I'm sure I'll be hated for thinking about doing this... Yammy RD250.

[Deadhead]

Not exactly traditional cafe material - to my knowledge. I bought this recently, the engine is sound (and race tuned), electrics solid... It's just cosmetically a heap of crap.

All that said, I know it'll do a ton 'cause I had it up there earlier today!

Basically the plan is to fit new bars, probably clubmans because if I were to try and fit clip ons on that thing I'd have trouble seeing over the clocks, sort the seat out (I may remove the leather on the back of it), strip anything that can actually be stripped, RD's aren't exactly bursting with excessive parts, paintwork wise... The wheels are either going back to the original black powder coated ally with shined spines, in which case the tanks and fuse panel are going to be sprayed metallic orange, with a white stripe down the centre on one side. If I decide to get the wheels repainted in red, the tanks and panel are going to be black with a red and white stripe where the Yammy stickers are. New indicators, new rear lamp, move the number plate (although, I'm restricted as to the size and position being in England), might take of the rear mudguard but I am from the UK, and as such it pisses with rain all the time. Exhausts are going black, the engine has been shined up nicely on the fins, cans will be replaced (chrome that's not corroded generally helps).

That's pretty much the plan at the moment. Tell me what you think.

 

[Elnogue]

I think U can do a real nice work on this bike.
The metallic orange design will be nicer and more original than red-black one...

 

[brian weir]

Not exactly traditional cafe material - to my knowledge. I bought this recently, the engine is sound (and race tuned), electrics solid... It's just cosmetically a heap of crap.

All that said, I know it'll do a ton 'cause I had it up there earlier today!

Basically the plan is to fit new bars, probably clubmans because if I were to try and fit clip ons on that thing I'd have trouble seeing over the clocks, sort the seat out (I may remove the leather on the back of it), strip anything that can actually be stripped, RD's aren't exactly bursting with excessive parts, paintwork wise... The wheels are either going back to the original black powder coated ally with shined spines, in which case the tanks and fuse panel are going to be sprayed metallic orange, with a white stripe down the centre on one side. If I decide to get the wheels repainted in red, the tanks and panel are going to be black with a red and white stripe where the Yammy stickers are. New indicators, new rear lamp, move the number plate (although, I'm restricted as to the size and position being in England), might take of the rear mudguard but I am from the UK, and as such it pisses with rain all the time. Exhausts are going black, the engine has been shined up nicely on the fins, cans will be replaced (chrome that's not corroded generally helps).

That's pretty much the plan at the moment. Tell me what you think.

oh YEAH! there are only a few left from the days when Kenny roberts rode the rd350 to world championships, the 250 not far behind. way to go, this a a rare cool ride.

 

[jayellay]

go for it. rode one a few months ago, that bike barks like a mother. and cafe style will look cool. good luck! keep sending updates.


ride safe,
jayellay

Not exactly traditional cafe material - to my knowledge. I bought this recently, the engine is sound (and race tuned), electrics solid... It's just cosmetically a heap of crap.

All that said, I know it'll do a ton 'cause I had it up there earlier today!

Basically the plan is to fit new bars, probably clubmans because if I were to try and fit clip ons on that thing I'd have trouble seeing over the clocks, sort the seat out (I may remove the leather on the back of it), strip anything that can actually be stripped, RD's aren't exactly bursting with excessive parts, paintwork wise... The wheels are either going back to the original black powder coated ally with shined spines, in which case the tanks and fuse panel are going to be sprayed metallic orange, with a white stripe down the centre on one side. If I decide to get the wheels repainted in red, the tanks and panel are going to be black with a red and white stripe where the Yammy stickers are. New indicators, new rear lamp, move the number plate (although, I'm restricted as to the size and position being in England), might take of the rear mudguard but I am from the UK, and as such it pisses with rain all the time. Exhausts are going black, the engine has been shined up nicely on the fins, cans will be replaced (chrome that's not corroded generally helps).

That's pretty much the plan at the moment. Tell me what you think.

 

[chrisf]

I love RDs; good choice. Make sure you document your build in the big arse projects section.

--chris

 

[Kev Nemo]

I've seen a couple of cool cafe RD's-go for it!

 

[coolatula]

Anyone that has or likes RD/RZ needs to be a member of.....http://www.usa2strokers.com/forum/default.asp

It's your bike,but if it were mine I wouldn't chop it up too bad. I wouldn't touch the frame other than to maybe gusset it in a few places,install tapered roller steering head bearings,better/more modern steering damper etc. Those are things the FACTORY should have done to improve the bike. I wouldn't chop the tail of the frame to put on a cheap Cafe seat,or weld on parts to fit rear sets from a parts bike(FZ/GSXR etc.).

You can still get stuff like that that will fit your bike without cutting on it. The RDs are going to get more and more rare(read $$) in stock/semi stock condition. Make sure you can return it to stock/close to stock form if you need to sell it for some reason as you will recoup more of your money for it.

