Barnfind Yamaha LS3 1972

Yamaha LS3 1972

Searching the net for a new project I was shocked by the asking prices for older bikes. Intentionally I was looking for a Honda CB750, CB500, CB550, Kawasaki Z650, etc. A long time ago I used to buy these models at a wrecker for a couple of hundred dollars and started the resto on my kitchen table.
Here some pics of my previous resto bikes:

Kawasaki Z650 1978

Honda Cb500 1976 with 550 engine

Honda CB750 K7 1978

Actually I had two Honda K7 bikes ;)

I always started a resto for the fun of it, not to make money. But paying a couple of grant for a barrel before even starting the resto, hmmm....no bro.

Sooo... time for a change, I started looking for cheaper old (seventies) bikes and I really liked the looks of the stylish Yamaha 100cc road models. Especially the LS, RS and RD models.

The LS (both the LS2 and LS3) models are pretty rare and luckily still valued like in the old days, so when I found one last week it wasn't a difficult decision.

It's a 1972 Yamaha LS3, rusty, flat tyres, no keys, but complete and original, just the way I like it.

Yamaha LS3 1972

Yamaha LS3 1972

Time for some cleaning and a new ignition switch. The bike was hot wired when I bought it because the previous owner lost the key..

Hot wired Yamaha LS3 1972

There's very little info available about this model. According to info I found on the net Yamaha built this model only in 1972. On the other hand I've seen some of theLS3 models in Thailand from a later year. Anyway, I checked the engine and frame numbers, matching :)

Yamaha LS3 1972 frame number

Yamaha LS3 1972 engine number