Hi All,
New member here. Recently acquired an original 1971 Yamaha R5 that I plan to build. Bike has a tad over 10,000 miles and is in running condition. Photos below make it look to be a little better condition than it actually is. The closer you look the more corrosion and misc dents you can find. I've wanted an RD350 for a long time and when I saw this pop up on Marketplace I knew I had to go and get it. Never knew about the R5 until I saw this bike and started to do research. Story I got from the owner is that this bike was purchased new and ran for 3 years by the original owner. I still have the original license plate with 71, 72, and 73 registration tags. It was then put in the original owners basement for likely 40 years. It was then purchased as part of an estate sale (with the house). That second owner sold it to the owner I purchased it from. So I'm the 4th owner.
Sorry to any of the purest here, but this bike wasn't in good enough condition for me nor does a stock RD/R5 speak to me, so I'll be slowly turning this into a custom build.
My Plans:
Suspension Swap (modern setup)
Swingarm Swap
Disc Brake Conversion
17" wheels - hoping for 150 in the rear
Electron Ignition
Engine Refresh w/mild porting
Pipes
Lectron Carbs
Here is a photo of when I first picked it up.
72013452309_resized.jpg
Stripped it Down
Sourced a Duke 390 front end and converted with All Balls Racing conversion.
Now I need to find a swing arm. I'd really like to run the duke/rc390 rims so I'll need to keep this in mind when sourcing a swing arm.
Anyone have any suggestions on a swing arm? At this point I don't mind keeping twin rear shocks or converting to a mono-shock.
IMG_2295_resized.jpg
IMG_2395_resized.jpg
IMG_2418_resized.jpg
I cant see any of the images. :huh:
Quote from: m in sc on December 17, 2023, 07:30:23 PMI cant see any of the images. :huh:
They are attached.
Quote from: 71R5JPAR on December 18, 2023, 04:55:35 AMQuote from: m in sc on December 17, 2023, 07:30:23 PMI cant see any of the images. :huh:
They are attached.
:umm: Something strange is going on with those pics. The files are not viewable, they are only downloadable. And when I download them some cause an issue with my photo viewer app causing it to hang/crash.
EDIT:
Figured it out. Your images were way too big (4032x3024). I downloaded them, resized them, and edited your posts. Should work OK now.
In the future you should resize your image files before posting so they fit on a typical screen. I used 25% for your images (to 1008x756), but you could even go with 20%.
I am not a purist, by any means. And it seems like a cool concept. But its just sad seeing another unmolested classic reduced to a half modern bike. I am not hating, just thinking out loud. Look forward to seeing the progress!
there they are. cool and all.... but i have beta envy. swingarms going to be tricky and (obviously) the ktm one wont work, so hoping you have the ability to do lathe work, going to be necessary to get the ktm wheel in there on any swingarm you wind up using.
Quote from: m in sc on December 18, 2023, 02:58:48 PMthere they are. cool and all.... but i have beta envy. swingarms going to be tricky and (obviously) the ktm one wont work, so hoping you have the ability to do lathe work, going to be necessary to get the ktm wheel in there on any swingarm you wind up using.
The Beta is a hoot to ride! I have it plated for both trail and road. Kind of needed in my area as bikes aren't allowed on all trail sections so you have to hit the black top to bypass those sections sometimes.
Yeah I was able to get measurements on the duke swingarm. 235mm width at the pivot so it's too wide. I'm still looking around. Might do a slightly extended tracdynamics or metmachex. Cost of both of those are sky high though when comparing against a conversion swingarm purchased off of eBay. Still hunting around.
Quote from: rearwheelslider on December 18, 2023, 02:07:46 PMI am not a purist, by any means. And it seems like a cool concept. But its just sad seeing another unmolested classic reduced to a half modern bike. I am not hating, just thinking out loud. Look forward to seeing the progress!
Understood. I thought hard and long before deciding to make it a custom. When I first saw the pictures I thought for sure it was too nice to play with. After getting it home and giving it a good look over I changed directions.
You're in the right place! Excellent bones to start with. I bought mine as a basement queen, where it had sat for 30 years, according to its license plate.
Here's mine, as bought and current state.
(https://i.ibb.co/wyt0gVY/R5-2-Original.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/3z32m6t/IMG-2604-Original.jpg)
Quote from: AAAltered on December 19, 2023, 09:12:16 AMYou're in the right place! Excellent bones to start with. I bought mine as a basement queen, where it had sat for 30 years, according to its license plate.
Here's mine, as bought and current state.
(https://i.ibb.co/wyt0gVY/R5-2-Original.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/3z32m6t/IMG-2604-Original.jpg)
Where did you find the tank emblems?
What swingarm are you running?
Nice bike!
On a side note, youre so lucky to be able to have that Beta and have it registered with a plate. I live in commiefornia and we cant buy a new two stroke and get it even registered to ride anywhere public trails(no OHV sticker), let alone a plate. Insanity. :rant-1:
Badges: I got a repop screw on set years ago, and was also gifted a NOS set. I don't recall what's on there right now. You'll see repops from time to time on EBay. IMO hold out for screw on ones rather than stickers.
Swinger: is a vintage DG RD400. That's 2" over stock for a 350. Can only run stock size tires. Had "fender extenders" machined by a good guy on this site. Bike is NOT prone to wheelies unless you try.
Very little progress lately.
Took a gamble and ordered a 2012 Ninja ex250 swingarm. It would need to be milled slightly narrower on the pivot width. The more I look at it though, the less enthusiastic I'm about converting to monoshock.
Can anyone provide be feedback on current tracdynamic swingarms? I'd like to run twin shocks but still convert to disc rear. Thinking of also using either the Duke 390 wheels or the new gen ninja 250 wheels. Ninja is a little narrower as it fits a 140 rear.
Have you considered MotoLanna? Some members here have used them.
MotoLanna SuperTuff swingarm (https://www.motolanna.com/ourshop/prod_448876-Swingarm-Aluminum-Alloy-SuperTuff.html)
MotoLanna SuperLite swingarm (https://www.motolanna.com/ourshop/prod_2637748-Swingarm-Aluminum-Alloy-SuperLite.html)
https://www.2strokeworld.net/forum/index.php?topic=415.msg2782#msg2782
https://www.2strokeworld.net/forum/index.php?topic=4211.msg36419#msg36419
Quote from: SoCal250 on January 26, 2024, 01:38:41 AMHave you considered MotoLanna? Some members here have used them.
MotoLanna SuperTuff swingarm (https://www.motolanna.com/ourshop/prod_448876-Swingarm-Aluminum-Alloy-SuperTuff.html)
MotoLanna SuperLite swingarm (https://www.motolanna.com/ourshop/prod_2637748-Swingarm-Aluminum-Alloy-SuperLite.html)
https://www.2strokeworld.net/forum/index.php?topic=415.msg2782#msg2782
https://www.2strokeworld.net/forum/index.php?topic=4211.msg36419#msg36419
Thanks for the tip! Looks like that could save me ~$800 and avoid the 5+month lead times people have seen with tracdynamics.
Any idea on tire widths people have fit on the MotoLanna? The Ninja ex250 swinger just measured ~225mm vs the MotoLannas 218mm width at wheel axle location. MotoLanna is ~50mm longer ~25mm wider than the R5 so I'm guessing I could make the ex250 wheels work.
Quote from: rearwheelslider on December 19, 2023, 12:04:37 PMOn a side note, youre so lucky to be able to have that Beta and have it registered with a plate. I live in commiefornia and we cant buy a new two stroke and get it even registered to ride anywhere public trails(no OHV sticker), let alone a plate. Insanity. :rant-1:
I feel your pain brother. I grew up riding off road in San Diego. Around 2002 while camping at Ocotillo Wells me and the wife decided we couldn't retire comfortably the way things were going. Upgraded our RV in 2004 and set out to find another state to relocate to. Settled on Cortez, CO after 5+ years visiting other states NEV, OR, UT, NM and finally Durango CO area. Bought a fixxer old house in 2010 and spent 7 years remodeling it until making the permanent move in 2017 and have not regretted it for a minute. Slower pace of life, lower cost of living, and far more freedom- including riding opportunities everywhere. Decision was made even before the politics, taxes, and invasion of people made it intolerable for us to stay. I tell people here the state of CA pushed us out! Last new bike I bought in CA was 2003 Kawasaki KDX220R seeing the 2-stroke ban coming along with all the other BS rules and restrictions and closures of our public lands :bang: Finally upgraded here last year to a Beta 300 X-trainer 2-stroke. It comes ready to street legal register- only need to add a mirror to pass inspection, then pay DMV $7 to dual register and give me the street plate. Probably do that this year :thumbs:
Quote from: 71R5JPAR on December 19, 2023, 05:26:47 AMQuote from: m in sc on December 18, 2023, 02:58:48 PMthere they are. cool and all.... but i have beta envy. swingarms going to be tricky and (obviously) the ktm one wont work, so hoping you have the ability to do lathe work, going to be necessary to get the ktm wheel in there on any swingarm you wind up using.
The Beta is a hoot to ride! I have it plated for both trail and road. Kind of needed in my area as bikes aren't allowed on all trail sections so you have to hit the black top to bypass those sections sometimes.
Yeah I was able to get measurements on the duke swingarm. 235mm width at the pivot so it's too wide. I'm still looking around. Might do a slightly extended tracdynamics or metmachex. Cost of both of those are sky high though when comparing against a conversion swingarm purchased off of eBay. Still hunting around.
Totally agree on the Beta. Bought a new X-Trainer 300 Feb 2022. Like a modernized version of original Yamaha Enduro concept. Has automatic 2-stroke oil injection (like hi tech autolube), adjustable powervalve, 2 selectable ignition maps, adjustable hydraulic clutch options, electric start and more. Love it!
(C:/Users/Paul/Pictures/Beta%20X-trainer/Beta%20Right%20Side.jpg)
MotoLanna is on order. Went with SuperTuff machined shock mounts and black powder coating. 2-8 week estimate on delivery.
Front fender on order. Bar clamps on order. Apparently KTM puts 26mm bars on the smaller single bore duke bikes. Converting to 28.6mm (1-1/8") gives me more options.
About the Beta, glad to see so many Beta fans here. I'm in good company! Unfortunately it might go up for sale this summer. I also have a KTM 500exc-f that just gets used more. Also have a 4y/o that I want to get into riding. I'm thinking of selling the Beta to pickup two trials bike for us. A Beta Evo for me and a Kuberg Start for the little one. We'll see... the wife says I have too many bikes. I think she is crazy
MotoLanna swingarm arrived! I'll try to post pictures up this weekend. Currently struggling to find a SR500/400 pivot bushing
IIRC, you can use your RD bushing (assuming you have it)
the one on the offset side?
Quote from: 85RZwade on February 13, 2024, 11:01:30 AMIIRC, you can use your RD bushing (assuming you have it)
I guess I was going off the details in this thread.
https://www.2strokeworld.net/forum/index.php?topic=415.msg2782#msg2782
I'll test out the stock bushing tube.
Duke 390 wheel mounted. Got a killer deal on two basically new duke rims. Seller claimed only 5 miles and based on the looks I believe it! Only downside is the color--- they'll eventually be power-coated
Front fender likely not to stay
MotoLanna swingarm is here. I have been struggling to find a proper swingarm pivot bushing. MotoLanna was out of stock on the pivot bushing they make. Ordered one off of ebay from a XT500 and it is too long but also gulled up pretty good. Reached out to MotoLanna on when they'll be making more.
I'll also have to do something about the rear axle as it is a larger diameter than the Duke 390 takes.
SoCal250 - if you could help with the images again that would be great. I resized them to be 750x750 or smaller and they still aren't working correctly. Maybe it has to due with me using a Macbook?
downloading the pic comes back as a null image. :umm:
My iPhone opens his pictures just fine... :umm:
I am able to download and view the last 2 images, 2582 & 2580. However if I try to attach them to a new post then insert them the message, they will only display with the filename and as downloadable jpg. Same as they are now. Not sure what's up with them.
If I open them for editing with MS Paint and then resave as a jpeg they seem to work.
IMG_2582_edit.jpg
IMG_2580_edit.jpg
That is a beautiful swingarm. :thumbs:
Swingarm mounted - Working on wheel & sprocket alignments
Anyone have suggestions on an offset 520 front sprocket supplier??
I have bought a couple from Fast From The Past for RZ350's. Maybe they have yours???
