One of my long-time dream bikes has been Yamaha’s RD350 twin built back in the mid-1970’s. My old buddy from childhood, Billy Mac, had a new 1973 RD350 and every time I rode it back then I was amazed at the power and agility of the 350cc two-stroke twin. The bike could do it all from off road to flat tracking sideways in asphalt parking lots. With power, braking, handling and style, a RD350 had it all over the other bikes built in that era. I never forgot the thrill of riding such an utterly competent motorcycle.
The 1974 RD350 was my favorite year. The deep purple paint and tasteful graphics were made for royalty such as I. Prices for RD350’s keep slowly climbing and seem to always stay just out of reach on my personal value/desirability scale for vintage motorcycles. Stock bikes are getting harder to find as every Teen-Spirit RD350 owner butchers the bike trying to improve on perfection.
Last week, on a routine Craigslist scouting mission I came upon this RD350, my RD350. The thing is bone stock and I paid too much for it but I really don’t have that many years left to spend looking for the ultimate barn find deal. I sent a link to my wife, CT, and she said “If you don’t buy the thing I’m going to buy it for you.” She knew the bike was The One as I have been telling her about how great RD350’s are for many years.
My next step was to get a set of trustworthy eyes on the machine as it was 1700 miles away. A call to Deet, AKA Dr. Enduro, was made and he agreed to enable my addiction by driving 3 hours each way to look at the bike. And, oh yeah, buy the bike for me. The bike price was at the top-end for RD350’s but was in much better condition compared to other top-price bikes I have checked out online.
“The bike started first kick and sounds fine.” Deet told me. I left the purchasing decision up to Deet, as I could add nothing to the mix from my lair in New Mexico. The seller was a flipper and knew his values well. Thankfully he had only replaced the battery and left the bike as he found it, which was fine by me. Deet managed to beat the seller down $350, understandable as it was Deet’s money funding my dream. So we ended up at $4250. I know, I know, it’s a lot of money for an old bike.
The bike is now safely ensconced inside Deet’s top-secret Enduro hospital and after I get a few things done around here I’ll be heading to North Carolina to retrieve my prize. I guess the only question left is do I ride it back to New Mexico or bring it home in the truck?
(All photos by Deet.)
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Idle question. Is the RD350 in any way better than the RD400 that replaced it? Many miles riding my KZ650 and my cousin on his RD400. That bike was a wheelie monster and fun. A couple years later I bought and rode a GT380. It was a lead sled next to the RD.
Joe ride it and swing by spend a night in the great state of South Texas
Excellent score!
Whether you ride it or haul it across the flyover states , you don’t have a hair on your ass if you don’t strafe the Deal’s Gap and some other choice roads in the area before it leaves Carolina.
RD400 was faster, heavier, more civilized. Not better or worse, it depends on your age.
My first was a 1972 DS7, a 250cc that pre-dated the RD series of pocket rockets by one year. I was hooked. Me and a few friends of mine raced a 1974 RD350 in the last 24 Hours of Nelson’s Ledges back in the ’90’s. Great bikes, still fast and reliable and a blast to ride. Me, yeah, I’d ride it back home from North Carolina. Good luck with it, Gresh.
My buddy Steve Garn has set five AMA records at Bonneville on a bike just like this! The rd350 are wonderful motorcycles.
Awesome score Joe. You couldn’t find a better person than Deet to inspect your potential purchase.