Urban Revival

This 1978 Yamaha DT175 Two-stroke Nostalgia, Reimagined

Deep in the heart of Sydney’s custom scene, a 1978 Yamaha DT175 has just been given a second life—thanks to the skilled hands at Sabotage Motorcycles, and a curated selection of modern components that bring vintage style into the present day. This once-forgotten two-stroke had seen better days. Rusted, mismatched, and barely running, the old DT175 wasn’t much to look at when it rolled into the Sabotage workshop. But under the worn-out panels was something worth saving—a light, snappy engine and a chassis that still had spirit.

The Right Kind of Restoration

For Sabotage founders, Giles Colliver and Andy Dorr, breathing life back into old Japanese metal is what they do best. They specialise in pre-1980 restomods that are more than just restorations—they are creative reworks, updated with functionality, style, and select modern parts. This DT175 was commissioned by a former military serviceman who now builds custom electric bikes. He came to Sabotage with a clear vision: make it road-legal, keep it classic, and give it personality. And crucially—make it fun.

From Rough to Ready

The heart of the bike—the original two-stroke single—was in surprisingly good condition. It fired up strong, giving the crew a solid mechanical base to build from. But nearly everything else needed attention or replacement. Sabotage modified the frame to properly fit the mismatched tank, then designed a shorter, cleaner seat to match the new silhouette. Bad Arse Trim handled the upholstery, while a custom rear loop finished the frame with tighter proportions and cleaner lines.

Modern Touches with MCS Products

To bring this vintage machine up to spec—and give it a sharper riding feel—Sabotage turned to a suite of trusted parts from Motorcycle Specialties (MCS). A Yamaha front stop switch SS10 was fitted up front for reliable braking control, paired with a Honda stop switch SS1 for the rear—ensuring the upgraded lighting and braking system was fully street-legal. The cockpit got a clean refresh with a set of MX8 handlebars, offering better ergonomics and control, while a Quick Throttle QA9 added responsiveness to the featherweight throttle input. For rider controls, Sabotage installed a matching pair of LH5 and LH5L levers, finished off with a CA2A cable adjuster to dial in clutch feel and fine-tune throttle slack. A new HL24 headlight replaced the bulky factory unit, integrated with a custom housing and wired through a full WTK1 wire kit, routed cleanly through the handlebars for that ultra-sano finish. A compact HO5 horn was added—compact, clear, and compliant with road regs—tucked away neatly to maintain the bike’s stripped-back silhouette. These components not only added to the bike’s reliability and safety, but helped modernise the ride feel without compromising the bike’s vintage identity.

Built to Ride, Not Just Admire

Handmade alloy fenders replaced the chunky plastic originals, lowered for a road-focused look. The front forks were rebuilt, and the rear mono-shock stiffened to suit smoother asphalt over loose trails. The rusted rims were swapped for fresh aluminium ones, laced to restored hubs, and the exhaust system was reconditioned, finished in matte black ceramic with a new stainless heat shield fabricated in-house. The bulky taillight was tossed in favour of a minimalist LED brake light tucked into a custom housing—subtle, road-legal, and beautifully balanced with the rest of the build. A fresh paint job from Smith Concepts tied everything together, giving the DT a clean, understated finish that reflects the build’s minimal, purposeful vibe.

A City Bound Two-Stroke With Soul

“We didn’t want to overdo it—we just wanted to build something that worked, looked good, and made you smile every time you kicked it over,” says Giles.

Mission accomplished

With the help of carefully chosen MCS parts and Sabotage’s signature creative touch, this 1978 Yamaha DT175 isn’t just back on the road—it’s better than ever. Light, nimble, and oozing retro charm, it’s proof that some classics are worth the second wind.

Story Provided By Sabotage Motorcycles & Photos By Brent Lewin Photos