1977 Yamaha RD400D

[auntiebling]

I non-oped it back sometime in the mid 90's. I believe at the time the DMV was requiring everyone to re-up their non-op statuses every year or back reg will ensue. I neglected to do so. I can recall checking on getting the bike back on the streets some 15 years ago and the DMV wanted an astronomical sum of money to do so. Hence the second RD frame, complete with clear and current title.

But just recently I went back into the DMV to see what it would cost me if I tried to bring the original entire bike back to current reg. I went in with a bevy of paperwork, including the original non-op paperwork and past registration papers demonstrating that I was the true owner of the bike. The DMV policies have changed so many times over the years, and the workers there have no idea of history or past policies, so I was basically given a pass- only $180 to get it current! But I would have to bring the "complete" bike for a VIN verification to get it back into the system again. I'm not even sure they will accept verification from outside vendors, nor the CHP. She said it wouldn't cost me anything, just show up (no appointment needed, whatever that means) with paperwork and license plate, but they will perform a brake check. First I assumed it meant brake function check, but now I'm starting to think that they want the brake light to work too...

Call Sacramento. Way more helpful and they can look up stuff easily

 

[EvilTwinz]

Call Sacramento. Way more helpful and they can look up stuff easily

Thanks for the tip. I'll definitely do that, when I have some free time. Hahahaa!

 

[EvilTwinz]

I heard my thread got cross posted so I hunted this thread down My 85 RZ was non-op'd in 1999 or so, and it cost me $159 for a new plate and to bring it up to current. Couldn't do it online, but the DMV didn't need to see the bike either.

I had the inspection done on my salvage bike a couple years back, at the DMV. All they did was come out and make sure the engine and frame numbers match the papers.
The brake and light inspection can be done at any motorcycle shop and they just make sure your brake light works, headlight, and turn signals. All the safety related stuff. It's not a ride test or anything.

Cool details so far. These old bikes are fun to work on!

I stopped by your thread on the other forum last week. The work that you've put into your build is absolutely amazing! You have some serious skills! I can't wait to see your finished product! We'll have to get all the old smokers together for a nice gathering. I've been compiling a list of names of local 2T owners from Facebook and other forums.

If too many unforeseen circumstances don't get in my way, I am hoping to have the bike done by the end of August, but more realistically sometime during the month of September. I'm hoping to take it out on of Doc Wong's rides for a shakedown.

One thing about the Bay Area that I really enjoy is that there is such a tight supportive motorcycle community. And it just keeps getting bigger!

 

[kuksul08]

I stopped by your thread on the other forum last week. The work that you've put into your build is absolutely amazing! You have some serious skills! I can't wait to see your finished product! We'll have to get all the old smokers together for a nice gathering. I've been compiling a list of names of local 2T owners from Facebook and other forums.

If too many unforeseen circumstances don't get in my way, I am hoping to have the bike done by the end of August, but more realistically sometime during the month of September. I'm hoping to take it out on of Doc Wong's rides for a shakedown.

One thing about the Bay Area that I really enjoy is that there is such a tight supportive motorcycle community. And it just keeps getting bigger!

Thank you good sir.
And yeah I agree, I'd like to do a 2 stroke meet up. Mine probably won't be done for a few months. It's hard to find time and I keep finding setbacks.

 

[auntiebling]

Thanks for the tip. I'll definitely do that, when I have some free time. Hahahaa!

Way better use of time than your local office. The line will be busy but you can have them call you back when it's your turn, just be sure to pick up the call or it's back to the end of the ljne!

 

[Maddevill]

My friend has a RD400 sitting in his garage. It's been there for years. I keep telling him I'll help him get it running. So far no luck. Has chambers , heads and some other stuff on it. A shame.

Mad

 

[EvilTwinz]

My friend has a RD400 sitting in his garage. It's been there for years. I keep telling him I'll help him get it running. So far no luck. Has chambers , heads and some other stuff on it. A shame.

Mad

Depending on how much it needs to get going again, it can be a really big commitment of money and time, so I can possibly see the hesitation. Heck! It took a very long time for me to find the right moment and inspiration to get this thing going again. Other projects came along and they were just low hanging fruit. The SV650s, Harley, JK Jeep, Miata, etc.- all parts were readily available (except for the classic Bimmer). Working on the RD is some serious problem solving sometimes...

 

[Maddevill]

Depending on how much it needs to get going again, it can be a really big commitment of money and time, so I can possibly see the hesitation. Heck! It took a very long time for me to find the right moment and inspiration to get this thing going again. Other projects came along and they were just low hanging fruit. The SV650s, Harley, JK Jeep, Miata, etc.- all parts were readily available (except for the classic Bimmer). Working on the RD is some serious problem solving sometimes...

The thing is basically complete. He even has the new parts for it for the most part. The problem is priorities. He has it buried behind tons of junk, along with a CBR F3.

