Owned mine through the 80s. Immaculate original shape. I'd get taken by surprise by the torque every Spring after not riding all winter. Rode wheelies in three gears every time I pulled off a stop light. Sold it for $900 in '92 with only 7,000 miles on it. Shoulda kept it!
I owned a RD125 and my older buddy owned a RD350. The power band on the 350 almost made me leave a mark on the seat! My buddy ended up road racing the 350 and was top 3 in his first two years. Him and his father were the first to own the Ninjas when they came out,but he chose the RD350 for road racing.I believe the was in the 550 class as well. Gotta love the 2 strokes!
My friend had one. I could get the front wheel up just cranking on the throttle. Not as scary as a Kawasaki H2 750 but the RD350 would get that wheel up easily.
I’m 62 and have ridden just about every brand and size Bike available here in the U.S. and Canada. I can honestly say I had more Riding Pleasure and Satisfaction on RD’s than I did on any other Bike.
This used to be a complete legend here in india it was the motercycle That introduced india to performance in india it was produced by Yamaha with collaboration with an indian company called Rajdoot It was the fastest motercycle you could get in the 90's it was a sensational bike which was known for performance, acceleration, handling....... Brings back old memories of the Legendary RD350....
Was very attached to my RD350 (in 'british racing green' from memory) back in the late 70s, but found that it didn't enjoy the hot weather of northern Australia so much. I upgraded to an RD 350LC and found it a thrilling ride. But I never got over the loss of all that lovely chrome - which i used to enjoy polishing!
I purchased a 1974 RD350A brand new. It was Solid maroon with white lettering. Back then it was one of the faster bikes on the road. My best friend bought a Harley 1000 Sportster the same day. We did the break in period and both completed it in the same day and decided to race. I smoked him. Surprised both of us. If I remember correctly I paid around $1300. or so brand new. Under full acceleration from a standing stop the front wheel would be off the ground for the first 3 gears. A real screamer in it's day.
My father owned a brand new 73 Yamaha RD350,paid approx $1300 for it loved the bike and said the handling was great,going round corners like it was on rails thanks for the video Auckland New Zealand 2022
Yep whites Yamaha on main drag of Newmarket Auckland was main dealer I remember seeing brand new tt500s in early 80s.rds were cool and fast frm memory they used tosell triumphs b4 yams and had a very rare triumph bandit prototype hanging from roof
My Grandpa had a 250 somewhere around that year.He let me ride it when I was about 17 years old.It was the first 2 stroke twin cylinder street bike that I ever rode.It would run about 85 mph.My first street legal motorcycle was a Yamaha DT 400 street and trail bike.I first bought it to ride to high school and then to work.Later I stripped it down for trail riding only.
I had one of these in the very early 70s. Then Kawasaki came out with the H2 750. I got that and was never disappointed with the performance. Quickest street bike around.
Thought we were the same age, all your references about what bikes you had and when. I remember going with my father to pick up this exact bike in 1974, guy had it for less than a year. Dads out visiting now, just showed him this vid, we dont remember what he paid for it... we do remember it had 1300 miles on it... had some hella fun on that thing... sold it in 79, he got a 750 and I got a YZ100 that year... good times, good memories... thx for the vids man...
I will be 65 this December 2023 and I had one exactly like that one .And I had an orange one. Later on I bought a used RZ350 liquid cooled version.All were great bikes in their day. Now they are becoming investments.Priced are going up on all 2 strokes.I think I liked it better when they were just good affordable used bikes but time marches on.
I ride a 74 Rd that is still clean and fun as hell. ..one can flick the mid road stripes at 55 and not miss a one ......... 1974 was the year i graduated highschool. Fun when old bikers see it and say its the bike that got them hung on riding. Thanks for the video.
Oh man, just like my bike. Down to the plastic headed key! And no key scratches on the dash board. Looks 100% original, right down to the rear sprocket.
That was mine! I Absolutely LOVED mine. It went faster than the specs say. I’d take it up over 100 easily with the 6 speed. It was so light I thought I might take Flight if I hit a rock or bump big enough. Thanks for this video!
