1977 Yamaha RD400 Cafe - Custom Build Start and Walk Around
1.5 هزار بار بازدید -
2 ماه پیش
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This is my bike Angie,
This is my bike Angie, short for Anger Management. I bought this bike in 1986 from a Kawasaki dealership on consignment in San Luis Obispo, CA. It was in rideable condition, but needed repairs. I was a kid and didn't know much about mechanics back then. It slowly deteriorated and eventually tried to kill me. So around 1993 I put her in mothballs.
For years, she sat on friend's porches, in my Mom's garage and from rental to rental until I bought a house. Then I finally broke her down into boxes, where she would sit for another 10+ years, before I would actually start the build. But I always knew that I would restore her. So just before the new Millenium, I started buying parts- another frame, new engine case, Daytona head, wiring harness, RD350 wheels, etc. I wasn't exactly sure how I would build her, so I amassed quite a pile of parts. At one point, I was going to build a TD3 replica, but in the end, I just wanted to get her on the road again.
She turned out to be pretty nice. I did the 520 chain conversion and changed her gearing a bit. She's outfitted with Tarozzi rearsets. Suspension is track-ready with Race Tech emulators and springs in the front with Ikon shocks in the rear. I'm using Woodcraft clip-ons and a modified triple clamp. Most of her is OEM NOS stock with the exception of a Barnetts kevlar clutch and a different master cylinder in the front.
It's taken me a few years off and on to get her to this stage. Every season, I do a few changes. The goal has always been track days. This past year, I went back to my original heads and had them reshaped and skimmed. The cylinders got ported. I ported the intakes too and switched from Boyesen to TDR reeds. I'm still using my original VM28 carbs, but with the Dave F. mod and larger needle jets. I had custom expansion chambers built by Brian Turfrey of Kenny Roberts fame. These pipes don't kick in till 6500-7000, then it pegs the needle in the red. I also built up these aluminum wheels and put some Avon rubber on. Over the Winter, I swapped out the Newtronics ignition for an HPI unit. At the point, she weighs in at 290 pounds with half a tank of gas. Yeah, she's fast.
In the clip, I'm just firing her up, getting ready for a shakedown ride. Heading up Mt. Hamilton on Friday and want to make sure she's good to go! Pretty soon, it'll be time to put in cooler plugs, so just a little more testing! I've already booked a few track days this Summer. I think it's going to be a great season!
For years, she sat on friend's porches, in my Mom's garage and from rental to rental until I bought a house. Then I finally broke her down into boxes, where she would sit for another 10+ years, before I would actually start the build. But I always knew that I would restore her. So just before the new Millenium, I started buying parts- another frame, new engine case, Daytona head, wiring harness, RD350 wheels, etc. I wasn't exactly sure how I would build her, so I amassed quite a pile of parts. At one point, I was going to build a TD3 replica, but in the end, I just wanted to get her on the road again.
She turned out to be pretty nice. I did the 520 chain conversion and changed her gearing a bit. She's outfitted with Tarozzi rearsets. Suspension is track-ready with Race Tech emulators and springs in the front with Ikon shocks in the rear. I'm using Woodcraft clip-ons and a modified triple clamp. Most of her is OEM NOS stock with the exception of a Barnetts kevlar clutch and a different master cylinder in the front.
It's taken me a few years off and on to get her to this stage. Every season, I do a few changes. The goal has always been track days. This past year, I went back to my original heads and had them reshaped and skimmed. The cylinders got ported. I ported the intakes too and switched from Boyesen to TDR reeds. I'm still using my original VM28 carbs, but with the Dave F. mod and larger needle jets. I had custom expansion chambers built by Brian Turfrey of Kenny Roberts fame. These pipes don't kick in till 6500-7000, then it pegs the needle in the red. I also built up these aluminum wheels and put some Avon rubber on. Over the Winter, I swapped out the Newtronics ignition for an HPI unit. At the point, she weighs in at 290 pounds with half a tank of gas. Yeah, she's fast.
In the clip, I'm just firing her up, getting ready for a shakedown ride. Heading up Mt. Hamilton on Friday and want to make sure she's good to go! Pretty soon, it'll be time to put in cooler plugs, so just a little more testing! I've already booked a few track days this Summer. I think it's going to be a great season!
2 ماه پیش
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