I recently picked up a "74 RD350. It has new top end with the work done by Chuck Quenzler in Fla. The bike runs very well in it's current form and I'm quite enjoying it. Me being me, I'm always looking for a touch more. All of my (forgive me for I have sinned) 4T's have been tweaked. Usually airbox removal, pipes, and jetting. New pipes on the injected bikes as well. So the question is, do I leave well enough alone or buy the DG pipes for sale in the classified ads currently on this site. What does that entail? Just a rejet? The bike is currently sans airbox with the 2 into 1 filter. What can be expected with the pipe addition? Let it be known this is not going to be a racer so rideability is my main concern. If it could still be smooth with the power staying around where it is now with it's decent torque curve but a little more umph and sound I'm in. Are these things possible?
I mean, IMHO i think chambers will always help with overall power.. but there's costs/tradeoffs. for example, say goodbye to the centerstand and you need to modify the side stand position, or at least how it sits on the bike.
I know of 1 currently made pipe that retains both, thats the j&l retro pipes.
Is it worth it? for dgs not IMHO. for maybe garrets pipes, or specII's or j&l yes but then you def need to retune. If you are liking it the way it is, leave it alone. does it have elec ignition? if not, id look at that next.
:twocents:
When DG's were $250 shipped (what I paid 7 years ago), that was an epic deal. At almost $500 for a new set, I don't think they are worth it. For that used set, maybe...
Now that the prices are ridiculous for DG's, i'd seriously be considering Garret's pipes.
The center stand was never that big of a deal to me.
If you are going to replace the stock pipes, you need something that looks a little sexy on the bike.
Anybody ever ran these?
https://patriotracingindustries.com/exhaust/ (https://patriotracingindustries.com/exhaust/)
Ad claims they are working on a swingarm as well. Interesting.
Quote from: m in sc on October 21, 2021, 10:42:14 AM
I mean, IMHO i think chambers will always help with overall power.. but there's costs/tradeoffs. for example, say goodbye to the centerstand and you need to modify the side stand position, or at least how it sits on the bike.
I know of 1 currently made pipe that retains both, thats the j&l retro pipes.
Is it worth it? for dgs not IMHO. for maybe garrets pipes, or specII's or j&l yes but then you def need to retune. If you are liking it the way it is, leave it alone. does it have elec ignition? if not, id look at that next.
:twocents:
I do like the centerstand on a bike that requires as much maintenance as a 47 year old one will, but, it's not a deal breaker. Not real keen to mess around with moving the side stand unless there is some sort of plug and play piece for it. What does the side stand modification entail?
As for ignition it is still running points.
Im with m in sc.. if you want some more id go electronic ignition. I added the treatland hpi system to my bike and the mid range was noticeably better. Ive since removed it only because the flywheel is ultra lite and i missed being able to have a low idle. My big thing with my rd is ro have it the best for bombing around town and the high idle and subsequent extra smoke wasnt to my liking. I will say that most guys dont care or even pay any attention to this. Im probably the only one ro have ever complained about it lol.
Ive recently ordered a Vape from EconomyCycle because it has a bigger flywheel like the ones on rz350's so that will get me the flywheel effect i desire. Also im not a fan of loud and 1 i to 2 intake drone is something i will always avoid... same with chambers.. id love the extra power but for an around town bike the noise isnt something i want.
Quote from: rodneya on October 21, 2021, 11:42:47 AM
If you are going to replace the stock pipes, you need something that looks a little sexy on the bike.
Anybody ever ran these?
https://patriotracingindustries.com/exhaust/ (https://patriotracingindustries.com/exhaust/)
Ad claims they are working on a swingarm as well. Interesting.
That's Chris Redpath's company. (The company was recently rebranded from MotoGP Werks to Patriot Racing.) A lot of top-tier race team experience in that shop! I've been meaning to go over there and check them out because they're not too far from me. The pipes are a new product so I don't think anyone here has tried them yet, but it would be interesting to hear a comparison. Back in 2012 he had some prototypes available for the RD400 but I don't believe they ever went commercial with them back then.
