'Barn find' RD400

[jasonu]

Yeah fair enough, they are worth more in their original form, and the stock pipes are actually pretty decent performers. They make good power down low, but they do leave room for improvement. I see nothing wrong with reversible mods though, and a pair of old school chambers (Denco, Bassani, J&R, Torque Engineering... Allspeeds as well, maybe?) would let you keep the stock foot pegs and stands. Newer pipes or race oriented pipes are a pain in the arse and aren't worth it, though, since you have to move a lot of stuff around... not to mention they move the power band way up in the rev range. I guess there's two schools of thought towards classic machines, and I like something in the middle ground - keep it classic, but upgrade what can be, while keeping the integrity and form of the original machine.

On the topic of seats, I need a new seat pan. Mine is rusted through in parts. If you come across a source for NOS seat pans, let me know as I've been looking for quite some time now. As far as seat covers go, I got a reproduction piece from an eBay seller called Tight Fit Seats. It is remarkably close to the original and made to a very high standard - as far as repro seat covers go, I'd really recommend em.

I saw a set of brand new DG chambers on ebay for $200 shipped. Pretty good value.
I have it on ebay right now so I am not considering doing anything to it for a bit.
As for seat stuff take a look at these.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/201012068820...84.m1423.l2649
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Yamaha-RD230...361c70&vxp=mtr
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Seat-pillion...cb8c16&vxp=mtr
If you see one you want and they won't ship too NZ you could ship it to me and I would forward it to you.
This is my auction http://www.ebay.com/itm/121247505368...84.m1555.l2649

[jasonu]

Sold it.
$3750.
If I could do one of these every week I may give up my day job...

[jasonu]

Sold it.
$3750.
If I could do one of these every week I may give up my day job...

But wait there's more!!! The buyer is paying me $300 to store it in my garage for 2 months.
YAY ME!!!!!

[F5 Dave]

I think he got a good deal. Well apart from the rent.

[jasonu]

I think he got a good deal. Well apart from the rent.

Yes mate it is a fair price.

[gammaguy]

Tell him to add two hundred to the fee and you will ride it for him

I hear the riding is great there this time of year

[jasonu]

Tell him to add two hundred to the fee and you will ride it for him

I hear the riding is great there this time of year

I'd have to put studded tires on it...

[F5 Dave]

Still have the Maico? Ideal.

[jasonu]

Still have the Maico? Ideal.

Na mate loooooooong gone.
Wouldn't mind another though.

[jasonu]

But wait there's more!!! The buyer is paying me $300 to store it in my garage for 2 months.
YAY ME!!!!!

It has been fully paid for along with the storage fee. I still have it in my garage. It is still in my name. I haven't heard from the buyer for nearly 3 months. Hopefully he has forgotten about it or been struck by lightening or dropped dead...

[Mike.Gayner]

How odd, are you going to chase him up or let sleeping dogs lie and see what happens?

[F5 Dave]

send him a bill for $150 for month of April.

I had a 350 in my lockup for 7 years. Only shifted it last month and all I had to do was help clean it up & find the buyer, arrange the meeting, show the bike with the owner absent and help push it in the van.

Well he did offer to buy us dinner or something. meh, I've got the room now. Hmm, I know where there is a 'barn' RD400, actually two. . . and an F2 YVPS which I have the parts required for.


Alas the time & more importantly the money, and even more importantly the time are not saying its time to make an offer. I'll wait a year. or two.

[Jjgres]

Nice deal! I'm always on the look out for a '74 RD350. One day I will find one.

The oil pumps are pretty reliable on Yammies. I'm running the original 1971 pump on my RT360, lots of miles on that bike. The Yamaha Enduro gang I mingle with has had only one pump failure reported.

On the low oil light- maybe the float has become saturated and no longer floats?

[jasonu]

Bummer drag. The new owner just left with the RD. Nearly a year from selling it to him picking it up. The most unusual vehicle deal I have been involved in.

[F5 Dave]

Nought as queer as folk as they say in the UK