MotoFiaccone RD400 Chopper/Cafe build--for real this time.

kadavenport said:
My favorite thread I've found. You're bike is awesome, one of the coolest 2 strokes I've seen.
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Thanks man. The RD400 is certainly not my best work. It was basically something that snowballed into what it is today. Really, it is just a basic RD400 with a killer DropBars paint job that really sets if off. I only have about $3k in that bike.

To see some of my better work, check out my Cl350 build: http://www.motofiaccone.com/moto/40-cl350-cafe-racer

Or my CB360 build: http://www.motofiaccone.com/moto/39-cb360-cafe-racer

Personally, I think the CB360 came out the best of all of them. I do have another bike sitting out back that is crying for some attention. Against my better judgement, I may start that soon. My daughter and I are also building a 2-stroke powered push bike with 66cc of pure mechanical testosterone. That needs some love first. In the end, i think the push bike will come out the best: a nice beach cruiser with a vintage tank and a picnic basket in the front. We'll see.

Flugtechnik said:
Awesome! You made Bike EXIF!
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Yeah, that was pretty cool to get mentioned there. I was on a couple other blogs as well. It's good for website traffic!

--Chris
 
I absolutely love this bike. The only thing I'd change is throw on some rearsets and ditch the clubmans for clips.

I really really really love that seat. It just flow so well. You can make babies on the back of that thing. That's what motorcycles are for right? RIGHT?!@
 
chrisf said:
Thanks man. The RD400 is certainly not my best work. It was basically something that snowballed into what it is today. Really, it is just a basic RD400 with a killer DropBars paint job that really sets if off. I only have about $3k in that bike.

To see some of my better work, check out my Cl350 build: http://www.motofiaccone.com/moto/40-cl350-cafe-racer

Or my CB360 build: http://www.motofiaccone.com/moto/39-cb360-cafe-racer

Personally, I think the CB360 came out the best of all of them. I do have another bike sitting out back that is crying for some attention. Against my better judgement, I may start that soon. My daughter and I are also building a 2-stroke powered push bike with 66cc of pure mechanical testosterone. That needs some love first. In the end, i think the push bike will come out the best: a nice beach cruiser with a vintage tank and a picnic basket in the front. We'll see.

Yeah, that was pretty cool to get mentioned there. I was on a couple other blogs as well. It's good for website traffic!

--Chris
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Isn't that what projects always do, start off small and end up huge. I checked out your other bikes, cool stuff. I'd love to see the some pics of the push bike. Little cc's seem to be the way to go right now. I built a 3/4 chopper with a briggs and stratton motor as a joke for a local motorcycle show a few years ago (http://www.caferacer.net/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8287) and I might do a 3/4 cafe with the parts from a Tamos scooter for a a friend of mine.
 
chrisf said:
I'm leaving to go out of town right now, so you gents just get the pics. Enjoy!
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Something doesn't look quite right... I can swear that rear tyre isn't true, it seems to tilt slightly to the right. I could be wrong, and maybe I'm being anal but maybe I'm bringing something important to your attention :)

I just used paint to see if it proved/disproved - thoughts guys?

This is my first comment for this build - damn, i'm impressed. i love the seat and the carbon gauge mount... and very clean work all around. nice work!
 

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I never claimed it was going to be accurate - I just thought it looked funny enough to fire up paint. Didn't mean to come off as though I was questioning your expertise and experience, because you clearly have both of those in spades :)

Just wondering, did you make the seat yourself? I'm looking at doing a similar one on mine (having your "accountant" being able to enjoy it helps with securing funds ;) ), with the exposed hoop - I was a little worried about mounting the tail lights and them looking a little strange but yours came up brilliant.
 
nice :)
i'll be in touch regarding the seat when i get to that part of the build, after i go apeshit and give up on DIY'ing it... metals, fibres, epoxies, paint - these things don't worry me. it's upholstering that makes me cry for mama...
 
Ya know...the wheel does look a little tweeked. I wonder of the swing arm is bent?
 
I don't think it's the wheel. I think it's the license tag; note the position of the left top tag-mout bolt in relation to the left turn signal stem, then do the same on the right...the right is a little higher, PERHAPS causing an optical illusion. My opinion: bitchin' work, I'm impressed; for being a bike that is "...not an example of [your] best work..." please accept my compliments on what I consider to be a beautifully executed motorcycle.

-KR
 
Ha! You're right! I'm so used to people bringing bent stuff in it's the first this I think of....
 
hey man,

chris i must be honest and say that i have'nt looked at the built thread before.
i am very impressed with the bike, the detail in it, is top notch.
i love the way the bike flows, i think you just hooked me for a two stroke next!
how does it ride and sound, any vids on it running??
also, how is that seat for riding?? and is it good for a two up??
any way, love it. and you have my vote for the Feb bike of the month.
just a great build.
thanks,
later.
 
Thanks man. The bike is pretty much standard with nothing special about it. And I built it that way. What sets it off is Kit's paint work. Take that away and it's just a generic '70s bike.

To answer your questions, It sounds like a big, loud chainsaw. It rides like a normal 4-stroke with a bit less torque. But at 6K RPMs, the bike gets on the pipe and shoots off like a rocket. It feels a little like a turbo that comes on late. No videos yet. I'm hoping to get a set of bullet cameras soon to shoot a video for it.

The seat is good for what I do. I rode it yesterday for about an hour total. 30 minutes one-way is pretty ideal. I did ride it for a 2 hour one way trip once and it did start to hurt my ass.

The two-up seat works fine. It is a little small, so the passenger cannot have too big of an ass. There was one night that my wife and I rode, and she wore a really short dress. I was worried about it getting snagged in the rear tire, but it never even blew up.

Thanks for the compliment for Feb BOTM, but it isn't necessary. Let's let the other builders get their due. I'm not that narcissistic :)

--Chris
 
hey man,
cool...
i might build one of those seats for my 500.
i like the brat style, was going to make it in to a brat at one point but might get another one for that.
any way, hope mine turns out as nice.
thanks,
later.
 
motofiaccone said:
Thanks for the compliment for Feb BOTM, but it isn't necessary. Let's let the other builders get their due. I'm not that narcissistic :)

--Chris
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ALright, I can take it :) I'm just glad I turned you on to a new word. ;D
 
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