any RD200 owners?

[JamesM]

Looking to gain some knowledge on this bike.. RD200A / B...

Cheers

[D.J]

I know where some are, what do you want to know??

[JamesM]

I know where some are, what do you want to know??

you know where some owners are, or some bikes are? or both? Sorry I was vague,

Story so far:

Was at my old man's on the weekend, we got chatting about bikes, I asked him if he still had "the wreck" out back, he said "it's not wrecked, it's complete". oh yeah I'm thinking... so we go take a look.

This bike has been sitting outside, under tarps, for probably about 30yrs. Dad bought it for about $180 in 1980 off a guy, never really rode it as he pranged his cafe bike around the same time (really badly) and hasn't ridden a bike since.

Turns out it's a 1974 (I think) Yamaha RD200 (could be a or b? not sure yet, need to have a really good look at it).

I asked him if I could take it, see if I could restore it, get it running, etc. He said no probs, but the "motor is ceased".

A quick look tells me it's complete. The chrome has some surface rust (forks, pipes, mirrors, bars, rims, spokes, etc), the frame looks okay, the alu is also corroded (hubs, levers, etc), the clock's look pretty mint. Can't see any ding's on the pipes or tanks (but haven't had a GOOD look).

I suppose I wanted to find out if anyone else has one of these in Perth, or if anyone has restored one... there's some knowledge online, but actual local knowledge would be killer. I guess they are somewhat like any 'twin' of that age.

I'm going to go pick it up on the weekend, I'm trying to find out the best way to firstly, transport it without destroying it, and secondly, the order or way I should start pulling it down, including any chemicals/gear needed.

This will be my first bike resto (if I go ahead with it), I've only really worked on cars in the past. I have only some little experience with 2T's (I have a Vespa PX which is my daily).

Cheers!

[D.J]

bikes and owners

good little bike first work out how far you want to go, do you want a showpiece or just a reasonable daily rider? Then go to Aircooled RD forum and sign up they have restoration threads about restoring the RD200. Then work out how expensive chrome is to repair and/or find, especially with the 200 as it was a scarcer bike than some others in Australia. for a full nut and bolt resto with paint made immaculate you could easily spend 5K maybe 7K if you wanted all NOS parts. make sure you factor in the special tools you will need to buy as these things are easy to butcher in the wrong hands.

This is the resto I completed on a 250E model
Yamaha RD250E "Coffin" Restoration

[JamesM]

I guess I'd like to do it properly, nut and bolt, re-chrome, paint, etc. But it won't just sit in the garage, I want to ride it. I have some experience with building to 'show quality' from a car I built around 5 years ago. Different kettle of fish, but yeah... I realise the work involved (lots), and the cost (lots).

Your RD250 build is nice. I only wish that this RD200 looked like your RD250 (pre-resto), hahaha, you wait till you see the pics I get up.

Will hit you up big-time for people and places (powder coaters, blasters, parts suppliers, etc). Looking at your RD250 thread, I'll just drop everything off at your place... HAHAHAHA (you got all the gear!). j/k.

*sigh* fun time ahead I think!

[D.J]

happy to help where I can mate, big issue is where to find the cheapest parts like rubbers/bearings and the like, unfortunately I have too many bikes waiting for their turn on the lift

[SPman]

Aircooled RD site Aircooled RD Tech Forum
RD200 parts - 1975-77 RD200 Parts - Motorcycle Products Ltd
Decals for RD's - DECALS FOR RD's

great little bikes

[JamesM]

such great replies already, thank you guys...!

[dennisw]

Lovely bikes the RD200 good luck with it.

[Slingshot69]

Hi James, you sent message the other day via email about my ad on gumtree, you will not go wrong with these guys mate. Just watch that Dennis and DJ, they buy all the 2 strokes LOL

Daz

[Geeza]

Aint that the truth

Hi James, you sent message the other day via email about my ad on gumtree, you will not go wrong with these guys mate. Just watch that Dennis and DJ, they buy all the 2 strokes LOL

Daz

[D.J]

Hi James, you sent message the other day via email about my ad on gumtree, you will not go wrong with these guys mate. Just watch that Dennis and DJ, they buy all the 2 strokes LOL

Daz

I swear I don't know what you are talking about

[Slingshot69]

I swear I don't know what you are talking about

Yeah yeah yeah LOL

[JamesM]

haha, nice. Who doesn't love the smell of two stroke in the morning, right?