[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

[Thebugdoc]

Great kickoff to the thread! You've put considerable effort into restoring the RD, and I'm confident it will stand out in future updates. Your RD is poised to be among the best in the country. ��

[justin.das]

As discussed certain changes were made to make the bike a better one both mechanically and cosmetically. Cosmetically it looked way better but performance was still around 50 -60 % of the actual. Still, the stock ignition system turned out to be magic! it completely transformed the way the bike ran. I was able to experience the power band more evidently and the bike pulled nicely from 4k rpm towards the redline. RD ownership helped to make a good circle of RD owner friends who all own different permutations and combinations of RD specifications. After going through all of them I decided to keep the original ignition system running accepting the letdowns that come with it for the sheer pleasure of the way bike rides. Clutch Sound was reduced say around 70 percent with the forged clutch basket.

[FueledbyFury]

That's an epic build. Hats off to you for switching back to genuine stock condition.
Eagerly waiting for more updates on the thread.

[B5glider]

Old memories kicked in. I had a rx135 then in 2003. Did not realise my next bike was a rd. Gave a grin and jumped after which i just could see only a red spot at a distance. The rd was gone . Iam trying to find a rd from then but when i had a good one i did not had the budget to buy or vice versa. This thread is going to be something thats going to become a passionate study for many rd rx lovers. I may join the wagon with you depending on how much iam going to be pulled in. Have a bullet500 now and the rd would be a perfect duo. Please keep updating. Thx

[justin.das]

The next step was to do proper Research on the steps to be taken to bring the bike to its prime condition which took a couple of months to complete once that part was sorted out the second step was to get the help of a mechanic who is well versed with RD's and to whom I can discuss and take necessary action to rebuild the bike in the exact way I wanted. With the help of my friends, I finally reached a garage in the same city (Sreedhar Motors, Nanthancode, Trivandrum ) and the man was Sajeev who was into RD's from his schooling days and was running one of the most reputed RD workshops in the city till around 10-15 years ago as he moved on to 4-wheelers while still helping to maintain the RD's for a closed circle of his Friends. Even if he hesitated initially I was finally able to make him agree to rebuild my RD to its Prime condition. That meet-up now after years has grown into a brother-like relationship with him now we are family friends because of RD. After multiple sessions of discussion, we set the route to be taken for the RD build, The very first step was to start sourcing parts for the rebuild again with the help of friends I managed to source all original Yamaha Components for the dream build. Only the Engine case and Crank weight will be re-used everything else will change. The Parts List Includes

Original Unsleeved LETI Barrels and Unphased Heads, Original Yamaha Engine Bearings, Con Rods, OilSeals, Gaskets, Thrust Washers, Clutch Baskets, Clutch Plates, Washers, Sleeve Bush, Reed Valves, Plugs, New Points, Points cam, ignition coils, Mikuni TM 28 Flatslides,
US RD Gear Box

Mikuni TM28 FlatSlides


Original Engine Yamaha Components for the Rebuild


US RD Ignition Coil


US RD Gear Box


US RD Gear Box Components

[justin.das]

Originally Posted by FueledbyFury

That's an epic build. Hats off to you for switching back to genuine stock condition.
Eagerly waiting for more updates on the thread.

Thank You, I Prefer to stick to stock specs still some of the components are not stock for instance carbs, I opted for TM 28s for better throttle response and reliability

Originally Posted by B5glider

Old memories kicked in. I had a rx135 then in 2003. Did not realise my next bike was a rd. Gave a grin and jumped after which i just could see only a red spot at a distance. The rd was gone . Iam trying to find a rd from then but when i had a good one i did not had the budget to buy or vice versa. This thread is going to be something thats going to become a passionate study for many rd rx lovers. I may join the wagon with you depending on how much iam going to be pulled in. Have a bullet500 now and the rd would be a perfect duo. Please keep updating. Thx

Keep hooked to this thread. You will end up buying one

Originally Posted by Thebugdoc

Great kickoff to the thread! You've put considerable effort into restoring the RD, and I'm confident it will stand out in future updates. Your RD is poised to be among the best in the country. ��

Thank You, Doc

[justin.das]

Once the parts are procured we start the dismantling process for ground-up painting and re-chrome works.

