87 yamaha radian

kneedragger74

kneedragger74

Been Around the Block
I had pictures posted in the member intros. Somehow my account was deleted (wifey?) Anyway, I am trying to find pics of what I've benn doing to my bike over the past winter. Til then I will just post my before and after photos.
Before.
I added clubmans and changed turn signals first thing.
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After.
Stripped tank. Painted black strip down the center, and put on white vinyl pinstripe. Used the original seat pan so I keep the locking hardware. I made a fiberglass bum stop and attached it to the seat pan. Cut all tabs and extras of the frame. Removed the air box and moved the 3000 miles of wiring and electrical components. Made a battery box, which holds most of the electrical. Installed air pods (still trying to get the carbs adjusted for those). Made a bracket for my license plate.
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I just got a round headlight and brackets from DCC. I'll have those on by the weekend. I should also have the seat foam finished and a new cover made this weekend. I'll have more updated pics this weekend. Thanks all for a great site!
 
Other than my VF1000R, the Radian is the bike I miss most. I always thought it would look better with a round headlight, so I'm glad you're doing that. The style the bike was built in was more flat-track than cafe, so bold choice there. Quite honestly, the bike is rather small, so I don't imagine clubmans work too well with the standard footpeg location. Do you plan to address that?
 
Agreed on the flat track lines of this bike. The cafe look will be hard to pull off, but stranger things have happened around here. Looks like you got a good start already!

The engines on these things are awesome for their size/ age. This is a really close brother to my FZ (build: http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=24317.0 ) so I will be watching to see what comes next! Fwiw, these tend to make more power with the stock airbox, as this was the beginning of the advent of tuned intakes. The airboxes don't sound as cool, but they do make better power. Especially when coupled with a 4-1 pipe, for high revving fun!
 
Just saw one of these listed in my area, didn't picture this!. I like what you are doing. Definately getting rid of that square light will help. Seat looks good too. Keeping the hardware is a bonus.
 
I suppose one good thing to consider when making a cafe racer out of a Radian is that the frame is shared with the Maxim, so parts can be interchanged.
 
two-smoker said:
Other than my VF1000R, the Radian is the bike I miss most. I always thought it would look better with a round headlight, so I'm glad you're doing that. The style the bike was built in was more flat-track than cafe, so bold choice there. Quite honestly, the bike is rather small, so I don't imagine clubmans work too well with the standard footpeg location. Do you plan to address that?
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The round headlight is a must. As far as the bars and pegs, they work for me right now, I'm only 5'7". I am, however, working on a rear set to fit where the passenger pegs belong.
 
t71ford said:
Agreed on the flat track lines of this bike. The cafe look will be hard to pull off, but stranger things have happened around here. Looks like you got a good start already!

The engines on these things are awesome for their size/ age. This is a really close brother to my FZ (build: http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=24317.0 ) so I will be watching to see what comes next! Fwiw, these tend to make more power with the stock airbox, as this was the beginning of the advent of tuned intakes. The airboxes don't sound as cool, but they do make better power. Especially when coupled with a 4-1 pipe, for high revving fun!
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I like your FZ build. Very nice. Hopefully I'll get the carbs adjusted so I can keep the pods. They just look cooler than the original box.
 
I just bought an '86 Radian today. I searched on the round headlight and found this thread! Please post pics when you get it installed. That is the first thing I wanted to do to it.. How much did the setup and brackets set you back if you don't mind me asking? Great looking bike BTW..
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Thanks for the comments guys. Well, we finally got some nice weather this week... just in time for my wifes list of things for me to do! Anyway, I have been able to finish some of my projects in the past few weeks.

Griff... congrats on the Radian! They really are fun little bikes. I got my new headlight and brackets from Dime City Cycles, those guys are awesome! They have quite a good selection to chose from. Here is what it looks like on the Radian. Let me know if I can help with anything on your Radian.
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I also finished my seat, I think. I think it looks ok for my first try, but I don't know if it flows real well. But then again, I'm not sure if any of it does. :eek: Oh well, It's mine and I like it.
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Thanks for looking everyone! ;D
 
Now I need to find different guages, something smaller and symetric. Oh, and different mirrors. It's getting there. I still need to get the carbs adjusted, it's still getting too much air.
 
You are doing a great job man! One thing I think would really help the flow is to try to lower the rear of the tank to match the seat lines. The way it sticks up at the back is kind of disruptive. The rest looks great. Nice job on the seat!
 
Looks great! Is that 7"? I'm torn between that light, or the two round ones like on a YZ.. Thoughts? Here are some more pics..
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Thanks, T71ford. I kinda thought that too, but that is the way it will have to stay for now.
Griff, that is the 6 1/4 light from DCC. Your Rad looks pretty clean. Is your exhaust hollowed out?
 
Griff5268 said:
Thanks you sir.. And yes.
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Griff
How does it run with that open exhaust? Are the carbs adjusted for the exhaust? I'm guessing it's kinda loud. Let me know if you need any parts, I have some parts I no longer need.
 
Wish we could trade wheels.. ;) I like those gold ones, matches the gold accents on the motor well.

The bike actually runs amazing. It has been re-jetted with higher jets. The baffles were removed. This is how it came when I bought it so I got lucky. I have guys ask me about the individual pod filter setup a lot. I've thought about putting the baffles back in, but I was scared it would throw off the jetting, and it's set up perfect now. This thing sounds like a chopper at idle, then a street bike through the gears.

Sent you an email about the parts.. Looking for some random plastic pieces, the Radian panels, a front master cylinder for the brake, relay.. Long shot, but worth asking. Thanks man!
 
i haev always wanted to cafe one of these! i would go back to the side covers and re do the seat to flow more wiht the tank... the side covers off just looks like you are missing them IMO... great scoot man they stop on a DIME
 
JRK5892 said:
i haev always wanted to cafe one of these! i would go back to the side covers and re do the seat to flow more wiht the tank... the side covers off just looks like you are missing them IMO... great scoot man they stop on a DIME
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I am trying to work out some different side covers. I only have the left side cover and I have looked for two years for the right side, with no luck. :mad: I'll probably make them out of fiberglass. Or maybe metal,not sure. What part of the seat doesn't flow to you? Or is it just the whole thing. I was pretty happy with the way it turned out. It was kind of difficult to use the original seat pan and add the bum stop. I guess not everyone will like everything I do. But, I appreciate you honest opinion. I do think it looks better in person. Anyway thanks for the reply.
 
i think it is how round it is... the back of the tank has a flow almost to a point and then the seat hump is very round. that is i think what is catching my eye other than that it flows pretty well with the frame it is just the tail of it. i may have a buddy with some side covers! ill ask for you this wekeend
 
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