350 splines are different, but they cross with some gsxrs (believe it or not) and can cross there. unfortunately most are 530. I have a 525 i got from.. somewhere :umm: years ago but the spines are different banshee/400/lc/rz to early 250/350 units. thats where the problem comes in. the 400 type splines are easy to find offsets for.
I thought HVC had 'em, but I found nothing there. Someplace has them, but I'm not remembering :umm:
I emailed the company that makes them for Fast From the Past. Hopefully they'll do custom orders.
I do know the ninja 250 front countershaft sprocket fits the rd350. 520 also. Not sure on locating one with offset.
the ex500 does as well, and others but the size is the issue, hence why i went 525. Id love to see who offers it as id really like to move mine to a 520 as well. I know rush gears can do it but they are expensive as hell. id reach out to PBI http://www.pbisprockets.com/
Quote from: m in sc on June 25, 2024, 10:15:59 AMthe ex500 does as well, and others but the size is the issue, hence why i went 525. Id love to see who offers it as id really like to move mine to a 520 as well. I know rush gears can do it but they are expensive as hell. id reach out to PBI http://www.pbisprockets.com/
Emailed PBI and they stated they discontinued all custom sprocket manufacturing. Only servicing Harley models now
well shit.
sv650 and tl sprockets i think also swap.
(https://i.postimg.cc/0r0v02D3/R5.avif) (https://postimg.cc/0r0v02D3)
Wow, been a while since I've worked on this bike. KTM RC390 wheels mounted but unfortunately I don't think I can make chain and tire alignment work. The KTM Cush hub has too much projection. Without a Cush hub and an offset front sprocket, maybe.
Anyways, I might switch over to RD400 wheels. RC390 wheels and tires likely to go up for sale.
we had this issue w tims h2, and sunk in the cush drive by milling the hub down and the internal spacer, and the 'fingers' on the drive. how far out is it? if it's like 10mm or so you can get an offset ft sprocket but need to change to a 525 since it's for an 'early' gsxr. OR, reach out to rebel gears, see if they can do in inboard carrier for the rear moving it in some
Can you point me in the right direction for that offset front sprocket? I've hunted for a 520 offset but nothing to be found for R5 spline.
It is fairly far off, but if I have a path to offsetting the front sprocket I'll spend more time laying it out.
like said, will prob be a 525. fast from the past is an option. early gsxr uses same splines, as does 1st gen sv 650 . this is how I had to go on my lc hybrid. if it had a 400 trans, then you can use banshee ones, so that's where you're stuck.
Would it be possible to obtain the correct offset 530 sprocket in steel and then thin the sprocket on a mill and contour the teeth?
Rather than reconfigure a 530, why not just buy two 520 sprockets and make the offset you want? All you need is a lathe and a welder.
What Wade said. I've always made them myself when the market doesn't provide. Bore out the inside of your 520 sprocket, machine the outside of the 530 or 525 sprocket, machine a flange for alignment or make a jig, then weld them up. If you don't have the tooling for hardened steel, you'll need to anneal the sprocket first, then harden them back up, if you care.
Fired up the 3D printer to aid in mockup. Printed a brake side spacer to get wheel alignment. Then printed a 10mm offset sprocket. Then a simplified sprocket carrier and cush. Looks as though the duke wheels are going to work out just fine. Just need to source the 10mm offset sprocket and machine the hub.
(https://i.postimg.cc/TyXmqCmn/IMG-3698.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/TyXmqCmn)
(https://i.postimg.cc/qtXKmyXS/IMG-3699.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/qtXKmyXS)
https://www.fastfromthepast.com/99-0002
Output shaft spline is different. As others have mentioned, and I also saw on another build, buying a 530 sprocket from another bike and reducing the width to 520 size should work dandy
Custom 10mm offset sprocket has finally been delivered! Now I can finalize my tire&chain alignment and send out the rear hub to be machined.
Hagon shocks added also.
Ended up grabbing a set of Moto Carrera GP single side outlet pipes. Previous owner purchased them for a 76 RD400 project that never ended up happening. Was told they'd fit up to an R5 with slight modifications. I still need to modify the mounting location to get them tucked under the bike better. Can anyone fill me in on information about these pipes? I have yet to stumble upon photos of Moto Carrera single side outlet pipes on RD's that look like these (silencers pointing upwards).
