What to buy and how much to pay

We always say this, but you really do need to be buying the most complete example possible. A seized or damage engine is savable but missing parts are hard to find. If authenticity is not your aim then period plastic guards and aftermarket exhaust will be fine, but most DT1S are likely to be purchased by those keen to preserve the bike’s history and legacy; in which case you’ll be wanting it to look like it’s rolled out of the factory. Rather than opting for an early 1968 example we’d suggest a more open-minded approach: anything that is ‘all there’ is usable. Tanks and guards can be reworked but only if they are present. If you’re seriously considering a wreck you’ll be needing a collection of parts books in order to ensure you know which later DT2/DT3 might just be persuaded to fit. If panels and tinware are a cause for concern then engine wise things are much better. Searching ebay alone shows almost 7000 DT1 specific parts available and the vast majority of them are engine and transmission related. This once again suggests that a bike with a jiggered motor is not a reason to shy away from a potentially good deal. Project examples complete but careworn can be found stateside around $3000 but you’ll need to be factoring in shipping and taxes on top of that. For a good restored DT1 here in the UK £5000-£6000 would be reasonable figure but it’s very much an opened ended subject. The bikes are rare but not always in demand; if no one’s interested then low £4K might seal the deal but if there’s a lot of interest then north of £6K could very well happen. That’s old bikes for you!