Topic: 1972 Yamaha R5/RD350 for 1975 CB550 Four?

[BlackBearCB]

I know you guys are probably somewhat biased towards the SOHC Hondas, but I got an even trade offer today for a '72 Yamaha R5 with a freshly rebuilt RD350 top end (still in break in period). 
It has 18k miles, my 550 has 32k miles (engine has never been opened). 
It has drum brakes, but could I not throw a RD350 front end on it in the future for disc?
Both bikes are clean, but the 550 has small problems (no sidecovers, front brake needs bled, speedo doesn't work, needs rejetting, needs seatcover).
The Yamaha basically has no problems.

So what is your opinion?  Should I definitely trade or is it realistically a dumb idea?  I just want a Sunday rider bike to have fun on in the twisty mountain roads.  Gas mileage is no concern.

[Stev-o]

I'm not too bias as I have a '76 550K and a '73 RD350.  Both are collectable and great bikes.

A lot more 550's were made so the R5 is a little more rare. However, value would be higher if it were all original.  Have you seen/heard/ridden it? Has no problems? Are you certain of that? If true and noting that your 550 needs a few minor things, I would say the value is very close.

I say go ride the R5 and see if it "speaks" to you, then make the decision.

And yes, you could easily swap out the front end to have disc brake. That was stock in '73 when it became the RD.

[grcamna2]

I think that it might be a good trade,but if it was me,...,I'd really like to have 6 speeds(RD350)rather than only 5 speeds(R5-C).I only say this from my bias;I used to have a 73' & 75' RD350 and I loved'em both so much.The wheelies worked better w/ that close ratio 6 speed trans.

[seanbarney41]

dude, give that r5 a try...if you like wheelies and that motor is built right, you will trade

[grcamna2]

I'd sure like to give it a decent ride 

[tbpmusic]

........ I just want a Sunday rider bike to have fun on in the twisty mountain roads.  .......

If that's truly your goal, then go with the RD, it's much better suited for that......just watch out for substantial elevation changes.

[toytuff]

I'd sure like to give it a decent ride 

The bike, correct?

tt

[grcamna2]

I'd sure like to give it a decent ride 

The bike, correct?

tt

Yeah,the Yam. R5 

[Retro Rocket]

My first bike was a R5 350 similar to this one , orange and white, it was light, fast and nimble, the front drum wasn't brilliant but stopped the bike well due to the light weight.....Fun bike...

[78whiteorbs]

That is my old bike! Anything you wanna know? The guy Also had a YSR (said he sold) and a mid 70's SOHC Honda, Name was Matt and sold hydroponics equipment.

[78whiteorbs]

I'd say that wold be an even trade. I sold it to him for 1700$ and I did the top end with Vito's SS Pistons and rings. Fresh bore from Vitos as well.
fast bike , but it is a two stroke... it will foul plugs and is generally less reliable than a sohc honda (others may disagree but it is a two stroke)
The guy said he got in some financial probs or something and I saw him repost it for like 2200$ not 3 months after he bought it from me ..!
I kinda hate to see bikes I sell being resold for a significant amount more than I sold it for especially when I come down on my price but that may just be me. Dont get me wrong, I do that myself with the exception of putting alot of parts and work into them to warrant the upcharge.

[78whiteorbs]

021

previous incarnation:

R5 350 RD350 Hybrid

[FuZZie]

Now I'd trade. I was on the fence do to the mod. I do like the little fogger. but with out knowing I'd not touch it unless it was really cheap. Very nice whiteorbs! 

[Stev-o]

Heres my '73 RD350, all original with 12K miles.

[grcamna2]

Stev-o, Is your RD a keeper ?

[FuZZie]

Really nice survivor Steve-o!

[Stev-o]

Thanks....and yes, it's a keeper for now.  Been riding it all weekend, fun little bike to ride around town.
It's still a project though, finally running really good, put about 75 miles on it since start up. Got the left blinkers working but not the right nor the horn.
And ordered a new front caliper, uses same one as the XS650.

[grcamna2]

Thanks....and yes, it's a keeper for now.  Been riding it all weekend, fun little bike to ride around town.
It's still a project though, finally running really good, put about 75 miles on it since start up. Got the left blinkers working but not the right nor the horn.
And ordered a new front caliper, uses same one as the XS650.

I tested the stopping capacity of my dual opposed piston O.E. Yam. caliper a few times & I have full trust in those front brakes ! I'd like to install one on my sohc Honda 

[Stev-o]

Thanks....and yes, it's a keeper for now.  Been riding it all weekend, fun little bike to ride around town.
It's still a project though, finally running really good, put about 75 miles on it since start up. Got the left blinkers working but not the right nor the horn.
And ordered a new front caliper, uses same one as the XS650.

I tested the stopping capacity of my dual opposed piston O.E. Yam. caliper a few times & I have full trust in those front brakes ! I'd like to install one on my sohc Honda 

Think it would fit?  $90.....

http://www.mikesxs.net/products-67.html#products

[kghost]

Did you trade?

[Stev-o]

My caliper was in such bad shape I could not split it. Bike came with caliper removed, PO had a failed attempt at a rebuild and stripped the bolts.  For $90, thought it best to start fresh.

srust - that front end looks great.  xx650?

[grcamna2]

I know you guys are probably somewhat biased towards the SOHC Hondas, but I got an even trade offer today for a '72 Yamaha R5 with a freshly rebuilt RD350 top end (still in break in period). 
It has 18k miles, my 550 has 32k miles (engine has never been opened). 
It has drum brakes, but could I not throw a RD350 front end on it in the future for disc?
Both bikes are clean, but the 550 has small problems (no sidecovers, front brake needs bled, speedo doesn't work, needs rejetting, needs seatcover).
The Yamaha basically has no problems.

So what is your opinion?  Should I definitely trade or is it realistically a dumb idea?  I just want a Sunday rider bike to have fun on in the twisty mountain roads.  Gas mileage is no concern.

Did you do the trade BlackBear ?

[BeSeeingYou]

My caliper was in such bad shape I could not split it. Bike came with caliper removed, PO had a failed attempt at a rebuild and stripped the bolts.  For $90, thought it best to start fresh.

srust - that front end looks great.  xx650?

75 XS650. The dual setup requires a substitution of the upper mounting stud/chrome nut and fixed nut/spacer to a bolt with a spacer.  That allows me to dismount and swing that caliper out of the way without removing the brake line giving me room to get the tire on or off.  MikesXS also sells a lookalike MC for cheaper ($60) than the expensive ($80)rebuild kit for the old style MC.  My MC is fine but I need the Euro style MC to run two calipers (also available from MikesXS).  I could even swing them around to trailing edge with a few minor mods but I like the old school look.
   

[ken65]

hi, the 2 strokes are fun, but if i have to get from A to B everytime i do feel more confident on a 4 stroke, i think every stable needs at least one 2 stroke, here's mine , 81 RD 350 LC,

[Stev-o]

Hey Ken, I agree with you. My RD is a toy, would never ride it out of town.

'81 RD350?  I just read an article in Motorcycle Classics that the last RD400 in America was the '79 model