10th Jul 2006, 22:36
Thank you for the kind words regarding the RD 250.
I will indeed write an update when the restoration is completed. I've been busy searching for NOS parts & used
accessories in excellent condition. Soon I will be putting on the new tires & registering the RD.
I can't wait to take it for a nice long ride and relive the experiences I had riding my RD 350 some 30 years ago.
I'm finding that there are a lot of people out there who had RD's in their youth, that have done the same thing I'm doing.
Find a clean, unabused example, and make it "new" again.
You can still find them, if you look hard enough.
Even in a barn in New Hampshire!
15th Jan 2007, 09:31
Update - The little Yamaha's restoration is nearly complete.
Most of the mechanical work has been done.
I will be finishing the cosmetics over the next few months, while I ride this fun little bike to & from work.
I ended up re-jetting the carbs, rebuilding the forks, completely going over the brakes, put on new tires, and over-hauling the oil-injection system amongst other things.
Anything that needed to be addressed after sitting in a barn for over a quarter century was done.
As for the cosmetics - the bike looks fine as is, but with a little time & money, it could look showroom new.
I'm thinking of repainting the tank & side covers, new decals, and a front fender re-chrome. This certainly would bring this bike back to brand new condition. Will give an update once some miles are put on my RD!
18th Jan 2007, 11:59
An RD250 - my first bike and loads of fun. Now I'm 65 and what have I got? An '81 Yamaha XS1100H. An old article called it "King Kong In Tails" Subtle it isn't, but still lots and lots of fun. Still it would be kinda neat to have a little 250 again. :-)
18th May 2008, 03:26
I just bought an RD 250 for 50 bucks. I am putting points and condenser in it, rebuilt the carbs and cleaned it up. Although I have not got it all together yet, I love to sit on it; it is very comfortable. This is my first bike and I will be checking in on this site. Any info would be great.
19th Dec 2008, 00:39
I had an RD 250 back in the early 80's... I had the mag cast rims (RD 350?) with drag bars, chambers, rear set pegs with shift and brake linkage, a custom fiberglass seat. Quite a sweet ride. Alas, someone else thought enough to rip it off! That was a fun bike, enjoyed every minute I rode it...
30th Jan 2009, 09:45
This is a great site. It's neat to hear these stories.
I have acquired a 1975 Yamaha 350 RD from my father in law 16 years ago. He let it sit in a shed for about 15 years. I stuck some money into it 15 years ago to get it going, then I let it sit for about 10 years.
The carbs were plugged, so I just recently had them redone. The bike has 1230 miles on it. It is a blast to ride that bike.
The question I have is what type of oil does anyone recommend that I put into the crank case and the motor for the auto lube? I noticed yesterday that the right side of the cylinder was very hot and the left side was not so hot, any suggestions? Thank you.
7th Mar 2009, 17:08
RE: oil for crankcase. I have used every oil under the sun when I had my 1975 RD (back in 1981). I never did kill it even though I used 10w-40 four stroke oil leftover from my dads gas station. Looking back, I should have stuck with Yamalube 2-stroke oil, but I was an idiot teen with no idea how a motorcycle worked and it was cheap.
BTW you don't put oil in the crankcase on a 2-stroke. On these bike, you just fill the oil tank and the oil injection system does the rest. In the case of a disconnected injection system, you pre-mix the fuel/oil and dump it into the fuel tank. Weight savings for racing was the reason I guess for so many owners to get rid of the injection system.
I live in northern Montana now, having settled within 65 miles of where I grew up. My Dad sold my bike to a neighbor back in 1983 and I can't help but wonder if it's still sitting up I n Eureka leaning against a tree. I drove by the general area a few times but can't quite remember where the neighbor actually lived. Maybe someday I'll be riding my Valkyrie on a country road and I'll catch a glimpse of an aged white tank with faded red stripes sitting off in a field.
14th Mar 2009, 18:38
Just read your comment about the white tank and red stripes, and thought I would comment that about an hour ago I bought a white with red stripe 1975 rd 250 and I can't wait to ride it. I bought it from a good friend who wasn't sure if he should part with it. If I ever decide to get rid of it, I will post on this page. Chris Kingston New York.
25th May 2009, 20:32
I have that exact bike. 75 rd250 white with red stripes on the fuel tank. I was wondering if there was a possibility of increasing the size of the engine. Are rd400 heads compatible with the 250 engine?
5th Aug 2009, 14:29
I got an RD250 from my uncle. Same white tank - red stripe. Less than 2K miles, sat (inside) for the last 30 years.
Not sure about the year - title was lost. I have the VIN. Must be 74 or 75 I think. Any idea how to find out online, or must I go to the dealer?
Thanks, Mike.
4th Nov 2009, 12:50
HI CHAPS, I'M FROM THE UK.
Yes you can upgrade the engine cc on all RD250s simply by fitting a complete RD350 top end. It goes straight on, but the studs are slightly shorter so using the 350 studs is best. You can also use a RD400 top end, but you need to have 6mm machined off the top of the cylinder bore and 2mm off the bottom, but you'll need to use 250C header pipes as the torque ind'n ones won't fit.
Keith.
5th Nov 2009, 20:38
1975 AMF Harley 250 SX/SS Street Tracker Custom 2 Stroker:
Not to get too far off base, but on the idea of two strokes... I recently purchased a Yami motored, Milwaukee spag burner. Oil injected 250cc powerhouse. I run premix for now and am seeking info on all that.
The reason for input is that there is similarity in respect to the famous RD250. I'm seeking an exhaust expansion chamber... all info appreciated.
9th Jul 2006, 16:41
The owner and restorer of the RD250, it is a credit to be privileged to own a bike like this. I wish I was fortunate to own one.
When I see an old RD250 or 350 on the road fully restored, it brings back wonderful memories of the past. Just to hear that lovely two-stroke sound gets my pulse racing.
It is a shame they don`t make them like this any more: Good to look at, a joy to ride, easy to maintain and the sound of that engine, better than any music.
Good luck with the restoration.