History
I purchased this Yamaha DT360 new in October, 1974 after doing “after school work” as a kid for the previous 2 years pulling petrol at a Golden Fleece Service Station and helper at local Kawasaki dealership. I paid $989 for the Yam and trail rode every weekend and even moto-crossed it at one race meeting. I got my licence a few years later, left school and then road it to my place of work for about 2 months whilst I saved to buy a motor car. After gearing it up, I rode it from Melbourne to Swan Hill and back once which was a 750 kilometre round trip. I joined AMTRA in 1974 and again in 1988 as can be seen by the decals on the side cover. I subsequently bought a second hand TX650 and the 360 was relegated to trail riding.
I haven’t used it much in the past 35 years and I have now stripped it down for refurbishment. It has travelled 14,142 kilometres according to the odometer. It is still on the original piston, but I changed the rings many years ago. The CDI was changed under warranty when the bike was 2 weeks old.
This model had a total restyling compared to the earlier 360 RT1,2,& 3 model’s. It featured the MX model frame, CDI ignition, improved front forks and Thermal Flow rear shocks. Unfortunately it was also about 6 kilos heavier. And the carburettor was down sized from 32 to 30mm. It’s key strength was its ability to pull like a tractor, and it’s weight was held lower than the RT 360 models, so it handled ok with no high-siding. Interestingly, 27,573 units were produced according to official Yamaha production numbers. A very popular model globally, but not many left now.
As for restoration progress: The fuel tank has had the usual dents removed and it has been professionally repainted in the original Geneva Green. The other tin wear that is painted silver have all been repainted in the original silver colour. Frame and swingarm have been cleaned, crack tested, some brackets re-welded, and now painted in Yamaha acrylic gloss black. Next steps are to prepare and paint Triples trees and other associated brackets in Yamaha satin black. Exhaust system has one small dent to be removed and it then needs to be prepped and painted in heat proof black. I have purchased lots of new parts, including front mudguard, seat cover, brake shoes, original style trials universal tyres, and had the original Thermal Flow rear shocks rebuilt. Front forks have new seals.
One thing, I am really pleased that I kept it standard for all these years, most bikes were modified in the late 70s for layed down rear shocks and longer travel forks.
Modifications
Circle Industries front fork kit.
