New Ambulance

[Flynt]

I had red/white envy, but how could another FJ compete with Wizard for my time?  I needed something different...  Here's the alternative I came up with:



'79 RD400F Daytona Special with full resto done 6 miles ago, period correct hotrod mods, and a built engine.  I couldn't resist.   

If it looks as good in person it will be mine Sunday.  Lord (or at least Father Pat) forgive my mortal soul...   

Frank

[ken65]

im green with envy, half your luck, i hope its as good in the flash

[Capn Ron]

Wow, that is one good lookin' bike!

Cap'n Ron. . .

[fj11.5]

Wow, she,s cute,    ,,

[Flynt]

luck...

I was locked on a vmax as a third bike...  made more garage space and need to fill it.  Problem is I HATE CRUISERS!  Nothing personal intended for anyone here, but they just don't make me comfortable with the level of control I have over the situation.  Too heavy, too laid back, too... well too Cruiser!  Once I rode a few again I was reminded why I've never had one.

Then the thought of an old RD hit me and there it was on CL...  posted just before I looked.  I've ridden one a couple of times and really memember the big poke you get at 6K.  They were a cheap rocket leveraging all the Yamaha racing success of the day.  

This one comes with a bunch of NOS parts and the original parts (footpegs, head, pipes, etc) were restored as well to enable a quick change to original if desired.  After a bit of negotiation he threw in a pneumatic, shop-grade motorcycle lift as well.  

I'll report back...

Frank

[ken65]

they are fun, fast on the pipe and are going up in price, if i lived in the US id be getting as many as i could, my rd is the next generation with water cooling so they got a little more out off them, , theres a daytona on ebay overhere at the moment ,hes asking 15 grand, an rd like mine went for 28 grand about 18 months ago, admittedly only had 1 km on it but needed work , as usual a photo..

[Flynt]

really memember...

Really...  do you?

Duh

[Flynt]

WOW!!  Very nice bike and thanks for sharing. 

I bet there are lots of RD stories out there guys...  bring 'em if you got 'em.

Frank

[ken65]

here's the 1 on eBay,  an acquaintance up the road from sold a nice daytona for just under 9 last year from memory

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/YAMAHA-RD400-1979-DAYTONA-SPECIAL-NEAR-NEW-ONLY-88-MILES-SINCE-NEW-NOS-RD-RD400F-/181207036765?pt=AU_Motorcycles&hash=item2a30c7f35d&_uhb=1

[fj11.5]

Wow,rd,s used to be cheap fun , think I'll look for an rz , rgv , or rg or have these skyrocketed to 

[Flynt]

I'll report back...

I picked up the RD yesterday, trailered her home, then began fiddling with stuff and took a couple of test rides...  what a hoot!  It is not broken in obviously (6 miles since restoration), so I set my rev limit at 6,500-7,000 and kept throttle <1/2 open.  Right at 6K the bike tries to lift the front wheel in 1st and 2nd.  I'm running 32:1 premix through the first 500mi, so she's earning the "smoker" title...  My chase car (a friend in his '73 240z) actually had to back off a ways due to fumes.

Here are a couple more pics for the RD fans...  then I'll stop.  This is an FJ site after all...







We now return to your regular programming...

Frank

[ken65]

very nice indeed, a thing that i like with these strokers is its like having 2 different bikes, dr jeckle and mr hyde, take it easy around town, then go out and have some real fun.

quote " rd,s used to be cheap fun , think I'll look for an rz , rgv , or rg or have these skyrocketed to"

the rz's are starting to go up, especially the 350 more than the 250,real big bucks for an rz500, same with good rg500's , nice ones are  around 12-15 grand, a fair bit less for the 400,
the rgv is holding its own, good ones around 3  1/2 to 5 grand although sometimes you get lucky if your patient.

[movenon]

No need to "stop".. Damn that looks great ! Perhaps a new category could be started "Restorations and Fun" 
George

[Pat Conlon]

I fondly remember the Gingerelli brothers riding the RD's and beating out (as in embarrassing) the 650/750's back in day.
Those little dudes are rockets. Nice find Frank!

George, let's see if we can get Frank to post some Picts of his 240z.....

[movenon]

I fondly remember the Gingerelli brothers riding the RD's and beating out (as in embarrassing) the 650/750's back in day.
Those little dudes are rockets. Nice find Frank!

George, let's see if we can get Frank to post some Picts of his 240z.....

Yea, I bet that's all wore out to..........
George