1974 YAMAHA TY250 Trials

148 Original Miles – Frame-Off Preservation – Exceptional Originality

This extraordinary 1974 Yamaha TY250 is unquestionably the finest example we have acquired in all our years of buying, selling, restoring, and preserving classic motorcycles.

It began as a remarkably well-preserved, 148-mile original motorcycle that still retained virtually everything it left the factory with—including its paint, decals, plastics, seat cover, handlebars, grips, wheels, spokes, chain, shocks, toolbox, toolkit, speedometer, and even its original tires.

Rather than over-restoring this survivor and erasing its history, we carefully preserved its irreplaceable original components while completing a comprehensive frame-off mechanical & cosmetic restoration, a full service, and museum-quality detailing.

Only 148 Original Miles

The functioning original speedometer shows just 148 miles. This alone makes the motorcycle exceptional, as the TY250 speedometer is mounted in a vulnerable location and is frequently broken or missing.

The engine’s outstanding internal condition supports the extremely low mileage. We performed a compression test with excellent results and inspected the cylinder using a borescope. The original cylinder still displays its factory crosshatch.

The engine starts, runs, and performs as it should, with no visible oil leaks.

Comprehensive Frame-Off Preservation

The motorcycle was completely dismantled down to its bare frame. The frame was carefully prepared and refinished in automotive-quality paint that is superior in appearance and durability to the original factory finish.

The TY250 was then meticulously reassembled. Every accessible nut, bolt, bracket, and fastener was cleaned or polished before installation. The fresh frame finish beautifully complements the original painted surfaces and gives the motorcycle the appearance of a machine that has just been removed from its shipping crate.

All aluminum surfaces were polished, all chrome was polished, and the original painted components were carefully cleaned and rejuvenated. The exhaust system was removed and completely refinished while preserving the original factory system.

The result is an exceptionally clean, authentic motorcycle that maintains its original character instead of appearing over-restored.

Mechanical Service Performed

Our technicians completed the following work:

• Compression tested perfect & Borescope cylinder inspection confirmed visible crosshatch

• Carburetor completely rebuilt and cosmetically refinished

• New spark plug installed

• New fuel lines and fuel filter installed

• Fuel petcock rebuilt

• Fuel tank internally cleaned

• Brand-new air filter installed

• Front forks rebuilt with new fork seals

• Original exhaust system completely refinished

• Full mechanical inspection and service

• Comprehensive rotisserie-style detailing

• Aluminum, chrome, paintwork, hardware, and fasteners meticulously polished

The restoration and preservation process required approximately 50 hours of professional shop labor, representing a $7,500 labor investment at our standard shop rate.

Remarkable Factory Originality

The level of originality found on this Yamaha is almost unheard of. It retains:

• Original factory-painted fuel tank

• Original factory decals and graphics

• Original seat and seat cover

• Original front and rear fenders

• Original handlebars and grips

• Original functioning speedometer

• Original rims, wheel hubs, and spokes

• Original front and rear tires

• Original chain

• Original chain-oiling system and hose

• Original shocks

• Original exhaust system

• Original taillight in working condition

• Original skid plate and engine protector

• Original toolbox with the factory toolkit still inside

• Original owner’s manual preserved in a protective sleeve

In all our years handling TY models, we have never received another one with its original toolbox and factory toolkit still intact. These pieces were commonly removed, damaged, or lost decades ago.

Evidence of an Exceptionally Easy Life

Trials motorcycles were designed to be ridden over rocks, logs, steep terrain, and other obstacles. Consequently, most surviving TY250s show extensive damage to their frames, engine cases, exhaust systems, skid plates, controls, and wheels.

This motorcycle is entirely different.

The underside and original engine protector remain remarkably clean, with none of the heavy impact damage commonly found on a vintage trials machine. The original exhaust is straight and free of dents. The shifter, kickstand, kickstand spring, engine covers, fork tubes, rims, spokes, shocks, and other vulnerable components are all in exceptional condition.

Even the original tires remain remarkably well preserved and have avoided the severe dry rot normally found on 52-year-old rubber. This is further evidence that the motorcycle spent its life properly stored indoors in a dry, climate-controlled environment.

