The Aussie depository.....

Hi Folks, I bought and sold a 750SF back in the 70s, and after nearly 50 years and half that many bikes, I've finally bought another one: a seized 73 GT project that someone started to restore 15+ years ago and sat untouched for at least the last 10. It's missing the gear lever. Does anyone in Aus have one to sell? I saw the Aussie thread and thought I'd start here. I'd also love to hear from anyone not too far from Melbourne with a GT I can come look at so I can see how they're meant to look. Regards Steve C
 

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Nice looking project, one of the Victorian members should rock up soon and help you out. Or you can pm hooksey on this forum as he’s the the big cahuna of the Vic club😊👍. Good luck with the project.
Tom
 
Gday Steve,
Nice project you have there, Tis a wealth of knowledge on this forum, but even more so on your doorstep. Currently have a member down in Gippsland bringing back a gt. A few members in the club that are very knowledgeable on all things 750’s. Drop me a pm, more than happy to help out we’re we can 👍
Dave.
 
hooksey said:
Gday Steve,
Nice project you have there, Tis a wealth of knowledge on this forum, but even more so on your doorstep. Currently have a member down in Gippsland bringing back a gt. A few members in the club that are very knowledgeable on all things 750’s. Drop me a pm, more than happy to help out we’re we can 👍
Dave.
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I've just had a chat over the phone with Gary. Super helpful and he's even coming for a look to offer some advice. If he stays late enough (eg after 9am) he'll get to try some homemade single malt scotch as well. Now I just need someone to find a gear lever amongst their spares. Apparently they're the same on all the bikes.
 
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I owned an RD 250 Yamaha for 2 years and rode it heaps. There was something under the seat that I locked my helmet D-rings to. One day, a Mechanic pulled that thing out; it was the 2-stroke oil tank dipstick. Who knew. I started reading owners' manuals after that bit of stupidity
 
stevefzr said:
Gary came over for a look yesterday. Lots of useful info, and perhaps the best bit was when he pulled out the headlight switch and said "that's your key" Who knew?
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I think this was very common, at least in vehicles from 1920's to early 1970's.

For example, in 1920's cars it can be just a metall plug that the driver pushes in a hole in a wooden panel and it works as a main switch and key.
If I remember correct, also earlier Laverda 750's had it on the egg shaped headlamps, but often these were later replaced by modern ignition locks.

-Jouni
 
Vince said:
I owned an RD 250 Yamaha for 2 years and rode it heaps. There was something under the seat that I locked my helmet D-rings to. One day, a Mechanic pulled that thing out; it was the 2-stroke oil tank dipstick. Who knew. I started reading owners' manuals after that bit of stupidity
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Laverda LB125 has a float on the two-stroke oil tank. The float has a small permanent magnet. The float is doughnut shaped and moves around a rod that has a reed switch inside. Reed switch is a mechanical switch that reacts to magnetic field and it lights a bulb on the dashboard.

Took a while from me to figure out that it has a reed switch.
Wikipedia is stating that reed switch was invented in Russia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reed_switch

-Jouni
 
Must have been after 1975, mine had that dipstick and a sight glass, my first big trip had me freak out 15ks out of Orange with no 2-stroke oil showing in the sight glass. I couldn't believe I had run out of 2-stroke at 200ks. Anyway, it was still ok with a tiny bit still in the tank bottom. That's when the Mechanic pulled that mystery dipstick, and my mind was blown. So secret RD dipstick and Laverda key looking like a headlight swich.
 
Vince said:
I owned an RD 250 Yamaha for 2 years and rode it heaps. There was something under the seat that I locked my helmet D-rings to. One day, a Mechanic pulled that thing out; it was the 2-stroke oil tank dipstick. Who knew. I started reading owners' manuals after that bit of stupidity
Click to expand...

I had an 250LC, I hope it didn’t have a hidden dipstick……. it may not have been the only dipstick on the bike if that’s the case 🙄
 
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