I bought the bike with no MOT for £225.
The first task was to service it prior to the MOT. This is were I discovered that two of the fins on the cylinder barrel had broken away.
I decided to play safe and renew the barrel, reason being, these fins are all that keep the motor cool thus preventing seizure. Cost £70 for the barrel. £10 for gasket set.
Occasionally, engine would loose compression. This was due to a poor seal between the valves and the seats.
I discovered that by closing the choke and opening the throttle fully, the engine would start after about five kicks, then it is a matter of keeping the revs steady until the engine idles smoothly. This problem only occurred twice.
Front indicator brackets broke off. This is a problem with the T80.
Remedy was to fabricate some new brackets and weld them on. Did the job.
Left hand output shaft gearbox bearing started to wear badly at 32000 miles.
This seems to be another problem with the T80. The symptom is a deep rumbling noise that alters when on and off the throttle. This was never replaced.
Exhaust rusted through eventually.
This never replaced.
What started as a joke from many associates, turned into a real money saver. The T80 became a part of my life as a student. I was running a ZZR250 beforehand, and although I received many admiring glances, my finances were being crippled. The T80 resulted in many jokes and laughs, but I was the one laughing, laughing all the way to the bank.
The Yamaha T80 Townmate is the shaft drive version of the Honda Cub 90.
The T80 was always a good starter. One kick was all that was needed, even in sub zero temperatures, without using the choke.
The gear change of the four speed box was incredibly smooth. No jerkiness or clunks like many other stepthrus.
The six volt electrical system, although inexpensive to maintain, was rather feeble at times.
Rust was never a problem with this bike. The underside still looked good after years of hard labour.
The five liter fuel tank gave a good range. Fuel consumption would average 112mpg around town with hard riding.
The highest figure I achieved was 143mpg.
The T80 was not all that quick, only achieving about 45mph, but cost next to nothing to run, which more than makes up for the lower performance. This suites me fine as I am a man of economy.
The T80 was cheap to insure (group 2) and required very little maintenance.
Consumables, such as tyres, brake shoes etc hardly wore out. I changed the oil every 1000 miles, which I felt was necessary for a small motor that was permitted to work hard.
I ended getting rid of it (regretfully) because the engine needed an overhaul and the swing arm pivot bolt had seized in.
I have owned both the C90 and the T80. I can honestly say, I prefer the T80 by far. Reason being, the T80 had better range, shaft drive, was a better starter, parts were cheaper and easier to get, better and smoother gear change and I could go on.
In hindsight, I wish I had kept it.
At the age of seventeen, if I had used my head, I would have bought a T80 and kept it, instead of wasting my money on performance machines. If I had done this, I would be a lot richer.
If my present machine goes expensively wrong, I shall buy another T80.
You're dead right, my T80 is the best thing I have ever ridden. It was out in the rain for one and a half years, and I took the mad decision to start it one day, and it started first go. What a machine.
I test rode a yammie (what I thought was a T80). I found myself stuck in the middle of a 3 carriage highway expecting c90 perfomance with virtually nothing over 30mph.
It may have been a T50 townmate, the owner was just describing it as a "townmate".
However it was smooth, with nice gearing (4 as opposed to 3 on the c90).
It didn't have the cool looks of the c90 (z2, zz or cub, maybe on a par with the c90c).
They said 200mpg when it came out!! May be true.
The new Honda Innova 125 - I think that'll be the one for me if I can find the cash.
Bit of an anorak here, first cast a leg over a "tuned" c50 in 1983!
Step thrus rock.
C90 cub has stonk loads of torque compared to the t80.
Sorry Yamaha, I think the T80 deserved more of a following than it got. Rest in peace, you were a great idea.
I also have a T80 Townmate, got two for 200 quid, one had been down the road on its side and the other had been left for 5 years. Drained the tank, re plugged and put a new battery on the one that had been standing, put new fuel in it, fired up first time, ticked over like a swiss watch.
Got it MOT'd, it passed first time, wouldn't expect anything else. The other one that had been down the road I use for spares, as it was only the frame that is bent. The T80 Townmate is perfect mode of transport. It also likes wheels up launches away from the lights too.
I've had my T80 for 2 years now, and I love it. I bought it from an old man who couldn't find a buyer, I felt sorry for him. I bought it for £200, with 8000m on the clock.
