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...
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...