And FYI, I rode my RD350 from Iowa to Florida with my rock band, then to Washington DC. Sissy bar on the back with my sleeping bag, feet up crossed over the gas tank and cruised my way there.
@@DJKCNX Plenty of people rode em cross country without problems but the TH-cam elves always come out having never even seen the bikes they're talking about in person knowing the owner dang well had one! Beautiful bike. Beautiful era of bikes period. So sad the road going 2 strokes were not fully explored as many loved them.
Yes . It's def. Super Clean RD ..I have owned 28 RD's..yes twenty-eight..about 1/2 were 350's and 1/2 were 400's..Stock-Cafe-Dragbike etc.." I didn't catch the mialege ? Yours is def. a 9 scale..Really enjoy your videos..TY for showing cool bikes.
I owned many large litre capacity four stroke bikes, bit I was never as impressed by the acceleration of any bike as the 350 torque induction. In good condition they pull so hard and sound so good, it probably impressed me more given its small size and great power to weight ratio, as well as fine handling. Finally, and most importantly to my eyes they look so good, everything just looks right on them. What a machine
I was 16 when my buddy who was never a rider before decided it was a vood idea to buy a 1969 Kawasaki 500 H1.When he tried to ride his new bike and it scared him so much he told me that if i could ride the thing home he would give it to me.I had that exact year and model RD350 Kaplans is showing us now. After getting used to my RD 350 Yamaha and then to get off of it to ride that white with blue stripe on it's tank H1 was intense to say the least but i made it. I kept it and the RD350 for almost a year.A man stopped me in the lot of a store to ask if it was for sale but i couldn't i had go go to a wedding or something.Anyway I had mixed feelings while I watched it fly out of site. I was very glad i held onto my RD350. I knew the Kaw was very popular back then but I preferred my RD350.I ended up trading the 350 and getting the RD400 .
Mine as well. Mine was '73 and same colours but with a slightly fatter tank that had come along after the first few (as I recall). Crashed mine quite a few times and damage to me is surfacing again as I get old.
I bought a brand new RD250 while stationed at Fort Carson, CO. in 1973. It was so fast that I was scared to mess with the RD 350. BTW I bought my first computer in Nov. 1980. It was a TRS-80 Model 1.
I had the rd 250 same shape I blew it up on the 1st day I bought it I had it rebored & I had 350 lc racing pistons in it it had power band @ 3000 revs then it shot upto 6000 revs it had like 2 power bands in every gear it was great
Friend and I just found a 74 for 700 bucks we bought it and brought it home I'm working on getting it back to running condition. It's totally original and is going to look great just dirty and some surface rust. Unfortunately when I opened up the side case to look at the auto lube pump it was missing so I'm going to have to find one so I don't have to keep doing the pre-mixture
I'd love to own that but 1 bike is all I can afford to keep. Like you Mr Kaplan I had a lotve fun on rd350's and 400's amazing bikes way ahead of there time.
Love these bikes, first machine I ever owned was an RD250B (1975 model) in 1978. The other three of the Big Four Japanese makes had their own 250's for the then UK 'learner' market but the RD's (and its precursors) were simply in a different league for a decade or more (motor, frame/chassis, brakes, looks - everything), I could never understand how anyone could choose any other 250 over it.
Haha just from that sound only my youth came flooding back, thank you for showing this, that colour too, wow they used to do the fs1e fizzy 50cc in that colour too
Gotta love that bike, the 70’s and 80’s were the years to ride them bikes. Glad I was born back then, I have seen them all! Thanks for sharing Kaplan man. 😎🇺🇸✌🏽
A dream on two wheels 👍❤🏍 Emissions regulations aside I wish a bike like that would be available by any of the big four Japanese motorcycle manufacturers.
