As a young man, I lusted after my friend's buddy's RD400, so after collecting parts that have laid semi-dormant for too many years (had a hard time finding a motor) I ponied up and bought one! Already fairly modified, with a GSXR front end, some long expansion chambers, but was stoked he'd forgotten to mention larger carbs being fitted!
Even though I like its bare metal tank, I miss the wider, taller UK tank, and wanted to put make it my own, so
here's how I picked her up:
Testing out the shortened, stepped seat! Mocking up a bracket I fab'd for a Lucas tail light and a Harley bobber front fender:
My custom additions so far: Euro tank, modified seat, Lucas light and bobbed fender:
Very cool! '78 is my favorite of the 400's even though I have a 76, 77, and a roach '79 Daytona that is in major need of restoring and getting back together one day...
Chuck
Looks like a matching rear wheel will be a challenge to fit in your stock arm.
The front looks good though
I do have a 3.5" gs500 wheel I may try and fit, altho the 3 spokes put me off! I may change to a Daytona rear, get a little more rubber on the road, lighter too! :umm:
I rattle canned the Euro tank, going for 20ft looks, drying as we speak :)
Twists of fate are surely odd! Decided to take a break from swearing at my Vdub, and organise shed space. An ideal time to check out paint match (spoiler: it's not) on the impromptu rattle can'd Euro tank.
But just for fun, I thought I'd try on a gs450 tank. Now, as my seat was shortened in length by the previous owner, its closer to the tank, but with said Suzuki tank, I can use standard mounts, hinges and even the lock!
It may be a tad sacrilegious to consider an alternative tank, but I'll take some photos, see what u y'all think :)
Options:
Looking good
The GS tank certainly has a kind of Dunstall look to it, but it'll need the petcock relocating. The decal not matching the same angle line in the tank's knee indents is bothering me, so I may go for option 2, Goldilocks style :eek:
I like the euro tank better of these 3....
C
I think so too, the gs tank will be a pita to move its petcock! :whistle:
Good news, my new landlord is into bikes, already smack talking my RD400, waging his Kawasaki 500 triple can out drag the RD. I pointed out mine's souped up, but still...
Amazingly,I just tracked down some Spec 2 pipes for 240..She's already lighter than stock, and I still may fit the Daytona wheel..
On the 1/4, it's
looking like stock Kwak does 13.5
Breathed on RD like mine 12.9....
and he weighs 20 lbs more :)
Either way, it's just the kick in the rear I need to get motivated :)
Here's the new pipes:
Nice score on the pipes. Were those on Ebay in Iowa?
Yep, w' 29 other people watching, I figure I'd take the gamble!
The seller never responded to my question so I didn't bid.
Did they come with flanges?
No, but I'm sure Gary can sort me out some.
Quote from: biggraham on February 15, 2021, 03:32:18 PM
No, but I'm sure Gary can sort me out some.
Bummer.
Yep, you can get them from Gary but last time (Mar2020) I asked him for a pair he wanted $100.
Not sure if Garrett's flanges will work, but that's another option.
https://gra2strokes.com/shop/exhaust-manifold-upgrade/
Shipping is delayed 'til the 22nd. :umm:
Some good news tho, my buddy's gonna help me steering stops, for beers and some shop labor!
It turns out, he's also good friends with a talented two stroke tuner, so may get him to cc and sort squish on on my head, you know, for manners :bacon:
The Spec2 pipes came, they have spigots and some character... I also picked up a new petcock and fuel lines, so hopefully this week we'll fire her up! :cool:
"and some character..." I love it. Gives me a mental picture with which to work!
Some so-so brazing repair, it's the inside, so no biggie. :lipsrsealed:
If I pop the Daytona wheel on, how about this rotor?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/10-5-Black-Rear-Brake-Disc-Rotor-for-Yamaha-XS360-XS400-SR500-1977-1978-1979/193590722969?fits=Model%3ASR500&hash=item2d12e80199:g:gAoAAOSwsQBfGUNk
Scored this steering stabilizer for $30:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Yamaha-RD-400-Steering-Stabilizer/353396188690?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2648
A little progress:
Any idea what the old/long pipes are? I first thought they were DG and this evening I took a better look. They look like Bassani pipes which were really good for the time. Will be interesting to see how they compare with the new/replacement pipes.
They are the fabled Bassani's, but I've spec 2 pips to go on, so those will probably find a new home... :metal:
If I had a 400, I'd be your buyer :burnout:
Quote from: 85RZwade on July 26, 2021, 04:05:37 PM
If I had a 400, I%u2019d be your buyer :burnout:
I just used them to help justify a Daytona frame and swingarm purchase..I already have said Bassanis, Daytona mags, a 400E seat, an xs650 front end and an rz rear end :olaf:
:clap: I look forward to seeing that come together!
Not sure about a mono shock conversion, but the rz swingarm weighs 4.5lbs , bare, before I remove 2 inches and anything extra..
Daytona arm weighs 12lbs
(allegedly)
Wow, that's an amazing weight difference. I've replaced two RZ swingarms with FZ items because I thought they were heavy! Must be a lot of steel in the Daytona 'arm.
Can't find an fz600 arm, they're 1lb lighter than an rz arm...
Scored a FZ600 swingarm on eBay, on it's way :cheers:
Excellent find! :vroom:
Here it is, not too shabby looking!
Pretty sure the Daytona arm is lighter than 12lbs that I read, hoping to borrow a scale soon..
Debating punting the extra parts to get new tires, some machining and a motolanna swingarm...
Pardon the gap in this build, life's been interesting for sure!
Mismatched wheels and tires aren't brilliant, so with a little detective work, it turns out thst a gs500 wheel has same axle size, and is already a 39 t 520 chain sprocket!
I also tracked down an aluminum swingarm, so let's see if it all fits together..
Turns out they fit together beautifully, may not even need wheel spacers! It'll be great to have matching wheels, and ditch a front rotor and disc! I'll need a brake torque arm for the swinger, probably get one from economy cycle..
Wiring is pretty dire, anyone adapt a new 76/77 harness to a 78?
well isnt that nifty! very cool indeed. :clap:
A MotoLanna swingarm? Looks nice!
Quote from: biggraham on October 26, 2022, 03:31:46 AM
Turns out they fit together beautifully, may not even need wheel spacers! It'll be great to have matching wheels, and ditch a front rotor and disc! I'll need a brake torque arm for the swinger, probably get one from economy cycle..
Wiring is pretty dire, anyone adapt a new 76/77 harness to a 78?
The only difference between the 76/77 and the 78 harnesses is the addition of the headlight relay on the E model (see attached)
Thanks so much for that info, new loom's on its way!
Anyone have any experience with PWK 30s?
My buddy began the loom install, we are excited to see and hear the difference between the Bassanis and Spec 2s, not to mention the larger Mikunis and pwk30s!
He's buying a new tire for his R5, so we'll have my Rd, his R5 and my landlord's H1!
Well, my Buddy is kinda m.i.a. , so I'll get on with fighting the Spec 2's, they are 2/3rds the weight of the fabled Bassani's , saving a handy 5lbs!
Working on getting a photo here...
Here she is with the Spec2s!