RD250 Street Tracker

[Stout]

I have started working on my '73 RD 250 for the winter's project. I bought this bike about a year ago in a package deal with a couple of old Honda Superhawks I wanted to build. I'll try and post pics of the build along the way. here are some before shots... I'm sure this bike sat for quite awhile b4 I bought it, but I was able to get it running before tearing into it. - Stout

 

[Stout]

I added this small tail section off from a wrecked Honda 1000RR. I had to do a little fiberglassing to blend it in, but it should look good after some body work (especially with the integrated taillight/blinkers) ;D. - Stout

 

[Stout]

I currently have more parts compiled than I do work done. but here it is with some different bars and the blinkers on. I probably won't keep the headache pad. - Stout

 

[rebellion ind]

Getting tired of hand signaling are we?

 

[Stout]

Not at all! ;D but this bike came with turn signals (unlike the Superhawk) so I figured to be legal... it should probably have em.

 

[Stout]

I got the forks painted and put back together over the weekend and started redoing the mounts for the battery (the smallest one I could find) and relocating the electrical components. - Stout

 

[Kev Nemo]

Nice! That is a tiny battery-where'd you get that thing?

 

[Stout]

The pic is just of some of the electrical stuff, I modified the stock battery box so I can tuck it right up under the seat. The battery I got is from Tucker Rocky, part number 49-9093 (12VX4L-B)... it is about $40 retail (dimensions are: 4.5" x 2.8125" x 3.375") It doesn't have much for cranking amps (45) but the bike is kickstart only, so hopefully it works. the thing is so small I can fit it in the tunnel under the tank!

 

[Stout]

Here are a couple pictures of the battery. And the new gauge I got yesterday from electrosport... It has a lot of functions, tach, speedo (hall effect sensor), blinker indicator, neutral indicator and high beam indicator.

 

[Kev Nemo]

That is crazy how much room you have under that tank. I've thought about doing the electrics reloc, but I always get stuck on the oil tank. It would be purely for looks, so it's not really vital.

 

[Stout]

I plan on just running premix, so no issue with the oil tank. I'll probably create some little bracket that'll hold a pint of oil on the bike somewhere, just in case your at a gas station that doesn't have any 2 cycle.

 

[Stout]

Here is what I've gotten done since last week.

 

[Stout]

Unfortunately I haven't gotten as much done on this project lately as I would like to since I have a couple of other projects in the hopper ('79 Sportster and an '03 Honda 400ex) both of which are complete ground up builds. I did get parts for the RD back from the powdercoaters today so I'll post some new pics this weekend.
- Stout

 

[klx678]

Unfortunately I haven't gotten as much done on this project lately as I would like to since I have a couple of other projects in the hopper ('79 Sportster and an '03 Honda 400ex) both of which are complete ground up builds. I did get parts for the RD back from the powdercoaters today so I'll post some new pics this weekend.
- Stout

I'd love to get a TRX400EX, swap out the swing arm for a bike style one (three wheel motorcycle) and make a trike to ride year around to school. They have the frame and suspension, just swap out or build a single wheel swing arm. If it's 4 wheels it would have to have a seat belt - don't want that - for DOT legality here in Ohio. A set of those small car tires on the front and some car meat on the back and I've got a budget "Spyder" type ride.

Maybe some day I'll do something like that...

 

[Stout]

Here are a couple pictures of the parts I just got back from the powder coaters. - Stout

 

[Stout]

Here is a shot of the 400ex going back together... it pretty much just needs new fenders now (all black is the plan). -Stout

 

[Carlson]

Nice build, ill definitely be following.
Considered sourcing disk brakes from a later model? not sure if they came out on the 72s..

 

[Stout]

No, it'd be nice to have some better brakes, but the drums look cleaner to me and I'm trying to save some cash on this build, so I'll be sticking with em. though, I am having a hard time finding new front brake shoes, the rears seem to be available yet, but no one is making any for the front... Unfortunately I do NEED them since the friction material has fallen right off from the shoes I have. Anyone out there with a line on a set, the help would be much appreciated. Thanks, Stout

 

[klx678]

One of two things.

Yamaha disc front brakes are so common between bikes you wouldn't have too much in them. You have to figure there were a bunch of RD and it is possible other models would fit too, if you can't get your drums taken care of.

Second, condiser going to a place that does brakes for trucks and stuff to see if they can help. I take it you have tried to get them from Yamaha. You might also try a vintage bike supplier or rebuilder. They might be able to cut and bond material to your shoes you have now.

 

[Stout]

I worked on the pipes today, I think they are coming together nicely. I still need to make some mounts and baffles for them. -Stout

Here are the pipe pics. Not sure what happened to my other ones.