I'd love to see a 71amf superglide with the fibreglass tail and round tail light in red white n blue. Loved those things back in the day very rare in Australia
Loved the video mate I just remember these bikes AS I AM 51 YEARS YOUNG and passed my test on a RDLC 125 MK 2 WITH "YEIDS, Yamaha energy inductions system" LOL Keep safe, sir :)
Different back light and bars to the UK models, but man what a machine. I think it’s time you fessed up and told us all how you really come by these old bikes in top condition....................somewhere out back you’ve got a time machine lol
I bought that same bike new when I was 16 for 770$ It fouled spark plugs constantly. I was lucky to get 300 miles on a set of plugs. Tried leaning it out and hotter plugs, nothing helped. I was always disappointed with it. That was actually the second one I bought. The first one, the engine seized on my way home from buying it. Bad luck! I so remember the sound tho, and it really was a beautiful bike!
Hahahaa.... I'm 54 as well. I too had an orange RD350 23 years ago then an RZ that unfortunately blew up this year so now this week I am getting a DS7 with 350 Head, DG pipes and electronic ignition. I used to be in Hartford all the time when my mom was convalescing there and my Aunt lived in West Hartford. Too bad the Museum didn't exist back then 4-5 years ago!
In 73 I was working for a Yamy and Honda dealer in Chateaugay Québec , I borrowed a 350 Yamy while I was working on my 1971 750 Honda and no joke that little bike scared the shit out of me when it hit it's power I nearly passed over my father's car ... I guess I was fallowing too close at the time ...LOL . I always loved them even more than the Kawas . This is a super nice bike you got there . Keep on rolling .
Wow! When you lifted the seat and the rear fender was shining damn. I have the same bike and I really want that tank! I def took the baffles out and it really pisses people off :) beautiful bike, love the channel keep up the great work!
My dad's 73 RD350 (his high school and college bike) is sitting seized up in my parent's garage. It needs a little (a lot) of TLC, and many replacement parts. There's one or two scuffs on the paint but nothing major. With a polish and a wax it might just shine again. I have been toying with the idea of learning to ride and trying to restore the thing.
Had an R5 myself, great mid range. Dropped an RD six speed box straight in with no problems. Kinda regretted it after as long first gear wheelies were no longer possible.
My current motorcycle is the 1975 RD250B (which is a sleeper 350 now :D) in Red and White on the tank and side cover, etc. It's a bike that has the "been there, done that, and crashed" look. Everything is faded, dinged up, and longing for the days of it's showroom shine. Well, it won't see that with me as it's owner. I'm too busy riding it to care too much about how it looks. Do I wish it was better looking? Sure. Maybe some folks would have appreciated the bike more if it was shiny and had stock pipes. I'm sure last weekend at this local bike show I had it in if it wasn't parked between the immaculate 1974 Norton 850 Commando and 1970 Honda 750, my lowly 2T would have gotten more than a passing glance. Such is life I suppose! But British bikes like the Triumph's and Norton's command huge money and lotsa drools. The big Honda's harken back to the golden era of Muscle Japanese bikes. The RD just lives its life like a racer. Rode hard, put away wet, wrecked and forgotten about... save the select few of us that care enough to save $700 bikes from the scrap yard! Nice bike Ken! Anywho, ride on gents!
Man!!. Yall sure do work some long hours. Keep the vids coming. I love seeing these old bikes. I wish i could find my old 86 CR500. Been looking for another one. Thanks for the good work fellas!!
Love the old 2 stroke street bikes, i had a 250 yd3 yamaha in 1970 at age 16. Later owned a Bultaco 370 Frontera years later., 2 stroke street bikes are a thing of the past,unfortunately!
Enjoyed reading all the Comments, I'm closer to Sixty than Fifty. My very first street bike was a RD 350 1972 Front drum brakes. I think I paid about 200 dollars, used, laid it down one afternoon on the I 90 turn just out of Buffalo. It was in November, a little bit Cool, Snow and Ice on the roads that afternoon. Things you do. The Bike was done, thou the engine was perfect. We fiddled with it all winter in my Parents basement. Next Bike same winter RD 400. Front Disk. The Rd would beat a Honda 750 up to 80 mph. Back then. The Kawi Z1 900 was the hot bike at the time. The VMax is a great bike. My ride is the twenty anniversary model 2005. My third, Vmax. I think it is one of the best bikes out there. If you know how to ride it, and set it up, it does a lot of things, and is well balanced. My riding friends have a tough time keeping up, here in the Adelaide Hills, and on the long straight runs up to 250k.h. Done. Hmmm. Cheers.
