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How easy is it to fit the 35mm forks to a C/D model, is it just a straight swap? And does it make any difference?

Thanks guys, regarding brakes I've taken a look and I can see how effective the R1/R6 set-up would be. But are there any, better than stock, alternatives that still keep the vintage look?

Found them!

Here's a before and after of my first ever 'proper' bike, an RD125DX I had at 17.

Look closely at the 'before' pic and you'll see Ziggy my white rat. She was incredibly tame, a real sweetie, and would often ride with me inside my leather jacket. The 'after' pic is the same DX and first ever special/café racer I had a hand in.

I loved that bike, and for a 125 that had been ported, Boyesen reeds, jetted up with foam pod filters it went like stink. Probably helped that the clip-ons and rear-sets made the riding position so low you were virtually laying on it.

thats a good start! 

would HIGHLY recommend the fz1000 rotor/blue or gold dot r1/r6 caliper upgrade to the front brake. rear brake stock is fine on these w a disc.

Thanks for the tip! Is it just a straight swap, or are brackets etc. needed?

Some 'before' pics. Just a pile of parts for now.

Sure be cool if you replicated Kenny's 0W48R, or at least as close as possible with a twin. Go big or stay home, right?

The pic of KR's bike is just for colour. I'm going to keep it without a fairing, closer in look to the green bike.


But yes, it will be very far from original! It's nice to have the freedom to put together something I want, and not worry about 'market value' or saleability later on, as no doubt I'll just keep it. So, no need to consider any potential buyers 😉

When I bought my 350 a year ago, I thought I would just fix it up some, done. Uhhh, nope. One think led to another, next thing I know I have a cafe racer, so to speak, I guess. I did the same and searched for hours, looking for inspiration in regard to paint, etc. I learned so much from this board as I had no clue wtf I was doing. I wish I would have done what you are about to do, document the build in one place, oh well.
Besides the yellow race bike, I like the green bike best. Blue is my favorite color, but that seat is too bulbous, same with the pipes. But that's my opinion which doesn't mean jack shat. :)
Have fun!

Thanks! That's the thing with any bike, you always think 'oh, I'll just change this one thing...' and it never happens. It's often one thing after another!

Colour will definitely be the classic yellow with black and white graphics, but with a subtle twist I've got planned. The general look will be more like the green bike. But let's see how it unfolds.

Kicking off an RD400 café racer project, a bike I've hankered after since I was about 18 (back in the start of the last century).

So, thought I'd document it here. The actual work I'll be doing personally is minimal, beyond taking things apart, finding rare and unobtanium parts, finding people who can do different jobs - from paint to rebuilding carbs, etc. Sadly, without even a garage to my name and little to no spare time I'll be getting clever specialists to do all the hard work. What I do have though, is a very clear idea of what the bike should look like when it's finished.

Here's the start of it:

I have - second-hand parts that need refinishing/painting:

1.    Frame (any surplus brackets/bits/lugs removed and smoothed before powder-coating)
2.    Wheels
3.    Forks (progressive springs to be fitted)
4.    Petrol tank
5.    Side panels
6.    Spare gearbox
7.    Engine (cases, cylinder heads, cranks, etc.)
8.    Other miscellaneous parts

I have – new/reconditioned parts:

1.    Speedo and tacho
2.    Wiring loom
3.    Oil pump (completely rebuilt, delivering +10% extra oil)
4.    Tank cap
5.    Carburettors (completely rebuilt, will need re-jetting)
6.    Boyesen reeds
7.    NOS idiot light console (sits between clocks)
8.    Handlebar switches; both sides
9.    Rear-sets
10.    Kinked kick-starter
11.    Accu-Products chromoly swinging-arm (to be powder-coated same black as frame)
12.    Mini indicators (Posh Japan)
13.    Seat (café racer style)
14.    Fibreglass front mudguard
15.    Other miscellaneous parts

I need – the following:

1.    Y-boot air-filter (I'd rather not run a stock airbox, or individual pods)
2.    Hagon rear shocks (stainless steel, black springs, 330mm adjustable: 33025CSSB)
3.    Tyres
4.    Handlebar levers
5.    All cables/lines
6.    Mirrors
7.    Fuel tap
8.    Electronic ignition (let's junk the points)
9.    Chain/sprockets
10.    Handlebars (medium/low anodised black Renthal superbike bars)
11.    Headlight
12.    Brake calipers and reservoirs
13.    Brake discs, front and rear (both drilled)
14.    Brake light (slim rectangular but tucked away, no big rear mudguard)
15.    Inner rear mudguard, to protect air-filter etc. (new only, can be fabricated)
16.    Expansion chambers – Higgspeed regular (no cans) upswept in satin black: https://higgspeed.com/product/expansion-chambers%e2%80%8b/yamaha/yamaha-rd250rd400-cd-models-1976-1977/ (ring-ding-a-ding-a-ring-ring!)

Some pictures for inspiration of colours/paint, and the sort of look I'm after...

Have just read this thread from start to here, with great interest. Looking good! 

Some great suggestions here, thanks. Love the look of those Tarozzi high rise clip-ons and looks like they offer loads of adjustment without having you hunched over. Superbike bars also look great.

Think I might go with Renthal superbike bars in black. Trying to add as many 'black' touches to the build as possible to keep the chrome to a minimum. Cheers all.

Evening all. I've bought a pair of rear-sets, going to 'de-lug' the frame. I'm probably not flexible enough (AKA, getting too old) for radical clip-ons. So, what other profile/type of bars still look smart with rear-sets but offer a bit more comfort?

Just looking for ideas and opinions 

Grandad's medals. God bless you. And all who didn't make it home in WW2.

They look totally out of place on what are now vintage/classic bikes.

Much better off going for an Accu-Products chromoly swinging arm. Lighter, stronger, and much better looking.

very nice indeed. Hows the  400 coming along? we love projects. 

Slowly! Just gathering parts. Got most stuff now. I'll hand it all over to a UK 2-stroke specialist for the build, looking at Jan or Feb now. Depends how busy he is 

Thanks for the warm welcome guys. Here's a pic of the RD250 I had back in the late 80s when I was living in Sydney, Australia.