records on the Brooklands Matchless and AJS branding. AMC went with ‘jam-pots’ and finally Girling 1956. AMC also marketed an almost
circuit in the first decade of the 20th on to absorb the Francis-Barnett, James shocks in 1956. identical bike as the AJS Model 18.
century. The publicity from these and Norton brands. The G80 was introduced with a Sold at the Sydney Spring Classic.

MOTORCYCLE TRADER 111