Scrapheap cafe racer

**lb99** · 18th November 2007, 15:56

I hve not got (nor can afford) all the parts that I need to restore my RD350, so I decided to have a crack at building an all Yamaha cafe racer out of bits of yamaha I have lying around, or can scrounge up, so heres where I am at

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frame, wheels seat engine are RD350A, exhausts are home made I think, to fit the RD, clocks, light and key switch are (gulp)DT125, tank is TT250, I have an IT250 rear light to go on a modified rear mudguard, that I have yet to source (I dont want to cut up any of the origional bits), I have yet to source switches, controls and bars (clipons for 34mm forks?) and a front guard.
that where I am at, does anyone have any parts or suggestions? (remember it has to be free or close too it, thats the aim, a scrapheap cafe racer)

**Steam** · 19th November 2007, 20:01

Beauty! Good luck!

**janno** · 19th November 2007, 20:07

A noble idea! Makes a change from the "I've got a shiney new bike" threads. (Which I hate cos I can't afford shiney new bike for some millenia). Perhaps those with garages full of bike bits could donate unwanted stuff and you'd have to build it from that - could be fun. Bike designed by committee . . .

**deanohit** · 19th November 2007, 20:09

looking good so far mate, good luck with the rest of your beaut project.

**lb99** · 19th November 2007, 23:33

just got home from work

I'm just plodding along at this one, I got it to spark on Sunday so I know the ignition is working, I need to track down a throttle cable and some needles for the carbs and then it should fire right up (I'm really keen to hear the engine run before I remove it from the frame) all of my other projects have been mammoth efforts involving weeks of nonstop work (causing a serious strain on marital relations) as well as huge amounts of wheeling and dealing to generate cash.

but this time with no financial injections on the horizon, and very limited hours, she'll be steady as she goes for quite a while.

watch this space

time for bed

**GaZBur** · 20th November 2007, 07:50

What year is the bike? Have you thought of keeping to all old bits and maybe having a Post Classic Racer of some type? Check out the rules at MNZ for Post Classics as that could be a heap of fun!
Good luck either way - you will learn heaps and have fun!

**jim.cox** · 20th November 2007, 08:47

Originally Posted by lb99

that where I am at, does anyone have any parts or suggestions? (remember it has to be free or close too it, thats the aim, a scrapheap cafe racer)

Most excellent :)

Just a thought - does it need a front guard at all? I kinda like the way it looks now.

Might have to do something about that seat though...

Cheers

Jim

**jonbuoy** · 20th November 2007, 09:49

Nice job,

Trade me will be your friend, looking sweet already.

**lb99** · 20th November 2007, 14:34

Originally Posted by GaZBur

What year is the bike? Have you thought of keeping to all old bits and maybe having a Post Classic Racer of some type?

is a '73, I'm not really into racing, theres no scene here, I would have to travel quite a bit, so money just does not allow it. also I have very limited time due to multiple jobs and children (I have to micro manage my time like a full on arsehole), the most I can manage is to ride to and from work at the moment, still, at least I am riding

**lb99** · 20th November 2007, 14:46

Originally Posted by jim.cox

Most excellent

Just a thought - does it need a front guard at all? I kinda like the way it looks now.

Might have to do something about that seat though...

Cheers

Jim

I'm looking toward making it street legal (otherwise I will never be able to use it) so there has to be an "effective" front mudguard of some variety, I think a shortened chrome one with rolled edges would look ok, but the only ones I have are quite tidy- too good to cut up anyway.

the same goes with the seat, I am not going to cut up the seat I have because it is totally origional and in good condition with no rips or rust, but theres no reason why I couldnt look at fabricating something, I am on good terms with the local upholsterer.

its a 73 and the local dealer (retired) still has the documentation from the origional sale, so it should be reletivly easy to put on the road.
all I need in the way of lights is hi/lo at the front and brake/tail operated by the rear brake I think, so if I wire it lights on all the time the only switches I need will be a kill switch and a hi/lo switch with a light on it, totally minimalist

**lb99** · 23rd November 2008, 18:29

I got the fucker running, it has been buried in the shed since my last post, anyways today I had to move it to get at something behind, and while it was sitting on the drive I got to tinkering, I scrounged enough parts from around the place to chuck a couple of carbs together, albeit with missmatched needles and main jets, slung the exhausts on, chucked a battery in it, and it started reasonably easily,

it even idles

, its a bit loud though (ok maybe really loud), I didn't care cause I had earmuffs on but the noise and the smoke soon attracted most of the neighbours to see what was going on

I told 'em to get used to it, cause she's here to stay.

I feels good to have a 2 stroke kicking around the place again