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The '''Yamaha RD350''' was a 350[[cc]] [[twin cylinder]] [[street motorcycle]] manufactured by [[Yamaha]] from 1973 through 1975. | |||
The ''' | |||
==History== | ==History== | ||
The '''RD350''' was well developed for the time, aircooled, two cylinder, Autolube equipped (automatic oil injection), 6 speed (in some markets, such as the UK, the first model was sold in 5-speed form) [[two-stroke]], street [[motorcycle]] produced by [[Yamaha]]. It was the premier sport lightweight of the early 70's. It was evolved from the front drum-braked, 5 speed Yamaha 350cc "R5". | |||
The '''RD350''' was well developed for the time, | |||
It was in production as a purple with white side details RD350 (1973), the RD350A, simple purple tank with "Yamaha" on the tank and the orange with white, 1975 (RD350B). | It was in production as a purple with white side details RD350 (1973), the RD350A, simple purple tank with "Yamaha" on the tank and the orange with white, 1975 (RD350B). | ||
All models were equipped with "Autolube" automatic oil injection, relieving the user from the need to be mixing gasoline and [[two-stroke oil]]. 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. | All models were equipped with "Autolube" automatic oil injection, relieving the user from the need to be mixing gasoline and [[two-stroke oil]]. 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]] and a rear [[drum brake]]. | Brakes were: single front [[disc brake]] and a rear [[drum brake]]. Cycle magazine described the combination as the best in its class. | ||
The frame dimensions of the street 350 were very similar to the famous [[Yamaha TZ250]] and [[Yamaha TZ350|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 frame dimensions of the street 350 were very similar to the famous [[Yamaha TZ250]] and [[Yamaha TZ350|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 bike made about 32 to 35 rear-wheel HP - very fast then, but as of 2006, some 600cc bikes now make about 100 HP. A contemporary of the RD was the [[Kawasaki]] [[Kawasaki H2|H2 750cc Triple]], said to make 72 to 75 true HP (tested by ''Cycle Magazine'' at 55bhp). | The bike made about 32 to 35 rear-wheel HP - very fast then, but [[as of 2006]], some 600cc bikes now make about 100 HP. A contemporary of the RD was the [[Kawasaki]] [[Kawasaki H2|H2 750cc Triple]], said to make 72 to 75 true HP (tested by ''Cycle Magazine'' at 55bhp). | ||
The 350 evolved into the so-called "cleaner running" [[Yamaha RD400|RD400C]] in 1976, the "D" and "E" in 77-78 and the final model, the white 1979 RD400F. | The 350 evolved into the so-called "cleaner running" [[Yamaha RD400|RD400C]] in 1976, the "D" and "E" in 77-78 and the final model, the white 1979 RD400F. | ||
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"We always understood it to be a series of letters that explain the bikes make up and function two stroke twin etc" | "We always understood it to be a series of letters that explain the bikes make up and function two stroke twin etc" | ||
XS = 4 stroke tourer | |||
XV = 4 stroke V | |||
DT = 2 stroke trail | |||
RD = 2 stroke road | |||
the PR guys jumped on the race developed band wagon. | |||
The bike was a very snappy performer and many new riders purchased the bike. The combination of a stiff suspension, abrupt power delivery, very powerful brakes and inexperienced riders was not a good one. It was regarded as being "too fast" for most new riders. | The bike was a very snappy performer and many new riders purchased the bike. The combination of a stiff suspension, abrupt power delivery, very powerful brakes and inexperienced riders was not a good one. It was regarded as being "too fast" for most new riders. | ||
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# ''Uncontrollable 1st gear wheelies in the hands of careless riders were the biggest problem.'' | # ''Uncontrollable 1st gear wheelies in the hands of careless riders were the biggest problem.'' | ||
==Photos== | |||
== | |||
==1973== | ==1973== | ||
[[Image:1973-Yamaha-RD350-Maroon-9074-0.jpg|left|thumb|1973 Yamaha RD350 in Maroon]][[Image:1973-Yamaha-RD350-Maroon-9074-1.jpg|left|thumb|1973 Yamaha RD350 in Maroon]] | |||
<br style="clear: left"/> | |||
==1974== | ==1974== | ||
[[Image:1974-Yamaha-RD350-Maroon-0.jpg|left|thumb|1974 Yamaha RD350 in Maroon]][[Image:1974-Yamaha-RD350-Maroon-1.jpg|left|thumb|1974 Yamaha RD350 in Maroon]][[Image:1974-Yamaha-RD350-Maroon-2.jpg|left|thumb|1974 Yamaha RD350 in Maroon]][[Image:1974-Yamaha-RD350-Maroon-3.jpg|left|thumb|1974 Yamaha RD350 in Maroon]][[Image:1974-Yamaha-RD350-Maroon-4.jpg|left|thumb|1974 Yamaha RD350 in Maroon]][[Image:1974-Yamaha-RD350-Maroon-5.jpg|left|thumb|1974 Yamaha RD350 in Maroon]][[Image:1974-Yamaha-RD350-Maroon-6.jpg|left|thumb|1974 Yamaha RD350 in Maroon]][[Image:1974-Yamaha-RD350-Maroon-7.jpg|left|thumb|1974 Yamaha RD350 in Maroon]][[Image:1974-Yamaha-RD350-Red-0.jpg|left|thumb|1974 Yamaha RD350 in Red]][[Image:1974-Yamaha-RD350-Red-1.jpg|left|thumb|1974 Yamaha RD350 in Red]][[Image:1974-Yamaha-RD350-Red-2.jpg|left|thumb|1974 Yamaha RD350 in Red]][[Image:1974-Yamaha-RD350-Red-3.jpg|left|thumb|1974 Yamaha RD350 in Red]][[Image:1974-Yamaha-RD350-Red-4.jpg|left|thumb|1974 Yamaha RD350 in Red]][[Image:1974-Yamaha-RD350-Red-5.jpg|left|thumb|1974 Yamaha RD350 in Red]] | |||
Image:1974-Yamaha-RD350-Maroon-0.jpg|1974 Yamaha RD350 in Maroon | |||
Image:1974-Yamaha-RD350-Maroon-1.jpg|1974 Yamaha RD350 in Maroon | |||
Image:1974-Yamaha-RD350-Maroon-2.jpg|1974 Yamaha RD350 in Maroon | |||
Image:1974-Yamaha-RD350-Maroon-3.jpg|1974 Yamaha RD350 in Maroon | |||
Image:1974-Yamaha-RD350-Maroon-4.jpg|1974 Yamaha RD350 in Maroon | |||
Image:1974-Yamaha-RD350-Maroon-5.jpg|1974 Yamaha RD350 in Maroon | |||
Image:1974-Yamaha-RD350-Maroon-6.jpg|1974 Yamaha RD350 in Maroon | |||
Image:1974-Yamaha-RD350-Maroon-7.jpg|1974 Yamaha RD350 in Maroon | |||
Image:1974-Yamaha-RD350-Red-0.jpg|1974 Yamaha RD350 in Red | |||
Image:1974-Yamaha-RD350-Red-1.jpg|1974 Yamaha RD350 in Red | |||
Image:1974-Yamaha-RD350-Red-2.jpg|1974 Yamaha RD350 in Red | |||
Image:1974-Yamaha-RD350-Red-3.jpg|1974 Yamaha RD350 in Red | |||
Image:1974-Yamaha-RD350-Red-4.jpg|1974 Yamaha RD350 in Red | |||
Image:1974-Yamaha-RD350-Red-5.jpg|1974 Yamaha RD350 in Red | |||
<br style="clear: left"/> | <br style="clear: left"/> | ||
==1975== | |||
