I just purchased my RD250B and drove from Davis,Ca. to Hurricane,UT.
I found it on Marketplace and drove through the night,out and back.
The last RD I had was 1987 and I jetted it too lean..
My vin is: 352-302064,is this an early one ?
(https://i.postimg.cc/hJb38gLf/20250415-141921.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/hJb38gLf)
I share my automobile parking space with my 3 bikes;I don't drive my car much.
Nice find
its a 75, so last year, but IMHO the most desired one w the disc brake and great paint scheme. great find
:bacon:
Very nice. Great score !
Nice find! I bought 1 used around 1979. Runner but needed work. Liked the paint scheme and went a little further inspired by RD400 Daytona. Cobbled together a Daytona style seat for it, added Red stripes down the fenders and added some early FPP pipes. Rode it everywhere including as main work transportation until sometime in 1980 when a friend offered me his 1977 RD400 basket case he took apart and lost interest in completing.
Sold the RD250 to a co-worker and warned him to replace swingarm bushings and showed him the play in there. He ignored it and ran the shit out of it until he crashed drunk on the hiway and almost died- but eventually fully recovered. :omg: Never saw the bike again or knew what happened to it.
Welcome :cheers: and congrats on the new ride! :whoop: Looks pretty nice and appears to be all original. I have one just like it sitting in my garage waiting for restoration attention.
The '75 model has frame/engine numbers ranging from 352-300101 to 352-311250 so yours is from the early part of the model year. (#1964)
Thanks,I'm glad to be a member here :cool:
I had a nice set of Torque Engineering chambers on my RD350B;the one which seized-up in the AZ.desert in 87' because I jetted it too lean.
I would love to find another set of Toque Engineering chambers,been looking everywhere.
Quote from: grcamna3 on April 19, 2025, 04:24:08 PMI would love to find another set of Torque Engineering chambers,been looking everywhere.
And those of us who have experienced T.Eng chambers, fully understand. They sound marvelous.
Wow, I got the same bike. The last six digits of the VIN read out as 310400 and mine isn't in quite as nice of shape as yours judging by the paint(particularly the fork ears and exhaust) and chrome. Mine also has a bit of 12,000 miles, I put on 6500 of those.
Nice find, I'm glad I live out in MA. otherwise I'd probably be broke...all those sweet bikes of the midwest.
Quote from: SoCal250 on April 19, 2025, 11:41:56 AMWelcome :cheers: and congrats on the new ride! :whoop: Looks pretty nice and appears to be all original. I have one just like it sitting in my garage waiting for restoration attention.
The '75 model has frame/engine numbers ranging from 352-300101 to 352-311250 so yours is from the early part of the model year. (#1964)
So for the 75' model year there was 11,149 RD's produced? Now is that just the 75' RD250B or is that all inclusive of 250's and 350's made in the year 1975?
Quote from: grcamna3 on April 19, 2025, 02:43:41 AMI just purchased my RD250B and drove from Davis,Ca. to Hurricane,UT.
I found it on Marketplace and drove through the night,out and back.
The last RD I had was 1987 and I jetted it too lean..
My vin is: 352-302064,is this an early one ?
(https://i.postimg.cc/hJb38gLf/20250415-141921.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/hJb38gLf)
I share my automobile parking space with my 3 bikes;I don't drive my car much.
I have 3 bikes and a scooter in my house. I used to have a shed but the floor was sagging and the walls were light construction with T11 plywood...it was old so I tore it down and replaced it with a tent but the wind howls thru it too much and one of the bikes got tipped by it over a month ago so now they all live with me. Lucky I'm single.
I noticed the chain lock you have on her. I hope you live in a thief-less neighborhood. If there is such a thing.
Quote from: RDnuTZ on April 19, 2025, 11:05:42 AMNice find! I bought 1 used around 1979. Runner but needed work. Liked the paint scheme and went a little further inspired by RD400 Daytona. Cobbled together a Daytona style seat for it, added Red stripes down the fenders and added some early FPP pipes. Rode it everywhere including as main work transportation until sometime in 1980 when a friend offered me his 1977 RD400 basket case he took apart and lost interest in completing.
