Beautiful Cafe RDs at Vanguard Cycles

While doing some research on exhausts, I stumbled across Vanguard Cycles. They have some nice RDs that they've given the cafe treatment. See here for more images of the bikes.

Questions from Bangalore

RK from India writes in with this question:

Hello,

Amongst 5 bikes that I own [a Honda CB400SF Version S, RD250 G Daytona look alike, a RD350 LC non YPVS, a RD 350 Indian Version and a R1-Z], I am on the verge of buying a Yamaha DS7. This bike has a 6 speed tranny, cylinders, Heads and CB points electrical system - all from an Indian RD. FYI, the Indian RD is a scaled down version of the US's RD350B - it has a 30 BHP cylinders + matching Heads + front drum brakes of a DS7/R5. The owner also has DS7's 5 speed GB + the original 250 CC cylinders [no heads, unfortunately] with him as spares and is willing to part it along with the bike.

What is your advice? Do I continue to run it as it is OR should I plonk in the original 5 speed GB and 250cc piston ported cylinders OR should I plonk in the original 5 speed GB and 350cc piston ported cylinders of a R5? The present owner says that the original 250 piston ported cylinders + its 5 speed GB is best suited to its exhaust but could not fit these as he had misplaced the heads and has only the choke side carb.

I heard that piston ported cylinders are bad at low speeds, guzzle lots of fuel, is prone to plug fowling etc but has raw power which we can feel in our hands when compared to reed valve cylinders. And hence, there is a cult/fan following for these machines. Is it true?

Please let me know. Basis which, I will decide to purchase the DS7.

Regards,

RK Menon
Bangalore, India

Anyone have suggestions? I agree with the seller in that the 250 items are probably best suited for the 250 exhaust, but the increase in power could be helpful, if RK would be willing to go aftermarket with the exhaust and fiddle with the jetting...

More Reader Mail

Hi, my name is Rob from Minnesota. I just wanted to tell you how excellent the web site is for these bikes from the past. Most people have forgot them and info has been very hard to find 'til now. Good job on this and great info.

Thanks so much, Rob!

Duplicate Keys?

Laura from Fishtown writes in:

Have you ever gone about getting an extra key made by anyone?

Good question... No I have not. Has anyone else had to go through the process?

I've been able to locate NOS keys cut to match the code listed on the original key (if you still have one) or from the ignition or steering lock:

- http://www.reproductiondecals.com - sells NOS and blanks
- looking on Ebay finds bunch of people selling precut keys (for example)

Hope that helps. Anyone out there have any information or experience to share?

UPDATE: Andrew wrote in with this good suggestion:

Just stumbled across the site and saw your most recent post about lost keys, i think i may be able to help. A few months ago i ended up losing both the keys to my 75' xs650b which led me to frantically start searching for replacements or what i hoped wouldn't be the only option, a new ignition. I ended up coming across motorcyclekeys.com which is run by John Blakenship out of California. Send him a copy of your title, license, and the 4 digit code, which will typically be stamped right on top of the lock (very common on bikes of this vintage) and he'll send out as many copies as you want. I ordered two keys and had them shipped priority, total bill was $35, not bad and they work perfectly. He's an easy guy to deal with and very honest, a great example of the type of mom and pop approach thats rapidly disappearing.

ANOTHER UPDATE: Philip wrote in with this eBay link...

YAMAHAR5.COM

Just wanted to let everyone know that I've set up a new official URL for the site: YAMAHAR5.COM.

I'm sorry if you experienced some downtime this afternoon while everything was changing over. Old links should redirect here, but please note the new address and update your bookmarks accordingly.

This is the first step of a major site overhaul, so keep your eyes peeled for future updates!

THE R5 IS FOR SALE!

That's right, kids. It's a sad day, but I'm moving and losing the garage space I've enjoyed these past couple of years... so it's time to let someone else enjoy the old stinker.

You can go back through the archives on this site to see the progress and effort put into getting this bike up to snuff... but here's a short recap of the highlights:

3,000 original miles when purchased. 4,480 miles currently. The bike was found in storage where it was parked for 25 years. It has a small dent on the gas tank which happened at some point in storage, otherwise it is in excellent condition. Serviced by licensed HD-approved motorcycle mechanic. The color is metallic orange and black. The bike comes with the original owner's manual and complete original toolkit, as well as period shop manual. Everything in great shape - no exterior rust, no dry rot, no cut wires, 99% original.

What's been modified:
- Clubman bars
- Raask drilled aluminum rearsets
- bent kickstart lever (to clear rearsets)
- NOS dental mirrors, both sides

All original parts retained. Many extras, such as Napoleon bar-end mirrors, period sissybar, oil tank, sidecover, etc. Matching frame/engine numbers. About $1000 put into restoration. Needs new battery (which is on order).

See more photos along the right-hand side of this site.

I'm located in the Fishtown area of Philadelphia, and as the bike isn't running currently (working on getting a battery) I'd prefer to show locally, but I'm open to offers and suggestions...

Feel free to email me with any questions, and please forward this on to anyone you know who might be interested.

Follow @YamahaR5 on Twitter!

Finally got around to putting together a Twitter account for the blog. Here I'd like to post items of interest that might not warrant a full post, or just keep you guys updated in a more timely fashion.

Just head on over to http://twitter.com/YamahaR5, follow @YamahaR5 and drop a note to say hello!

Paul's Netherlands Cafe Racer

Paul writes in to share his creations:

Hi, I'm Paul van Vessem and I live in the Netherlands, Europe.
I have restored an Yamaha R5 of 1970. It took me 3 years, because there are no nos-parts available. When I was finished I had a lot of parts left.

So I decided to build a caferacer.

Specs:
Engine,case/gearbox RD six speed. Cilinders R5, modified. KN filter, DG pipes etc.

It only needs to be painted. It runs great.

Wish you lots of succes with your site.

Thanks, Paul. Great job on both of them!

R5C Service Manual For Sale

Ward from Burbank California wrote in offering an original Yamaha R5C workshop manual for sale. He's looking for $20. Interested parties, please contact him here.

Jesse's R5 Project - Tips and Questions

Jesse in Pittsburg writes in to show us his progress, share a few things, and ask some questions:

Hi Lawrence,

After a long hiatus, I'm back to working on my R5C project. I've got the bike stripped down to the frame, as you can see here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jtroy/sets/72157624609357225/

I've made a list of items that are going for powder coating and painting (see attached). I wonder if anyone can add to the list? Did I forget anything? If you want, post this list on your site. It might be helpful for others doing a frame-up restoration. You may also want to post the PDF copy of the parts catalog that I found (also attached).

Please also ask whether anyone has advice for removing the steering lock from the frame. I've drilled out the rivet but the lock still won't slide out (see photos at the link above). Is there some trick to getting it out? I'm hoping it won't be necessary to drill the lock to pieces to get it out!

Thanks Jesse! I'm sure some folks will find this useful:
R5_powder_paint.xlsx (40k Excel doc)
R5_R5B_R5C_Parts_Catalog.pdf (484k PDF)

As for the fork lock, I'm not sure how that's held in... It's not very well illustrated in any of the diagrams I have (see links at right). Anyone?