Back then I could beat Honda 754four's all day long in the quarter mile. I took the baffles out of mine. Nothing could touch it back then..(with torque induction & 6 speed(gears))
If you really want to make your 350 haul ass, you need to replace the crank gear and clutch basket from a 250. They have a smaller gear on them. I had a 75 250, at 18k I stuck a set of mildly ported 350 jugs on it. Expansion chambers, fiberglass reed valves, K&N air filters topped off with a set of gold anodized heads. I even had a set of wheelie bars on it for awhile. It was wickedly fast. I watched some videos of guys kinda popping wheelies on theirs. Mine would lift itself up through the first four gears and I would balance it and shift into 5th. Front tire would make noise when I would set it down. That powerband would kick in and you better hold tight. Miss those days. Outran cops with it several times 😉.
Beautiful. Art. Those Japanese 2 strokes just left everything else in the shade. Beautiful engineering.
I'm From India and from a city cld Bangalore, I just love this bike more than any superbike on road, Awesome and this bike will live on for ever..
I know in India those old RD's are highly popular there...
The Indian yezdi\jawa were also 350 two stroke twins, just slower.
Owned mine through the 80s. Immaculate original shape. I'd get taken by surprise by the torque every Spring after not riding all winter. Rode wheelies in three gears every time I pulled off a stop light. Sold it for $900 in '92 with only 7,000 miles on it. Shoulda kept it!
I owned a RD125 and my older buddy owned a RD350. The power band on the 350 almost made me leave a mark on the seat! My buddy ended up road racing the 350 and was top 3 in his first two years. Him and his father were the first to own the Ninjas when they came out,but he chose the RD350 for road racing.I believe the was in the 550 class as well. Gotta love the 2 strokes!
My friend had one. I could get the front wheel up just cranking on the throttle. Not as scary as a Kawasaki H2 750 but the RD350 would get that wheel up easily.
I’m 62 and have ridden just about every brand and size Bike available here in the U.S. and Canada. I can honestly say I had more Riding Pleasure and Satisfaction on RD’s than I did on any other Bike.
Was my first bike in 73, great memories
This used to be a complete legend here in india it was the motercycle
That introduced india to performance in india it was produced by Yamaha with collaboration with an indian company called Rajdoot It was the fastest motercycle you could get in the 90's it was a sensational bike which was known for performance, acceleration, handling....... Brings back old memories of the Legendary RD350....
This bike is probably long gone but I've never seen a better original paint job that pristine.
Was very attached to my RD350 (in 'british racing green' from memory) back in the late 70s, but found that it didn't enjoy the hot weather of northern Australia so much. I upgraded to an RD 350LC and found it a thrilling ride. But I never got over the loss of all that lovely chrome - which i used to enjoy polishing!
Green 💚 favourite colour on these ,mine was 350b in silver originally, changed to this colour
I purchased a 1974 RD350A brand new. It was Solid maroon with white lettering. Back then it was one of the faster bikes on the road. My best friend bought a Harley 1000 Sportster the same day. We did the break in period and both completed it in the same day and decided to race. I smoked him. Surprised both of us. If I remember correctly I paid around $1300. or so brand new. Under full acceleration from a standing stop the front wheel would be off the ground for the first 3 gears. A real screamer in it's day.
My father owned a brand new 73 Yamaha RD350,paid approx $1300 for it loved the bike and said the handling was great,going round corners like it was on rails thanks for the video Auckland New Zealand 2022
Yep whites Yamaha on main drag of Newmarket Auckland was main dealer I remember seeing brand new tt500s in early 80s.rds were cool and fast frm memory they used tosell triumphs b4 yams and had a very rare triumph bandit prototype hanging from roof
73 RD350 was the best looking RD ever.
I totally agree, I have one just as good as this one, I love it.
My Grandpa had a 250 somewhere around that year.He let me ride it when I was about 17 years old.It was the first 2 stroke twin cylinder street bike that I ever rode.It would run about 85 mph.My first street legal motorcycle was a Yamaha DT 400 street and trail bike.I first bought it to ride to high school and then to work.Later I stripped it down for trail riding only.
That bike is awesome! So is that Can-am that I caught a glimpse of at the end. Long live the 70's when two strokes bikes ruled streets and tracks.
I had one of these in the very early 70s. Then Kawasaki came out with the H2 750. I got that and was never disappointed with the performance. Quickest street bike around.
Thought we were the same age, all your references about what bikes you had and when. I remember going with my father to pick up this exact bike in 1974, guy had it for less than a year. Dads out visiting now, just showed him this vid, we dont remember what he paid for it... we do remember it had 1300 miles on it... had some hella fun on that thing... sold it in 79, he got a 750 and I got a YZ100 that year... good times, good memories... thx for the vids man...
I will be 65 this December 2023 and I had one exactly like that one .And I had an orange one. Later on I bought a used RZ350 liquid cooled version.All were great bikes in their day. Now they are becoming investments.Priced are going up on all 2 strokes.I think I liked it better when they were just good affordable used bikes but time marches on.
WOW! this is the first video I've watched from you guys without cringing, Helmet, gloves, jacket. Nicely done.
I ride a 74 Rd that is still clean and fun as hell. ..one can flick the mid road stripes at 55 and not miss a one ......... 1974 was the year i graduated highschool. Fun when old bikers see it and say its the bike that got them hung on riding. Thanks for the video.
Oh man, just like my bike. Down to the plastic headed key! And no key scratches on the dash board. Looks 100% original, right down to the rear sprocket.
I am a fan. The `73 was the best year hands down!
I have one as clean as this one for sale with electronic ignition, never fouls plugs.
@@gleanerman2195 That's cool. A school buddy had a track record at New England Dragway with that bike. Good times!
That was mine! I
Absolutely LOVED mine. It went faster than the specs say. I’d take it up over 100 easily with the 6 speed. It was so light I thought I might take
Flight if I hit a rock or bump big enough. Thanks for this video!
@@billybarr7443 No lie, Dude.
@daniel Klein is that really yours?
@@Rajmohan13Nayak The one in the photo? No, but mine was the same Model.
And FYI, I rode my RD350 from Iowa to Florida with my rock band, then to Washington DC. Sissy bar on the back with my sleeping bag, feet up crossed over the gas tank and cruised my way there.
@@DJKCNX Plenty of people rode em cross country without problems but the TH-cam elves always come out having never even seen the bikes they're talking about in person knowing the owner dang well had one! Beautiful bike. Beautiful era of bikes period. So sad the road going 2 strokes were not fully explored as many loved them.
I used to own this same bike, but mine NEVER looked this good. I loved that bike, and rode it year round in Michigan! I really miss that bike.
Yes . It's def. Super Clean RD ..I have owned 28 RD's..yes twenty-eight..about 1/2 were 350's and 1/2 were 400's..Stock-Cafe-Dragbike etc.." I didn't catch the mialege ? Yours is def. a 9 scale..Really enjoy your videos..TY for showing cool bikes.
I owned many large litre capacity four stroke bikes, bit I was never as impressed by the acceleration of any bike as the 350 torque induction. In good condition they pull so hard and sound so good, it probably impressed me more given its small size and great power to weight ratio, as well as fine handling.
Finally, and most importantly to my eyes they look so good, everything just looks right on them. What a machine
When I had mine in the early seventies it controlled me just couldn't stop giving it a thrashing .
Mine was blue... loved it
I was 16 when my buddy who was never a rider before decided it was a vood idea to buy a 1969 Kawasaki 500 H1.When he tried to ride his new bike and it scared him so much he told me that if i could ride the thing home he would give it to me.I had that exact year and model RD350 Kaplans is showing us now. After getting used to my RD 350 Yamaha and then to get off of it to ride that white with blue stripe on it's tank H1 was intense to say the least but i made it. I kept it and the RD350 for almost a year.A man stopped me in the lot of a store to ask if it was for sale but i couldn't i had go go to a wedding or something.Anyway I had mixed feelings while I watched it fly out of site.