Sold the RD250 to a co-worker and warned him to replace swingarm bushings and showed him the play in there. He ignored it and ran the shit out of it until he crashed drunk on the hiway and almost died- but eventually fully recovered. :omg: Never saw the bike again or knew what happened to it.
Point taken well about the swing-arm bushings:are they plastic ?
I don't know exactly what the composition is. They're used in a bunch of Yamahas from the era. They are black or grey and some kind of plastic far as I can tell- maybe graphite based or something as I think it was too early for nylon, Delron etc. in widespread use back then.
I'm sure Mark would know and probably chime in when he sees this thread.
Quote from: RDryan on April 19, 2025, 05:30:07 PMQuote from: grcamna3 on April 19, 2025, 02:43:41 AMI just purchased my RD250B and drove from Davis,Ca. to Hurricane,UT.
I found it on Marketplace and drove through the night,out and back.
The last RD I had was 1987 and I jetted it too lean..
My vin is: 352-302064,is this an early one ?
(https://i.postimg.cc/hJb38gLf/20250415-141921.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/hJb38gLf)
I share my automobile parking space with my 3 bikes;I don't drive my car much.
I have 3 bikes and a scooter in my house. I used to have a shed but the floor was sagging and the walls were light construction with T11 plywood...it was old so I tore it down and replaced it with a tent but the wind howls thru it too much and one of the bikes got tipped by it over a month ago so now they all live with me. Lucky I'm single.
I noticed the chain lock you have on her. I hope you live in a thief-less neighborhood. If there is such a thing.
I need a thicker chain.
I'm waiting for a larger storage to open up(I only have a 10x10' now)and then I'll keep this bike inside.
I live in a bad area(comparatively)here in Davis and need to move.
I was considering moving back East,just haven't found the place I can enjoy yet.
I want to live in a more rural and quiet area where there's plenty of woods and friendly individuals;I live(6 years)right at a busy,noisy 4-way intersection where the red light is and the local police never seem to pull people over for too loud of exhaust cars and trucks. :shocked:
I'm retired on SS and at 68 I want to enjoy peace and quiet.
Quote from: RDnuTZ on April 19, 2025, 08:09:05 PMI don't know exactly what the composition is. They're used in a bunch of Yamahas from the era. They are black or grey and some kind of plastic far as I can tell- maybe graphite based or something as I think it was too early for nylon, Delron etc. in widespread use back then.
I'm sure Mark would know and probably chime in when he sees this thread.
I hope to find a quality needle bearing swing-arm kit from someone.
just enlarged your picture and noticed there is no beauty trim on the seat and looks like you got a new cover there? Overall in really nice shape!
Quote from: RDryan on April 19, 2025, 05:22:21 PMQuote from: SoCal250 on April 19, 2025, 11:41:56 AMWelcome :cheers: and congrats on the new ride! :whoop: Looks pretty nice and appears to be all original. I have one just like it sitting in my garage waiting for restoration attention.
The '75 model has frame/engine numbers ranging from 352-300101 to 352-311250 so yours is from the early part of the model year. (#1964)
So for the 75' model year there was 11,149 RD's produced? Now is that just the 75' RD250B or is that all inclusive of 250's and 350's made in the year 1975?
Based on serial number ranges released by Yamaha, they built 11,150 RD250s for the '75 model year. That range above is only for the "B" model. All '75 models have a frame/engine number starting with
352-3xxxxx
A '73 has a 1 after the dash and '74 has a 2.
Quote from: grcamna3 on April 19, 2025, 08:15:35 PMQuote from: RDnuTZ on April 19, 2025, 08:09:05 PMI don't know exactly what the composition is. They're used in a bunch of Yamahas from the era. They are black or grey and some kind of plastic far as I can tell- maybe graphite based or something as I think it was too early for nylon, Delron etc. in widespread use back then.
I'm sure Mark would know and probably chime in when he sees this thread.