The comment on their site about CalFab swingarms coming soon is exciting!
Very good price on those pipes.
$449? For those?? There's about to be another set of DGs available!
i just wrote them and asked if they can or will do t500 exhausts. the options out there are dismal. the titan performance pipes are pretty but.. well, performance sucks.
I'm 'kin IN. Placed a pre-order, so I'll be the guinea pig on these :metal:
Deep manifolds too.
Quote from: 85RZwade on October 21, 2021, 04:00:02 PM
I'm 'kin IN. Placed a pre-order, so I'll be the guinea pig on these :metal:
I wonder if the more pre orders the faster produced? Maybe they are waiting for a certain amount.
The more the merrier! Ring-da-da-ding, ding, ding-ding
Quote from: 85RZwade on October 21, 2021, 04:31:50 PM
The more the merrier! Ring-da-da-ding, ding, ding-ding
Enabler! LOL.
I do like my Retro's after Garrett fixed the leaky manifold though... AND since getting the frame powder coated the pin for the center stand wouldn't go back in without sanding the stuff out and.... I don't really miss it yet.
I asked about RD400 swingarm got this reply---- Hi,
I built 10x about 11 yrs ago and it took 8yrs to sell them nowadays I have to build 20x usually per model to make it just under $1000 so I will need preorders before spending 10k on building the swingarms as I don't want to be stuck with 19 of them on the shelf.
If you really need one ASAP then I could build juts one ,price would be around 1200-1350 (130 per hr shop rate )
Thanks Chris
:jacked: 'Kay, so he says he needs 3-4 pre-orders to sit down at the welder. Let's get on this, folks; I know who has 350s, so don't make me name names :help:
Quote from: 85RZwade on October 21, 2021, 05:49:45 PM
:jacked: 'Kay, so he says he needs 3-4 pre-orders to sit down at the welder. Let's get on this, folks; I know who has 350s, so don't make me name names :help:
go here - https://www.2strokeworld.net/forum/index.php?topic=3838.0
Ayup, similar to the response I got regarding pipes.
There's a CHANCE I may have gotten a little excited about this whole proposition...
Quote from: 85RZwade on October 21, 2021, 06:31:06 PM
Ayup, similar to the response I got regarding pipes.
There's a CHANCE I may have gotten a little excited about this whole proposition...
Did he give you a price on one set of pipes?
Nope, just the $130/hr rate if I want a set right away. Website has $449.
Quote from: 85RZwade on October 21, 2021, 07:30:24 PM
Nope, just the $130/hr rate if I want a set right away. Website has $449.
So long as the preorder isn't charged until delivered, I might get in on it and help the cause Wade. Do I need 'em? No. But, it never hurts to have garage wall art until the time is right!
I tried to order a set using their online form, but it said it couldn't ship to my address. I emailed Chris and he told me about needing 3-4 orders; I think the site won't complete an order for something he doesn't have in stock. He has my email address, and now my buddy Denny's as a pre-order list. If you want to send him your email and what type of pipes you want, that'd be 3 sets... :whistle:
send him a link to this thread maybe?
sooooo....it's sounding like I need to get some pipes. I put some on my Bonneville and nailed the jetting straight away. I hope I can duplicate that again!
I know it probably depends on the pipe, but, I would like a linear torque curve (at least as much as possible). I don't want to have to be WOT to experience gains. Possible?
not quite that simple. take everything you know about 4 stroke tuning and throw it away. almost none of it applies here.
id strongly recommend a CDI before pipes in what you are looking for. :twocents:
possible? yes. but it takes a bit of work top get a 'linear' power band on a 2 stroke, particularly an RD. but to that point, my T500, 70 R5, and Grom with LT250 r motor achieve this but both are piston ports that don't rev over 8500. and they also all have stock pipes.
