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I've been wondering what cans would be best to replace these with if you had to. The stinger is partially in the can originally so I presume that you should try to match that length? Then you'd need to weld on a longer stinger of similar length to other pipes to use a slip-on can? Or would it make a difference?

IR8D8R

I saw this last night on my news feed. It specifically says: "Tennessee's transportation officials say more bans may come on a case-by-case basis, with two-stroke models such as the RD350 also banned due to "road-obscuring smokescreens" that restrict visibility for other motorists." 

I'd been reading along thinking WTaF now, knowing that Tennessee just banned chemtrails and vaccines hidden in fruits and vegetables (Before 4/1!). As soon as they said "Tennessee's transportation officials" I knew it was bullsh*t. They don't know which way a stop sign is supposed to face...

IR8D8R

That is really gorgeous! Have you run it? It's almost too pretty to get dirty.

 Those little diesels have always been hugely popular in Eastern Europe. Maybe because nitro was not easy to come by in the Soviet era? They run really strong but aren't as popular here. Don't know why. No glow plugs or batteries required. Just adjust the compression until they start. They last a lot longer than nitro engines too. I have one from East Germany Ca. 1950's. Still runs perfectly.

IR8D8R

Lol. "The brakes were single disc front and rear. These were optional on the RD400C as it came standard with spoked wheels and a drum rear brake. Picking the cast wheel option gave a disc rear brake as well." 
"The RD400C was the first motorcycle by a major manufacturer to be fitted with cast wheels." -Wikipedia main article on the RD400.

OK I admit. You can't believe everything you read on Wikipedia, but it is peer reviewed and cites references. The reference is Bike Magazine issue 71, 1979, (which is also a British publication). I don't have a copy. Doing a parts search also does give you rear drum brake parts for an RD400. That's why I was curious. Why would they? I'm not gonna die on that hill because I'm no expert, I don't care that much, and you guys know more than I do on the subject. If there's a better way to confirm it I wouldn't argue.

I personally prefer spokes to cast wheels on motorcycles, but I would not consider giving up a rear disc just to get spokes. I probably wouldn't put cast wheels on my RD350 to get a disc brake. Some people would for the weight savings. Just etceterini. Not trying to be difficult. 
FWIW, I assumed that it was a 350 rear wheel also. I still think it is. A quick search indicated that it was possibly OEM. I thought that was interesting but I knew what y'all would say...
It also says that the RD400 has self-canceling turn signals. I don't recall my 77 having that feature. Maybe it was broken or my memory is bad after 40 years? My 2020 Yamaha doesn't even have that feature. Would sure be nice...

IR8D8R

Beignets is New Orleans... Those are good.

IR8D8R

There's another possibility. Spoked wheels were standard on an RD400C but everyone picked the cast wheel option because cast wheels were the cool new thing. The RD400 was the first motorcycle from a major manufacturer with cast alloy wheels on the C model. The RD 400D, cast wheels and rear discs were standard.

In the U.S. if you purchased an RD 400C in early '77 it could be titled as a 77 even if considered a "1976" production by us today. Not all manufacturers introduced a new model every year like the U.S. They changed type designations periodically, and the U.S. tried to fit that into our system. I've seen this before on imported European cars. If it is original, it is a RD400C bought with the standard spoked/drum, imported and titled as a 77.

Another question is why they went back to rear drums on the RD350LC for 2 years. Are they the same shoes as an RD250/350 aircooled?

IR8D8R

The fix involves a sacrifice to the tool Gods. 1 socket. Cut the sides off a 6-point 14mm socket so that only two opposing hex flats remain. The cutout can be done on a grinder or with a zip wheel. You only need to cut off about 3/8th of an inch (10mm) deep into the socket. If you cut off too much it weakens the tip so it may slip. I used a deep socket but I don't think it has to be. In fact, a standard socket might be more rigid. The top of the rod assembly has a "bolt-head shaped" protrusion with only two flats (shown by the blue arrow in the photo) You've notched the tool so that only those two flats are gripped by the socket. It can be reached with an extension. You only need to hold it from spinning. You won't be torquing with it. Most people use an impact to zap it in and out from the bottom.

$#!&. Now I am questioning my memory about whether it is a 14mm or a 15mm socket. Damn those dying brain cells! I tried to find this online but no luck. Somebody here will remember...

IR8D8R

Villiers 1962 Supercharged V-Four.

498cc 35 HP. Forced case-induction?

https://cybermotorcycle.com/marques/villiers/villiers-1962-v-four.htm

Beautiful work.

IR8D8R

Ah OK. I didn't see the "NEXT" I knew it was a sidecar. Thew second pic is what I needed.

Definitely not for a motorcycle. The two left cylinders would be sticking way out with the primary in the middle between crankcases.

Can't really see where the drive chain comes off. It would be right in the middle of the welded up housing on the Manx GB. Surely they extended it but to where? Unless it's where the blue stuff is... Or underneath.

IR8D8R

Wow. Did they burn up on the side of the road or in someone's garage? Those are medium-well done.

All I can say is "Yikes!"
https://www.ebay.com/itm/176271320559?

Forget finding what's wrong. The list of what's right is shorter.

IR8D8R

 I always wondered if you could fit one of the 800cc 2-stroke snow machine twins in a motorcycle frame with a separate trans like HD or Triumph. All the kids on YouTube leave the pulley CVT system hanging out one side. I could maybe stomach a triple roller chain primary. Not one of those chopper-style open belts. Early T120. A Harley trans would be easier to find in the U.S. I know someone's done it... Be fun to kick start.

IR8D8R

Your can's exits look a lot different than my early FPP's. Unless there's a trim cap I'm missing

Mark's stickers came out nearly indistinguishable from the originals.

You almost never see these cans with the stickers intact. Probably because they keep falling off and get torn up.

IR8D8R

C'mon. It's a chain oiler. No coincidence it's normally pointed at the chain.

...Just like the <1966 pre-PCV cars with a crankcase oil vapor vent down the back of the engine. That was a underbody oiler. Those cars didn't rust because the chassis was coated in oil blowback. So was the garage floor, the driveway, AND the middle of the roads. One of the reasons cars made after '66 rusted to pieces. Easy to forget how greasy the stripe down the middle of the lane was then. Exxon Valdez at every stoplight. You couldn't safely ride in the middle of the roadway until after 1990. Still not a good idea...

IR8D8R