(https://i.postimg.cc/0bsxXNdP/IMG-4006.avif) (https://postimg.cc/0bsxXNdP)
Doug made some Moto Carrera Millennium GP right-exit pipes back around 2000-2005. They were basically the same as his regular Millennium GP pipes (which were originally designed by Tommy Crawford) except the left pipe crossed over so both silencers mounted on the right. He used them on his Del Mar Specials and they were available for the 350 and 400. See photos below. The one with the chrome pipes was parked in his No. Hollywood store for a few years.
The pipes in your photo appear to have longer headtubes for some reason and the tips are more upturned than I remember. The silencers look different as well. It might be partly the photo but something looks off. If your headtubes were shortened at the cylinder, it would tuck the pipes up better under the front of the frame and engine, and at the same time it would rotate the silencers downward a little. Are the pipes seated into the flanges at the cylinders?
Garrett from GRA restarted production on MC pipes a few years back for a short period, but I don't believe he made any right-side-exit versions. His version used a different flange that utilized an O-ring.
motocarrera_delmar.jpg
MotoCarrera Millennium GP side exit_RD350.jpg
Quote from: SoCal250 on June 04, 2025, 05:52:52 PMDoug made some Moto Carrera Millennium GP right-exit pipes back around 2000-2005. They were basically the same as his regular Millennium GP pipes (which were originally designed by Tommy Crawford) except the left pipe crossed over so both silencers mounted on the right. He used them on his Del Mar Specials and they were available for the 350 and 400. See photos below. The one with the chrome pipes was parked in his No. Hollywood store for a few years.
The pipes in your photo appear to have longer headtubes for some reason and the tips are more upturned than I remember. The silencers look different as well. It might be partly the photo but something looks off. If your headtubes were shortened at the cylinder, it would tuck the pipes up better under the front of the frame and engine, and at the same time it would rotate the silencers downward a little. Are the pipes seated into the flanges at the cylinders?
Garrett from GRA restarted production on MC pipes a few years back for a short period, but I don't believe he made any right-side-exit versions. His version used a different flange that utilized an O-ring.
motocarrera_delmar.jpg
MotoCarrera Millennium GP side exit_RD350.jpg
You are right about the headtube length also. I agree something looks off but I haven't found much photos of these pipes online. Previous owner had paperwork from fast2stroke@yahoo.com with a physical address of 4001 Summitview Ave. Yakima Washington. Almost wondering if these were really meant for a different motorcycle model. Flanges bolt up to the cylinders just fine. Rear mounting points is about 1" off which is to be expected if they were for a RD400. Just headtube length and silencer position does not seem right.
Quote from: 71R5JPAR on June 04, 2025, 08:25:38 PMYou are right about the headtube length also. I agree something looks off but I haven't found much photos of these pipes online. Previous owner had paperwork from fast2stroke@yahoo.com with a physical address of 4001 Summitview Ave. Yakima Washington. Almost wondering if these were really meant for a different motorcycle model. Flanges bolt up to the cylinders just fine. Rear mounting points is about 1" off which is to be expected if they were for a RD400. Just headtube length and silencer position does not seem right.
That email & physical address belong to Doug Johnson after he closed his So Cal shop and moved to WA to be near family (around 2009?) due to health reasons. Doug is/was Moto Carrera, the company he founded in the late 80's.
As I recall, he had contracted someone to make some more of his pipes after he moved back to WA, and some of them had some QC issues (pieces not welded together in correct clocking so convergent & stinger were out of place). It's possible these were constructed during that time. AFAIK Doug only made the GP rt-exit pipes for R5, RD250/350, & RD400. Possibly also for the RZ but I don't remember.
If I've seen correctly, Doug has since past. Is Garrett reachable? I believe I've read that he puchased the old tooling for these pipes. Maybe Garrett would have some information.
garret is actually on this forum, but I think the pipe thing went to the wayside? yeah the headpipes were always crazy long on those
Doug indeed passed away in 2022...
https://obituaries.yakimaherald.com/obituary/doug-johnson-1086749410 (https://obituaries.yakimaherald.com/obituary/doug-johnson-1086749410)