Here’s a recently restored example of one of Yamaha’s iconic enduros – the RT2. Featuring the Autolube oil injection system and a 32 horsepower, 351cc engine, the RT2 was capable of covering pavement and dirt.
For a fun read (and maybe some inspiration once you buy this bike), check out this story from Joe Gresh on Motorcyclist where he recounts his tale of touring America on a RT1 he bought sight-unseen on eBay. This example (VIN: RT1113119) was restored by the seller, and he calls it ‘better than new.’ I featured another restoration by this seller recently (a BMW R100S), and his belief is that restorations should use as much of the original bike as possible, as long as you can clean it up to ‘like new.’ The frame and a whole bunch of other metal pieces were powder coated black by Indy Powder Coating, and the bodywork was painted silver and clear coated. The cylinders were rebored, the main wiring harness is a reproduction, and there’s a lot of new parts: clutch plates, clutch springs, sprockets, wheel bearings, cables, handlebars, all seals and gaskets, etc. The seller notes that the shock is not original, and neither is the 360 emblem on the muffler guard. He says they’re almost NLA (there’s one on eBay for $185 if you’re willing to spend that much) so he created his own replacement.
Find this restored RT2 for sale in Kokomo, Indiana with bidding up to $4,650