I was very glad i held onto my RD350. I knew the Kaw was very popular back then but I preferred my RD350.I ended up trading the 350 and getting the RD400 .
Man I had one of these when I met my wife 30+ years ago and I let it go when we got married. It was such a fun little wheelie machine.
I got a brand new 1975 RD350B in 1976. It was in a crate at Yamaha of Atlanta. Sold it in 1980.
I had many RD's in Atlanta back in the day...remember Buzz's Psycle?
My dad has this same bike. Going to restore it this spring. I cannot wait to rip on this vintage two stroke
My first bike. Memories. It loved cold air
Mine as well. Mine was '73 and same colours but with a slightly fatter tank that had come along after the first few (as I recall). Crashed mine quite a few times and damage to me is surfacing again as I get old.
I had a brand new one in 73, the year I graduated high school. Bought from Denver Yamaha
6th and Federal.
I bought a brand new RD250 while stationed at Fort Carson, CO. in 1973. It was so fast that I was scared to mess with the RD 350. BTW I bought my first computer in Nov. 1980. It was a TRS-80 Model 1.
I had the rd 250 same shape I blew it up on the 1st day I bought it I had it rebored & I had 350 lc racing pistons in it it had power band @ 3000 revs then it shot upto 6000 revs it had like 2 power bands in every gear it was great
Friend and I just found a 74 for 700 bucks we bought it and brought it home I'm working on getting it back to running condition. It's totally original and is going to look great just dirty and some surface rust. Unfortunately when I opened up the side case to look at the auto lube pump it was missing so I'm going to have to find one so I don't have to keep doing the pre-mixture
I'd love to own that but 1 bike is all I can afford to keep. Like you Mr Kaplan I had a lotve fun on rd350's and 400's amazing bikes way ahead of there time.
Great bike, I used one of these for a few months when it was new, had many runs against cb750s it easily kept pace.
Love these bikes, first machine I ever owned was an RD250B (1975 model) in 1978. The other three of the Big Four Japanese makes had their own 250's for the then UK 'learner' market but the RD's (and its precursors) were simply in a different league for a decade or more (motor, frame/chassis, brakes, looks - everything), I could never understand how anyone could choose any other 250 over it.
Japanese phantom agents used to ride on it Ken ...careful it's very unique
Haha just from that sound only my youth came flooding back, thank you for showing this, that colour too, wow they used to do the fs1e fizzy 50cc in that colour too
This bike is in pristine condition. What a beauty!! The paint is unique and perfectly tuned. Love the bike.
I bought one new in 1975. Had it for 35,000 miles. Loved it.
Gotta love that bike, the 70’s and 80’s were the years to ride them bikes. Glad I was born back then, I have seen them all! Thanks for sharing Kaplan man. 😎🇺🇸✌🏽
A dream on two wheels 👍❤🏍
Emissions regulations aside I wish a bike like that would be available by any of the big four Japanese motorcycle manufacturers.
I had an orange and white one when I was young. Such fun!
I'd love to see a 71amf superglide with the fibreglass tail and round tail light in red white n blue. Loved those things back in the day very rare in Australia
Orange 75 with DG heads pipes clubman's. That was the set up in high school.
Brian Jacobsen
I know where it is. And a S3
@@drmachinewerke1 Had an s3 you know where a 75 Rd and an s3 are?
Loved the video mate I just remember these bikes AS I AM 51 YEARS YOUNG and passed my test on a RDLC 125 MK 2 WITH "YEIDS, Yamaha energy inductions system" LOL
Keep safe, sir :)
Different back light and bars to the UK models, but man what a machine. I think it’s time you fessed up and told us all how you really come by these old bikes in top condition....................somewhere out back you’ve got a time machine lol
Awesome bike! 👍 I had a 74 /79 400 Daytona special and a 85 RZ FUN little bikes beat big bore 4 strokes all the time! Braaaaaaap!
Great bike! I had one, bought it new. It's an R5 C, the 74 was the R5 D and after that they were they were called RD's.
Had a rd 400 back in the 80s. I sure miss that bike I paid 350.00 cash for it back then it was mint. I could kick myself in the ass for selling it
I have a picture of me on the bike with my brother just like that same color brings back memories I was like 5yrs old.