The original chain is also in outstanding condition, and the often-missing factory chain oiler remains complete and intact.

Tasteful Street-Riding Upgrade

A rearview mirror has been added so the motorcycle can be ridden more safely in street-legal applications where permitted. This is a simple, practical addition that can easily be removed if the next owner prefers a completely factory presentation.

Honest Disclosure

We intentionally preserved the motorcycle’s original fuel-tank paint and graphics rather than refinishing them.

Because the motorcycle rests toward one side while on its kickstand, there is some light fuel staining on that side of the tank. There are also two very small marks in the black vinyl area and minor imperfections in the original tank decal.

We chose not to wet-sand, repaint, or touch up these areas because the original finish is an important part of this motorcycle’s history. At the buyer’s request, we can discuss cosmetically improving these minor imperfections before shipment.

Aside from these small signs of age, the original tank finish is remarkably close to perfect.

Collector and Museum Quality

This is not an average restored TY250 assembled from reproduction and replacement parts. It is an exceptionally low-mileage original survivor that received the careful preservation, mechanical servicing, frame refinishing, and detailing necessary to return it to near-new presentation without sacrificing its authenticity.

A lesser starting point could easily require well over 100 hours to reach this standard. Because this motorcycle was so complete and well preserved, our work primarily involved careful disassembly, cleaning, polishing, servicing, refinishing the frame and exhaust, and methodically reassembling its original components.

The result is a genuine piece of Yamaha trials history—one that would be equally at home in a serious motorcycle collection, a museum display, or the centerpiece of a vintage Yamaha collection.

A Rare Opportunity

We have searched the current market and have found nothing comparable combining this motorcycle’s 148 original miles, extraordinary completeness, functional original equipment, preserved factory finishes, original manual and toolkit, and professional frame-off rejuvenation.

Finding another example this original, this complete, and this beautifully preserved may prove nearly impossible.

The motorcycle is being offered as part of our ongoing effort to fund the expansion of the New England Motorcycle Museum and Kaplan Cycles. The next caretaker will be acquiring what we firmly believe is one of the finest 1974 Yamaha TY250s available anywhere in the world today.

Please study the photographs and video carefully. They demonstrate the remarkable originality, fit, finish, and attention to detail far better than words alone can describe.

This is a true piece of motorcycling history that deserves a permanent home in a first-class collection.

Thanks for looking, and God bless America.

Call Ken JR at 860-454-7024 if you are interested

WHY SHOULD YOU BUY FROM KAPLAN? WHAT DO YOU GET?

“You are buying from the Kaplan Cycles Family. We are not just another big auction house. We are family-owned and operated and have been buying, servicing, and selling motorcycles since 1975. You will work directly with Ken Jr., Ken Sr., and/or one of the 30+ experts on our team. We provide museum-quality, white-glove concierge service from start to finish. Every motorcycle we sell is inspected, serviced, and supported by our team, and we stand behind it after the sale. You’re not on your own — we back what we build and what we sell.

With over 17,000 units sold and still 100% positive feedback, we are the best stress-free buying experience you can have. From the first call to delivery at your door, we will handle it all — because vintage motorcycles deserve support, and so do you.

With every bike we curate you get:
• museum-level inspection & preservation services
• every machine is professionally evaluated, serviced, & rotisserie detailed
• all critical systems are checked, adjusted, or renewed
• you get professional setup, tuning, and delivery prep
• done by the best experts in the industry — we ride and restore every day
• you get post-sale phone support
• you get white-glove, insured, always-enclosed shipping to your door anywhere in the country

You’re buying from Kaplan Cycles at the New England Motorcycle Museum, one of the largest vintage motorcycle collections in North America. Free museum tours and tickets are included with every bike sold. With every bike you purchase, a portion of the proceeds is used to support, continue, and improve the 501(c)(3) nonprofit New England Motorcycle Museum.

You don’t just win an auction — YOU are creating & helping to preserve motorcycle history, and you become part of our family, a Kaplan Cycles client for life.

