old 2-stroke streetbike overhaul

[RyanK]

Does anybody know of anybody who works on vintage 2-strokes? Local or otherwise.

I have a 1976 Yamaha RD400. Its a twin cyl 2-stroke. I have not yet split the cases, but know it needs crank bearings. I think that's all internally that it needs. 1 cylinder appears to be scored; not sure if its salvageable or not.

I can re-do it myself, I'm confident of that. But I'm wondering if by the time I buy the parts to do it myself, I can have it done by a "professional" who has better access to parts and is going to get it running right instead of me playing with it and hoping for the best. Know what I mean?

Any leads also appreciated. Thanks, Ryan

[RyanK]

I talked to a guy in CA, at SPEC II, and while I don't have a firm quote yet, sounds kinda pricey. Also sounds like he really knows this bike!

[rodm850g]

Ryan,
If its any concilliation to you, Spec 2 was the place {probably still is} in the early 80's to do 2 smokers up....I used them for some goodies for an old RZ350 I did up...parts were the best then.....good luck on yur RD
Rod

[Desmo Demon]

Talk to Rick at Motorcycle Parts Plus in Mauldin. He has worked on a lot of older two-strokes, having grown up with them and has built a few race bikes. These are old pictures of a couple of builds, but these are two of the bikes he was building about five years ago.

http://www.desmodemon.com/motopartsplus/project_2.jpg

http://www.desmodemon.com/motopartsplus/project_1.jpg


He recently built a race bike using an old Honda 350 engine (4-stroker) and a buddy of his raced it and came in something like third in his WERA class the first time it hit the track.

I had to attach a picture of the finished version of the first bike above and of the 350 race bike.

[mikek]

try Tom Crouse, Owner and Manager
704-866-7044
tom@grenadefactory.com
Gastonia NC

[SCFJR]

Desmo beat me to it. Motorcycle Parts Plus immediately came to mind when I read your question. It's not far from your work either. I've used him a time or two.

[RyanK]

Thanks for all the leads. I will follow them up.

I've been talking to Gary at SPECII, but he's going to be like $3k in the engine! I'm sure it'd be the best option, but don't have that kind of money...

If you want to see pics of the bike, look here: http://www.carolinariders.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6008

[RyanK]

saw a sign on the side of 133 in Seneca (near 6 Mile) on the way to Jocassee this weekend, for Old Time Motorcycles. Googled it and got a number, and he works on old Harleys and stuff. Older gentleman, that sounds like he'd never be in a hurry for anything, but probably knows old bikes. Said he had somebody that worked on 2 strokes for him, but he sure didn't instill any confidence in me. haha. I will call the guys y'all suggested tomorrow maybe. thanks again!

[mikek]

again I am gonna recomend Grenade Factory. Tom Crouse used to build Kawasaki triples with the best of them. Complete machine shop and builds 2 stroke crankshafts.

[Vision28]

I'll give a second to Rick at Motorcycle Parts Plus. I've known Rick for 30+ years he's worked on more than a few 2 strokes. The only complicated part to build one of these engines in rebuilding the crank. I'd send the crank off to be rebuilt and balanced and do the rest of the work myself. These are easy engines to work on if your so inclined.

[RyanK]

Stopped by Motorcycle Parts Plus the other day but it was all locked up. So I finally called him today. Sounds like the min I'd spend there is $1500, but that's much less work done than SPECII as well (just crank & cylinders). But that's taking him the case. He said I could save some money just taking him the crank, which I don't have a problem doing...

I'll try to call Tom later this week or next.

Cameron (my son who's bike this is) thinks he's just going to tinker on it over the years and use his money for a car if we can't get it done cheap enough. Not to mention some of the OEM parts we wanted to use aren't easy to find anymore. I have a big spreadsheet of all the parts we need, and it isn't looking good :(

[RyanK]

I still need to call Tom, but we've decided to postpone this build now that we're finding out how expensive its going to be. We're going to find a car and see how much money's left over (if any at the rate he's going) and go from there, trying to do most of the work ourselves.

I will post any updates though. Right now it would just be a bunch of boxes of parts :hang2: