Probably a good idea, getting registered here in Ca without a title is becoming more difficult. The last bike I bought had the VIN altered, it was my fault, I didn't do my homework. It went to the CHP for a VIN check but wasn't caught, so all went well.

I live in Illinois. I had the bike bought for $630 but no title. Between that , overspray and trashed switch I walked. It showed 3000+ miles. All cases had Allen head. Original? And yes I'm a swine veterinarian! Have a good weekend. Charlie

Hey Charlie, DT-3 had phillips head case bolts. I much prefer allen unless restoring orig.
They are actually Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) screws. I believe.

Agree. Thought I could get back similar to what I had for cheap. My guess on non running bikes carb and electric. Simple points and condenser but rectifier and coil? Crank seals would also likely be a must. I have found a 100% original 71 with title non runner too.

I thought they were Phillips head like my 71. I know many switched out for Allen especially if they didn’t have an impact drive. But was curious this one was changed out with low miles. It could have been an earlier resurrection. After all the bike is 46 years old.

True Phillips head is purposely designed to "cam out" to prevent overtightening on the assembly line...

The Japanese JIS design looks the same but isn't... it's best to use JIS screwdriver tips with the Yamaha JIS "phillips" screws...

P.S. The Vessel impact drivers in the little metal box many of us still have came with JIS bits.

a few of my must have tools

I knew that the bit was right and all I ever use. I know Tiumph used Whitworth. The bit works on my Triumph without destroying the head. Thanks

Yeah that Whitworth thread thing, I have a Norton. Odd thread sizes, threads per in and thread angle are different.

Hello!
I just got this 1976 DT250 in January. My goal was to have it ready to ride this spring and I'm almost there. It was prett crusty when I got it, and it hadn't run in about 10 years according to the PO. The tank was super clean, and I was able to clean up the carb and get it started pretty easily. The piston was slapping a bit, so I had it bored .2mm and pit a wiseco piston, rings, wrist pin, and bearing in it. After countless hours of troubleshooting with help from this forum and the manual I was able to download from here, I have it running pretty well. While I waited for the bore job I painted most of the little pieces I could take off. I painted all of the silver pieces and used the rattle can 2k clear and it looks pretty nice. I painted the exhaust, foot pegs, footbrake lever, skid plate, chain guards, air box, tool tray, and a few other little things. Because I wanted to ride it ASAP I'm going to wait until next winter to paint the frame, swingarm, engine, and the tanks. I'm amazed at how complete the bike is. I believe nearly every bolt is original. I think it even had the original tires on it (which were a pain to get off!) I think the only things missing were the rear blinkers. Here are a few pics of it disassembled, and two of what it looks like right now. I am working on rebuilding the tach so it is not on it in the pictures. There is one "before" pic from the ad when I bought it.

I love the sound, smell, and vibration of riding it. It totally takes me back to my childhood.