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Author Topic: Picked up a RD 350  (Read 11119 times)

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Offline david 750f

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Re: Picked up a RD 350
« Reply #25 on: February 22, 2014, 10:01:35 AM »
The RD's respond well to ignition upgrades. In the early 80's i rode 2000 miles from Calgary, Alberta to Toronto, Ontario on the same set of plugs. (On a 1975 RD350) I was running the old gold palladium plugs and upgraded ignition wires. Did go through quite a bit of two stroke oil... ;) ;)
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Offline MoMo

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Re: Picked up a RD 350
« Reply #26 on: February 22, 2014, 11:28:08 AM »
Quote from: LesterPiglet on February 22, 2014, 08:48:41 AM
I did plenty miles on my S1 and never had a problem with plugs except in torrential rain. More the caps than the plugs though.
Maybe the larger models were different.





Used an RD350 as a commuter bike as well as the earlier R5  model-no problems with fouled plugs whatsoever.  I did carry a spare set but never  had need for them.  In the shop all owners of Rd350 and 400s complained about fouled plugs, we'd either clean or change the plugs and then take the bike out for a thrashing , then check the color of the plugs(which were usually nice and tan) and return it to the customer.  Frequently, they'd return with fouled plugs and we would repeat the sequence...Larry
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Offline LesterPiglet

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Re: Picked up a RD 350
« Reply #27 on: February 22, 2014, 11:52:51 AM »
Obviously the bikes weren't getting hammered. I didn't need a throttle, just an on-off switch. :)
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Offline seanbarney41

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Re: Picked up a RD 350
« Reply #28 on: February 22, 2014, 12:39:49 PM »
I picked up a couple :o spare parts and 2 titled frames last night...picture coming soon
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Offline bill440cars

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Re: Picked up a RD 350
« Reply #29 on: February 23, 2014, 09:09:04 AM »


          I had one of those RD350s myself and they are fast and everything else that has been said. Also bad, back in the 60's, were the Suzuki X-6 Hustler and the Kawasaki 250 and 350 2 stroke twins. I get them mixed up, but the names Samuri and Avenger come to mind. The carbs were on each side of the crankshaft and there were rotary valves that made the engine more efficient than those that had only the carb on an open intake port, with the piston to close it off. Sometimes, I can't seem to effectively get my wording together to explain something, so I hope you all see what I am talking about. 
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Offline LesterPiglet

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Re: Picked up a RD 350
« Reply #30 on: February 23, 2014, 10:11:20 AM »
Rotary disc valves. Avenger was the 350.
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'Then' and 'than' are completely different words and have completely different meanings. Same with 'of' and 'have'. Set and sit. There, their and they're. Draw and drawer. Could care less/couldn't care less. Bought/brought FFS.


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Offline Retro Rocket

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Re: Picked up a RD 350
« Reply #31 on: February 23, 2014, 03:24:02 PM »
Quote from: fendersrule on February 21, 2014, 09:56:09 AM
Also good to know. I've always been open to an RD, but I may need to confirm the physical size before getting too excited.

I've been told I look "fine" on my SL350, but that's a whole different bike. As far as a "street" bike style, the CB450 to me is a like a small one-seater sports car and I wouldn't want to go any smaller. On the CB450, my ass is mostly to the rear of the seat.

Bill, not that it means much compared to your experience, but research online shows that the RD350 vs a CB450 would be a good race, not showing a "clear" winner. That speaks a lot about the power of both bikes, IMO.

An RD350 , any model, would blow the doors of any CB450, absolutely no contest....  I owned both, RD350 first then the CB450, the 450 was a let down compared to the RD, RD was also far easier to work on...
« Last Edit: February 23, 2014, 03:26:46 PM by Retro Rocket »
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Offline tbpmusic

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Re: Picked up a RD 350
« Reply #32 on: February 23, 2014, 04:38:12 PM »
Quote from: Retro Rocket on February 23, 2014, 03:24:02 PM
An RD350 , any model, would blow the doors of any CB450, absolutely no contest.... 

Already told him that......
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Offline Retro Rocket

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Re: Picked up a RD 350
« Reply #33 on: February 23, 2014, 04:46:47 PM »
Quote from: tbpmusic on February 23, 2014, 04:38:12 PM
Quote from: Retro Rocket on February 23, 2014, 03:24:02 PM
An RD350 , any model, would blow the doors of any CB450, absolutely no contest.... 

