DG Performance Heads

A few posts ago I talked about a custom RD350 cafe racer called "Project Goldhead" due to the rare (and ultra-slick) gold DG cylinder heads. Very sharp.

Then a gentleman named Domenic wrote in to ask some questions, since he was listing an engine with these heads on Ebay and thought I would have some information on them.

I must admit I didn't know a whole lot about these heads other than that they are very trick, very rare, haven't been made since the 1970's, and when they come up for auction they command a pretty good price. From what I could gather online, the heads are domed, which raises the baseline compression ratio, which in turn yields greater overall power and throttle response. Plus their oversized radial cooling fins and gold tone are pretty slick-looking.



If you take a look at the hot rod scene, any sort of original and period-correct non-reproduction speed parts are desirable, and the rarer the better. So naturally it makes sense that the same scenario would exist for period performance parts for the R5s and RDs.

You can contact DG Performance in Anaheim, California at (866) 653-1647 or (714) 577-7499 for more information. Unfortunately, their website (http://www.dgperf.com) seems to be geared more towards modern dirtbike and ATV stuff these days - nothing vintage.

Here are a couple of current Ebay auctions for these heads:
- RD 350 YAMAHA ENGINE Complete 1971 R5 B (Domenic's listing)
- DG 4 PERFORMANCE HEADS YAMAHA RD400? GOLD RACING HEADS

Would love to snatch up Domenic's spare engine with the heads, especially at that price. Unfortunately I don't have the extra scratch, so I'm passing both of these opportunities on to you guys!

R5 on House Industries "Show and Tell"

Creative powerhouse House Industries was recently visited by a friend with a pretty sweet 1971 R5B, and the guys broke out the cameras to snap pics (and capture some video) for a post about it on their blog Show and Tell. Check out this quote from Rich Roat:

If the elements of the fuel-delivery system could talk to each other, the conversation might go something like this: “Carbs, this is the throttle.” “Yeah, howyoudoin’?” “Good. Listen, the dude just gave me a twist.” “Really?” “Yep.” “Okay, we’re gonna dump some of this gas/oil mixture into the cylinders.” “Yeah? Then what?” “Well, then some of it will blow up, then it’ll suck in a bunch of air then braaAAAAAAAAAAAAAHPOPPOP POp Pop..pop….pop…….pop.” “Jeeezus, what happened?”

The bike is a real nice example. See more at the post entitled "Two Smoker".

Live Free Ride Alive

The "Live Free Ride Alive" project is a collection of stories from riders, their families and friends about motorcycling as a celebration of freedom. And it's also a sobering look at what happens when that freedom is gone.

You can see the film here, see some shared stories from riders, or peruse some arresting facts and figures here. The whole site is incredibly well done. It may be Pennsylvania-centric, but the material is valuable to riders everywhere.

Please take a look at livefreeridealive.com. Just a reminder to everyone, now that the season is upon us, to ride smart and stay safe.

Kevin Gray Photography

Kevin writes in to say hello:

Thank you for posting all of the useful information. I just blew my R5 and was not able to complete the SoCal TT this year. I think an engine rebuild is in my near future... Your site will be of great use. Thanks again.

Kevin Gray is a photographer, and his work can be viewed online at kevingrayphotography.com. I've included his image of a 1970 R5 from the homepage of his site. Be sure to take a look through his portfolios - good stuff!

1972 R5 for sale in Philly 'burbs

The description doesn't say very much, but the images look promising and, at this price, this R5 probably won't last long:

I am selling my Yamaha. Its a prestine 72 R5. This bike is the predecessor of the RD350. I have title and it runs and drives great. I need to sell due to new bike in the garage. Call me if you would like to check it out. 1200 is the lowest i can go.

See the Craigslist ad here.

Vintage Photos from the Autosport Bulletin Board

Great vintage photos sprinkled throughout this huge thread on the Autosport Bulletin Board. Via A Time To Get.

Interesting Yamahas

There have been a few interesting Yamahas featured on BikeEXIF the past few weeks:


Project Goldhead

This custom RD350 cafe racer is the work of Twinline Motorcycles. It's called "Project Goldhead" due to the rare (and ultra-slick) gold DG cylinder heads. Very sharp.

A good quote from this writeup:

In the early 70s, the Yamaha RD350 set the motorcycling world on fire. It was light, rapid and unforgiving: in the right hands, it could comfortably see off a 750. In the wrong hands, it was a one-way ticket to the hospital.

Howard Lees' RD350B

Another highly modified custom Yamaha, this time a street racer built up by Howard Lees. Just about everything's been worked, all the way down to the frame. A great period looker with a very interesting history.

Carmen's Find

Carmen wrote in to let us know about his new toy:

Hey there! Im a first time R5 owner as of this year. I bought it from a buddy whose dad got it from a guy in PA that just had a few of them in a barn for 25 years. Your website has been super helpful. The bike has no problems running and is in the cleanest shape. Thanks a lot for making the website!

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Rajdoot 350

Ajith wrote in to let me know about the existence of the Rajdoot 350, which was a licensed copy of the Yamaha RD350B, modified to suit Indian conditions. Even though production of two-stroke Yamahas ended in Japan in the mid 1970s due to emissions, these licensed copies were produced from 1983 - 1989.

Although the bike is basically a RD350B with a detuned engine and carburettors rejetted for fuel economy rather than performance, the front disc brake was replaced with a drum brake and the instruments were from the R5, making this strange cousin very similar to the bike which is the focus of this blog. The only Yamaha branding was on the sides of the engine - tank read "RAJDOOT". See below for an ad for the bike:



More information here.