1975 Yamaha RD350(LC) Preservation-mod Hellride

[theholybull]

I know this is an old thread, But I traded B&B that bike for parts almost 20 years ago and I've regretted it ever since. When they had their auction this year I was hoping to get it back. I bought a half a dozen other bikes and was disappointed I didn't see that one. Im happy to see its still being worked on and not scrap. At least as of a year ago anyway, Id like to know how its going and If its on the road.

 

[irk miller]

I know this is an old thread, But I traded B&B that bike for parts almost 20 years ago and I've regretted it ever since. When they had their auction this year I was hoping to get it back. I bought a half a dozen other bikes and was disappointed I didn't see that one. Im happy to see its still being worked on and not scrap. At least as of a year ago anyway, Id like to know how its going and If its on the road.

That's really cool. It great to get some more history on this bike. Still alive and kicking. It's the bike I ride the most and splits time as my daily with an FT500 Supermoto I built. I swapped the glass tank back out and put it aside with the fairing to get used on an R5 framed project I am collecting parts for. This bike will eventually get an aluminum tank.

 

[theholybull]

This is the one I traded your bike off to get the parts for. Its currently on its last build. This makes its 5th since I got it in '97.

 

[Hurco550]

This is the one I traded your bike off to get the parts for. Its currently on its last build. This makes its 5th since I got it in '97.
View attachment 240550

Really cool that you found this thread. I see you're just up in Ashland. My sister works over there and I'm just in Galion. I originally traded a gt380 basket case and an Hs1 90cc twin Yamaha for the rd from them, along with some cool tz parts and a the seat. Sad to see the place closed down and liquidated, but I know there were some issues with taxes after Larry passed. He and Bill were their own kind of people for sure, but I enjoyed spending time with them there and hearing stories.

Always glad to see another north central Ohio guy on here. @ridesolo is just over in bucyrus too, and he's actually the guy that told me about B&B years ago.

 

[theholybull]

Really cool that you found this thread. I see you're just up in Ashland. My sister works over there and I'm just in Galion. I originally traded a gt380 basket case and an Hs1 90cc twin Yamaha for the rd from them, along with some cool tz parts and a the seat. Sad to see the place closed down and liquidated, but I know there were some issues with taxes after Larry passed. He and Bill were their own kind of people for sure, but I enjoyed spending time with them there and hearing stories.

Always glad to see another north central Ohio guy on here. @ridesolo is just over in bucyrus too, and he's actually the guy that told me about B&B years ago.

Its a small world for sure.

 

[irk miller]

Took a chance on a $390 ($500 total with shipping) aluminum tank from India that sells on EBay. Fit and finish is pretty damn good.

 

[Maritime]

Is that aluminium? Looks nice.

 

[irk miller]

Is that aluminium? Looks nice.

That's aluminum.

 

[adventurco]

Giggity.

 

[Luugo86]

Snazzy

 

[ridesolo]

Oh! That's purty!

 

[Rider52]

Nice!!!

 

[irk miller]

I’m not a big fan of the current foot peg placement and I feel like it contributes to some of the handling I’m feeling with the bike, mostly around rear grip.

I found a restorable set of FZR600 rear sets on EBay that I’m going to attempt to adapt to this bike. The FZR shares the same size shifter rod as the RD, plus the controls work off the footpeg stems, so should make for a relatively easy install. I had to order a longer linkage rod. I already have a set of brackets that integrate the exhaust mounts, but I may redesign them for a lower peg placement. I’ll flip them first, and see if the exhaust brackets still reach.

On the brake side, it looks like I’ll just need to move the arm for the m/c linkage from the 9 o’clock position to 12 o’clock to actuate the drum brake linkage rod.

 

[irk miller]

I took advantage of a snow day to complete my conversion to rear sets. The only thing missing is the offset kick start lever in transit. I flipped the shift rod lever thinking it was a better fit and leverage.

 

[doc_rot]

looks good

 

[teazer]

Looking good. What rims did you use? I want to build another set of GT750/GS750 wheels with alloy rims and grabbed a nine 2.5 rim at MikesXS.com but I need a wider rim at the back and don't want to pay the big bucks for Excel rims. Thoughts?

 

[irk miller]

Looking good. What rims did you use? I want to build another set of GT750/GS750 wheels with alloy rims and grabbed a nine 2.5 rim at MikesXS.com but I need a wider rim at the back and don't want to pay the big bucks for Excel rims. Thoughts?

These are DID rims. I don't know where to get a bigger than 2.50 DID new. Buchanan only lists a 2.50-17. The GL rear is a 2.50 x 17, but with a taller shoulder, which is what I am running front and back. I run Warp 9 rims on my FT500 supermoto. They're about 2/3 the price of the Excel for essentially the same rim. Not sure you can get a 40 hole. I think Excel has the market cornered where the other option is even more money for Borrani.

 

[teazer]

Thanks. I need 36 hole 18 and I am thinking 4.25 rear and 2.50 front. I didn't know about Warp 9 rims, so thanks for that.

 

[irk miller]

After shortening the brake lever, I bent the kickstarter with a torch to get it to clear the rear sets. To help keep the lever up against the case, I drilled a little pocket and epoxied a magnet to hold it.

 

[adventurco]

Nice. Clearance is clearance.


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