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Yamaha RD400 Restoration - Printable Version

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Yamaha RD400 Restoration - Scoobynut_imp - 07-14-2013

Here are some photos of an RD400 I bought a couple years ago from an estate. It was in a garden shed, as near as I could tell with the license tags and registration papers, since 1980.

As found in the summer of 2011:

[url=http://s173.photobucket.com/user/cyrenus/media/P1020203_zps2dc1ba86.jpg.html][Image: 7e8a6c71e25406a729d72f423bf9a120.jpg]

After a quick clean up a few days later:

[url=http://s173.photobucket.com/user/cyrenus/media/P1020233.jpg.html][Image: 38c1baac853674c44c1557578266abc9.jpg]

It's possible all these miles were put on from 1977 to 1980:
[url=http://s173.photobucket.com/user/cyrenus/media/P1020229_zpsfbdff03b.jpg.html][Image: c2674e686d5f628bc84dedabb3ce3ed7.jpg]

Is this why it sat dormant for so long? Carbs came with bike, but were in an ice cream bucket. Amazingly, all the parts were present and accounted for:

[url=http://s173.photobucket.com/user/cyrenus/media/P1020243_zpsc2d87a86.jpg.html][Image: aa745a0c2dd1dfd28275b1a8af326f5d.jpg]

Myself and a friend finally started working on it this Spring. We rebuilt and installed the carbs, flushed the oil injection lines and it fired up after a few kicks. Mechanic friend who has lots of experience with the old 2-strokes says the motor sounds extremely healthy. Now we're going through bearings, cables and all the other stuff a bike would need after sitting for over 30 years. We will also replace a few parts like the cracked turn-signal lens. He's doing most of the mechanical work, while I'm cleaning everything.


Wheels off for cleaning and new tires:
[url=http://s173.photobucket.com/user/cyrenus/media/photo_zpsd9d1c6b5.jpg.html][Image: 831f334a8517a65d2f76ef9eff2550b8.jpg]

[url=http://s173.photobucket.com/user/cyrenus/media/photo2_zpsd217fa00.jpg.html][Image: 1de389e7ad472a48138d873d1f21fd49.jpg]

This wheel should look good once I remove all the crud:

[url=http://s173.photobucket.com/user/cyrenus/media/PWheel_zpse545c98f.jpg.html][Image: 30023f808647f8c84006634d798e944a.jpg]

I restored the original finish on the tank, and also used Rusteco to return the insides to like new. Other than a few little scuffs in the paint, it's nearly perfect. It turned out very nicely.

[url=http://s173.photobucket.com/user/cyrenus/media/photo3_zps4ba39bcd.jpg.html][Image: 050016a2391511a4de76095939c7bf9d.jpg]

Will keep this thread updated as we make progress, probably in our usual fits-and-starts.
Oh, forgot to mention, I paid $350 for the RD. They also threw in a nice '73 RD350 for another $350, which my friend bought from them. A pretty nice little score for us I'd say.

RE: Yamaha RD400 Restoration - the Ferret - 07-14-2013

Nice job so far. Outstanding little motorcycles. I had a 73 RD 350. Very quick, great brakes, decent handling. An RD will make the CB seem large lol

RE: Yamaha RD400 Restoration - wildezt_imp - 07-14-2013

IMHO best two stroke ever to own the streets...torque induction..and one of the best sounding 2 strokes..it had that Vrooom sound..

RE: Yamaha RD400 Restoration - Jim21680_imp - 07-14-2013

Wow, this will certainly be interesting to follow. I'm really amazed how well the tank turned out, nice work on it. I assume the tires were shot (flat spots?) Keep us posted, and good luck with it!

RE: Yamaha RD400 Restoration - Scoobynut_imp - 07-14-2013

(07-14-2013, 03:54 AM)wildezt_imp Wrote: IMHO best two stroke ever to own the streets...torque induction..and one of the best sounding 2 strokes..it had that Vrooom sound..

I've heard a few soundclips on youtube and you're right, they sound very racy and cool!
(07-14-2013, 03:24 AM)The ferret_imp Wrote: Nice job so far. Outstanding little motorcycles. I had a 73 RD 350. Very quick, great brakes, decent handling. An RD will make the CB seem large lol

It does have a nice looong, flat seat though!
(07-14-2013, 03:56 AM)Jim21680_imp Wrote: Wow, this will certainly be interesting to follow. I'm really amazed how well the tank turned out, nice work on it. I assume the tires were shot (flat spots?) Keep us posted, and good luck with it!

Yep, tires were hard as a rock. No reason to take chances where the rubber hits the road, right?

RE: Yamaha RD400 Restoration - ChipBeck_imp - 07-14-2013

Scoobynut,

Yes that was a score indeed. I wanted an RD400 so bad when I was in college but never could swing it. I've always admired those two strokes but I've never ridden one. It looks like it will be an amazing survivor when you're finished. Really nice.

Chip

RE: Yamaha RD400 Restoration - Scoobynut_imp - 07-15-2013

(07-14-2013, 03:41 PM)ChipBeck_imp Wrote: Scoobynut,

Yes that was a score indeed. I wanted an RD400 so bad when I was in college but never could swing it. I've always admired those two strokes but I've never ridden one. It looks like it will be an amazing survivor when you're finished. Really nice.

Chip

Chip, my story is pretty similar to yours; I remember going to the local Yamaha dealer in 1980 when I was still in high school, and they had a leftover '78 RD400 on the showroom floor which I wanted SO badly. But like you when you were in college, at the time I could barely scrape together enough change for bootleg beer let alone a brand-new motorcycle!

Honestly, I'd rather buy an already restored bike, but I figured for 350 bucks it was worth spending some time and money on a nice original bike like this one. That, and I couldn't stand the thought of some kid getting a hold of it and abusing it into oblivion...

RE: Yamaha RD400 Restoration - Guth_imp - 07-15-2013

Nice score and great story/photos. Thanks for sharing and looking forward to keeping up with your progress.

RE: Yamaha RD400 Restoration - Scoobynut_imp - 07-15-2013

(07-15-2013, 12:49 AM)Guth_imp Wrote: Nice score and great story/photos. Thanks for sharing and looking forward to keeping up with your progress.

Thanks, Guth. I should have some more pictures of our glacial progress later this week. I could get so much done if I didn't have a job and a teenage boy in the house (my other full time job)!

RE: Yamaha RD400 Restoration - Scoobynut_imp - 07-15-2013

I made a little more progress tonight; cleaned the rear wheel as best I could in the two hours free time I had. It turned out pretty nice, but still needs a little more detail work. The bike appears to have some sort of chain oiler, but man did it make a mess. I think I'll block it off or remove it before I start riding the bike, for obvious reasons. Before and After pics:

[url=http://s173.photobucket.com/user/cyrenus/media/IMG_2669_zps62af4e4b.jpg.html][Image: c5166df6cf30499c230698a3a7c23336.jpg]

[url=http://s173.photobucket.com/user/cyrenus/media/IMG_6878_zps0ae395e4.jpg.html][Image: 3b288bcea8a884b5f34b60f24f5a9759.jpg]