Chassis Design: Yamaha RD and Honda CB

G

Gordon

Been Around the Block
Just noticed that the Yamaha RD and the Honda CB have an identical chassis (sort of). Was wondering if its possible to mount a CB400/500 engine onto a RD frame.

Honda CB
img2656mediumon8.jpg


Yamaha RD
RD350_0.jpg

RD350_1.jpg
 
Anything can be accomplished with the right combination of money, time and skills. If the frames are almost identical then what would be the advantage of mixing engine and frame?
 
Hold on hold on! Dammit I'm almost on the verge of being flamed!

Two strokes are always more exciting than four strokes. I've heard a RD350 and a CB(not sure if 400/500), and I like the smooth sound of the CB. The CB is more powerful, but may not as exciting or quick than the two stroke RD.

xs650joe I love that bike, do you have more pics?!? Specially of the clip-ons and rearsets.
 
Ha, thought I may get some attention with that remark. ;D I'll post some new pics of the rd later today. The one I posted was from last year. I've since put a new set of Metzeler tires on. No flame intended Gordon. I love old CBs too. Most of my friends ride CBs. My wife rides a 68 cb350 and we also has a cb500/4 project that may be coming up for sale if anyone is interested let me know...I'm in Ohio.

I think the RDs feel faster because they're 50+ lbs. lighter and have more horsepower (39 to 37) if what I pulled up on the web is correct. They also have a crazy powerband and from 7500rpm on I have to lay on the handlebars to keep the front wheel down. Easily wheelies through the first three gears. I'll have to post a video.

joe
 
xs650joe said:
... Easily wheelies through the first three gears. I'll have to post a video.
Click to expand...

I agree, video might be necessary. ;D

I'd do bad things for an RD... Especially if it looked like the one above.
 
Isn't a general rule of thumb that you have to double the displacement of a 2-stroke to get an equivalent 4-stroke? i.e. a 250 2-stroke = 500 4-stroke?

Maybe I just made that up... but I like my theory.

- Woody
 
woody1981 said:
Isn't a general rule of thumb that you have to double the displacement of a 2-stroke to get an equivalent 4-stroke? i.e. a 250 2-stroke = 500 4-stroke?

Maybe I just made that up... but I like my theory.

- Woody
Click to expand...


Ya Woody, I think you were pretty close. I seem to remember it to be more like a 50% increase in displacement on the street. Say, 500cc 2 stroke vs. 750cc 4 stroke. The old Yamaha 350 twin road racers would often stomp on the 650 and 750 BSA's and Triumph's of the late 60's and very early 70's. The lighter weight of the 2 stroke is hard to beat.

The sound is 'in the ear of the listener' too! ::) Two strokes 'on the pipe' make my blood boil! Yee ha!! 8) 8)
 
woody1981 said:
Isn't a general rule of thumb that you have to double the displacement of a 2-stroke to get an equivalent 4-stroke? i.e. a 250 2-stroke = 500 4-stroke?

Maybe I just made that up... but I like my theory.

- Woody
Click to expand...


Ya Woody, I think you were pretty close. I seem to remember it to be more like a 50% increase in displacement on the street. Say, 500cc 2 stroke vs. 750cc 4 stroke. The old Yamaha 350 twin road racers would often stomp on the 650 and 750 BSA's and Triumph's of the late 60's and very early 70's. The lighter weight of the 2 stroke is hard to beat.

The sound is 'in the ear of the listener' too! ::) Two strokes 'on the pipe' make my blood boil! Yee ha!! 8) 8)
 
Sorry for posting twice... my computer doesn't like me today. :(
 
Here are a couple of new pics of the rd. Added the new tires and the drilled disc over the winter along with some internal upgrades to make it even faster. I really need to work on my seatpad...yuck. Anybody know a good upholstery shop in the central ohio area?
P1014663.sized.jpg

P1014659.sized.jpg


Here's a pic of my wife's cb350 so everyone knows I'm not anti-CB... ;D
P1014665.sized.jpg


Weather is great in Cols, OH this weekend. Plan on riding as much as possible. Monday is the anual CO-OH VinMoto Memorial Day Run. If anyone is interested I can post some info.

joe
 
Re: rd's rock

I have had RD 400's 250's and raced a Rd350lc. i have also owner 500/4s. 550s and gs 550s. i Hve to say the Rd, were fantsatic loved them to bits and would have more if they werent so expensive now in this country. Th RD400s would leave the 500,s and 550's standing an soon disapear into the distance. But to go a long distance i would choose the fours, not as quick but a more relaxing and also more likely to get there in one piece as i found the two strokes tended to make me a little bit mad couldnt ride them slowly.
The 350lc was a giant beater on the road and the track fantastic bike, long live strokers ... yay
oh here are some pics of mine, the rd400 was bored to 430cc (dt175mx pistons and shortened barrels, bored carbs, powervalve inlet reed blocks and rubbers, ram air filters, allspeed pipes and ported by a uk two stroke guru Stan stevens) crazy bike had it geared for acceleration so went only about 110 flat out but it got there sooo fast
 
Yep, it's a '68 cb350. A little bit finicky sometimes but it's running good right now due to the superduper carb cleaning job I just did on it.
Here's another pic of her on the bike.
l_0e8555dffc697dba1627a7bd21cc0d72.jpg


Anybody out there interested in a cb500/4 project? In the Columbus area...anyone????


joe
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

DTT Light or Dark

  • DTT Light
    • www.jadusmotorcycleparts.com
    www.lostapostle.ca/
    www.sparckmoto.com

    Spread the Love

    Back
    Top Bottom