I must be crazy ! Possible Yamaha RD350 purchase

[rfuerst911sc]

Asking you crazy guys is probably not the best thing to do . Back in the day I owned a Yamaha DS7 then a RD350 and then a RD400 . I had so much fun with those two strokers but eventually " graduated " to big 4 cycle bikes . Then family came along and there went all bikes . About 8 years ago or so I got the itch again and bought a BMW air cooled twin , at that time I was living in Marietta GA. which is a heavily populated area just a few miles north of Atlanta . But I quickly learned that I had lost my nerve to ride in heavy traffic and sold the bike .

Fast forward to now , I am one year retired and living in the North Georgia mountains with lots of quiet two lane mountain roads ........... and I'm getting the itch again ! I always wanted to take an RD350/400 and build it into a Kenny Roberts style cafe racer for the street . And as it turns out there is a RD350 near me for sale it runs but needs work to be a driver . Am I nuts for entertaining the idea ? It's not like I have a shortage of projects to do It would just be a weekend toy like the Boxster . OK guys fire away with the comments

[Yorkie]

If it rings your bell then go for it. Understand that those old two strokes can be a lot of work to keep In the power band and you are not the kid you once were tearing around the neighborhood. The nice thing about the old RDs is that there is still quite a bit of support for parts and accessories especially out of the U.K. The bikes are not heavy so not too tough to throw around. Personally, I would be looking at something with a bit more grunt but with the same proportions like an SV650 but you didn’t ask that question. Enjoy the build.

[Tobra]

I always loved those things

[javadog]

An RD350 in good condition is a fun bike to ride, but probably not my first (or even 10th or 20th) choice for the roads where you live.

If you get it for free and don't mind sinking enough money in it to be upside down forever, go for it.

It still wouldn't be my first choice for a twisty road.

[Steve Carlton]

I had a 1973 RD350 and had a great experience with it as a teenager. I may be wrong, but I think the memories are better than the reality. A friend of mine had a very pumped up RD400 and that was like a slingshot when it hit the powerband. If I wanted to make a cafe racer type bike, I'd build an oilhead BMW. Such forgiving bikes when you makes a mistake.

[Jcooper]

Do it!!!
I don't think there is anything more visceral than a ride on an old two stroke street bike. I have everything from current CBR 1000's to mid year CBR900's and an smattering of supermotos, but the old RD gets about as much road time as any of the other bikes. But, I do live in a neighborhood that doesn't mind that blue cloud of smoke left behind as I blast by😋
They do require a bit of resourcefulness on the parts side, but everything is available and it's a very easy bike to wrench on.

[rfuerst911sc]

Hey I realize there are a lot of bikes out there that are better canyon cutters than the RD . And maybe I'm just fantasizing about my youth . As suggested an SV650 is an excellent choice and I wouldn't mind doing the cafe treatment on a BMW air head . Or maybe time has passed me by and I shouldn't entertain the thought . For what its worth the RD350 for sale locally is 1200.00 .

[id911T]

I say go for it! But I am a little biased since I race a Yamaha twin and ride them on the street as well

[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.

An RD350 was the 1st street bike I rode, back in the day, and I think the memories are probably better than the reality.

Have I entertained the thought of buying an old RD 350? Sure. Have I entertained the thought of building a hot rod Kawasaki triple? Sure. Have I pulled the trigger on any of those ideas? Nope.

[sammyg2]

I say if you're going to do it, go all the way. Kawasaki 750 triple.

Kawasaki said of the bike, "It's so quick it demands the razor-sharp reactions of an experienced rider."

Do you want to live forever?

[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.

[Steve Carlton]

[rattlsnak]

OK, I got the RD and the RZ mixed up.. RZ, heck yes, RD, not sure i would venture out on that in that area either..

[Steve Carlton]

I was chatting with a customer who used to race motorcycles over 20 years ago about bikes and mentioned I had an RD350. He said their nickname was "Rapid Death."

[908/930]

Hey why not, life is short. Providing it isn't a 10 year project.

Is it a 70's air cooled or a 80's liquid cooled? Is there lots of mosquitos near where you live the RD should help with that. I had a Kawasaki H1 way back and it was great for eliminating bugs.

[996AE]

Rode a 380 triple Suzuki in college. Two stroke beast. RD is a great bike.

Enjoy

All gear all the time!

[Jeff Higgins]

In my circle of riding buddies back in the late '70's and early '80's, several had RD350's, RD400's, and finally the Canadian only liquid cooled (RZ?)400. They were great bikes for young men with few other options. Fast, cheap, and reliable (and we thought we had to pick two...).

I think there are far better options today. Especially since this sounds like it might be your only bike. If it were to be a second, or third, or fourth bike, with something to ride while you restore it or for when you just don't want to fuss with riding it, then sure, why not.

[LakeCleElum]

Bought an RD on Black Friday a few weeks ago. Will post Pic when home from Central America....

[PD41]

Isn't the early ones called R5 350 ?

[BeyGon]

Originally Posted by PD41

Isn't the early ones called R5 350 ?

don't know how early but in 75 they were RD350B and 76 they came out with RD400, bigger brakes, better suspension, lots of changes.