Quote from: m in sc on October 22, 2021, 12:47:00 PM
not quite that simple. take everything you know about 4 stroke tuning and throw it away. almost none of it applies here.
id strongly recommend a CDI before pipes in what you are looking for. :twocents:
possible? yes. but it takes a bit of work top get a 'linear' power band on a 2 stroke, particularly an RD. but to that point, my T500, 70 R5, and Grom with LT250 r motor achieve this but both are piston ports that don't rev over 8500. and they also all have stock pipes.
What ignition do you reccomend?
the Vape is a solid unit. its static timing curve, but you can use a zeel box later to add a curve.. or not. I have these on 3 bikes. https://www.economycycle.com/product-category/yamaha-rd250350400r5ds6ds7-parts/electrical-ignitions-lighting/ignition/cdi-ignition-systems-components/mzb-powerdynamo-zeeltronic-ignition-systems/
and, you dont need a battery to run with the vape. (added bonus). + more lighting wattage than you'll ever need. my .02
also.. we get a forum discount. :olaf: (s2w)
I also have an HPI cdi, which has a curve but not for the faint of heart for wiring & setup by comparison, its gets a bit more complicated. either way, its an overall improvement with any cdi.
Another consideration is what type of riding you do. I live in the city I do mostly 20-30 mph riding, and to be honest, the chambers make it kind of a pain. I have to get up to 7k RPM to hit the powerband, so I'm constantly revving high to get it moving, then stop 10 seconds later at the next light/stop sign, meanwhile pissing off everyone on the street, scaring dogs, making babies cry, etc. I've never had stock pipes on my bike, but from what I've heard, they would've let me have just as much fun but at lower RPMs better suited for the city riding that I do. But, if you're going to be riding at higher speeds for extended stretches, the relative lack of low end power might not be a big factor for you.
FYI if you go with the Vape, Chuck (SUPERTUNE) did a great write up that walks through the process in excellent detail. Even with my limited mechanical knowledge and skills, I was able to use that to install it with no hiccups. http://www.2strokeworld.net/forum/index.php?topic=855.0
Quote from: NYSingh on October 22, 2021, 02:05:17 PM
Another consideration is what type of riding you do. I live in the city I do mostly 20-30 mph riding, and to be honest, the chambers make it kind of a pain. I have to get up to 7k RPM to hit the powerband, so I'm constantly revving high to get it moving, then stop 10 seconds later at the next light/stop sign, meanwhile pissing off everyone on the street, scaring dogs, making babies cry, etc. I've never had stock pipes on my bike, but from what I've heard, they would've let me have just as much fun but at lower RPMs better suited for the city riding that I do. But, if you're going to be riding at higher speeds for extended stretches, the relative lack of low end power might not be a big factor for you.
FYI if you go with the Vape, Chuck (SUPERTUNE) did a great write up that walks through the process in excellent detail. Even with my limited mechanical knowledge and skills, I was able to use that to install it with no hiccups. http://www.2strokeworld.net/forum/index.php?topic=855.0
That's my fear. I couldn't care less about crying babies but I don't want to have to live at he upper end of the tach to get power. Now, that being said, I think the peak power and torque stock is up @ 7k anyway but there is still usable power below that. I don't want to lose that. I'll grab a vape to start and make my decision on pipes after that.
Now, aluminum swingarm..... :umm:
Pipes have always made the biggest difference for me but i've been messing with LC stuff that likely has better ignition in place than the RD. Get Garrett's pipes. They're going to be better. Not sue why you would spend on the swingarm when you can get pipes + ignition for that much? Many pipes are going to get you better power across the band despite max power being higher (obv exceptions).
Quote from: motodreams on October 22, 2021, 03:51:48 PM
Pipes have always made the biggest difference for me but i've been messing with LC stuff that likely has better ignition in place than the RD. Get Garrett's pipes. They're going to be better. Not sue why you would spend on the swingarm when you can get pipes + ignition for that much? Many pipes are going to get you better power across the band despite max power being higher (obv exceptions).
