1972 Yamaha RD350 *Sold £3,900*

Description

• 50 miles ridden since engine rebuild
• Original Paintwork
• Fantastic collectors’ example
• From a small private collection
• US Model

Well, what can be said about the Yamaha RD350 that has not already been said, not a lot but we’ll say it anyway.  Bursting onto the scene in 1973 it was quoted by Motorcycle Magazine; “The RD350 is in a class by itself. It will comfortably wax all bikes with equal displacement and will out-brake any machine in motorcycling. Keep the five-speed box in harmony with the power band and the Yamaha will climb mountains as fast as you can ride.”

Serious praise indeed, and no doubt pretty much how, those that witnessed its release, remember this ground-breaking machine.

Available from a small private collection, this RD350 has now come to market sadly due to illness.

Our vendor who purchased this bike from the importing dealer, the paperwork will be present with the bike, back in 2017 and advises that he is the only owner since its import.

Unfortunately, the import documents and a current V5 are the only documents supplied, not unusual for an imported bike.  Obviously MOT and Tax exempt but the RD350 starts and runs as it should and we feel should give confidence that it will pass an MOT should the new owner choose to apply for one.

The Bike

Our vendor shared that the bike was imported from a dry US state and since its import has been kept in his heated garage and has never been used in the rain.  Obviously, this has helped to make sure there are no signs of rust and kept what is believed to be, an extremely original bike in the condition we find it.  This originality also shows on the Brandy Red paintwork which is in fantastic condition for a fifty-year-old bike.  A keen eye will spot a small dent on the tank but that doesn’t detract from the bikes overall impressive condition.

The Yamaha RD350 is powered by an air-cooled, parallel twin, five-speed reed valve-equipped intake tract two-stroke engine. With 39hp the bike was a highly capable race developed -hence the RD moniker- machine that arguably set the market alight on its release.

Our lucky new owner will benefit from the fact that less than 50 miles ago this RD350 had its engine fully rebuilt with a crankshaft rebuild and the top end was rebored with new pistons & rings fitted by the two stroke tuning specialists, Fahron Engineering in Nottingham.  Why would you go anywhere else?  During the rebuild it was also fitted with new small end bearings and new clutch friction plates.

The rest of the bike matches the fantastic condition with only a couple of small dents to the left exhaust, it has been fitted with a UK spec tail light and bracket plus our vendor has fitted a new battery and rear tyre.

The bike really is a great example of this iconic model, starting first kick it is genuinely ready to enjoy or to tuck away in that envious collection.  We would choose the former but each to their own.  Check out the Image Gallery and make your own mind up, it really is a wonder how a fifty year old bike can look so good in it’s original condition.

Good luck bidding! Please remember, our site uses anti-sniping software which ensures fairness to all bidders. So, if a bid for a lot is received in the last minute, the auction will go into a 2-minute overtime period for each subsequent bid.

Vehicle Location: Swanwick, Derbyshire DE55 – it’s the responsibility of the buyer to make collection / transportation arrangements directly with the vendor.

Have a question about this Yamaha RD350? Please contact the Evoke team at auction@evoke-classics.com and we will speak to the vendor on your behalf.

Guide Prices?

We’re different. But you know that. And we’re always honest. In a sector where no two classics are same, how does anyone put a ‘guide’.

Well, everyone knows the broad value of classic, let’s all be honest. So we don’t need to tell you what you already know, do we.

The ‘market’ decides and the old cliché that ‘it’s worth what someone wants to pay’ is no less true. So why kid everyone!

But, because we are different, if it really does matter to you, that’s fine, we want you to be happy. Just drop us a line at auction@evoke-classics.com and one of us will be delighted to ring you back and discuss, it’s what we do.

Tedious but it’s vital you read this, please.

We will always strive to offer the most descriptive and transparent auction listings available. However, we can’t claim to be perfect. Your own analysis is very important and we are here to help and also answer any and all queries you may have prior to purchase.

We offer and positively encourage buyers to view, or arrange inspections for each vehicle thoroughly prior to bidding.

If we do take a physical, as opposed to a remote, look at any of the vehicles on our platform, they are not those of a qualified vehicle inspector or other professional. Nor do they include a test drive unless expressly stated.

As with all vehicles of a certain age, localised paint repairs are common. This specifically applies with classics.

So, please, unless we state explicitly to the contrary, please assume that classic vehicles on our platform could have had remedial bodywork of any kind at some point in its life.

Two final comments on images and photos.

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