I bought this bike as a covid project in 2020, it was apart in 15 bins. I acquired all the missing parts, painted, assembled and got it running. It wasn’t titled, so I went through the process of getting a notary to certify that I was the rightful owner, and got the correct paperwork from Service Ontario.

The bike has been on the road, licensed and insured since April 2022. I rode the Ganaraska 250 in June 2022. I found another YDS3 (a 1966) in 12 bins of parts. It was a matching numbers bike - so I used all the good parts from the 1965 bike and installed them onto the 1966 bike. I rode the ‘66 in the 2023 Ganaraska 250, then sold it to an enthusiast.

I was left with the frame and engine from the 1965 bike and lots of parts. I assembled a working machine, the one you see here. It’s a project, but it does work. Last summer I rode it a few times, but have lost interest in restoring it (again…)

The good: The bike is complete, although the condition of some of the parts is not ideal. It does start and run. The brakes have new shoes and work well. The clutch is good. The transmission shifts up and down well. I converted it to a 12 volt VAPE magneto and electronic ignition system (no more points and condensers to adjust.) The headlight is an LED unit, and all the bulbs are LED. The new horn is 12v. I opted for the “batteryless” configuration, which means no issues dealing with a lead-acid battery. The DURO tires are from 2023 and the wheels are balanced. New chain. The original oil injection system is still installed and works well. New seat foam and cover. Original style air cleaner and airbox. Gas tank cleaned and lined with POR15 goop. Gas tap works, carbs cleaned and uses all the standard size jets.

The bad: While the tachometer works, the speedometer does not - total mileage is unknown. I added an auxiliary speedo to get the bike to pass the safety in 2022. On my last ride (July 2025) there was a nasty sound coming from the left side of the transmission and/or oil injection pump. It seemed to be related to engine speed, not road speed. When the bike is cold the noise is not present, it only starts when warmed up. The bike still works but I don’t feel like rebuilding the engine (yet again…)

I have a parts manual, a shop manual and a couple of bins of random parts and fasteners that will be included. I have the Ontario Used Vehicle Information Package, as well as the green ownership papers.

It’s a cool little bike - the great-grandfather to the R5 and set the stage for the awesome RD350, RD400, RD350LC and RZ350. A piece of two-stroke history that needs a good home.

Asking $1,500 OBO. Selling as-is. The bike is located in Newcastle, Ontario.