Very reliable and economic. I use it in preference to my car for commuting. The only low point in riding it came when I passed some kids who yelled "it's an old lady on a moped!"
Does anyone know of a good source for spare parts? I need a new exhaust, the old one is very rusty.
Good place for spares in west london -
Dennis Heath
The Graveyard
TWICKENHAM.
29-30 Fourth Cross Road
Twickenham
Middlesex
TW2 5EL.
0208-894-5089.
With regards to the most latter part of the third comment, I have to agree with you mate, although I have had both the T80 and C90, but preferred most of the characteristics of the T80, the C90 engine produced loads more torque than the T80.
For example, with the C90, stick it in third (top) gear when at any speed and leave it there. The motor would still pull easily up to maximum speed, even with two up. Unfortunately, with regards to the T80 trying to do the same, forget it. The T80 required more use of the gearbox in general.
I have recently inherited a T80 - it started out as a T50 but was unusably slow! I stuck a T80 engine in it and now it's great - top speed 45 easy. I get about 120 mpg which is ideal for commuting.
The spares are really easy to get - just got a brand new exhaust for £36 all in. The 4 speed box is smooth and once you're moving you only need to drop to 3rd for the corners.
Sorry they are so rare - I've only seen a couple on the road in my area in the last year!
Hi everyone, I'm the lucky owner of one of these Townmates. I have a B reg T80. I was wondering if one of you guys know where I can get a replacement back wheel for my bike, as mine is a little buckled?
My email is the _ gatekeeper _ zero at yahoo.co.uk
Many thanks.
I bought a 1997 T80 Townmate for the pricey sum of £117 from a guy off eBay, I took a chance on it being OK as it was listed with no picture and as stolen-recovered. I traveled 150 miles to collect it, and to say it looked sorry was an understatement. However, when I got it home, put a gallon of fuel in it, it fired in 2 kicks and ticked over sweet as a nut! A new exhaust, speedo clock and a lick of paint later, and it was MOT ready. I took it for MOT and passed 1st time!
This is my first foray into motorbikes and I believe I made the right choice in my machine. It's now got a lightly modified engine, glitter paint, chrome wheels, clear indicators and it's good for 60+ mph and still has economy with it.
The C90 is dead, long live the Townmate!!
I need a centre stand for it and I'm having trouble finding one, Poolyboy@hotmail.co.uk if you can help.
Well at last I’ve got a Townmate. All for the measly sum of £0.00. Yes that’s right £0.00 nil, nothing, free.
It must be in a right state I hear you say. Well no, I bought a battery £6.49 and a drop of fuel and it started.
The only problem now is the back brake arm. The spines have worn away so I wielded it. Don’t think it will pass an M.O.T though.
I asked the guy what he thought of it; he said he was sick of it, as it would not start unless he put the spark plug in the oven to get it hot? Said he couldn’t sell it or even give it away, so I said you just have.
In response to the above comment. If you are planning to MOT the bike, I can supply you with a replacement arm and spline or the full drum if you need one of those, contact me on poolyboy@hotmail.co.uk
I also have a few other spares kicking about if anyone is in dire need.
I do not understand why somebody would put the spark plug in a house oven, purely because it would not start unless the plug was hot. This to my mind points to a wet/damp problem. Surely he would have saved himself some burnt hands and plenty of time, by merely giving the plug lead a serious basting of WD40?
Hi all, I have just joined the Club and taken the very bold step of purchasing 1988 T80 Townmate at the bold age of 59. I have enjoyed it so much the last week, that I have today sold my Renault Laguna and this fine bike shall now be my choice for my 115 mile commute. It cost me 125 pounds including a bike helmet and waterproofs from the seller. I expect to get heckled at work the first few days, already had that from my wife and the neighbours, yet I shall have the last laugh finances wise. The Renault was costing me well over 300 Quid in petrol a month just commuting, where as I calculate spending 70 quid a month on the T80 Townmate. Ok it will take an hour longer each way, as I can not use the motorway, but the costs make it worthwhile.
So your commute will take an extra 2 hours per day on the T80, instead of by car. I am not sure I could handle that no matter how much money it saved me at the petrol pump. Have you seriously given thought to riding to work in the winter months?
Yes, luckily the guy who sold me the bike threw in a one piece Grey Bell Rainsuit. It is a bit old and I have had to tape over two holes, but it will get me down the road for cheap.