Yamaha IT175 belongs to the 'International Trial' family of motorcycles, produced during the 1970s and 1980s. The machine is derived from the

Yamaha Yamaha may refer to: * Yamaha Corporation, a Japanese company with a wide range of products and services, established in 1887. The company is the largest shareholder of Yamaha Motor Company (below). ** Yamaha Music Foundation, an organization estab ...

YZ range of competition motocross bikes with modifications for use in competition enduro, hare and hounds and trail riding. The bike uses an

air-cooled Air-cooled engines rely on the circulation of air directly over heat dissipation fins or hot areas of the engine to cool them in order to keep the engine within operating temperatures. In all combustion engines, a great percentage of the heat ge ...

two-stroke A two-stroke (or two-stroke cycle) engine is a type of internal combustion engine that completes a Thermodynamic power cycle, power cycle with two strokes (up and down movements) of the piston during one power cycle, this power cycle being comple ...

single-cylinder engine A single-cylinder engine, sometimes called a thumper, is a piston engine with one cylinder. This engine is often used for motorcycles, motor scooters, go-karts, all-terrain vehicles, radio-controlled vehicles, portable tools and garden machinery ...

with pre-mixed fuel. It is

kick start Kick start is a method of starting an internal combustion engine (usually that of a motorcycle) by pushing a ratcheting lever with one's foot. Kick start mechanisms were almost universally a part of motorcycle engines before the mid-1970s, and w ...

only. There are three derivations of the machine for the global market. A U.S. and Canada market version, a European version and an Oceanic version for other World markets. The IT bikes were designed and sold as enduros and can still be plated and registered today, provided you make the necessary modifications to the

tail light The lighting system of a motor vehicle consists of lighting and signalling devices mounted to or integrated into the front, rear, sides, and in some cases the top of a motor vehicle. They illuminate the road ahead for the driver and increase th ...

. Another option is to get a historical plate and use the old brake signal along with your other hand signals for turning. Other bikes in the IT range include IT125, IT200, IT250, IT425, IT465 and IT490. The IT range was superseded by the WR (Wide Ratio) in 1991 with the introduction of the WR200, and the WR250 in 1993. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) invoked new regulations restricting Two Strokes in the early 2000s and new rules were set by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) which set the path for the development of the less powerful four-stroke engines dominate in the sport today.

1977

The IT175D was first introduced in 1977 using a bored out motocross engine giving and using the same port design as the YZ. A 34mm carburetor was used along with a reed intake valve. The bike was given a six-speed gearbox with a very low ratio first gear to help in tackling technical trial sections. The frame was based on that of the YZ but the steering rake was increased to lengthen the bike and improve high speed stability, facilitated by a high sixth gear. Rear suspension adopted lessons learned from the YZ and used a de carbon monoshock unit from Kayaba.

Forks In cutlery or kitchenware, a fork (from la, furca 'pitchfork') is a utensil, now usually made of metal, whose long handle terminates in a head that branches into several narrow and often slightly curved tines with which one can spear foods ei ...

had less travel than those of the YZYamaha Dirtbikes, Colin Mackellar, Osprey Collectors Library, . Considerable thought was given to features to improve reliability and usability over extended tests. The rear wheel featured a quick release design and a tool carrying kit was mounted to the rear fender.

1978

Introduction of the IT175E. No major changes

1979

The IT175F featured a beefed up frame and more suspension travel as per the mode of the times. The engine tune was modified slightly to give the bike more mid-range power. The 1979 IT175F model front fork trail was reduced to quicken the steering response and the CDI ignition system was upgraded from the earlier D/E model bikes.....this was the last year for LH side countershaft sprocket model of the IT175. Check out Yamaha-Enduros group for great data on all early 2-stroke Yamahas.

1980

For 1980 the IT175G caught up with the pace of motocross development and shared the frame of the YZ125G. This allowed the rear shock to move to a laid down position, bolted to the top of the frame backbone. The shock itself was adjustable for preload and rebound and a box section aluminum

swingarm A swingarm, or "swinging arm" (UK), originally known as a swing fork or pivoted fork, is a single or double sided mechanical device which attaches the rear wheel of a motorcycle to its body, allowing it to pivot vertically. The main component of ...

was used for the first time along with 36mm forks with air caps. A new engine was developed in 1980, based loosely on the YZ125G. The new engine switched the drive chain to the right side where it has stayed ever since. The engine was detuned to give more usable power and given a 34mm power jet carburetor.

1981

IT175H. No major changes other than all white plastics for the U.S. version.

1982

IT175J. Major upgrade

1983

IT175K. Minor upgrade.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Yamaha It175 IT175 Motorcycles introduced in 1977 Two-stroke motorcycles Dual-sport motorcycles