Thanks for the reply. I'm going to do the ignition and then make the call on the pipes. As for the swingarm, I've had a couple RD's in boxes I've been trying to get put back together and have always fancied an Al piece.
I want to thank everyone for the replies. Seems to be a good group. I'll be back with more questions I'm sure.
Quote from: 85RZwade on October 21, 2021, 05:49:45 PM
:jacked: 'Kay, so he says he needs 3-4 pre-orders to sit down at the welder. Let's get on this, folks; I know who has 350s, so don't make me name names :help:
Does it have to be for 350, would think not only slight mounting difference and manifolds.
I'll ask; I hope not, as my buddy signed on for a 400 set
Is there a link to this "Garrett" fellas website?
Quote from: bheezy27403 on October 22, 2021, 05:33:14 PM
Is there a link to this "Garrett" fellas website?
https://www.2strokeworld.net/forum/index.php?board=25.0
The swingarm is almost all bling, and not much else. Maybe if you go an inch longer, okay, there's a bit of improvement in the anti-wheelie department. But wheelies are fun.
This is the man making the Patriot expansion chambers:
https://www.cycleworld.com/2013/05/30/chris-redpath-motogp-werks-mechanic-and-fabricator/ (https://www.cycleworld.com/2013/05/30/chris-redpath-motogp-werks-mechanic-and-fabricator/)
I sent hima message on his website contact form to put me down for one set of 350 pipes. So.... mayhaps he'll build them? :D
That's 3 pre-orders that I count :love eyes:
Meanwhile, back in Hungary...
(http://suprememotos.com/uploads/postfotos/yamaha-rd350-r5-rd400-expansion-chambers-race-style-exhausts-stainlesssteel-1.JPG)
I was one of the suckers who paid about $500 for a set of new DG's to mount on my RD250B. In my defense they were still some of the cheapest readily available chambers for our bikes. However I had to learn the hard way. These pipes are way to loud with no real power benefit for my bike as far as I can see. Sound cool at idle and just ripping thru the gears for the first ten minutes and then get annoying with more riding at least in my opinion. I did have to lose the centerstand and I spent another I dunno 80 or $90 bucks on a fancy side stand relocating bracket with a bad return spring that I resolved by combining half of it with half of the original spring, it was from HVC Cycles (Economy Cycles competitor). Lastly I lost a lot of ground clearance with the chambers that I actually find kinda useful as I do sometimes take the bike just a bit off road around my yard so yeah I put some minor dents in it. What I found is that I like the look of the stock pipes better and the other thing is if your not gonna invest in some rearsets $$$ which are spendy then the chambers will look terribly out of place with the stock footpegs and bracket. Oh and I really do miss my centerstand. So I am actually reverting back to stock. Just acquired a spare centerstand and spring and ditto for the side stand and it's spring to replace with. Part of the reason why I took a chance with the chambers was my original center stand had one foot rotted out so it needed to be replaced anyways, curiosity too about chambers and also I was just happy to throw stupid money at my bike in the dead of winter with nothing else to spend it on. For example I have no kids or girlfriend :rolleyes: :whistle:
Bummer Ryan. I've never ran DGs but have ran pipes on an R5 that likely make similar power. I'd say that minus the center stand and/or side stand mods that you'd be hard pressed on a 4t to get these gains from a freaking pipe though... All things being equal I'd have a set of Spec 2s over DGs but if a centerstand is crucial, JL retros are available for cheap from time to time.
DGs= JL retros for performance
Spec 2>DGs for similar price... Graham's pipes might be even better for similar price as well...
I spent a good amount of time today on my 72 with pipelynes and vape w Zeel. so good .