Already told him that......

Just a confirmation, I've owned both, One after the other, RD 350 first CB450 straight after... ;)  Should have kept the RD...
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Offline Stev-o

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Re: Picked up a RD 350
« Reply #34 on: February 23, 2014, 09:20:50 PM »
Quote from: Retro Rocket on February 23, 2014, 03:24:02 PM
Quote from: fendersrule on February 21, 2014, 09:56:09 AM
Also good to know. I've always been open to an RD, but I may need to confirm the physical size before getting too excited.

I've been told I look "fine" on my SL350, but that's a whole different bike. As far as a "street" bike style, the CB450 to me is a like a small one-seater sports car and I wouldn't want to go any smaller. On the CB450, my ass is mostly to the rear of the seat.

Bill, not that it means much compared to your experience, but research online shows that the RD350 vs a CB450 would be a good race, not showing a "clear" winner. That speaks a lot about the power of both bikes, IMO.

An RD350 , any model, would blow the doors of any CB450, absolutely no contest.... 

Now that's impressive!   All this talk about RD has made me decide to pull it out of storage this week. 
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Offline krusty

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Re: Picked up a RD 350
« Reply #35 on: February 23, 2014, 10:44:18 PM »
An RD350 took outright 4th place ahead of a CB750 in the 1974 Castrol 6 Hour production race and 1st in 500cc class. First 3 places were Kaw 900s. Not a CB450 to be seen (or entered) they just didn't have it. Awesome bike in their day. These were bog standard bikes, absolutely stock.

http://www.the6hour.com.au/content/history1974.html

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Offline grcamna2

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Re: Picked up a RD 350
« Reply #36 on: February 25, 2014, 08:10:16 AM »
Quote from: LesterPiglet on February 22, 2014, 08:48:41 AM
I did plenty miles on my S1 and never had a problem with plugs except in torrential rain. More the caps than the plugs though.
Maybe the larger models were different.

hey Lester,
Was the Kaw. S1 a 350 ?
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Offline MoMo

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Re: Picked up a RD 350
« Reply #37 on: February 25, 2014, 08:15:31 AM »
Quote from: grcamna2 on February 25, 2014, 08:10:16 AM
Quote from: LesterPiglet on February 22, 2014, 08:48:41 AM
I did plenty miles on my S1 and never had a problem with plugs except in torrential rain. More the caps than the plugs though.
Maybe the larger models were different.

hey Lester,
Was the Kaw. S1 a 350 ?



Not Lester but yes S1's were 350s.  Notice your avatar is Delmont, is that where I spent  a bunch of time camping with the Boy Scouts?...Larry
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Offline Stev-o

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Re: Picked up a RD 350
« Reply #38 on: February 25, 2014, 08:29:57 AM »
Hey Larry - If I am not mistaken, the S1 is a 250.  S2 is a 350.





Sharp lookin bike, love those old Kaws!
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Offline LesterPiglet

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Re: Picked up a RD 350
« Reply #39 on: February 25, 2014, 08:57:01 AM »
^^^^ Exactly the same as mine. 1975 S1C. Except the rear guard is missing and the front should be chrome.


S1 =250. S2 =350. S3 =400. H1 =500. H2 =750.
« Last Edit: February 25, 2014, 09:02:08 AM by LesterPiglet »
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'Then' and 'than' are completely different words and have completely different meanings. Same with 'of' and 'have'. Set and sit. There, their and they're. Draw and drawer. Could care less/couldn't care less. Bought/brought FFS.


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Offline MoMo

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Re: Picked up a RD 350
« Reply #40 on: February 25, 2014, 02:09:13 PM »
Right-0.  Sorry
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Offline Stev-o

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Re: Picked up a RD 350
« Reply #41 on: February 25, 2014, 03:53:41 PM »
Quote from: LesterPiglet on February 25, 2014, 08:57:01 AM
^^^^ Exactly the same as mine. 1975 S1C. Except the rear guard is missing and the front should be chrome.


S1 =250. S2 =350. S3 =400. H1 =500. H2 =750.


