I must be crazy ! Possible Yamaha RD350 purchase

[sammyg2]

Originally Posted by BeyGon

Motorcycle Classics has a great article on the RD400 this issue. I always wanted the RZ but these look pretty good. I raced against the Kaw triples and they seem to have some frame flex in the corners.

"SOME"?
LOL it's a bike that picks their own line through a corner, and then changes it's mind three times before the apex.
That and the toggle-switch throttle that kept making the bike trying to do a back-flip.
But it was the front-flip under hard braking that I had trouble with.

[PD41]

My 71 was a R5 350. Check out this one;

Custom Yamaha RD 350 two stroke cafe! - $9995 (Newport Beach) hide this posting

1970 Yamaha RD 350

condition: like new
engine displacement (CC): 350
fuel: gas
odometer: 10
paint color: blue
title status: clean
transmission: manual

2 year ground up restoration over $20k invested

A 1970 Yamaha R5/350 was grafted to a Gixxer 1000 to combine the best of both worlds..two stroke engine with awesome suspension handling and stopping power.. the smell of castor premix and VP race gas is awesome. Hard to believe it's nearly a 50 year old design. Lithium battery. Custom expansion Chambers, rear sets, clear coat engine covers, valentino Rossi custom paint clear CA title in my name, etc..too much to list.

$9,995 OBO

A true one-off.. Check out YouTube video below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSx4ImaGJHg

[nota]

find an td-250 race bike
swap on the 350/400 jugs pistons carbs and pipes

have fun on a detuned race bike with more CC's for tork
and bigger but lower power band

[BeyGon]

[QUOTE=sammyg2;10279463]"SOME"?
LOL it's a bike that picks their own line through a corner, and then changes it's mind three times before the apex.
That and the toggle-switch throttle that kept making the bike trying to do a back-flip.
But it was the front-flip under hard braking that I had trouble with.

QUOTE]

I saw, I think, Sammy Tanner ride a 750 Trippel in either a TrackMaster or Champion frame at the Colorado mile one year when I raced there. It was fast but he didn't win. Harleys were the king of the mile

[asphaltgambler]

As said above they are cool for occasional ride around town, blasting the straight stretches. They seem to fall into 2 categories. Full pro rest O with engine / pipe upgrades OR needs work. Like crank seals, trans work, worn out shocks and front end, etc.

MO is the RD400 is a slightly better bike evolution-wise. I wouldn't consider it your only bike, possibly 2nd or 3rd. I do think good restored bikes like that hold their value.

[rfuerst911sc]

Sammy I would have a hard time convincing the wife that I want/need a MachIII or IV . Even she knows they were known as " widow makers " back in the day . But I would love to find a Suzuki GT750 water buffalo to trick out . I think I am going to pass on the RD but may keep my eye out for a BMW air head or K series . The K series in either 750 or 1000 CC's seem to be relatively cheap and fun to modify.

[javadog]

If you go for K series BMW, I'd recommend the 75S over any of the bigger bikes.

[pavulon]

Do it. Like this!

[BeyGon]

Yeah, start out with a 400, factory 36 hp and a six speed, something to work with.

[Dan J]

Super cool bikes but... I'd definitely ride one first as I think the memory is much better then the reality

[rfuerst911sc]

Haha I just bookmarked a 2002 Moto Guzzi T11 for sale locally . Interesting looking machine they are owned by Aprilia . I always thought the Guzzi engine design made a lot of sense. I think I'M out of control !!!

[BeyGon]

oh well, Ducati's are nice.

[mepstein]

Originally Posted by javadog

I do a lot of motorcycle restoration work, I think you would be shocked to learn what it takes to get a 40-year-old motorcycle back in good condition, assuming it's even all there. When you have something that old, even if you don't do a full restoration, the only way to do the work properly is to essentially strip the thing down to a bare frame and start from there. If you want to tackle that as a hobby, where the work is as rewarding as the finished product, then go for it. If you want something fun to ride before you get too old to do it, buy something else.
.

yep

[Uchadarena]

Man. You are really cool. Buy it and have fun!

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by pavulon

Do it. Like this!

Man that pic gives me wood ! Yes a build looking like that but in Kenny Roberts yellow/black . Those expansion chambers look great and I really like the cast wheels and dual front disc brake . Sweet looking bike .

[BeyGon]

RD400s come with those wheels,

[rfuerst911sc]

Or maybe go to the darkside ???

https://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/mcy/d/1987-harley-davidson-xlh/6760077043.html

[rfuerst911sc]

Or a hot Italian ?


https://nwga.craigslist.org/mcy/d/2002-moto-guzzi-v11-scura/6763356758.html

[rfuerst911sc]

Or a testicle shaker ?


https://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/mcy/d/78-yamaha-sr500/6770651669.html

[vonsmog]

My son just picked up something like eight 350RD's that he will be making into Cafe type bikes. Here is a 200 or 250RD that he did a few years ago. Let me know if you want his contact info.