[justin.das]

Originally Posted by RR96

Was really fortunate to meet Justin and his RD350. I was in Trivandrum for a few days and had wanted to meet Justin for long. He was the "go-to man" for me for all my auto-related doubts and I hadn't met him and we used to keep in touch through WhatsApp. Loved his dedication and the efforts he takes to restore the old beauty. Hat's off brother, keep up the good work. Your efforts, time, and money you invest are surely a treat for all those who will be witnessing the beauty. I was really lucky to sit behind him and accompany him on the ride back from the garage for a few kilometers. Thank you, Justin, we should surely meet again soon.

Thanks for the kind words. Everyone was a beginner once. many seniors have taught and helped me to become what I am today and I am still learning each day.

Changed the petrol cap to a period one with Rajdoot Keys

Front monogram Added

[B5glider]

What an effort. Drooling it over 5 times now from the morning. The sound is music. Reminded me off my 135 silencer core changing comedies. I had 3 different cores then. Hats off to you. Starting my hunt. That colour adds to the glory. Atleast want to get a rxz 5s which was the last in the series from yam. You really is an influencer. Thx bro. Happy wheeling!!

[justin.das]

Originally Posted by B5glider

What an effort. Drooling it over 5 times now from the morning. The sound is music. Reminded me off my 135 silencer core changing comedies. I had 3 different cores then. Hats off to you. Starting my hunt. That colour adds to the glory. Atleast want to get a rxz 5s which was the last in the series from yam. You really is an influencer. Thx bro. Happy wheeling!!

Thank You. It took me 22 years to achieve this dream of mine, if you have the will you reach there one day for sure . All the very best for your endeavor. I am at peace now as this build is done, one more to go which is to rebuild a 1971 CB 350 Twin B3 for my brother( Thread is live on this forum)


A view like this is worth the wait

[fajhar.faiz]

"For the few who dare to live their dreams".
Congrats on your build.

[Vmax1200]

Awesome build Justin. Your attention to detail and hard work showing in the bike.

[justin.das]

Originally Posted by fajhar.faiz

"For the few who dare to live their dreams".
Congrats on your build.

Thank You.

Originally Posted by Vmax1200

Awesome build Justin. Your attention to detail and hard work show in the bike.

Thank You, brother, you are one of the key personal who helped me to do this restoration. Thank You very much

[justin.das]

As promised here are some of the better clicks of my bike but unfortunately even with a professional camera the actual colors are not captured It is still on the bluish side where the actual one is a bit more greenish.

[hellraiser_yank]

Originally Posted by justin.das

My RD journey began in 2003 when I was just 15 years old. At that time, my friends and I, all passionate about bikes and cars, had limited knowledge due to the scarce availability of information on the internet. Two Strokes was considered a thing of the past, and the newly launched Pulsar 180/Karizma set the performance benchmark. One day, after Sunday church mass, an elder from the same church joined our discussion, mentioning a motorcycle launched in India decades ago that could outrun modern 4 strokes. Intrigued, he promised to bring the bike next Sunday, and when he did, I saw an RD for the first time—love at first sight.

Fast forward to 2004, my brother got a job, and on the day he received his first salary, he asked to search for an RD 350. After a prolonged search, we found one, but the asking price was too high. Almost two decades later, I finally bought one for a significant sum. However, the much-anticipated RD experience turned sour as problems surfaced after the purchase. The 1986 LETI model with HT-sleeved cylinders, Budget CDI, and non-genuine parts presented issues despite its freshly rebuilt engine.

Undeterred, I embarked on the journey to restore the RD to its stock glory. Initially, I made improvements for better performance, such as replacing the CDI with Points Ignition, swapping the Clutch Basket with a Wiseco Forged bell, and replacing the Mickarb with the original Mikuni Carbs. Cosmetic enhancements included new seats with US RD seat trim on the original metal base and original meters. Though there was an immediate improvement in performance and aesthetics, the bike's overall performance remained average. Sharing some photos below from the initial day

Firstly Congratulations, welcome to the world of 2 stroke twins.

Some advice from an RD owner of 15 years.

I bought my first bike, an RD350 when I was 18 just out of school. It came in 3 gunny sacks and the frame.
In my 8 years of ownership of that bike it went through 2 rebuilds each successive build made it faster and safer.
Some pointers for you.

1. Ditch the points ASAP. Get a genuine Yamaha TCI.
2. Get front and rear discs
3. Make sure to use the 2T pump
4. Rejet the carbs and port the cylinders for the real 100mph top end
5. I ran mine on 17" wheels which helped the handling and better availablity of tyres. Also change the final drive sprocket to compensate.
6. Get better fibre/carbon fibre reeds
7. Use a cross pipe for better fuel balance on the intake.
8. Lifepo4 battery.
9. Hella h4 glass beam +HID or LED.

These are the basics i recommend. My bike used to do 176kmph on GPS.

I also owned and RZ350 and still own a very very fast RD350.

Hope this helps.

