Kwak 500 v breathed on RD400

biggraham · February 15, 2021, 12:33:27 AM

Hello, my new landlord just threw down the gauntlet, boasting that his stock (except for twin front disc) 500 triple can leave my RD400 behind in a drag race...I pointed out,I have expansion chambers and bigger carbs, he said no problem...
HIs is a 450 lb bike, and he weighs 20lbs more, so, (decent launch aside),
what are my odds?
Thanks for any input, I just scored some spec 2's, prob a lot lighter than my current Bassani's...

Brad-Man · February 15, 2021, 01:48:06 AM

Maybe on a road course, but you'd be toast in a drag race.

biggraham · February 15, 2021, 02:33:44 AM

I see 1/4 mile time for stock 500 at 13.5, and Spec 2 has the RD w pipes and big carbs at 12.9..

oxford · February 15, 2021, 08:13:33 AM

Idk, but it sounds like you are either going to get a free months rent or it's going to cost you double to live there next month.

The Red Scourge · February 15, 2021, 08:42:55 AM

Quote from: oxford on February 15, 2021, 08:13:33 AM
Idk, but it sounds like you are either going to get a free months rent or it's going to cost you double to live there next month.

1976RD400C · February 15, 2021, 09:15:49 AM

There's only one way to find out and I would go for it. I don't think a stock port RD will get in the 12's. We used to take our bikes to the local drag strip in the late '70s and run them. I think it was $5.00. I had DG pipes on mine and that was it. They put me up against a guy on his new Honda 750 pride and joy. I had the hole down pat and a think he was a bit uneasy. Anyway I beat him with a 13.7. He just couldn't believe it. The little pip squeak bike beat his king of the road.

m in sc · February 15, 2021, 10:15:11 AM

against a stock H1? you'll win. drop one tooth on the front and make it embarrassing.

biggraham · February 15, 2021, 10:35:46 AM

They are already into trading my Stella for some rent, funnily enough!

John Ritter · February 15, 2021, 11:03:32 AM

H1 is factory rated at 1/3 more hp. Stock against stock I think a best out of 3 would put the Kawi ahead.

Greaser Greg · February 15, 2021, 11:42:03 AM

Quote from: m in sc on February 15, 2021, 10:15:11 AM
against a stock H1? you'll win. drop one tooth on the front and make it embarrassing.

LOL good one!

m in sc · February 15, 2021, 12:03:58 PM

the h1 may get the jump but the rd will pull away in 3rd.

Greaser Greg · February 15, 2021, 02:58:43 PM

Do you have two friends who will video the start and finish?

biggraham · February 15, 2021, 03:31:19 PM

It'll be a little time before we get to it, but I'm pretty excited, and will get it filmed, for sure!

Still biking · February 24, 2021, 05:00:12 AM

It really depends on which K500 you are talking about. An H1? I don't know about you fairing too well. A 76 KH500? No problem

motodreams · February 24, 2021, 10:40:11 AM

H1 has to be one of the most overrated bikes out there. I was so so so disappointed after riding one with all the hype. I think the only reason they get the hype for being scary is the brakes and chassis are so dangerously bad that putting down more that 10hp into that setup would seem scary. I'm surprised they didn't all get crashed. Not because they had power to get you there it was just outrageously scary handling. This was on a fully restored bike so not like we were talking about old fluid/pads or bagged suspension.

I would bet a lot of it will come down to how well the 2 bikes are tuned/running given they are 50 years old as well as the rider.

Let us know how it goes!

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Kwak 500 v breathed on RD400