Didnt know you had one, Lester. Yours look that good??
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Offline LesterPiglet

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Re: Picked up a RD 350
« Reply #42 on: February 25, 2014, 03:57:57 PM »
I don't have it now. My first love. I see how my previous post was worded incorrectly.   ::)

It was less than a year old when I got it. It had lower european bars on it and I got Micron expansions, K&N's. Loved the noise of the straight cut primary gear that creates the distinctive whine from the triples. I chose it because everyone had a twin and I wanted more.  8)   Also nothing else had that cracker tailpiece.
« Last Edit: February 25, 2014, 04:02:02 PM by LesterPiglet »
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'Then' and 'than' are completely different words and have completely different meanings. Same with 'of' and 'have'. Set and sit. There, their and they're. Draw and drawer. Could care less/couldn't care less. Bought/brought FFS.


Les Ross.            Certified by a Professional

Offline grcamna2

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Re: Picked up a RD 350
« Reply #43 on: February 25, 2014, 08:45:07 PM »
Quote from: LesterPiglet on February 25, 2014, 03:57:57 PM
I don't have it now. My first love. I see how my previous post was worded incorrectly.   ::)

It was less than a year old when I got it. It had lower european bars on it and I got Micron expansions, K&N's. Loved the noise of the straight cut primary gear that creates the distinctive whine from the triples. I chose it because everyone had a twin and I wanted more.  8)   Also nothing else had that cracker tailpiece.

Lester, what rpm's was your usable powerband w/ the mods you did on your S1 ?
9K ?
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Offline LesterPiglet

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Re: Picked up a RD 350
« Reply #44 on: February 26, 2014, 01:57:53 AM »
I can't remember really but it was totally streetable. I do remember GT380's and 400/4's couldn't catch it.   8)
Later KH couldn't either.
RPM matched the speed, so 6k rpm = 60MPH. It seen 105 a few times.
« Last Edit: February 26, 2014, 02:03:00 AM by LesterPiglet »
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'Then' and 'than' are completely different words and have completely different meanings. Same with 'of' and 'have'. Set and sit. There, their and they're. Draw and drawer. Could care less/couldn't care less. Bought/brought FFS.


Les Ross.            Certified by a Professional

Offline grcamna2

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Re: Picked up a RD 350
« Reply #45 on: February 26, 2014, 07:40:51 PM »
It must of sounded like a whole barn full of ANGRY  >:( baby bumblebees at those revs  ;).
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Offline Stev-o

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Re: Picked up a RD 350
« Reply #46 on: March 02, 2014, 01:08:46 PM »
Pulled my RD out of storage on Friday,  kick, kick, kick...nothing.
Slapped new plugs in it and ying ying ying!! [it may have been low on gas?]
Rode off and filled up with fuel and stopped off at the park...





Met my brother at the Austin F1 track yesterday, used it as my pit bike...




The clutch slips above 7K RPM, think it's time to change the discs.
Have you done a clutch job on one?
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Offline MoMo

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Re: Picked up a RD 350
« Reply #47 on: March 02, 2014, 01:14:09 PM »
Done quite a few back in the day Steve, very easy-hardest part would be removing the gasket material if it sticks.  Should not take more than a couple hours...Larry
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Offline Stev-o

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Re: Picked up a RD 350
« Reply #48 on: March 02, 2014, 01:28:49 PM »
Quote from: MoMo on March 02, 2014, 01:14:09 PM
Done quite a few back in the day Steve, very easy-hardest part would be removing the gasket material if it sticks.  Should not take more than a couple hours...Larry

Good to know, thanks Larry.  Now that it's running good, stops fine after installing a new caliper, next will be the clutch job. It's fine if ridden "normal", but what fun is that??
This baby wants to scream!
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Offline MoMo

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Re: Picked up a RD 350
« Reply #49 on: March 02, 2014, 01:52:19 PM »
Quote from: Stev-o on March 02, 2014, 01:28:49 PM
Quote from: MoMo on March 02, 2014, 01:14:09 PM
Done quite a few back in the day Steve, very easy-hardest part would be removing the gasket material if it sticks.  Should not take more than a couple hours...Larry

Good to know, thanks Larry.  Now that it's running good, stops fine after installing a new caliper, next will be the clutch job. It's fine if ridden "normal", but what fun is that??
This baby wants to scream!



Probably a good idea to buy the gasket and fiber plates in advance.  The metal ones are usually discolored and if not warped can be sanded and reused(similar to any other bike that has been ridden hard).  One of my early bikes was an R5, rode it everywhere and never had a problem with it, other than the time my brother did a wheelie into a railroad car. Broken jaw and two broken wrists-that is when you know who your friends are at toilet time ::)
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