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Mat Oxley 1986 IOM TT


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Topics - msr

#1
General Chatter / 3D printed RD400 dash parts
October 10, 2023, 03:31:45 PM
I received these today from Steve Burgess in the UK. If you're on Facebook in some of the RD groups, you've likely seen some of his work. It's pretty amazing, and really helpful when you can't find parts like this in good condition. Check it out (and ignore the styrofoam dust in the picture.)

Matt
#2
Turning Wrenches / RD400 Seat Compatibility
July 26, 2023, 05:56:43 PM
Hi Friends,

I've been working on resurrecting a '78 RD400E for the past few years and am trying to get a decent seat sorted out for it. When I bought it, there was a seat on it which I will call 'The Abomination' and a second seat and cowl for a Daytona. Both of them will fit on the bike with the fender and taillight I have on it. I've been looking at something relatively tame like this:

https://texavina.com/yamaha-rd400-c-d-1975-1977-classic-style-motorcycle-seat-saddle-sku-t9076/

... but ... that's spec'd only for 400C and D. I looked up this thread which gave me pause there:

https://www.2strokeworld.net/forum/index.php?topic=82.0

The weird thing is, I believe The Abomination seat has a C or D pan in it. So that all has me wondering what the incompatibility is between the older seats and the later model bikes. I've attached a couple of pictures showing the Daytona seat mocked up as well as The Abomination. Would any of you RD400 experts weigh in on what my options here are?

Thanks,
Matt

#3
General Chatter / Garage/Shed Jenga
March 27, 2023, 04:58:25 PM
Hey everyone,

We all likely encounter this problem: how do we efficiently pack as many bikes as possible into our storage space(s) while still being able to maneuver? I have four in my 12x16 shed at the moment (with a fifth at m in sc's place) along with a small work table and a single dual-stacked toolbox. The only way out for bikes is the one roll-up door, so I try to put the less-frequently ridden and easier to move bikes in toward the front. I have the RD350 backed in on the center stand and the AR80 pulled in forward leaning close to it. The bigger bikes are closer to the door, pulled straight in on their sidestands.

How do you deal with this puzzle yourselves?
#4
Haus of Projects / RD400E project bike lives!!!
January 23, 2023, 05:03:21 PM
I picked up this bike in the summer of 2020, taking a road trip with my brother from NC to eastern PA to get it. The price was right, but man was there a ton it needed.

After 2+ years and lots of work and dollars later, it fired off and ran in Mark's garage last night.   :metal:

There have been a LOT of people involved providing help, guidance, and patience. I really have these people to thank:

Eric Heyman: source for the bike itself and the Factory Pipe chambers
John Ritter: porting and polishing work on the cylinders and heads (along with generous amounts of time on the phone with me about the project)
Lyn Garland: crankshaft and the work to rebuild it
Cabin Craft Cycle in Ft. Lawn, SC: cylinder boring
Tim Steele: bead blasting the engine cases
Abrasive Blasting of the Carolinas: sandblasting and powder coating various frame components and wheels
Best Damn Powder Coating in Indian Trail, NC: stripping and cerakote applied to chambers
John @ Economy Cycle: just a TON of various parts
Mark Atkinson (Speed of Cheese): amazing rear sets

... and especially Mark Haase for walking me through all of this, providing the garage, expertise, and the spare hardware when needed (which was really very often) and for being the kind of friend who says, 'Oh yeah, we can make that work. I can make a bracket for it."

Man this has been fun. It's not all that close to *finished* but just seeing and hearing it run was pretty damn amazing. Check out some highlight pics below

https://photos.app.goo.gl/vRDtsyhoKyAkRXDbA

- msr



#5
General Chatter / 3D printed switch parts
January 02, 2023, 11:22:52 AM
Happy New Year, everyone! I picked up these parts from Steve Burgess in the UK. For those of you on FB, he's reachable through the 'Yamaha Aircooled RD Owners Club' group. They took over 30 days to make it through the post, but they were worth the wait. Fits perfectly and, more importantly, works! Have a look ...

~ msr
#6
Show Off / She may not look like much ...
November 09, 2022, 02:28:39 PM
... but she's got it where it counts, kid.

First day legally on the road.  :olaf:
#7
General Chatter / Insurance Poll
September 26, 2022, 05:46:50 PM
Hi everyone,

I'm considering doing some insurance shopping and was curious to know who you like/tolerate. Anybody have any favorites? Or horror stories of companies to avoid? I've been with Nationwide for other purposes, but they seem insane for bikes.

Thanks,
Matt
#8
General Chatter / RD350 or RX350?
July 06, 2022, 07:07:56 PM
I recently worked through the bonded title process in NC for a 73 RD350 I bought in May. Part of that process involves taking the bike to a 'theft inspection' office where they physically inspect the bike and note the VIN, Make, and Model while calling in to have theft records checked.

On my paperwork, I indicated it as an RD350. They said no - it's an RX350. They say RDs start with 361, but my VIN is 351-101xxx.

In the end, they win and I change my paperwork. Only the year, make, and VIN will be on the title so it won't matter there.

Anyone else encounter this? 
#9
I've had this Moto Guzzi V85TT Travel on order since December, and it finally arrived earlier this week! It's a fun thing and VERY different from any other bike I've had. Stoked to run this thing around this weekend.

("Sport Tractor" naming credit to m in sc)

#10
Turning Wrenches / Self canceling signals on RD400E
February 06, 2022, 05:32:47 PM
I'm rummaging through a wiring diagram for the 400E and can't seem to wrap my head around how the self canceling turn signal circuits work. Would any of you care to talk through the theory of operation there? I see what looks like a controller and a sending unit along with the relay. But ... How exactly is it working?

Thanks,
Matt
#11
Haus of Projects / RD400E starting to come together
January 31, 2022, 11:42:36 AM
After about a year and a half, my RD400E project is beginning its re-assembly phase. Spent Saturday in m in sc's shop putting the engine cases together. There's also been lots of help so far from other regulars on this board - Kawtriplefreak bead blasted the cases (see pics!), John Ritter ported the cylinders and spent lots of time on the phone with me talking through options, Lyn Gardner sold me the rebuilt crank, and Economy Cycle sold me just about every bearing and seal needed to this point. I can't say how much I appreciate the help and enthusiasm from these guys. It's coming together, y'all!

Matt (msr)
#12
General Chatter / Seeking New Rider Advice
October 14, 2021, 02:45:51 PM
Hi everyone,

We have a new rider in the family - an 18-year-old guy - who will be getting his first bike this month. We're giving him my 2009 TU250X to get him started and comfortable. He's taken Georgia's weekend training course but doesn't have a ton of experience otherwise beyond riding an old CB around his grandfather's farm. He's been driving in suburban Atlanta since he was 16 and is good with a manual transmission.

If he were your kid, what sort of advice would you give him about riding safely? I recall a thread recently about keeping your bike in gear at stoplights in case you have to move fast. I guess it's that kind of thing I'm looking for.

Thanks!
#13
General Chatter / Cleaning up battery acid damage
September 04, 2021, 11:42:55 AM
Hi all,

I'm working on cleaning up some acid-caused corrosion and rust on steel parts and am curious to know how others have approached this problem. Scrape, clean, and paint? POR-15?

Thanks,
Matt
#14
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-58357499

1200 miles in a week on a 50cc moped.  :clap: