Yamaha RD375/3

[stresa]

Hi guys,
stumbled over an interesting RD this summer. After a bit of thinking, bike stood in the Netherlands, I decided to have a go an buy it. After a 14hrs roundtrip I had it at home......
It is a complete homebuilt. The clever guy did everything himself. Converted RD engine into a 3 cylinder. Frame is a roughly built after a Bakker twinshock TZ frame he used as an inspiration. Fairing, mudgard,tank and seat he made of alloy. Engine is only blueprinted as he used it at parades only.
Everything was fabricated and built in a 2,5m x 4m garden shed





Regards Uwe

[kpke]

There's something you don't see every day. Or any day. That is quite unique. Lots of time and effort went in to that build. What are you going to do with it?

[Jspooner]

That's pretty cool.

[m in sc]

dammit thats cool. how does it run?

[stresa]

Hi,
I only did a functional test at a field lane myself. I would say it goes like a good running RD350. I suggest maximum 42-45hp. With other carbs and port work you can gain probably 10-12hp easily.
I or as most times I lent my bikes out will run it at parades/demonstration runs only. In the race class it fits in at our races it would be hopelessy underpowered and underbraked. Racing against TZ350 and RD350YPVS would be like David versus Goliath.
The builder of the bike did around 10 parade meetings over the last 5 years with it and the bike ran flawlessly then.
Regards Uwe

[m in sc]

those are 250 cyls, correct? im sure w 350 jugs and some port work you could really make it cook. 

[stresa]

Yes Mark,
375ccm now. 525ccm with 350 cylinders fitted. But even then no chance. The bikes who races in that class have all above 70hp, some of the best bikes 85hp and more. And far better forks and brakes. I have other bikes who fit into the race classes better.
For parades to potter around it is okay as it is
Regards Uwe

[SoCal250]

That is really cool!

[2steve]

Must sound REALLY good with 3 cyls and open stacks.

Nice bike!

[Kawtriplefreak]

Very 😎

[m in sc]

i wanst talking about racing it persay. 

[stresa]

Hi Mark,
sadly track use is the only option. You need not even think about to get the bike or the engine moved in a still registered frame through the german registration process. We have very harsh requirements what you can do and what not. Every piece you bolt on a bike in Germany which is not homologated by the bike manufacturers needs a certificate. And a bike(frame) which never was built by a bike company is a no go. It would need to fulfill the actual emission laws for example.
I have a 4cylinder(built out of 2 aircooled engines) on the workbench also. That one was registered an ridden on the streets in the UK 15-20 years ago. Not possible in any other country in Europe.


Regards Uwe

[m in sc]

thats a shame. send them to the us, i'll have a plate on that in less than a week   

[Hawaii-Mike]

Another cool feature is what appears to be an adjustable swingarm pivot.

[stresa]

Another cool feature is what appears to be an adjustable swingarm pivot.

Hawaii-Mike,
the genuine Bakker frames had this feature up to 1976. I have a genuine Bakker TZ with this adjustable pivot also. Their first cantilever frames in 1976 still had these pivots but through that year they changed it to "normal" configuration.

Early twinshock Spondon TZ frames had this also. Not sure if that feature was an improvement or not. I read different stories.
Regards Uwe