Yamaha RD 350 transformed into a neat Cafe Racer

Apart from our very beloved Bullets, there’s probably another great motorbike you would want to customize and ride once in lifetime. Yamaha RD 350cc is definately another choice of every bike enthusiast in country. Notorious, the converted RD350 was the first attempt of Hima who is quite known by our reader for his modified Electra. He shared his building experiance with us, Thanking him over to his story:

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“I christened her “Notorious”, I found this 80’s RD350 lying in a small garage..I has always wanted to own an RD. Growing up in the 90s it was my DREAM BIKE back in the day. So, I used whatever savings I had and bought her. This was in 2007. In the beginning, she gave me lots of problems, the connecting rod had to be changed, even before modification work got started! Then the gear lever slipped, you name it…yeah she was difficult in the begining.”

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“Then in Dec of 2007, we started working on her, with my friend Ms-a, the same guy who worked on my Electra. The fuel tank is the original tank, cut up, dented etc to have a retro cafe racer look. The chasis was altered a little. The seat was custom made (it was not very comfy, mind you). The head light is a Thunderbird headlight, so too the head light clamp. The fork was dropped to the lowest possible extend. The handlebar was that of a standard bullet 350, but later I used an FZ handlebar. Both the wheel rims are 18 inches. Both the tyres are MRF zappers, the front is 100/90/18 while the rear is 120/80/18.”

Yamaha_RD_350_CC_Modified_cafe_racer_customized

“What made ‘Notorious’ unique was the oil tank. The tail had two compartments, the front housed a dry cell battery, while the back was used as an oil tank. Oil was piped down from this tank to the engine. It was pretty tough to get the right shape for the tail (oil tank). We had to cut a bullet fuel tank to make the tail…after a lot of weldings and denting, it came out right. The tank cap is taken from the fuel tank of an old generator. ” He laughed.

 “In the early 2008, I had to go down to Guwahati, so I took the engine covers and got them buffed clean and shiny there. The number 5 stands for my Birthday. I used two colors red and white because I think they are the two colors which are quite in contrast but at the same time blend quite well. The exhausts are both Bullet exhausts which I bought in Guwahati, the dukan-walla called them rockets? 🙂 Well, yes this baby ‘Notorious’ sounded like a rocket, announcing her arrival a few minutes before she shows herself, thanks to the rocket silencers.”

Due to some reason Hima had sell his modded racer in early year, 2010. “In 2010 I was badly in need of money, so I had to sell her off. It was a very difficult decision to make. I dont even wanna go into details. Well, thats about “Notorious” I used to ride. “

16 thoughts on “Yamaha RD 350 transformed into a neat Cafe Racer

    1. sorry ,,rd 350’s were bullshit….which were brought to India because they were not liked in Japan…same happened in india….and RE is still the best indian bike…. brought from england…and still thumping on indian roads….if still u any have any doubt read about both on wikipidia☺

      1. i dont care from where the RD350 came from…… it was discontinued bcoz it was a 2 stroke bike which emits more smoke compare to 4 stroke bike but just do drag race with RD350 and RE continental GT. which is i doubt that bike is near by 550cc.
        you will come to know who is the actuall boss ok. Dont make insult RD350 by saying that RD 350 is bullshit…… both bikes are diffrent in their class…..

      2. Obviously you know lot about bikes ..haha. If you are saying that RE is the best bike for Indian roads you are spot on. The roads need to be updated then 🙂

  1. definitely a great effort and nice outcome…can you suggest me if you know any owner who wants to sell his RD350 ???? i almost searched all possible dir…yet to finbd one 350.. :\

  2. i used to own a Yamaha RD 350 myself . It is a great bike though the spare parts were difficult to find (had to use maruti 800 contact point). But i like the power, the pickup.Great Bike. Now i’m riding RE Electra 350, yeah it is a great bike and i love it. But RD 350 were not bullshit bikes ,MEWATIBIKERS!!
    P.s- it is my own opinion not what Wikipedia says

  3. sorry for the late response. and thank u guys for your comments. personally I dont think Rd350 is a bullshit bike, yea perhaps it takes a true biker to appreciate that and I respect each of your comments. enough said..I own Two Enfields too btw. one of which has been posted in this very website. one is still in the procees of being reborn
    hopefully by new year I would be allowed to post pictures of her. Cheers!

  4. I do have Rd 350 high tourq n running condition. my dream bike since my childhood. Supup performance pickup. Luv u bluz my bike.

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