.

In my mind . . . . No question about it . . . . Persevering Yamaha's originality and history itself ... should be the end goal !!
Originality is what gives a rare bike like this it's real valuable.
My thinking is . . . . the biggest advantage of powder coating (durability) is a moot point on a bike that will probably spend more time look'n pretty then being ridden.
A purist would say . . . Anything done to improve upon Yamaha's originality would actually devalue it.

If these bikes were a dime a dozen, then it probably wouldn't matter . . . . but that is certainly not the case here . . . . it deserves paint!

.

I don't consider myself a "purist" by any means... but there is something about original paint that I prefer vs. a perfect new paint job.

I have a 1965 Yamaha that looked like hell when I got it. Original paint. I just used Mequiars restoring wax and it came out pretty darn good... There are a couple of bad spots like where battery acid leaked... but overall it looks amazingly good. I also have a 1964 Yamaha that the previous owner had repainted. It's a good job but I like my other bike with the "not-so-perfect" paint much better. Repainting somehow takes away some of the "character" of the bike. I can't really explain it.

Another example is DVM's CT... I would prefer the knee-worn paint on his tank to a nice new paint job! But that's me. Everybody is different.

So I'm going to back up even further... my vote is to clean up the original paint if at all possible... even if not perfect... and if that's not possible or not good enough then paint.

Thank you for the replies...as I do value both of your opinions !

Unfortunately the bike as it stands is really unrecognizable as an Ascot......

the gas tank is blue and there is no red anywhere....the bike is partly disassembled its a mess.

Walking by it....it looks like a $300 parts bike to me.

I did buy this hop up article today......






This article gives me the dimensions to fabricate pipes the missing pipes and do some other cool performance mods!

I am thinking maybe period correct restore with some of these racing mods ....keep the race bike feel with the build ?

Bottom line, they were painted then and should be painted now. Powder coat was not period correct for that bike. I think it will take away from the value of the bike if you powder coat it. My 2 cents.

Very cool bike Dave! Man I am envious of that one. I know they should be ridden, but the one in the picture would look really nice in my office

I have a short service manual for that series of bikes that is not currrently on the site, and I will get it scanned and send it to you. Not sure if you already have one, and this is aftermarket, but it may be of help.

Keep us posted on the progress!

Here is a link to the manual:

yamaha-enduros.com/index.php/service-bul...-ym-1-service-manual

Enjoy. Hope it is of use.

Mako,

Thank you very much.....I reviewed the document and it touches on all the major engine components so it will be a big help when I try and breathe life back into this little "firecracker "

Thanks again...and this is what makes the site so cool and unusual

I have a number of other such oddities and will try to get them posted when I get some free time which seems to be eluding me at the moment!

The Ascot is now home with me now......

I should have some pics posted up tomorrow....its getting a mini makeover before I post any photos.

The good thing is major parts of the bike are there....and it came with an assortment of spare parts....
some useful.....some not so much.

Here's the bike.....

I pulled the motor and gave the frame a cleanup and a basecoat of black
and some red in the appropriate places.




The frame is straight and doesn't appear to ever have been crashed hard
forks are straight and swingarm bushings good.
Have 2 sets of shocks..the original Ascot's and the YDS3's both sets seem to function ok.
Tires are Dunlop K81's...very few miles on them but there some minor cracking especially on the front tire.
Rims are rusty and shot and not correct..
they will be replaced with some high shouldered aluminum the type the scrambler came with.




The motor is free and shifts thru the gears...
the motor has the YDS3 street bike top end on it now.
The second set of cylinders and heads are indeed the rare TD1 setup the Ascot came with...so that is a big plus.
Also that TD1 top- end setup appears to be totally useable
as the pistons and bores are good in good condition.
Motor appears to be "a runner"...
no water inside anything.
Its been stored for several years . the P.O. had it in storage for 5 years...
and the PPO had its stored for several more.
The PO said the bike had clip on bars and smoothie roadracing tires.
So it appears to have been possibly "road raced" in its past life?




The spare parts are most of a YDS3 minus the frame, wheels, seat and crankshaft and other minor bits.

In in all I am very happy with with I have to work with....no major rust or water damage to most of the parts or bike.

I now have 3 bikes in boxes 2 CZ's and now this...

I better stay organized