I started out in Nov 1971 with a 1972 Yamaha YDS7 250. I put over 14,000 miles on it within the year! In 1975, I bought another 1972 YDS7 250 with only 400 miles on it, I put over 5K miles on it within 6 months! Had to sell it when I got orders for Germany and I couldn't have it shipped due to family matters! :(
Came here with regret, reminiscing. Had a 1980 250 DX in the Yellow Speedblock. Not quite in this condition but not a million miles off. First bike after my test in 92. Cost me £600. Had issues with carbs pissing out fuel all the time. As I also had a Zephyr 550 and being young and stupid, gave it away for nothing as couldn't be bothered to spend time and money on it. One of my life mistakes!
My first proper bike it was a c model, remember trying to get the ton out of it and watching the speedo go 90.. 95, then we got LCs and bingo ton plus. Good to hear that 2 stroke sound, great bike, wish I still had one.. cool
used to have silver and black one , loved that bike, but the restoration of yours is high class, love all the old school bikes, not as keen on the modern compressed super bikes, Kawasaki z 900 is another favorite of mine
It is beautiful, have one exactly the same colour in my garage, although it has 350 barrels and pistons. Mine does not have the fancy headlamp, and does not need it, as it has not moved for 20 years. I really need to sort it out. I was in a hurry to meet some freinds a few years ago, and rode past an RD400 parked at a petrol station (on my 4 cylinder 1000cc UJM). I was late and in a hurry, but my eyes just popped out on stalks. Looking back, you can always find new freinds.
That is a very nice example of a very nice bike, which is only a few minor issues away from being nigh on perfect. I hope my own RD250E project comes close to this level when it is finished.
Just some very minor things in truth, the kickstart lever should be satin chrome not bright, the rear tank rubbers and washers appear to be incorrect (home made possibly?), the handlebar clamps are LC ones, as are the mirrors (although some do suggest that the LC style mirrors were fitted to very late model aircooled bikes), the oil lines to the carbs should be black not clear and there doesn’t seem to be a battery breather decal on the inner rear mudguard under the seat. Plus you would need a genuine toolkit and pouch as well as the Owner’s Manual for it to be totally complete. Hope this info helps. P.S. I’m not an anorak, just a keen enthusiast and none of the things I mention prevent it from being a great bike to own and ride, just details to consider if you really want the closest facsimile of the original bike.
You've done a beautiful job on that - I had that exact colour scheme but in 400cc. I sold it in 1990 for about £350! What an idiot I was! Who would have thought these bikes would be worth megabucks one day. Enjoy it!
Thats absolutely stunning i had the exact bike/colour in 1980 brand new i would love another or preferably a 400 but the prices of these things is immense