I had a 75 , 77, 79, and a 1990. I love the rd/rz series bikes.
I bought that same bike new when I was 16 for 770$ It fouled spark plugs constantly. I was lucky to get 300 miles on a set of plugs. Tried leaning it out and hotter plugs, nothing helped. I was always disappointed with it. That was actually the second one I bought. The first one, the engine seized on my way home from buying it. Bad luck! I so remember the sound tho, and it really was a beautiful bike!
Hahahaa.... I'm 54 as well. I too had an orange RD350 23 years ago then an RZ that unfortunately blew up this year so now this week I am getting a DS7 with 350 Head, DG pipes and electronic ignition. I used to be in Hartford all the time when my mom was convalescing there and my Aunt lived in West Hartford. Too bad the Museum didn't exist back then 4-5 years ago!
Takes me back to my youth. Best motorcycle I ever owned 👍
Wow!! that one is awesome! and it didn't smoke at all maybe the autolube(2 stroke oil deliver) is set lean.
What an awesome looking bike, and love the stories you gave! Thanks man.
In 73 I was working for a Yamy and Honda dealer in Chateaugay Québec , I borrowed a 350 Yamy while I was working on my 1971 750 Honda and no joke that little bike scared the shit out of me when it hit it's power I nearly passed over my father's car ... I guess I was fallowing too close at the time ...LOL . I always loved them even more than the Kawas . This is a super nice bike you got there . Keep on rolling .
One of the very best Japanese bikes ever made.
Dreamed of owning that bike in highschool. It was advertised in our weekly reader.
One of my favourite bikes from the 70s, rode on of these many times and loved it.
I found one in the woods im gonna ask the guy who owns it about it and see if he willing to sell it it's been sitting but it's a project
Wow! When you lifted the seat and the rear fender was shining damn. I have the same bike and I really want that tank! I def took the baffles out and it really pisses people off :) beautiful bike, love the channel keep up the great work!
I love two stroke ! Nice exhaust gas smell and vibrations. I recall my 70’s
That thing is beautiful!!! .. I've been wanting a nice, old 2 stroke my whole life if they didn't cost so much nowadays.
73 RD 350 One bike to rule them all
What a classic! Great video makes me want to be there riding it right now!
That's my baby! ove love love the RDs!
Had a '79 Daytona Special RD400, damn shame I sold it.. A++ Video................. BTW, 2 strokes rule!!!
It looks painfully cold there, Ken, however, the bike looks just stunning -- stay warm, man!
Awesome 👍 looking better than a showroom Yamaha RD 350 from India 👌
Got my first rd 350 this summer. Purple 74. dad is an rd nut. Need those dg gold radials!!! I want to make it faster than his 76 400
My dad's 73 RD350 (his high school and college bike) is sitting seized up in my parent's garage. It needs a little (a lot) of TLC, and many replacement parts. There's one or two scuffs on the paint but nothing major. With a polish and a wax it might just shine again. I have been toying with the idea of learning to ride and trying to restore the thing.
Hey , r u willing to sell the rd350 then please let me know
One of the sexy eras of motoring.
Great video btw, one of best I’ve seen on the RD.
My first bike was a Yamaha R5-B. My second was one just like this. My next was a Kawasaki H1 500.
Had an R5 myself, great mid range. Dropped an RD six speed box straight in with no problems. Kinda regretted it after as long first gear wheelies were no longer possible.
my first bike, too , bought it 1981 - sold it after a year for a Yamaha XS 650....
Absolutely stunning. Can’t quite believe the condition. 🤯 ❤️
Very nice man,im restoring a 550k at the moment,these are just classic bikes.
