Any Yamaha RD/RZ Owners? | FerrariChat

Any Yamaha RD/RZ Owners?

Discussion in 'Motorcycles & Boats' started by Jon H, Apr 28, 2013.

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  1. Jon H

    Jon H Karting
    Silver Subscribed

    Oct 23, 2008
    136
    Houston
    Full Name:
    Jon Halvorsen
    Any fellow F-chatters owners of RD or RZ Yamahas?

    I have a 76 RD400C which I have owned since new, it has been in storage for
    many years. Since it will be 40 years old in 2016 I think it's about time to get
    it running again!
     
  2. NWaterfall

    NWaterfall Formula Junior

    Aug 2, 2009
    564
    The Track
    Full Name:
    Waterfall
    One of my close friends picked up a 72 RD250 a couple of weeks ago. Such a blast of a bike to rip around town on! It's currently transforming in to a bit of a Cafe Racer.
     
  3. Tarik

    Tarik Formula Junior

    Jun 1, 2011
    381
    Philly Suburbs
    Full Name:
    Tarik
    Years ago I had a '75 RD350. I loved that bike! I've always wanted another one...
     
  4. Jon H

    Jon H Karting
    Silver Subscribed

    Oct 23, 2008
    136
    Houston
    Full Name:
    Jon Halvorsen
    My brother had a RZ350 (Canadian) for a couple of years - lots of fun!
     
  5. parkerfe

    parkerfe F1 World Champ

    Sep 4, 2001
    12,887
    Cumming, Georgia
    Full Name:
    Franklin E. Parker
    join www.vjmc.org to help you fine parts and information to help with restoration
     
  6. SKXF430

    SKXF430 Karting

    Oct 19, 2004
    164
    W. Los Angeles
    Former RZ350 owner and regret selling it. :(
     
  7. Texas Forever

    Texas Forever Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Apr 28, 2003
    75,396
    Texas!
    I owned a R Zed 500 once. Very interesting bike because it was a challenge to shift fast enough, both up or down. Winding it up meant banging shifts as fast as you could. Then there was zero, and I mean zero, engine braking on the downside.

    I sold it because I couldn't get it licensed in the US. Plus, the vibs put a lot of stress on the plastic pieces. But it was a fun bike.

    Dale
     
  8. LightGuy

    LightGuy Three Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Oct 4, 2004
    39,597
    Texas
    Full Name:
    David
    My first "almost" bike.
    Back when the Carter administration was giving out $100 IRS rebate checks a local dealer was doubling the discount AND blowing out RD350's as the 400's came in.
    My net out the door price was like $800.
    Then I enlisted and that was that.
     
  9. jm3

    jm3 F1 Rookie

    Oct 3, 2002
    4,364
    United States
    Full Name:
    JM3
    #9 jm3, May 9, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  10. Tarik

    Tarik Formula Junior

    Jun 1, 2011
    381
    Philly Suburbs
    Full Name:
    Tarik
    That's the one I always wanted, or a Daytona...
     
  11. B R

    B R F1 Rookie

    Aug 31, 2005
    2,818
    Los Angeles, CA
    Full Name:
    B R
    Had a 78 RD400, 85 RZ350, & 92 TZR 250. That's the extent of all of my Yamaha street bikes ever owned, good times.
     
  12. vee12

    vee12 Formula Junior
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    Nov 2, 2008
    333
    Atlanta
    Full Name:
    Les
    #12 vee12, May 13, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Here's my 1976 RD400C. These things are a total hoot to ride...great noises and it gets more attention than any of my "newer" motos!
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  13. parkerfe

    parkerfe F1 World Champ

    Sep 4, 2001
    12,887
    Cumming, Georgia
    Full Name:
    Franklin E. Parker
    I love vintage Japanese smokers.While I don't have an RD, I do have three smokers, a TM400, F11 and H2
     
  14. 2000YELLOW360

    2000YELLOW360 F1 World Champ

    Jun 5, 2001
    19,800
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    Art
    I had the predecessor the 305. Used to ride with guys on Nortons and Triumphs. Taught me how to ride, since there was no way I'd let them pass me.

    Art
     
  15. davem

    davem F1 Veteran
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    Jan 21, 2002
    8,211
    Stepford, Connecticut
    Full Name:
    dave m
    My one an only bike a RD 350 with a 400 in it. Sold after too many scares on 4 wheels let alone 2. Course was only about 19 and crazy!
     
  16. B R

    B R F1 Rookie

    Aug 31, 2005
    2,818
    Los Angeles, CA
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    B R
    #16 B R, May 16, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  17. Esoteric Auto Detail

    Esoteric Auto Detail Formula Junior

    Dec 14, 2008
    822
    Columbus, OH
    '85 RZ 350 was my first street bike, and first of many Yamahas. I wish I had one in the garage today, or even an RD 400 Daytona Special! Love the old 2-strokes...
     
  18. rdefabri

    rdefabri Three Time F1 World Champ

    Jun 4, 2008
    33,571
    NJ
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    Rich
    Nice bikes - IIRC, these are all 2-strokes?

    I wanted a Kawi H1 at one time, but a few people scared me off... :D
     
  19. dmaxx3500

    dmaxx3500 Formula 3

    Jul 19, 2008
    1,027
    i had an rz500,it was fat ,slow,but very cool,owned it for 6 months -then somebody wanted it for way more then i paid for it,it had an alabama title ,i liked my zx11 better
     
  20. Texas Forever

    Texas Forever Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Apr 28, 2003
    75,396
    Texas!
    You're a better man than I. When I had my R Zed, I could never find the time to look at the speedo. I was shifting like a mad man. :)

    Dale
     
  21. dmaxx3500

    dmaxx3500 Formula 3

    Jul 19, 2008
    1,027
    worst thing was having to kick start it
     
  22. alexm

    alexm F1 Veteran

    Sep 6, 2004
    5,223
    Coast up from Sydney
    Full Name:
    Alex
    My very last bike was an RD350LC.. it was quick for the day!

    For a challenge to kick start you should have tried my very first bike.. a Ducati 450 Desmo.. when it was in the mood it could kick back like a mule and getting it to co-operate most days was like herding cats.. loved it though..
     
  23. kiesan

    kiesan Formula 3
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    Nov 21, 2003
    1,454
    Seattle
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    Kie Robertson
    #23 kiesan, Oct 20, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Just had a pretty decent Canadian market 1990 model traded in. Decent, fairly clean and very original. Has not run for 7 years, parked in a living room. Debating a mild resurrection vs selling as-is.
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  24. paulyp

    paulyp Karting

    Dec 11, 2011
    91
    Dallas
    Had a 1977 RD400 as my first road bike. First time out I hit the power band (around 6000 RPM) in first gear and wondered if this little bike was going to kill me! What a fun bike.
     
  25. Hardistyfezza

    Hardistyfezza Formula Junior

    My first bike - 82 Yamaha RD350 LC Blue/White/ Black - Awesome.
     

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