We do not take new clients off the street.
We do not service bikes purchased elsewhere.
We only take new exclusive clients who purchase a motorcycle from us.

You get a guided purchase experience with, and from, the experts who care about the bike as much as you do. If there’s a problem, you don’t get ghosted. You call us — you will have our cell phone numbers — we will answer your call on weekends, and we will help make it right.

Auction platforms = listing only. No support. No accountability.

Kaplan Cycles = we stand behind what we sell.

You are buying museum-curated provenance. That means:
• expert evaluation
• documented condition
• professional presentation
• long-term preservation mindset

You’re not just buying a motorcycle — you’re buying a curated piece of motorcycling history.

From the #1 family in this business — Kaplan Cycles & the New England Motorcycle Museum.

Sincerely,

Ken Kaplan Sr.
12/28/2025”

AUCTION TERMS:

All motorcycles & vehicles are sold as-is where-is.

Kaplan Cycles guarantees all motorcycles are as-described. Please read the entire description and watch the entire video before bidding.

A non-refundable deposit is due immediately on purchase. PayPal or Credit Card is accepted for the deposit.

Cash (In-Person), Card (+3% fee), or Wire Transfer are our only accepted forms of final payment.

Full payment must be made within 7 days of auction close.

Your motorcycle must be picked up within 30 days of auction close. 

Exceptions are made only for international buyers OR buyers who have ALREADY made transport arrangements with a third party.

If a motorcycle is purchased and left here for longer than 30 days without written permission from Kaplan Cycles it will be resold. In the case of a re-sale, the owner will be entitled to a refund less storage fees ($25/ day beginning 30 days from auction close) ONLY if the motorcycle was paid in full on-time within the auction terms.

We always describe our motorcycles as accurately as possible.

You are purchasing a classic motorcycle. Even in cases where a bike may be in good running/ operating condition, new problems & idiosyncrasies can arise over-time from sitting or regular use.

If you have an issue with the motorcycle you’ve received, contact us within 24 hours of delivery and before leaving feedback so that we can address your concerns.

It is important you have at least a basic mechanical knowledge before purchasing and operating a classic motorcycle.

Due to our backlog, we cannot perform any additional service work or modifications on your motorcycle after the sale (ie; adding a light kit, different tires, etc.)

We respond quickly between the hours of 9am and 5pm EST, Monday - Friday

For our fastest service please call Ken Kaplan Jr directly at 860-471-0192

We will not charge out-of-state buyers sales tax.
Out of state residents will pay sales tax with their DMV. 

We are not a registering dealership. You will receive only the documents required to register your vehicle in your state.

In our listings, title status is always listed directly below the main description.

In some cases we will sell motorcycles without title or registration. In these cases we guarantee all motorcycles sold are free and clear. We will always provide a route to obtaining title. Generally in these cases, the motorcycle will be sold at a discount to accommodate expenses involved.

Documents are mailed via USPS priority mail with a tracking number. Please allow up to 14 days after payment in full for your documents to be processed and mailed.

Keys will be shipped with the motorcycle.

Warranty:

All Motorcycles sold "as is, where is" and Kaplan Cycles does not warranty any motorcycle sold. No express warranty and/or implied warranty are made by Kaplan Cycles. No statements by us give an implied warranty.

SHIPPING:

SEND US YOUR ZIP FOR A SHIPPING QUOTE!
WE WILL MAKE ALL ARRANGEMENTS!

We have the best shipping contacts in the nation who will provide the FASTEST transport times, have a perfect track record, and are always insured and ENCLOSED! All motorcycles are shipped WHOLE (roll-on, roll-off). We do not offer a pallet or crate service.

International shipping specialist contacts are available! They will assist in ground freight, customs clearance, and ocean freight to your country. International buyers will be required to work directly with our third party shipping contacts.

We strongly recommend you insure your motorcycle at the time of purchase.

PICKUP:

We require a 24 hour notice prior to pick-up. Please call us at 860-454-7024 during office hours Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm EST.

We will provide ramps, a dock for loading, and assistance to load for free.