New here - just saying 'hi'

[general_piffle]

Greetings!

Thought this would be a good place to mooch around in as I'm in the process of putting together an RD400 café racer. My first ever bike at 16 was a Kawasaki AE50, first 'proper' (for me) bike was an RD125DX (the twin) that I did loads to, and was the first bike I ever got stopped by the police on 

Then upgraded to an RD250 (air-cooled twin) while living in Australia and when back in the UK at the tender age of 19 got an RD350LC. The first bike I ever rode to the TT on the Isle of Man.

So, have always had a love of 2-strokes, especially the air-cooled RDs! 

[SoCal250]

Welcome Nice progression of bikes. Have any photos of your bikes of the past?
I've always liked the small DX models, probably because we didn't get them here.

[general_piffle]

Welcome Nice progression of bikes. Have any photos of your bikes of the past?
I've always liked the small DX models, probably because we didn't get them here.

Thanks! I might have an old pic or two somewhere...

[svgarage]

Welcome to the forum! The knowledge here is awesome and so helpful! Everyone is super-helpful and not a lot of bashing and fighting you see on the other forums. I have an old '77 RD400 and this is my go-to place to find answers!

[pdxjim]

Welcome in 🤙🤙

[The Red Scourge]

Welcome!  There's a wealth of knowledge here and many experienced members willing to help.  This is the best damned forum on the internet!

[Evans Ward]

Welcome to 2SW!    You'll find kindred spirits and a wealth of info here!       

[Kawtriplefreak]

Welcome aboard!!

[dgorms]

You've found one of the coolest, smartest, no bullshit or politics forums on the net. Great bunch of enthusiasts too! Welcome........................D   

[general_piffle]

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.

[85RZwade]

Atta boy, everyone loves pictures! Welcome 

[m in sc]

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

[general_piffle]

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 

[general_piffle]

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.

[SoCal250]

Cool! Love the DX styling. Great looking bike