I do like those JL Retros. They got just the right look and I would like to keep the center stand so that's a bonus. I do have the Vape ignition and that was money well spent. I don't know too much tuning wise to make it work any better as far as adjusting the ignition curve with the Zeel although it's nice to know it's there. However I'm excited. Honestly I got the Vape the same time I got the DG's and really just did too many things at once so I'll be curious to see how far out of whack the jetting is when I finally have the stock pipes back on.
I find the RD's to be an interesting bike to look at. It's funny I've been approached by strangers with compliments on the bike and a few have said it reminded them of something from the fifties or sixties. I think that maybe something to do with the chrome fenders and tail light/bracket As well as the headlight and it's bracket. Although it is very much a seventies bike in terms of styling I can where the untrained eye would see it as much older bike, a throwback to the English bikes. In that regard I find the RD's to be a bit polarizing with all there chrome. One of my buddies even suggested there's too much chrome and possibly painting the chrome bits black which would probably play a whole lot better with something like the DG pipes. I guess where I wasn't planning on doing a repaint and just living with it's current "survivor look" I feel the original pipes will be my cheapest and most sensible best looking and I hope best performing direction for this bike.
So a few weeks ago and what kinda prompted me to take action with putting the pipes back on was that I accidently had parked the bike on some unlevel parking lot with not enough lean on the side stand. This is partly due to the HVC stand bracket mod giving the bike less lean onto the stand. Well unfortunately after a second or two at rest the bike fell on over on her right side, I was bummed. Not too much damage, bent the brake lever, scuffed up the brake reservoir cap, put the head light brackets all outta whack and bent, put a small dimple in the right front turnsignal chrome bezel and of course smashed it's plastic lens to bits. I dunno I know I spent some dough but that was few years ago and I had fun with it doing the chambered pipe thing. It's ok in the scheme of things it wasn't a whole lot of money. I did learn something after the bike fell off the sidestand as when I bought the bike it always had these symetrical strips of paint missing and replaced with ages of rusty patina on the headlight brackets. More than likely because this wasn't the first time she fell off her side stand. I always thought they were present because someone had maybe put and took off some kinda front rack on the bike which doesn't really make as much sense. And that's another question I have where can I get a nice set of original straight headlight brackets?
The 250's and 350's do look 50's 60's to me (British), wasn't till 400 looked 70's 80's and really 78 for 80's (seat cowl made big difference). The RD60 led the way, don't know why it took Yamaha so long to transfer look to the larger models.
Yeah I mean I hate to be that guy but it's either all or nothing with these bikes. Seems like you either get the stock look or you start modding them and I can see where a few folks would take the mods to a higher level with the cafe resto mod route and start changing out the seat and eliminating the rear fender with a more fastback look.
I ran a set of modified DG's for a while. They were a bit beat up after being sandblasted and then stored for about 35 years with the rest of the bike in boxes. I cut off the rear cones because of damage and replace them with new cones, stingers and Tyga silencers. Performance and sound were improved, but you would have to get the pipes really cheap to be worth wile.
Since then the bike has had some major changes and I had to make my own pipes and silencers to make them work.
this is how the 72 is, not going to change much else aside from getting the seat redone (stock r5, not the rd seat thats on it). The disc conversion was done 15 yrs ago. :twocents:
I think I have mentioned this before but in the late '70s we would take our bikes to the local drag strip. I took my stock RD400 and it ran a 14.2. Then I went back the next weekend with my new DGs and a little bigger main jet, 13.7.
I mean try spending $500 on a four stroke and lose half a second!
well...
https://store.schnitzracing.com/nx-four-cylinder-motorcycle-ddr-nitrous-system/?sku=62000P&gclid=EAIaIQobChMItI7bkaj18wIVwbyGCh3p4grqEAQYAiABEgJx4vD_BwE
:devil:
Touché. Would you like the 15,20,75 or 200hp version?
Duh! Why even offer anything besides the 200hp kit?
Quote from: RDryan on October 30, 2021, 10:12:13 PM
I do like those JL Retros. They got just the right look and I would like to keep the center stand so that's a bonus. I do have the Vape ignition and that was money well spent. I don't know too much tuning wise to make it work any better as far as adjusting the ignition curve with the Zeel although it's nice to know it's there. However I'm excited. Honestly I got the Vape the same time I got the DG's and really just did too many things at once so I'll be curious to see how far out of whack the jetting is when I finally have the stock pipes back on.
I find the RD's to be an interesting bike to look at. It's funny I've been approached by strangers with compliments on the bike and a few have said it reminded them of something from the fifties or sixties. I think that maybe something to do with the chrome fenders and tail light/bracket As well as the headlight and it's bracket. Although it is very much a seventies bike in terms of styling I can where the untrained eye would see it as much older bike, a throwback to the English bikes. In that regard I find the RD's to be a bit polarizing with all there chrome. One of my buddies even suggested there's too much chrome and possibly painting the chrome bits black which would probably play a whole lot better with something like the DG pipes. I guess where I wasn't planning on doing a repaint and just living with it's current "survivor look" I feel the original pipes will be my cheapest and most sensible best looking and I hope best performing direction for this bike.
So a few weeks ago and what kinda prompted me to take action with putting the pipes back on was that I accidently had parked the bike on some unlevel parking lot with not enough lean on the side stand. This is partly due to the HVC stand bracket mod giving the bike less lean onto the stand. Well unfortunately after a second or two at rest the bike fell on over on her right side, I was bummed. Not too much damage, bent the brake lever, scuffed up the brake reservoir cap, put the head light brackets all outta whack and bent, put a small dimple in the right front turnsignal chrome bezel and of course smashed it's plastic lens to bits. I dunno I know I spent some dough but that was few years ago and I had fun with it doing the chambered pipe thing. It's ok in the scheme of things it wasn't a whole lot of money. I did learn something after the bike fell off the sidestand as when I bought the bike it always had these symetrical strips of paint missing and replaced with ages of rusty patina on the headlight brackets. More than likely because this wasn't the first time she fell off her side stand. I always thought they were present because someone had maybe put and took off some kinda front rack on the bike which doesn't really make as much sense. And that's another question I have where can I get a nice set of original straight headlight brackets?
Well I spent a better part of yesterday putting the stock pipes back on my little RD250B along with it's new to it centerstand and sidestand. What can I say...she sits just right like remembered her before the DG pipe experience on her sidestand and the centerstand will not only add some significant weight but with the the no nonsense utility that is practically speaking priceless. The bike looks just right aesthetically only because like I said earlier I never invested into a set of rearsets. The sound was remarkably quieter, I forgot how much of a joy these bikes can be this way. Yeah she lost her tooth so to speak but at least the offensive loud droning of a set of chambers is gone when I am mostly cruising behind some traffic anyways cause I do live in a overcrowded seaside suburb of points north of Boston,Ma. Hard to find less traffic unless you ride in the off hours usually early mornings or late in the dark and there's that the RD250 can actually do a bit more than keep up with traffic.
Last but not least it was an event cleaning up the splooge from those chambers all over the front of the engine not to mention some silly shift shaft seal that although replaced even the replacement likes to leave marks. It was also an event installing both the centerstand and sidestand. mostly because of my lack of experience fitting on the return springs and trying to recall how these things were installed with the correct hardware. So mind you she fired up on the first kick, I hadn't changed those Autolite plugs in over a couple thousand miles, absolutely didn't touch the carbs which I think I am running 190 main jets but it's been awhile so I'm not sure about that. The bike ran great with minimal smoking. The stock exhausts seemed to restore a lot pep down low so yeah low end was increased. Seemed like it took a good 15 minutes of backroads riding for her to warm up and wanna pull cleanly above 7k to say 8500 rpms. She did seem to lose a bit of power in the midrange to top end just going by my seat of the pants feel. However that power with this bike seems trivial, I mean she did gain some weight. :'(but I think with some tuning with what I got this seems a sensible option. If you followed an earlier thread I started about a local to H2 750 for sale well let's just say I got the two stroke bug. :guinness: I may never own a Kawi triple but I still love to look for good deals on our kinda bikes. I'm game for a RD350, heck I may even do the conversion to mine but I kinda think it maybe more practical to preserve it as is and have both. I dunno I like the bike stock, although I would add that the Vape ignition system really took this bike to the level it's at. The bike is more forgiving of my ignorance in terms of jetting/engine tuning.
I can't speak on actual experience on chambers vs stock exhaust on a RD350 but John who did my top end bore and porting for my R5 talked to me at length on plus or minus of chambers for my build.
The big question for him was intentions of use. I will be using this bike for town and country riding along with a bit of highway use.
He recommended me staying with stock pipes and did his work accordingly.. his reasoning was as to having a better broad torque band and good low speed response vs a more high strung experience. I wanted a little better performance but long term reliability is my biggest factor in this particular build. He advised me on some minor carb work, for me to install a Vape ignition and take time to get the jetting correct.
I'm hoping come spring to be on the road here with my R5 and be able to report on whether it all works out.
I have my other R5 I will be building for track days and will be a bit more aggressive in the build..and of course be using chambers.
At that point I'll have a bit more experience and knowledge to share.
one suggestion is to get rd350 baffles. they flow better than r5 ones.
my old lc hybrid (the estate wagon) had stock pipes, and was down right quick and an absolute pleasure to ride, i mean it just ripped. The current owner agrees as well. Had so much torque i put a 17t sprocket on the front an would still wheelie in 1st and second under power. it was ridiculous, but signed off around 8-8500.
(https://www.2strokeworld.net/wp-content/uploads/other-bikes-related/dunkin-wagon.jpg)
What a cool bike Mark.
THANKS. long story on that one.. i probably should have kept it. But, it has a great home.. as long as it doesn't get crashed on a runway in Alabama like a certain 400 did. ( a few people know this story). :eek: :dawg:
Quote from: soonerbillz on November 05, 2021, 02:30:57 PM
I can't speak on actual experience on chambers vs stock exhaust on a RD350 but John who did my top end bore and porting for my R5 talked to me at length on plus or minus of chambers for my build.
The big question for him was intentions of use. I will be using this bike for town and country riding along with a bit of highway use.
He recommended me staying with stock pipes and did his work accordingly.. his reasoning was as to having a better broad torque band and good low speed response vs a more high strung experience. I wanted a little better performance but long term reliability is my biggest factor in this particular build. He advised me on some minor carb work, for me to install a Vape ignition and take time to get the jetting correct.
I'm hoping come spring to be on the road here with my R5 and be able to report on whether it all works out.
I have my other R5 I will be building for track days and will be a bit more aggressive in the build..and of course be using chambers.
At that point I'll have a bit more experience and knowledge to share.
I 100% agree... I have an RD400 and all I use it for is bombing around town and relaxed sunday rides. Stock pipes and complete stock airbox is a must for me for a bike to be used this way. I'm far more interested in low-mid power and torque. I rarely rev past 6000rpm (there's just no need when most of the power is before that) and most of the time I find im around 3000-4500rpm. I had 2 into 1 air intake on it at one time and the intake drone drove me nuts and also moved the powerband up higher. Found a stock airbox on fleabay, rejetted and the bike became much more of a joy to ride. having said that I love aftermarket chambers but I just can't have that much noise and lack of lower grunt.
I definitely appreciate the merits of a stocker and would love to hear more about Mark's LC "estate". On the other hand you can have a somewhat (if noisy) Dr Jekyll and mr Hyde bike with pipes. After a bunch of tuning and messing around my RD is super smooth below the powerband, makes enough power to get ahead of traffic and is a riot on the pipe. Not saying there's no trade off but it's atleast okay in town now that it idles.