Plan :

1. Engine Rebuild
2. Stripped Down Painting
3. Re-Chrome Components
4. Replace Non-OE Cosmetic Components with OE Components

Stripped Chassis for Re-Paint


Components for Rechrome

Components for Rechrome

Components for Rechrome

Components for Rechrome

Components for Rechrome

Original Tank Decals

Original Tank Decals

Original Tank Decals

Original Tank Decals

[MadinMumbai]

Oh wow! A Red RD. Takes me back to my bike days. I had one in 87. Red, brilliant and fast. What a fun ride it used to be. Delhi roads, minimal traffic and the beast.
Congratulations. It does look exactly as the stock RD350 used to.

[three10]

The ultimate sleeper bike! Had my first brush with this in college when a friend had got one - we were pulling his leg for the whole day. At the end of the day, he offered a test ride to everyone. That settled things .

The most scary part were the brakes. For the kind of mad acceleration, the brakes were woefully inadequate.

Fun times - I’ll be bookmarking for future updates.

[justin.das]

Originally Posted by MadinMumbai

Oh wow! A Red RD. Takes me back to my bike days. I had one in 87. Red, brilliant and fast. What a fun ride it used to be. Delhi roads, minimal traffic and the beast.
Congratulations. It does look exactly as the stock RD350 used to.

Thank You , Red was the color , now i changed to another color which i will share soon .Mine is 1986 model

Originally Posted by three10

The ultimate sleeper bike! Had my first brush with this in college when a friend had got one - we were pulling his leg for the whole day. At the end of the day, he offered a test ride to everyone. That settled things .

The most scary part were the brakes. For the kind of mad acceleration, the brakes were woefully inadequate.

Fun times - I’ll be bookmarking for future updates.

Even if faster and better bikes are available in the market ,The feel of riding an RD is something else :love it ( PS : Brakes are still even more scarier with current traffic conditions)

[justin.das]

Most of the cosmetic components were replaced with either Indian or US RD original Components.Once the re-chrome is done we started the re-assembly .All Bearings were replaced including wheel bearings.

Re-Assembly Begun -


Rear-Portion


Original Indian RD Ignition Switch York and Lever


Thanks to dear friend Aditya , Stanley NOS Lens


Genuine Yamaha


All 4 Indicator Lens , Reflectors ,Head Light and Tailight
are US Spec units

[rajeevsulu]

That is the dream bike of everyone who was a teenager in the 1980s.I had a first batch Rx100 which was with me till 2003.
Enjoy the experience
Cheers
Rajeevsulu

[justin.das]

Originally Posted by rajeevsulu

That is the dream bike of everyone who was a teenager in the 1980s. I had a first batch Rx100 which was with me till 2003.
Enjoy the experience
Cheers
Rajeevsulu

RD was the dream bike to own during the 90s and early 2000s as well. Its love in first sight for many

[justin.das]

For me a motorcycle is more than its sum of parts, In which the most critical ingredient part is the dedication and passion of the mechanic and the vision of the owner, The milestone part in my build was meeting Sajeev and getting his wisdom, and dedication to the project. In the end, this bike has a soul of its own which is formulated by the man who built it using his heart and soul and who visualized and stood for the build.

US RD Front Reflectors and Cable Holders


The kicker is still 50-Year Old Factory Chrome


Opted for International Spec RD Clutch Cover Sticker,


Rajdoot OE Rear Brake Switch


Original Meters


Opted for Yamaha instead of Rajdoot


Early Model Tank Cap


Top View


Original Metal Base Seat with Holder and OE specification wiring


With Garage Mate


The colors as seen in the images are very different from the actual ones. It looks more of a blueish color but in actuality, it's more of a greenish blue, I will post better photographs soon

Another View