Mad

 

[EvilTwinz]

I finally got a chance to do some work on the RD this week. Super-busy work schedules, swapping tenants in my rental, and a family reunion cruise to Alaska got in my way. But now I'm ready to get this bike done!

It's a crazy exercise in logistics. Most of the work I have left I can do myself, but there are a couple of things I can't do, namely powdercoating the frame and painting the big parts. So I needed to finish prepping the frame before farming it out for the powdercoating. And the other parts can't be handed off to the painter until I got the seat pan fitted to the frame.

To mount the cafe seat, after kicking around a few ideas, ultimately brazed some clevis pins to the frame. The seat pan will be secured with clips and will be quick and easy to remove. The upholstered seat foam can be attached with velcro, which should be strong enough to keep it in place. I do have a necessity to be able to remove the seat pan, since I have elected to retain the Yamalube oil pump and tank, as the oil is filled from beneath the seat.



I also did a quick fab of a license plate and rear LED brake light mount out of some leftover junk steel I had laying around from a previous project. I just brazed that to the rear of the frame.

I wanted to tidy up the frame a little, lopping off unneeded mounts and excessive steel. I ground off the airbox mounting tabs, as well as the stock footrest mounts. Since I have never had and never will have a center stand on this bike, I cut off most off those mounts, leaving some for the structural rigidity and integrity of the engine mounts.



Lastly I wanted the front fender to have a more updated appearance, since the original design was so enormous. I have seen some restored RD400's absent of the front fender, but it does actually have some useful purposes- not only will it keep water from striping up your torso and face if riding through water, it acts as a fork brace and is quite effective. Using the angle grinder, I took some off the front and a lot off the back of it. I'm quite pleased with the results.


With any luck, I'll have the frame and the parts off to paint sometime this week. And while those pieces are getting done, I can concentrate on building the bike onto the original frame, so I can get the bike registered with the DMV.

Slowly, but surely it's coming together....

 

[budman]

Be a joy when it hits the road.
Better than the build?? My bet..... yes. :thumbup

 

[Johndicezx9]

Nice....

This was the cleanest one I 've seen in recent years:

 

[EvilTwinz]

Nice....

This was the cleanest one I 've seen in recent years:

That is one clean specimen indeed! It's pretty much stock with the exception of the 3 DG products. I had given it some thought to restore the bike strictly back to stock, but eventually decided against it. I intend to take my bike to the track. The stock seat and footpeg ergonomics are fine for commuting, but not great for performance riding. I have rearsets, that low cafe seat and Woodcraft clip-ons, which will make a world of difference!

 

[EvilTwinz]

I've been working on my DMV mockup lately. The bike is starting to come together nicely, resembling something of a motorcycle now.



I've been itching to get this registration process completed sooner than later, so I started looking at who can do the VIN verification, besides an employee of the DMV. I found that I could pay someone $85 to come over to my house to do the verification, or I could trailer the "completed" bike down to the local CHP office (need to make an appointment first) and they'll do it for free. In talking with the CHP officer, he told me that the DMV process is quite painless- I don't even need to go inside the building, nor do I need to make an appointment. I just drive my trailered bike around the back where the driving tests are administered. Apparently there's a separate line just for vehicle verification. Imagine that! Someone will come out with a clipboard and check over the bike. How complete does it have to be? The brakes don't have to work. The bike doesn't have to run. So for me, that means I can leave off all the cables and electrical. I guess I'll find out next week.

I decided to climb on the bike just to get the feel of what I'm building. I haven't sat on this bike for over 10 years! Last time I did, the bike had motorcross handlebars and low stock positioned foot rests. It's a whole new animal now! I can't wait till this bike gets done!!

 

[LDH]

I love these kinds of threads!

My wife has a 77 that is pretty clean. Hasn't been started in years. She might be willing to make a deal if someone wants it. probably the surfboard too for that matter as we are planning on slimming down our collection before moving across country next year...

 

[EvilTwinz]

I love these kinds of threads!

My wife has a 77 that is pretty clean. Hasn't been started in years. She might be willing to make a deal if someone wants it. probably the surfboard too for that matter as we are planning on slimming down our collection before moving across country next year...

Nice thread jack! I do like the bikes too though...

 

[LDH]

Nice thread jack! I do like the bikes too though...

I apologize for that. I don't think too clearly when the subject of RD's or RZ's comes up

 

[EvilTwinz]

I apologize for that. I don't think too clearly when the subject of RD's or RZ's comes up

It's all good. But you should seriously put that French Blue RD out there on the market if you guys don't need it. Prices are up- you'll fetch a nice price!

 

[bcj]

The VTR is no slouch either. Thanks.
Too bad we never got the naked 250.

 

[295566]

FYI my experience was that DMV can no longer do VIN verifications on motorcycles. I was told that they all have to go through CHP. It was then confirmed by not one, but two supervisors, and later by CHP at my appointment I scheduled with them to get it done.

Of course, I found this out after waiting an hour to have it checked out by a DMV employee, then another 30 minutes in the building waiting for my number.

 

[inthewoods]

Not mine anymore.