Quote from: rd400canuck on November 05, 2021, 04:07:49 PM
Quote from: soonerbillz on November 05, 2021, 02:30:57 PM
I can't speak on actual experience on chambers vs stock exhaust on a RD350 but John who did my top end bore and porting for my R5 talked to me at length on plus or minus of chambers for my build.
The big question for him was intentions of use. I will be using this bike for town and country riding along with a bit of highway use.
He recommended me staying with stock pipes and did his work accordingly.. his reasoning was as to having a better broad torque band and good low speed response vs a more high strung experience. I wanted a little better performance but long term reliability is my biggest factor in this particular build. He advised me on some minor carb work, for me to install a Vape ignition and take time to get the jetting correct.
I'm hoping come spring to be on the road here with my R5 and be able to report on whether it all works out.
I have my other R5 I will be building for track days and will be a bit more aggressive in the build..and of course be using chambers.
At that point I'll have a bit more experience and knowledge to share.
I 100% agree... I have an RD400 and all I use it for is bombing around town and relaxed sunday rides. Stock pipes and complete stock airbox is a must for me for a bike to be used this way. I'm far more interested in low-mid power and torque. I rarely rev past 6000rpm (there's just no need when most of the power is before that) and most of the time I find im around 3000-4500rpm. I had 2 into 1 air intake on it at one time and the intake drone drove me nuts and also moved the powerband up higher. Found a stock airbox on fleabay, rejetted and the bike became much more of a joy to ride. having said that I love aftermarket chambers but I just can't have that much noise and lack of lower grunt.
I'm starting to think along your lines. You even got me thinking about adding the airbox back (never ridden this bike with it) just to see if it has any lower end torque. I love riding in the mountains but I wonder just how often I'm gonna take a 47 year old bike up to wring it's neck in the twisties? I have other bikes that handle that well and won't be worried about breakdowns or running out of gas even. I assume I can get this thing leaned over pretty good even with the stockers on? I have an electric ignition to add and I'll see what that does to the curve when complete. I'm gonna ride as is for a bit and enjoy it, maybe the pipes come down the road a ways. If I could trust myself to get the tuning right it'd be a mark in the "pro" column for chambers but it just runs so good now I'll give it some more time and thought.
I'll have the stock airbox on my R5 but it will have the factory recommended box lid modification. The factory admitted it was too suffocating of air intake and they issued a tsa showing how to do the mod.
I posted a copy of in the tech area on this forum.
you're in the triad, right? always welcome to haul it down 77 we can go over a few things if you want one weekend.
to be honest, stock pipes and a k&n and y boot work just as well as a stock airbox down low, they have the runner length & that's what matters. i've done back to back. But, any well tuned rd can be ok down low with chambers as well. :twocents:
Quote from: m in sc on November 06, 2021, 06:00:28 PM
you're in the triad, right? always welcome to haul it down 77 we can go over a few things if you want one weekend.
to be honest, stock pipes and a k&n and y boot work just as well as a stock airbox down low, they have the runner length & that's what matters. i've done back to back. But, any well tuned rd can be ok down low with chambers as well. :twocents:
Yeah I'm in the 'Boro. I may take you up on that sometime. It'd be nice to have a set of pro eyes on it. I do have the y pipe and K&N and I think the curve is pretty decent. I buy the beer you slap on my Newtronic ignition?
You come down i'll coach and help.
newtronic. yikes. welcome to 1992 :dawg:.
Quote from: m in sc on November 07, 2021, 09:54:41 AM
You come down i'll coach and help.
newtronic. yikes. welcome to 1992 :dawg:.
Ha! Yeah, I got it for cheap in the for sale here. you should see the box, very retro. I was gonna buy the hpi during the sale but passed. I figure this thing is enough to get the job done and, for now, I don't need any bells or whistles just a piece that works. I'll shoot you a pm to see what weekend is good for you. I may drag the camper down that way and make a weekend of it since I'll be there anyway.