My current motorcycle is the 1975 RD250B (which is a sleeper 350 now :D) in Red and White on the tank and side cover, etc. It's a bike that has the "been there, done that, and crashed" look. Everything is faded, dinged up, and longing for the days of it's showroom shine. Well, it won't see that with me as it's owner. I'm too busy riding it to care too much about how it looks. Do I wish it was better looking? Sure. Maybe some folks would have appreciated the bike more if it was shiny and had stock pipes. I'm sure last weekend at this local bike show I had it in if it wasn't parked between the immaculate 1974 Norton 850 Commando and 1970 Honda 750, my lowly 2T would have gotten more than a passing glance. Such is life I suppose! But British bikes like the Triumph's and Norton's command huge money and lotsa drools. The big Honda's harken back to the golden era of Muscle Japanese bikes. The RD just lives its life like a racer. Rode hard, put away wet, wrecked and forgotten about... save the select few of us that care enough to save $700 bikes from the scrap yard! Nice bike Ken!
Anywho, ride on gents!
WOW, That is a beauty!!!! Looks like it just came off the showroom floor!
Old is gold , Ever green , long last, the legend, I 💕 RD 350 very much
Man!!. Yall sure do work some long hours. Keep the vids coming. I love seeing these old bikes. I wish i could find my old 86 CR500. Been looking for another one. Thanks for the good work fellas!!
Unbelievable, I could believe this is a beautiful and must have bike
Had the exact model and colour used to give my mate such a hard time on his 850 norton , hanker for the simple times again....
Can't fault it got that unmistakingly deep throaty Rd note. Love it
Love the old 2 stroke street bikes, i had a 250 yd3 yamaha in 1970 at age 16. Later owned a Bultaco 370 Frontera years later., 2 stroke street bikes are a thing of the past,unfortunately!
Das waren noch Zeiten.Ich habe sie selbst gefahren. Einfach geil.
Enjoyed reading all the Comments, I'm closer to Sixty than Fifty. My very first street bike was a RD 350 1972 Front drum brakes. I think I paid about 200 dollars, used, laid it down one afternoon on the I 90 turn just out of Buffalo. It was in November, a little bit Cool, Snow and Ice on the roads that afternoon. Things you do. The Bike was done, thou the engine was perfect. We fiddled with it all winter in my Parents basement. Next Bike same winter RD 400. Front Disk. The Rd would beat a Honda 750 up to 80 mph. Back then. The Kawi Z1 900 was the hot bike at the time. The VMax is a great bike. My ride is the twenty anniversary model 2005. My third, Vmax. I think it is one of the best bikes out there. If you know how to ride it, and set it up, it does a lot of things, and is well balanced. My riding friends have a tough time keeping up, here in the Adelaide Hills, and on the long straight runs up to 250k.h. Done. Hmmm. Cheers.
th-cam.com/video/zzUzLaG_Bl8/w-d-xo.html
I used to own a Yamaha AS3 125 of the same year as this which was identical right down to the paint job
Back then I could beat Honda 754four's all day long in the quarter mile. I took the baffles out of mine. Nothing could touch it back then..(with torque induction & 6 speed(gears))
If you really want to make your 350 haul ass, you need to replace the crank gear and clutch basket from a 250. They have a smaller gear on them. I had a 75 250, at 18k I stuck a set of mildly ported 350 jugs on it. Expansion chambers, fiberglass reed valves, K&N air filters topped off with a set of gold anodized heads. I even had a set of wheelie bars on it for awhile. It was wickedly fast. I watched some videos of guys kinda popping wheelies on theirs. Mine would lift itself up through the first four gears and I would balance it and shift into 5th. Front tire would make noise when I would set it down. That powerband would kick in and you better hold tight. Miss those days. Outran cops with it several times 😉.
Beautiful bike absolute Viagra!! And thanks for the tour through your neighborhood it's absolutely Charming whoever gets that Rd is lucky!
Grate minds think alike Ken.
Ken Sir you are lord of vintage motorcycle Sir my dream is buy rd 350
Stay safe. Enjoy the ride
I would trade my new Harley right now for it, those are the best bikes ever made.
going to go look at one of these tomorrow, im quite exited
I ended up getting a BMW r45
What an awesome-looking bike,
and love the stories you gave!
Thanks my dear friendd
I had that exact same bike in 1976? Same color and everything. I wish I knew where it is today......
Very very nice this bike. A had one year 1974, great mortorcycle, I love RDs!!
Had one in blue lovely bike very rare in the uk now .if one comes up for sale its silly money