My sleeper R5

Jspooner · February 15, 2020, 05:30:16 PM

So I sold my 73 350 and part of the deal was taking an R5 on partial trade. The bike is complete, all of the chrome is nice and it has both fenders. The bike came with new Avon's on it and an MZB. All in all it is pretty decent, most of the painted parts look to be original except for the gas tank, it looks ok in the pic but it's pretty bad up close. Looks like it was redone with rattle cans and pretty poorly at that. Now for the bad......the left side top end and crank is junk. Looks like the wrist pin worked it's way out and destroyed the cylinder and basically everything except the head. I bought a supertune messaged R5 top end from a forum member and will throw a new crank in and leave the rest as is. I've also got some JL street retros for it. Other than the pipes and top end the bike will stay mostly stock, no rearsets, stock bars, etc. Should be a fun little bike.

Greaser Greg · February 15, 2020, 06:24:04 PM

Organicjedi · February 15, 2020, 06:27:41 PM

Looks good!

Evans Ward · February 15, 2020, 06:32:01 PM

Nice!!

27 Cycles · February 15, 2020, 07:54:15 PM

Cool bike Joe!!!

Czakky · February 15, 2020, 08:03:17 PM

Glad you're saving the old girl.

Alain2 · February 17, 2020, 07:43:16 AM

Looking so good.

Greaser Greg · February 17, 2020, 10:42:58 AM

Why did you go for the r5 over the rd?

Jspooner · February 17, 2020, 10:51:25 AM

Quote from: Greaser Greg on February 17, 2020, 10:42:58 AM
Why did you go for the r5 over the rd?

Why did I get rid of the RD and get an R5? Because it was part of the deal and just for something different. If I want to ride something fast I have my TZ for that, That thing makes my RD seem like a real toad anyway.

m in sc · February 17, 2020, 11:36:39 AM

i hve 2 rds, and an r5. TBH, i ride the r5 more. and its dead stock.

Greaser Greg · February 17, 2020, 08:14:36 PM

Mine's broken! Waaa haa haa!

Pravin · February 21, 2020, 07:20:56 AM

Lovely bike ... I like those exhausts lined up well along the chassis ... lean look

Cheers ,
Pravin

Dvsrd · February 22, 2020, 10:17:40 PM

Quote from: Greaser Greg on February 17, 2020, 10:42:58 AM
Why did you go for the r5 over the rd?

To me, the R5 just looks way better than even the 73 RD. Just nicer paintwork, tank, tank badges, side covers, seat , engine covers and clocks. Just as the XS1 and XS2 just look better than later iterations of the XS650 (which are bland in comparison)

I guess my "ideal" aircooled Yamaha twin would be an RD400 frame (longer wheelbase, more room behind carbs), RD 400 spoked wheels (for the rear disc brake), RD350 engine with RD400 closer ratio transmission and R5 engine covers, R5 clocks, R5 bodywork (seat, tank, side covers, paintwork)

Well, at least it is allowed to dream....

85RZwade · February 23, 2020, 12:21:20 AM

...or, better yet, build it! I've got a 350 engine doing a whole lot of nothing that I'd sell reasonably. Who has a frame for this lad? That'd get the ball rolling.

JB Weld · April 08, 2020, 08:31:50 PM

Looks like a nice rider. Excited to see what you make of it Joe

I came upon a R5 probably 6 years ago, and the owners sons said they wanted to fix it up someday. I think I should get in contact with them later this year to see if they will part with it. It had a custom 70's mural on the tank.

News:

My sleeper R5