[chrisf]

Hi:

I'm looking at two RDs. One is an RD350 and the other is an RD400. I love the size/feeling of my little CB350 and would like to duplicate it with a 2-stroke. So first, will the RD350 be of similar size to the CB350?

How much bigger (if any) is the RD400 than the RD350?

--Thanks, Chris

 

[texmawby]

people in the know say that the 350 is more reliable than the 400. can't remember if it is a crank issue or trans issue with the 400 after they have been built. i expect one of the 2stroke gurus will chime in pretty soon.

damn sexy little bikes. i know i want one too....someday!

tex

 

[chrisf]

I've heard similar stories. The CEO of my compacy snapped a crank on a 350. The 350 I'm looking at also had a rebuild that included a new crank, which is odd.

I'm not going to mod the bike too much, and it will basically be used to cruise around with my wife on back. These seem like good bikes for this sort of thing, assuming they are small. The CB360 I built was a little tall and top heavy for my tastes.

--Chris

 

[kenessex]

Either one would be fine for street use. Pick the one you like better or is in better shape and go for it. I have raced both, and they really feel about the same to me.
Ken

 

[UngaWunga]

Both bikes are very reliable. It was the RD400 Daytona model that snapped cranks, but only at race pace.

The 400 will probably be a better streetbike. A little more torque, but not as much high end power. Unless you pipe/port them. The RD400 cast wheels were very heavy compared to the 350's spoked wheels.

And why the hell would you want to make a RD handle like a CB350? What a downgrade that would be. The RDs are lighter, handle better, and make more power. Its easier to find/buy parts for, and easier to get more out of the motor.

 

[chrisf]

I think I was confusing. I like the size/proportions of the CB350; they fit me well. I don't really need it to handle like the 350. That's good news that the RDs handle better.

So size-wise, are they similar or is the RD350 (or 400) bigger?

--Thanks, Chris

 

[2smokeTyler]

i dont suggest the RD for passenger duties...not a whole lot of oomph below 5500. i actually hate riding my bike in traffic because i have to tap dance on the shifter to hustle through cars. yeah sure, maybe i should slow down and go with the flow of traffic, but what fun would that be? out on the highway, the RD is sooooooo much fun though. but i have a xr750 tail on it with no passenger seat, even though my ex keeps requesting that i put one on it...off topic. but if you are going two up, i would look to getting something with more torque...just my opinion though

 

[Fang]

My stock RD350 is just fine -- both with and with out a passenger. And the magic word here is stock. You can crank a whole lot of power out of a RD350 or 400, but it really sort of ruins the bike. They are rather reliable stock. They are quick -- fast compared to a CB350, they are smooth (or at least the stock powerband is not bad at all), and they don't break cranks or burn holes in pistons. But once you start to modify and trick them out for speed they are difficult to tune, and a 2 stroke that is our of tune is a ticking time bomb of doom, doom, and more doom.

I have had mine for a while, and inspite of a self-induced wiring problem, it is a good little bike. Now, I intend to trick mine out some and work through the associated gremlins, but a stock RD is a fine bike.

Just my $0.02.
Peace and grease
-fang

 

[2smokeTyler]

they don't burn holes in pistons? i will argue that point! true, i blew my crank seals out and stopped up my petcock all at the same time, but they will hole a piston. i dont know how an RD runs stock, but with my chambers on it, you just have to be above 5500 to get any kind of rush out of it. other than my pods and pipes though, my motor is stock too, but i wouldn't call it smooth or torquey by any stretch. also, if you are building a "true" cafe bike...tricking it out for speed is the whole basis of the genre.

 

[snorkelfork]

pods on an rd... whole topic on it's own

 

[chrisf]

Well I'm going to look at the 400 tomorrow. He's asking $2000, which sounds really high. We'll see what the bike looks like. At that price, it better be ready for a dallas to ausin trip without a hicup

The 350 has expansion chambers and looks like a cool bike That one is $1400, but needs new tires
($200), a title ($200) and and its carbs cleaned. It supposedly runs and can be ridden, just needs a little tune up. We'll see.

I'm also considering big thumpers, but those seem like they would suck on the highway. I've always lovede the RDs, so hopefully everything works out...

--Thanks, Chris

 

[UngaWunga]

2000 is very high for a 400, unless its a garage queen.
New tires can be had for under $200. BT-45s, mount them yourself. Get new tubes.

ANd if you're burning holes in pistons, you should tune up your bike and adjust your ignition. If you're running full throttle all the time, bump up the heat range on your plugs from 8s to 9s.

 

[coolatula]

quote:Originally posted by chrisf

Well I'm going to look at the 400 tomorrow. He's asking $2000, which sounds really high. We'll see what the bike looks like. At that price, it better be ready for a dallas to ausin trip without a hicup

The 350 has expansion chambers and looks like a cool bike That one is $1400, but needs new tires
($200), a title ($200) and and its carbs cleaned. It supposedly runs and can be ridden, just needs a little tune up. We'll see.

I'm also considering big thumpers, but those seem like they would suck on the highway. I've always lovede the RDs, so hopefully everything works out...

--Thanks, Chris

A guy in the same little town where I live just sold a decent DAYTONA 400 for $1,200 so there is NO WAY I would pay $2,000.00 for ANY regular RD 350/400 unless it was #1 a VERY low ser.# or made out of GOLD! Seriously it would have to be in very,very good condition.

For a reference point I saw a very clean,low mileage Kawasaki KZ1000 on CL a few weeks ago for $2,850 and a bike like that will always hold that value and they are starting to creep up. That bike will alway be more desirable and colectable than a plain Jane RD350/400.

I would like to find a H1 and or a T500.
There are several low mileage Suzuki Ts in Walnecks for under $2,500. I know where there are a couple KH400 triples(one restoreable,w/title,runs and one parts bike) AND a RD350(runs w/title) all three for around a $1,000.

A buddy of mine used to have a stock KH400 and they are very,very smooth running bikes,but they don't make much power off the pipe.

I don't know how mean they can be if built(KH400),but I wouldn't want to ruin how smooth they run. If I could build the one I found and still keep most of the smoothness I'd go for it and buy it for a winter build.

 

[UngaWunga]

Skip the KH400s. THere's no parts for them out there.

 

[2smokeTyler]

yes, kh's are VERY hard to find parts for...and my bike...i blew out my crank seals and had a clogged petcock which lead to its demise. it is tuned right, jetting is spot on...i just should have inspected the bottom end before i woke it up from its 20 year nap...youth and beauty is no match for old age and treachery!!