I may not be one to talk since I chopped on my Hodaka 100,but it doesn't have a title,was trashed when I got it,they can still be found(most in rough condition like mine),I never intend to sell it(I will have more $$ in it then it's will be worth anyway),it's a Track Day only bike and being set up as such plus the RD/RZs are in a higher/different class of motorcycle to begin with.

Just check out the site above and you will see some AWESOME RD/RZ cafe/street tracker conversions that look very cool,but wouldn't take much to return to stock/close to stock appearance.

 

[Hellvis]

rds are by far one of my favs. i mean come on they were called monster killers for a reason ;D

 

[Quicklimegirl]

Anyone that has or likes RD/RZ needs to be a member of.....http://www.usa2strokers.com/forum/default.asp

It's your bike,but if it were mine I wouldn't chop it up too bad. I wouldn't touch the frame other than to maybe gusset it in a few places,install tapered roller steering head bearings,better/more modern steering damper etc. Those are things the FACTORY should have done to improve the bike. I wouldn't chop the tail of the frame to put on a cheap Cafe seat,or weld on parts to fit rear sets from a parts bike(FZ/GSXR etc.).

You can still get stuff like that that will fit your bike without cutting on it. The RDs are going to get more and more rare(read $$) in stock/semi stock condition. Make sure you can return it to stock/close to stock form if you need to sell it for some reason as you will recoup more of your money for it.

I may not be one to talk since I chopped on my Hodaka 100,but it doesn't have a title,was trashed when I got it,they can still be found(most in rough condition like mine),I never intend to sell it(I will have more $$ in it then it's will be worth anyway),it's a Track Day only bike and being set up as such plus the RD/RZs are in a higher/different class of motorcycle to begin with.

Just check out the site above and you will see some AWESOME RD/RZ cafe/street tracker conversions that look very cool,but wouldn't take much to return to stock/close to stock appearance.

He knows of what he speaks.
Another thing to be aware of is that the RD250 and RD350 share the same Crank, so it's a nice "sleeper" mod to slap a 350 top end on one. I'm trying to remember, but I think the single difference is slightly different primary gear on the two. I'm sure someone on the usa2strokers site can say for sure. After the rest of my projects are done I'll be looking for a cosmetically nice '75 RD250 (the only one that came stock with a front disk) to put in killer sleeper mode, it'll be basically stock except the 350 top end with a set of J&R expansion chambers I have squirreled away just for this project.

Those are strange looking pipes, do they have any brand markings on them? I thought I'd seen just about every type of RD exhaust out there.

 

[chrisf]

He knows of what he speaks.
Another thing to be aware of is that the RD250 and RD350 share the same Crank, so it's a nice "sleeper" mod to slap a 350 top end on one. I'm trying to remember, but I think the single difference is slightly different primary gear on the two. I'm sure someone on the usa2strokers site can say for sure. After the rest of my projects are done I'll be looking for a cosmetically nice '75 RD250 (the only one that came stock with a front disk) to put in killer sleeper mode, it'll be basically stock except the 350 top end with a set of J&R expansion chambers I have squirreled away just for this project.

Those are strange looking pipes, do they have any brand markings on them? I thought I'd seen just about every type of RD exhaust out there.

Hey:

Since you know so much about RDs, I have a couple questions. Size-wise, what are the differences in the 250, 350 and 400? Are they all about the same? I want a small, two-up bike that doesn't need a lot of work. I think I found one that I'll pick up this weekend.

--Chris

 

[Quicklimegirl]

Hey:
Since you know so much about RDs, I have a couple questions. Size-wise, what are the differences in the 250, 350 and 400? Are they all about the same? I want a small, two-up bike that doesn't need a lot of work. I think I found one that I'll pick up this weekend.
--Chris

The RD400 is slightly bigger than the 250/350 (which I believe both have identical dimensions).
The RD400 tank & seat a just a bit bigger/longer, and although you can interchange engine cases on any of the three frames, the engine is positioned slightly more forward on the 400 to preclude the wheelie tendency, so the weight distribution is slightly more to the front & back.
The other main differences between the 400 and 350 are:
1) Longer stroke/don't share the same Crank (both have 64mm bore stock)
2) Cast wheels & disc brake on rear wheel
3) Powerband a bit broader, starting a bit lower on the 400

If you intend to go 2-up on an RD I'd go with a 400 above the others, and hopefully you can find a nicely tuned example with a good set of Chambers for extra ooomph!

 

[chrisf]

Well, I found a 400 in decent nick, but the guy wanted stupid money for it. I liked the weight of the bike (400) but found the size a bit tall. The 350 I'm looking at this weekend has expansion chambers and the drop bars. Basically, it needs a decent paint job. I'm crossing my fingers on this one because I love the RDs.

--Thanks, Chris