Yamaha RD400

[SportsterDoc]

https://www.eurocyclelasvegas.com/invent...6-2670925i

Do not ask me why I was perusing pre-owned bikes at the local Moto Guzi / Triumph dealer...

[the Ferret]

wow that little 2 stroke has nearly 35,000 miles on it.

I had a 73 RD 350. First year of the reed valves. Fun little bike, but little was the operative word.

[SportsterDoc]

wow that little 2 stroke has nearly 35,000 miles on it.

I had a 73 RD 350. First year of the reed valves. Fun little bike, but little was the operative word.

Sure would stand straight up without playing with the clutch!

[LongRanger_imp]

https://www.eurocyclelasvegas.com/invent...6-2670925i

Do not ask me why I was perusing pre-owned bikes at the local Moto Guzi / Triumph dealer...

It's for the same reason I look at the bikes on Craigslist and eBay almost daily.

Good timing with this RD400. Earlier this week I was the high bidder on a '75 CB400F, a bike I owned in the early 80's. Don't ask me why I bid on it. I was relieved when someone outbid me.

[GoldOxide_imp]

I had a '76 RD400. Many, many memories.

Mine did not have the "duck tail" like the one shown in the URL. However, the speedometer was the old-world mph, and miles for the odo. Those are distant daze.

[Nortoon_imp]

I had a new 1971 350 RS. Great little bike. Flipped the handlebars upside-down and had an instant café racer. Top speed 103 MPH and could run all day at 80 MPH. Light, nimble, and really easy to maintain.

Put 10,000 miles on it the first year I owned it and sold it the following year to buy a Kawasaki H2 Mach IV.

[apex1_imp]

I had a red 1977 RD400 that I bought new in college that was exactly like the one in the link. It is hard to believe that bike is so clean after 35,000 miles. I would not be surprised if that motor has has to be rebuilt over the life of that bike. Tiny transfer ports often got blocked with carbon and seizures were not uncommon. Plus, with a roller bearing crank I would think that 35,000 miles would take quite a toll. Nothing wrong if it has seen motor work--I would consider it normal.

[Bheezy27403_imp]

I was waiting for this response!

[LongRanger_imp]

m in sc, great catch! The spokes should have tipped me off too, but I wouldn't have recognized the other inconsistencies.

The CB400F I was looking at was claimed to be 100% original and stock, but it wasnt. Correct 4-into-1 headers but wrong muffler, wrong grips, wrong mirrors, wrong bolts on dash, and the frame tubing under the seat looked like it had been rewelded (and quite poorly, I might add). Fine for a runner, and my bid represented it, but if someone pays big bucks for that 45-year old bike, they're in for a surprise.

[jimgl3_imp]

I would give my eye teeth to have my RZ350 still