Yamaha RD350
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Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
produced by Yamaha. It evolved from the piston port (pre-reed valve intake tract), front drum-braked, 5 speed Yamaha 350 cc "R5".
It featured a reliable aircooled, parallel twin, 6 speed (in some markets, such as the UK, the first model was sold in 5-speed form), reed valve equipped intake tract two-stroke engine. Available in either a dark green or brandy red with white and black side details with metal emblem "Yamaha" on the tank RD350 (1973), the RD350A (1974), simple purple tank with "Yamaha" decal on the tank, and the orange with white RD350B (1975). The B model (in the UK at least) also featured a silver and black colour scheme.
All models were equipped with "Autolube" automatic oil injection, relieving the user from the need to mix gasoline and two-stroke oil
Two-stroke oil
Two-stroke oil is an engine oil intended for use in two-stroke engines....
.
Rim sizes were 18" WM2 (1.85") front and 18" WM3 (2.15"), both being of chromed, wire spoked steel construction. In the UK, rim sizes were 1.60 front and 1.85 rear.
Brakes were: single front disc brake
Disc brake
The disc brake or disk brake is a device for slowing or stopping the rotation of a wheel while it is in motion.A brake disc is usually made of cast iron, but may in some cases be made of composites such as reinforced carbon–carbon or ceramic matrix composites. This is connected to the wheel and/or...
and a rear drum brake
Drum brake
A drum brake is a brake in which the friction is caused by a set of shoes or pads that press against a rotating drum-shaped part called a brake drum....
, a combination described by Cycle Magazine as the best in its class.
The frame dimensions of the street 350 were very similar to the famous Yamaha TZ250 and TZ350 series factory road race bikes, differing mainly in weight and front fork rake - the RD being ~27 degrees and the TZ being ~25 degrees. The frames appeared similar, side by side, with the street frame adorned with many brackets for the street equipment. The weight difference was substantial though, with the street going RD frame weighing almost twice as much as the "TZ" roadrace race frame.
The stock bike made about 32 to 35 true rear-wheel HP at about 7500 rpm - very fast for the time. A contemporary of the RD was the Kawasaki H2 750cc Triple, said to make 72 to 75 true HP (tested by Cycle Magazine at 55 bhp).
The 350 evolved into the more refined and cleaner running RD400C in 1976, the "D" and "E" in 77-78 and the final model, the white 1979 RD400F.
The RD Name
XS = 4 stroke tourerXV = 4 stroke V
DT = 2 stroke trail
RD = 2 stroke road
The RD350B in India
The RD350B was assembled in India between 1983-1990 by Escorts groupEscorts group
The Escorts Group1 is one of the highly diversified engineering conglomerates located in Faridabad, Haryana, India. Its turnover is US$461.9 Million per annum.-Tractors:...
under the brand name Rajdoot 350
Rajdoot 350
The Rajdoot 350, also known as RD 350 where RD stands for 'Road' series of Yamaha but often misunderstood as , was a two-stroke motorcycle made in India by Escorts group from 1983 to 1990....
. It did not repeat the worldwide success of the RD350B in the Indian market. Its lackluster sales figures can be attributed to high purchase price and poor fuel efficiency. However, it established Yamaha as a performance bike manufacturer in India. There were two models for the Rajdoot 350 - High Torque and Low Torque. Compared to the Yamaha RD350B that made 39 crankshaft bhp, the Indian-made HIGH TORQUE made 30.5 bhp and the later LOW TORQUE made only 27 bhp, all in quest of better fuel economy. By the time the production ended in 1990, the bike was completely indigenized with very little Japanese part content.
More detailed informations and articles about RD350 can be found here:Read RD350 info
Owners clubs and organized rides are existent in almost all major cities. A lot of the bikes got scrapped or became non-runners due to lack of spares in the early 1990s. However, specialist dealers are supplying all major spares that are locally made or imported from USA and Singapore. Also, Yamaha India has promised to supply all spare parts for the RD350 henceforth (Needs to be Verified).