I hope to find a quality needle bearing swing-arm kit from someone.
Bronze bushing upgrade: https://www.economycycle.com/product/bronze-swingarm-bushings-rd250350400r5ds6ds7xs/
or
Needle bearing kit: https://www.economycycle.com/product/swing-arm-bearing-kit-needle-bearing-type/
Quote from: RDnuTZ on April 19, 2025, 08:19:39 PMjust enlarged your picture and noticed there is no beauty trim on the seat and looks like you got a new cover there? Overall in really nice shape!
Yes,the seller deleted the special seat beauty trim. :sad:
I want to find a stock RD350 top-end and turn it into a 350.
I want to locate unmolested jugs and heads.
Quote from: SoCal250 on April 19, 2025, 08:23:31 PMQuote from: grcamna3 on April 19, 2025, 08:15:35 PMQuote from: RDnuTZ on April 19, 2025, 08:09:05 PMI don't know exactly what the composition is. They're used in a bunch of Yamahas from the era. They are black or grey and some kind of plastic far as I can tell- maybe graphite based or something as I think it was too early for nylon, Delron etc. in widespread use back then.
I'm sure Mark would know and probably chime in when he sees this thread.
I hope to find a quality needle bearing swing-arm kit from someone.
Bronze bushing upgrade: https://www.economycycle.com/product/bronze-swingarm-bushings-rd250350400r5ds6ds7xs/
or
Needle bearing kit: https://www.economycycle.com/product/swing-arm-bearing-kit-needle-bearing-type/
Which swing arm bearing kit is the best:needle bearings or bronze bushings ?
Quote from: grcamna3 on April 19, 2025, 09:57:26 PMQuote from: RDnuTZ on April 19, 2025, 08:19:39 PMjust enlarged your picture and noticed there is no beauty trim on the seat and looks like you got a new cover there? Overall in really nice shape!
Yes,the seller deleted the special seat beauty trim. :sad:
I want to find a stock RD350 top-end and turn it into a 350.
I want to locate unmolested jugs and heads.
Okay, here's everything you want to know about the 350 conversion in 1 thread started by the Master :vroom: You'll only need to come up with a set of heads to go with the top end kit. enjoy!
https://www.2strokeworld.net/forum/index.php?topic=5650.0
Quote from: RDnuTZ on April 19, 2025, 10:13:30 PMQuote from: grcamna3 on April 19, 2025, 09:57:26 PMQuote from: RDnuTZ on April 19, 2025, 08:19:39 PMjust enlarged your picture and noticed there is no beauty trim on the seat and looks like you got a new cover there? Overall in really nice shape!
Yes,the seller deleted the special seat beauty trim. :sad:
I want to find a stock RD350 top-end and turn it into a 350.
I want to locate unmolested jugs and heads.
Okay, here's everything you want to know about the 350 conversion in 1 thread started by the Master :vroom: You'll only need to come up with a set of heads to go with the top end kit. enjoy!
https://www.2strokeworld.net/forum/index.php?topic=5650.0
I'm checking-out that thread:thanks.
I was looking at those cylinder/piston kits a week ago on Ebay.
I spoke to an 'old school' powersports machinist who I have dealt with for a few years and he said the china cylinders can not be 'relinered' when the cast iron wears;something about the process they were manufactured with,where the outer aluminum was poured around the sleeve and the sleeves can't be pressed back out.
I know it will take a while for the cylinders to get to final bore-job;plus I am very gentle on my engines w/ plenty of warm-up,etc.
I may never get to max-bore for years.
I'm considering finding a pair of stock Yamaha cylinders in good shape;but if they need to be bored bigger than max-bore,maybe I could find if LA Sleeve,or somebody might have a good sleeve to replace them and get them resleeved.
I think my independent powersports machinist does re-sleeve the stock Yamaha cylinders,when needed.
I know,I know.. it'll be much more $ and searching for a pair of sleeves,but it's an option I want to pursue.
