I've lived across the street from "Al" for 15 years.......I tho k he's a hoarder.  Never seen his back yard, never seen the inside of his garage.  He had a 66 Mustang rotting in his driveway since we moved in and just recently sold it.

When his wife was alive, I would hear mention of the blue motorcycle in the garage.  She threatened to give it to me every time he went out of town.  She was ill since we met and recently succumbed to MS.

Last week Al was out front with his sons........and his garage door was open.  I walked over and asked if I could see the mysterious blue motorcycle.  

It sits there acting as a stand for two unplugged battery chargers.  Tires flat, misc surface rust.

Anyone have any Yamaha 2 smoke experience?  Any parts sources of note?  

That'd be an RD400?



Nice.  I'd kinda like one for old time's sake.

Can't help with any info resources though, but surely they're out there.

Yes, auto correct got the best of me.

How was the riding experience?

They're a lot of fun.
Had a 350 in the late 70's, got my first ever ticket with it. 

If it's been sitting for 15 years, there's lots of work to be done to make it roadworthy.

Those cast wheels weigh a ton.

I did an RD 400 Daytona Special for a DML member a few years back.

I don't think he's a DMF'er though.

He seemed to get all his info from an RD forum.

Quote from: ducpainter on April 29, 2013, 06:59:33 PM
I did an RD 400 Daytona Special for a DML member a few years back.

I don't think he's a DMF'er though.

He seemed to get all his info from an RD forum.

Got any pics?  Stock or Cafe'd out?

Quote from: rgramjet on April 29, 2013, 06:23:50 PM

How was the riding experience?

only rode one but it had expansion chambers on it with those teeny tiny little mufflers.

in 1st and 2nd it was like this;
ringy-ting-ting-ting slow boring ho-hum .......oh!........OMG! What the fu.........HOLY SHIT !!--ARGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

it was a little pipey 

Quote from: rgramjet on April 29, 2013, 08:10:43 PM
Got any pics?  Stock or Cafe'd out?

Stock.

I have a small one of the completed bike the customer sent to me. I'll email it to you. Not much room on my free flikr account.

I also have a bunch of shots of the pieces in progress in the shop.

I 've had several in various stages of public nuisance. Parts are pretty easy to come by either on line and directly from your local Yamaha dealer.

Like Speeddog said if it has been sitting that long it will need new crank seals, that requires splitting the cases. not the hardest job in the world but it takes a while. and if the pistons are stuck in the cylinders (common on sitters) a good long soak in PB blaster will free them. Just don't bang on the pistons as the cranks are built and if they get out of whack it takes specialty jigs and tools to correct.

but they are a blast to ride and take hooligan to a new level. Good luck should you get it and keep us updated on the progress.

Quote from: sofadriver on April 29, 2013, 10:22:17 PM
only rode one but it had expansion chambers on it with those teeny tiny little mufflers.

in 1st and 2nd it was like this;
ringy-ting-ting-ting slow boring ho-hum .......oh!........OMG! What the fu.........HOLY SHIT !!--ARGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

it was a little pipey 

Dammit!  I couldn't sleep last night and woke my wife at 4am laughing my ass off at this post!

Thanks for the pic DP and the tips Yamifixer!

Will post pics if he comes off it.

Heres mine





at this point I have ditched the "MadMax" fairing , mirrors and turn signals .

As said these bikes are an "E" ticket ride when you do the ton you are truly riding

I have gone to a fireball electronic ignition so red line is about 11,500

2 great sites I use

http://www.usa2strokers.com/forum/default.asp

http://www.2strokeworld.com/forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=8ecbe4e9f155dd2878b6a32c95a842a7;wwwRedirect

and a slow site

http://www.boards2go.com/boards/board.cgi?user=yamahaley


You will never regret getting this bike ............but it is addictive..........."I love the smell of Castor Oil in the morning...It smells like Victory"

I loved those bikes but at the time they made them they were a little pricey for me and when I was making enough money my chosen recreation required four wheels. 

I have an RD350. I love that thing!!! It keeps up side by side with the 620. Of course starts to fall off a bit after 100 lol.

Make sure to keep 2stroke oil in it, have fun! Carry extra spark plugs lol

Here's mine;