Also attached is a picture of the bikes, both sold now.

[boniver]

Originally Posted by hellraiser_yank

Firstly Congratulations, welcome to the world of 2 stroke twins.

Some advice from an RD owner of 15 years.

Off topic: but if you and your bike are in the NCR, do allow me the pleasure of seeing it with my own eyes, at your convenience. Haven't seen an RD in quite some time now!

[hellraiser_yank]

Originally Posted by boniver

Off topic: but if you and your bike are in the NCR, do allow me the pleasure of seeing it with my own eyes, at your convenience. Haven't seen an RD in quite some time now!

Sure, the latest one is parked in Noida near sector 104.

Drop me a PM. I'm usually available on Sundays.

Also I think it's time I create a thread about my journey as a petrolhead, from the RD to the RZ, from a santro to an MR2 turbo and of course my daily driven Polo.

[justin.das]

Originally Posted by hellraiser_yank

Firstly Congratulations, welcome to the world of 2 stroke twins.

Thank You.

Originally Posted by hellraiser_yank

Some advice from an RD owner of 15 years.

I bought my first bike, an RD350 when I was 18 just out of school. It came in 3 gunny sacks and the frame.

In my 8 years of ownership of that bike it went through 2 rebuilds each successive build made it faster and safer.
Some pointers for you.

1. Ditch the points ASAP. Get a genuine Yamaha TCI.

I am not much into aggressive riding. I spend most of my time within city limits and very rarely go to highways. The mechanic is more like a brother and he stays just 2 kilometers away from where I stay so I believe points will do for the time being. I have points, cams, and coils in stock as well.

Originally Posted by hellraiser_yank

2. Get front and rear discs

Have plans to install US Spec front disc assembly shortly.

Originally Posted by hellraiser_yank

3. Make sure to use the 2T pump
4. Rejet the carbs and port the cylinders for the real 100mph top end

I am using a 2T pump with a little bit of premix to keep the engine safe. The carbs are TM 28 Mikuni Flatslides

Originally Posted by hellraiser_yank

5. I ran mine on 17" wheels which helped the handling and better availablity of tyres. Also change the final drive sprocket to compensate.

I prefer to keep the stock looks.

Originally Posted by hellraiser_yank

6. Get better fibre/carbon fibre reeds
7. Use a cross pipe for better fuel balance on the intake.

My Bike is running stock unsleeved barrels with original Yamaha Reeds. I believe with stock setup the original reeds are good enough.

Originally Posted by hellraiser_yank

8. Lifepo4 battery.
9. Hella h4 glass beam +HID or LED.

These are the basics I recommend. My bike used to do 176kmph on GPS.

I am more of an originality guy mate so prefer to keep the way its and I rarely cross 120 km/hr which my bike is happy to do comfortably

Originally Posted by hellraiser_yank

I also owned and RZ350 and still own a very very fast RD350.

Also I think it's time I create a thread about my journey as a petrolhead, from the RD to the RZ, from a santro to an MR2 turbo and of course my daily driven Polo.

Please go ahead and create a thread to share your journey with these beautiful machines. It will be really helpful for all who are interested in classic bikes and would be a rare opportunity to know more about these bikes in detail, especially TZR, RZ, and Air Cooled RD mods. and posting a thread here in Team-Bhp that is recording your experience and knowledge in owning and maintaining these beauties will be a reference for generations to come. Please share a photo of the RD you own now.

[Bhupi_BHP]

Originally Posted by justin.das

Videos as requested :

https://www.Youtube.com/watch?v=15JJEF0AzqU


https://Youtube.com/watch?v=J_3zQ1koDOg

What a crisp sound of that beauty. I'm more of a car guy but this is one bike which makes me go weak in my knees. Have searched through OLX quite a few times casually. Never know when this casual search turns into a mission. Enjoy your beauty and wishing you a lot of happy and joyful miles

[justin.das]

Originally Posted by Bhupi_BHP

What a crisp sound of that beauty. I'm more of a car guy but this is one bike which makes me go weak in my knees. Have searched through OLX quite a few times casually. Never know when this casual search turns into a mission. Enjoy your beauty and wishing you a lot of happy and joyful miles

Thank You. From my experience, I would advise you to stay away from the usual Facebook marketplace and OLX RD sales listing, most of the bikes that are available for sale are nothing more than a fresh coat of paint and chrome. Painfully restored quality motorcycles never come for sale and those which are built for sale won't have quality parts on them. Buy only quality examples even if it will cost a fortune.

[justin.das]

Managed to buy this book highly recommended for anyone who loves RD's.

This book covers most of the period reviews of almost all the air-cooled RD variants


The book is not in colour, that's the only negative part


Index


This is the best summary I have read about RD to date. Perfect


Last of the Air Cooled RD

[justin.das]

Managed to source NGK BP7HS ( Factory Specified Plug for LETI variant ).Thanks to Bhpian Vmax1200


Rajdoot Documentation of Rajdoot 350 LETI Variant