[[Image:1975-Yamaha-RD350-Orange-0.jpg|left|thumb|1975 Yamaha RD350 in Orange]][[Image:1975-Yamaha-RD350-Orange-1.jpg|left|thumb|1975 Yamaha RD350 in Orange]][[Image:1975-Yamaha-RD350-Orange-2.jpg|left|thumb|1975 Yamaha RD350 in Orange]][[Image:1975-Yamaha-RD350-Orange-2412-0.jpg|left|thumb|1975 Yamaha RD350 in Orange]][[Image:1975-Yamaha-RD350-Orange-2412-1.jpg|left|thumb|1975 Yamaha RD350 in Orange]][[Image:1975-Yamaha-RD350-Orange-2412-2.jpg|left|thumb|1975 Yamaha RD350 in Orange]][[Image:1975-Yamaha-RD350-Orange-2412-3.jpg|left|thumb|1975 Yamaha RD350 in Orange]][[Image:1975-Yamaha-RD350-Orange-2412-4.jpg|left|thumb|1975 Yamaha RD350 in Orange]][[Image:1975-Yamaha-RD350-Orange-2412-5.jpg|left|thumb|1975 Yamaha RD350 in Orange]][[Image:1975-Yamaha-RD350-Orange-2412-6.jpg|left|thumb|1975 Yamaha RD350 in Orange]][[Image:1975-Yamaha-RD350-Orange-3507-0.jpg|left|thumb|1975 Yamaha RD350 in Orange]][[Image:1975-Yamaha-RD350-Orange-3507-1.jpg|left|thumb|1975 Yamaha RD350 in Orange]][[Image:1975-Yamaha-RD350-Orange-3507-2.jpg|left|thumb|1975 Yamaha RD350 in Orange]][[Image:1975-Yamaha-RD350-Orange-3507-3.jpg|left|thumb|1975 Yamaha RD350 in Orange]][[Image:1975-Yamaha-RD350-Orange-3507-4.jpg|left|thumb|1975 Yamaha RD350 in Orange]][[Image:1975-Yamaha-RD350-Orange-3507-5.jpg|left|thumb|1975 Yamaha RD350 in Orange]][[Image:1975-Yamaha-RD350-Orange-3507-6.jpg|left|thumb|1975 Yamaha RD350 in Orange]][[Image:1975-Yamaha-RD350-Orange-3507-7.jpg|left|thumb|1975 Yamaha RD350 in Orange]][[Image:1975-Yamaha-RD350-Orange-3507-8.jpg|left|thumb|1975 Yamaha RD350 in Orange]][[Image:1975-Yamaha-RD350-Orange-551-0.jpg|left|thumb|1975 Yamaha RD350 in Orange]][[Image:1975-Yamaha-RD350-Orange-551-1.jpg|left|thumb|1975 Yamaha RD350 in Orange]][[Image:1975-Yamaha-RD350-Orange-551-2.jpg|left|thumb|1975 Yamaha RD350 in Orange]][[Image:1975-Yamaha-RD350-Orange-551-3.jpg|left|thumb|1975 Yamaha RD350 in Orange]][[Image:1975-Yamaha-RD350-Orange-551-4.jpg|left|thumb|1975 Yamaha RD350 in Orange]][[Image:1975-Yamaha-RD350-Orange-551-5.jpg|left|thumb|1975 Yamaha RD350 in Orange]][[Image:1975-Yamaha-RD350-Orange-551-6.jpg|left|thumb|1975 Yamaha RD350 in Orange]][[Image:1975-Yamaha-RD350-Orange-551-7.jpg|left|thumb|1975 Yamaha RD350 in Orange]][[Image:1975-Yamaha-RD350-Orange-551-8.jpg|left|thumb|1975 Yamaha RD350 in Orange]][[Image:1975-Yamaha-RD350-Orange-551-9.jpg|left|thumb|1975 Yamaha RD350 in Orange]][[Image:1975-Yamaha-RD350-Orange-551-10.jpg|left|thumb|1975 Yamaha RD350 in Orange]][[Image:1975-Yamaha-RD350-Orange-551-11.jpg|left|thumb|1975 Yamaha RD350 in Orange]] | |||
<br style="clear: left"/> | <br style="clear: left"/> | ||
==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||
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*[http://www.yamaha-motor.co.jp/ Yamaha Motor Co. ltd - YMC -Japan (Japanese)] | *[http://www.yamaha-motor.co.jp/ Yamaha Motor Co. ltd - YMC -Japan (Japanese)] | ||
*[http://www.yamaha-motor.co.jp/global/ Yamaha Motor Co. ltd - YMC- Japan (Global)] | *[http://www.yamaha-motor.co.jp/global/ Yamaha Motor Co. ltd - YMC- Japan (Global)] | ||
[[Category:Yamaha motorcycles|RD350, Yamaha]] | [[Category:Yamaha motorcycles|RD350, Yamaha]] | ||
[[Category:1970s motorcycles]] | [[Category:1970s motorcycles]] | ||
[[Category:Street motorcycles]] | [[Category:Street motorcycles]] | ||
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[[Category:2-stroke motorcycles]] | [[Category:2-stroke motorcycles]] | ||
[[Category:Piston Inlet Port motorcycles]] | [[Category:Piston Inlet Port motorcycles]] | ||
{{motorcycle-stub}} | |||
[[Category:Yamaha motorcycles|RD350]] | [[Category:Yamaha motorcycles|RD350]] | ||
{{motorcycle-stub}} | |||