Bikes and Scooters

848 · 24-Jul-08, 3:13 PM

I've always had an interest in older bikes and especially cafe racers so l decided to have a go at building one myself. Alot of people tend to base them on old CB's, SR's, but l wanted something a little different. Surfing ebay l found a 76 Yamaha RD400, engine running but smoky and only $500.

Below is a pic of the bike, on the left is when l bought it and on the right is a mock up of roughly what l am hoping to create. The bike is currently completely stripped down awaiting a respray and the engine has been fully rebuilt. I intend on having it finished in the next few weeks and will add progress photos the closer l get to the end.

RD400 before and mockup

Matt

Ezyryder · 24-Jul-08, 3:40 PM

Great to see a fellow enthusiast here and also good luck with the RD - Looks like it will eventually be something definetely different. Be keen to see how you go with it

Tarzan · 24-Jul-08, 6:37 PM

geez she's come a long way...love what you're doing with the pipes...keep us posted on her progress for sure

cruisingal · 24-Jul-08, 6:58 PM

OMG, I remember those...showing my age

Can't wait to see her finished 848, goodonya

Bandit12 · 24-Jul-08, 8:07 PM

You have my interest......love strokers, especially air cooled. RD's will always be a favourite, best of luck with the project and be sure to keep the pictures coming!!!

Mad-Biker · 25-Jul-08, 5:45 AM

something different mate, ive been umming and aring for a few years about doing something similar to a RD/RZ350. She will look good, what are you planning to do with her once she is finished?

glitch_oz · 25-Jul-08, 8:36 AM

An RD cafe racer??
Christ...you're game, mate

Absolutely LOVE that hammer and gaffer tape in front of ther bike bike...that's how any good project bike should start off !!!

Congrats....and can we swap rides at some stage?
Got a 650 V-strom mongrel on offer....well....it'll be a few months, but still

It's been over a decade that I had my bum onm an RD....

From one greasemonkey to another:
Congrats and hats-off!!

24-Jul-08, 3:13 PM	#1 (permalink)
848 Just Starting Out! Member Since: Jul 2008 Location: Northcote State: Victoria Gender: Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	RD400 Cafe Racer I've always had an interest in older bikes and especially cafe racers so l decided to have a go at building one myself. Alot of people tend to base them on old CB's, SR's, but l wanted something a little different. Surfing ebay l found a 76 Yamaha RD400, engine running but smoky and only $500. Below is a pic of the bike, on the left is when l bought it and on the right is a mock up of roughly what l am hoping to create. The bike is currently completely stripped down awaiting a respray and the engine has been fully rebuilt. I intend on having it finished in the next few weeks and will add progress photos the closer l get to the end. RD400 before and mockup Matt

24-Jul-08, 3:40 PM	#2 (permalink)
Ezyryder Corner Carver Member Since: Jun 2007 Location: Hastings State: Victoria Gender: Posts: 541 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: RD400 Cafe Racer Great to see a fellow enthusiast here and also good luck with the RD - Looks like it will eventually be something definetely different. Be keen to see how you go with it __________________ Andrew "When there are two conflicting versions of a story, the wise course is to believe the one in which people appear at their worst."

24-Jul-08, 6:37 PM	#3 (permalink)
Tarzan still constipated Member Since: Dec 2007 Location: Melbun State: Victoria Gender: Posts: 1,281 My Mood: Thanks: 71 Thanked 25 Times in 20 Posts	Re: RD400 Cafe Racer geez she's come a long way...love what you're doing with the pipes...keep us posted on her progress for sure __________________ Born to be mildly wild. http://www.wspa.org.au http://www.msf.org.au/

24-Jul-08, 6:58 PM	#4 (permalink)
cruisingal Super Moderator Post Haw B&S Ambassador Member Since: Jun 2007 Location: Latrobe Valley State: Victoria Gender: Posts: 8,717 My Mood: cruisingal's Garage Blog Entries: 3 Thanks: 153 Thanked 72 Times in 63 Posts	Re: RD400 Cafe Racer OMG, I remember those...showing my age Can't wait to see her finished 848, goodonya __________________ To be wronged is nothing, unless you continue to remember it - Confuscius Lianne

24-Jul-08, 8:07 PM	#5 (permalink)
Bandit12 Starider Motorcycle Apparel www.starider.com.au Member Since: Jun 2007 Location: Bentleigh State: Victoria Gender: Posts: 244 My Mood: Thanks: 5 Thanked 8 Times in 6 Posts	Re: RD400 Cafe Racer You have my interest......love strokers, especially air cooled. RD's will always be a favourite, best of luck with the project and be sure to keep the pictures coming!!! __________________ Shane ___________________ THERE IS ONLY ONE PINK !!!

25-Jul-08, 5:45 AM	#6 (permalink)
Mad-Biker Custody Manager Member Since: Mar 2008 Location: New England State: New South Wales Gender: Posts: 1,083 My Mood: Mad-Biker's Garage Thanks: 27 Thanked 30 Times in 25 Posts	Re: RD400 Cafe Racer something different mate, ive been umming and aring for a few years about doing something similar to a RD/RZ350. She will look good, what are you planning to do with her once she is finished?

25-Jul-08, 8:36 AM	#7 (permalink)
glitch_oz The Touring Guru! Member Since: Jun 2007 State: Victoria Gender: Posts: 525 Thanks: 1 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: RD400 Cafe Racer An RD cafe racer?? Christ...you're game, mate Absolutely LOVE that hammer and gaffer tape in front of ther bike bike...that's how any good project bike should start off !!! Congrats....and can we swap rides at some stage? Got a 650 V-strom mongrel on offer....well....it'll be a few months, but still It's been over a decade that I had my bum onm an RD.... From one greasemonkey to another: Congrats and hats-off!! __________________ Cheers Pete http://www.austouring.com "Glitch"-rides...where to next ?

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