LOT 31

1978 Yamaha DT250 Registration no. UPK 281S Frame no. *1R7-100184* (see text) Engine no. *1R7-100184* (see text)

Sold for £1,725 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve

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Lot 31

1978 Yamaha DT250

Motorcycles Online - The Summer Sale|15 June 2026, 12:30 BST|Online, Milton Keynes

1978 Yamaha DT250
Registration no. UPK 281S
Frame no. 1R7-100184 (see text)
Engine no. 1R7-100184 (see text)

North America's wide-open spaces are the perfect playground for off-road motorcycles and the importance of this leisure-orientated sector has long been recognised by European and Japanese manufacturers. Yamaha began contesting this market in the 1960s, offering a range of two-stroke single-cylinder trail bikes and purpose-built moto-crossers as well as twin-cylinder 'street scramblers'. Powered by a single-cylinder, air-cooled, two-stroke engine equipped with reed valve induction, the trail-styled DT250 enduro was one of Yamaha's most successful models of this type during the 1970s. Unlike some of its contemporaries, the DT was quite good on the dirt, Bike magazine's John Bulley reckoning it would even cope with a real enduro competition.

This matching-numbers DT250 belonged to the private vendor's late father, who had owned it from new. The current odometer reading of 9,524 miles (at the time of cataloguing/photography) is believed the distance covered from new. Reportedly, the Yamaha was running well when last ridden in 1988. There has been significant cosmetic deterioration while in storage and the piston is now seized in the bore.

Following a period of inactivity and offered for restoration, prospective purchasers must satisfy themselves with regard to this machines history, authenticity, originality, mechanical condition, completeness (or otherwise), sold strictly as seen.

Accompanying documentation consists of a current V5C; an expired MoT (issued 1986); DVLC correspondence; a Dynotech invoice (dated 2008); two Warranty and Service Log booklets; and a 1988 tax disc. It should be noted that the V5C omits the '1R7' frame and engine prefixes. A spare exhaust system is included in the sale.
Offered with key

Footnotes

BUYER'S PREMIUM
The Buyer's Premium for this Lot is 15%+VAT on the first £500k of the Hammer Price, and 12%+VAT on the balance thereafter.

All lots are sold 'as is/where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding.

CONDITIONS OF SALE, AUCTION INFORMATION & GUIDE FOR BUYERS
Please see the 'CONDITIONS OF SALE, AUCTION INFORMATION & GUIDE FOR BUYERS' at the top of the main sale page (Motorcycles Online - The Summer Sale) for all pertinent information regarding bidder's obligations, viewing, bidding, payment, post-sale collection & transportation.

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Additional information

This auction is now finished. If you are interested in consigning in future auctions, please contact the specialist department. If you have queries about lots purchased in this auction, please contact client services.
Buyers' Obligations
ALL BIDDERS MUST AGREE THAT THEY HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD BONHAMS' CONDITIONS OF SALE AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THEM, AND AGREE TO PAY THE BUYER'S PREMIUM AND ANY OTHER CHARGES MENTIONED IN THE NOTICE TO BIDDERS. THIS AFFECTS THE BIDDERS LEGAL RIGHTS.
If you have any questions about the Conditions of Sale, please contact your nearest client services team.
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Buyers' Premium and Charges
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For Automobilia the Buyer's Premium is 28% on the first £40,000 of the hammer price; 27% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £40,001 up to and including £800,000; 21% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £800,001 up to and including £4,500,000 and 14.5% of the hammer price of any amounts in excess of £4,500,001.
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