The Yamaha JT1 Mini Enduro was a bonafide motorcycle that was simply scaled down. The fact that the motorcycle it was largely based on was the DT1 – and “On Any Sunday” came out the same year this example was made – helped Yamaha succeed in selling huge amounts of these bikes. Cycle World’s Andrew Bornhop said the JT1 “helped teach legions of us how to shift a motorcycle.” The bike’s 125lb weight made it fairly easy to wrestle around, while also enabling it to corner better than some 100cc bikes as the front wheel typically did a better job of withstanding washouts when pointed hard into a corner.
The Mini Enduro was powered by a 4.5hp 58.2cc two-stroke rotary valve engine married to a four-speed transmission that utilized a neutral that was located at the top of the shift pattern. Because the small Yamaha MXer was aimed at a rider-demo with an income that came from mowing lawns, allowances, babysitting, and other small sources, (or having parents pay for it), the manufacturer opted to keep prices as low as possible without compromising the bike’s performance too much. One of the ways this was accomplished was via the front forks. Only one spring was used on the right side, while the left side managed damping on its own.
Models that were bound for American shores came fitted with a USFS-approved spark arrestor, quiet exhaust, and Yamaha’s “Autolube” – which simplified having to mix gas and oil – all features the American market seemingly appreciated. Same goes for the tool-kit that came on the stock JT1, stored under the seat where it was tucked away via a rubber strap. The size of the wheels relative to the rest of the bike, and its full-on enduro appearance undoubtedly attracted many kids to the JT1. It was a marked step up from the pit bike style machines many JT1 riders in the ’70’s started on.
The Mini Enduro is what was referred to as a “MiniCycle”, a term that seems to have fallen by the way side over the last near-half-century. But at the beginning of the 1970’s, lots of manufacturers were producing these scaled down MXers. Alongside the JT1, was Honda’s SL70 Motosport, Suzuki’s MT50 Trailhopper, and Rupp’s Black Widow, just to name a few. Yamaha’s Mini Enduro seemingly reigned as king of the MiniCycle’s though. Because these machines were largely owned and operated by teenagers, they were not only thrashed to hell and back, but many have suffered repeated accidents and as a result examples have gotten increasingly rare as these machines continue being passed down or sold to future generations of riders until they’re too beat to shit to serve as much more than a parts bike.
The bike came from the factory with 15” spoked rims wrapped in Nitto trials pattern tires, and sold for just $299, which would amount to just over $1,800 today. The oil-burning single was fed via a tiny 16mm Mikuni and though it didn’t make that much power, young riders seemed to like the machine. The thing was also reportedly built like a rock, offering incredible reliability and durability. Examples that boast the same factory red/orange paint job with white striping was – and continues to be – particularly cool as it further mimics it big brother; the DT1, and its ’71 paint digs. This example that is currently for sale is pretty immaculate thanks to its having been repainted. The powerplant on this example was also recently gone through.
The current seller mentions that this machine very well may need to be jetted properly, however the clutch and gearbox are reportedly “flawless” so it evens itself out a bit. This ’71 JT1 also comes with brand new OEM tires, (what should be Nitto trials pattern) which the seller claims are “extremely hard to locate” today. The oil injection on this example has been disconnected and as a result it now used premixed fuel. Though it’s not original, it is a gorgeous example that is in excellent condition, appearing to not be wearing any rust or flaws in the paint, and very few blemishes in the metal found throughout.
You can find this 1971 Yamaha JT1 Mini Enduro for sale here on Craigslist near San Diego, California with a price of $2,900.