I may get lucky and find a low-miles set of cylinders that haven't been ported yet :whistle: 'keep dreaming,right? :burnout:
so no hurry to convert it to 350 then :thumbs:
In my case I have several RD projects started 20+ years ago and then mothballed. My immediate priority is just get the 74 350 and 77 400 back together running and on the road before I'm too old + rebuild a couple spare 350 motors I have on the shelf. Luckily there's more affordable options for cranks, top ends, updated electricals, etc. come available over last 20 years to meet my needs :vroom:
Quote from: RDnuTZ on April 20, 2025, 10:14:32 AMso no hurry to convert it to 350 then :thumbs:
In my case I have several RD projects started 20+ years ago and then mothballed. My immediate priority is just get the 74 350 and 77 400 back together running and on the road before I'm too old + rebuild a couple spare 350 motors I have on the shelf. Luckily there's more affordable options for cranks, top ends, updated electricals, etc. come available over last 20 years to meet my needs :vroom:
I understand. :like:
ther is absolutely no reason to waste time re-sleeving stock RD cyls TBH. the repros are so cheap its not worth it, and port rubbing to port rubbing, the porting is the same. i know, i've done it.
Nice find, gorgeous machine :patriot:
As far as needle bearings vs bronze bushings for the swingarm goes, here's my 2ยข:
Needle bearing will react faster for ultimate in handling.
It has been said that they need to be taken out and rotated to avoid wearing in the top needle rollers, but if you don't ride much...
If you weigh more than the 185 I was when I was twenty then you may not notice much difference in terms of reaction between the two...
Bronze won't rust.
YMMV.
bronze bushings will actually handle a load better. (from an engineering stand point)... so, does it matter on an rd? not really
Quote from: m in sc on May 03, 2025, 08:53:24 PMbronze bushings will actually handle a load better. (from an engineering stand point)... so, does it matter on an rd? not really
I like to get a set of bronze bushings w/ a sleeve that will have a nice,tight fit.
Do bronze bushing typically use special grease,or just standard graphite auto chassis grease ?
I have enjoyed a pair of Hagon(low-end)rear shocks on my little lightweight 81' Honda CB125S w/ an XR200 engine for 5 years;I'm not sure there's still a dealer for them here in the USA(UK manufactured)but I'm looking,because these are very good quality,for the price.
Which decent(low-profile look.. theft deterrent)stock-height rear shocks do all of you RD guys like to run ?
i use red axle grease.
Quote from: grcamna3 on May 03, 2025, 11:01:15 PMDo bronze bushing typically use special grease,or just standard graphite auto chassis grease ?
I use either of these.
grease.jpg
Quote from: grcamna3 on May 03, 2025, 11:01:15 PMWhich decent(low-profile look.. theft deterrent)stock-height rear shocks do all of you RD guys like to run ?
I've been very happy with my Hagons that I custom ordered a while back. Twin Road Shock with slimline chrome springs
Hagon RD400 shocks_resized.jpg
Quote from: SoCal250 on May 04, 2025, 12:38:45 PMQuote from: grcamna3 on May 03, 2025, 11:01:15 PMDo bronze bushing typically use special grease,or just standard graphite auto chassis grease ?
I use either of these.
grease.jpg
Quote from: grcamna3 on May 03, 2025, 11:01:15 PMWhich decent(low-profile look.. theft deterrent)stock-height rear shocks do all of you RD guys like to run ?
I've been very happy with my Hagons that I custom ordered a while back. Twin Road Shock with slimline chrome springs
Hagon RD400 shocks_resized.jpg
Those Hagons look just like mine,but I removed the very stiff 'quad-rate' Hagon springs and used another pair of OEM Suzuki dual-rate springs on my little CB200S.
Do you know the factory eye-eye shock length for the RD250 or RD350 ?
Who sells them ?
approx 325mm
NICE find, bike looks great, bet it looks better with seat trim :vroom: :vroom:
Quote from: RustyRD on May 18, 2025, 09:14:21 PMNICE find, bike looks great, bet it looks better with seat trim :vroom: :vroom:
Yes Indeed ! :thumbs: