1981 Yamaha QT50

What was your intended objective when you started the build?

I had a vision to make this old machine look the way it would o the showroom floor back in the early 80’s and I was motivated to make it happen.

What motivated you to start your project?

I had always wanted to do an old restoration project and this was the perfect opportunity. My great uncle had this old moped (not running) for the past 20 years and was about to toss it in scrap when he cleaned out his barn a few years ago. I took it o his hands and sorted through the box of parts came with it and was surprised that there was nearly a complete bike. It just needed assembled and a little elbow grease to get it going.

What was the most unique and creative thing you did to the bike?

The fuel tank was insanely rusted inside but only on the surface. Luckily the rust was not eating through the shell yet but I still needed to repair the tank. After asking around, I decided to eat up the rust with Muriatic acid then seal it up with red coat. That worked amazing and have never had an issue with it since.

What are you most proud of?

I am just overall satisfied with how the build turned out and it looks exactly how I imagined it would.

What do other people say about your motorcycle?

People are so surprised that it is the same bike that was in a barn and tore apart just a couple years ago.

One Comment

anonymous says:

January 11, 2026 at 1:42 pm

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Submitted by: Deisel Schoegje

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Specifics

Classification: Classic/Restored

Make, Model & Year: 1981 Yamaha QT50

Fondly known as: Yamahopper

Time spent: 60-80

Motorcycle cost: Free

Money spent: $500

Engine: 50cc two stroke engine. It is actually the same engine used in apw50. This made things easier when restoring the engine.

Intake: It was oil injected but I converted it to premix because the oil pump was to expensive to replace.

Exhaust: I sandblasted and sprayed it with high heat exhaust header paint.

Transmission: Automatic. Centrifugal clutch. Has no chain or sprockets. Uses driveline.

Frame: Stock

Suspension: Oem suspension. Front suspension fork and 1 rear shock.

Wheels, tires and brakes: All oem components to try and go for the original look.

Finish – Paint: I personally sprayed all the plastic body pieces, the exhaust pipe and I polished up all the chrome.

Accessories: I built this project with the goal of making it all original and back to the 1981 aesthetics. I was surprised that the bike had only 450 original miles when I started the project and since then I have only put a conservative 35 miles on it.