Chef Boy-RD400 Project

[Dvsrd]

Seems to me that the emulator springs are rather heavy, which males sense for an XS650 which weighs close to 500 lbs wet in stock condition.  Those emulator springs definitely are much beefier than the springs on the RT emulators I have on my 350. You may experience more high speed compression damping than you anticipated.

[rodneya]

I finally found out why people call their RD's Chef Boy. From the crappy canned ravioli by Chef Boyardee. Who wouda thought

[JB Weld]

I finally found out why people call their RD's Chef Boy. From the crappy canned ravioli by Chef Boyardee. Who wouda thought

I never saw that until this thread! Wow, I've sure been living under a rock...

[The Red Scourge]

I finally found out why people call their RD's Chef Boy. From the crappy canned ravioli by Chef Boyardee. Who wouda thought

I never saw that until this thread! Wow, I've sure been living under a rock...

Hahaha!  I saw it in an old British motorcycle magazine article.

[The Red Scourge]

Hey all.  I'm looking for some feedback on the look I have going on here.  Forum member 1976RD400C hooked me up with some awesome fiberglass parts a while ago.  The batch includes this Airtech Don Vesco Big Butt seat.  I love the look of it, but against the 400 tank the seat looks so big!  I'll be mounting a Dunstall 1/4 fairing as well.  I haven't gotten around to mocking that up yet.  It's possible the fairing will balance out the look.  What do y'all think?  Seat too big?  Just right?  Thanks in advance!

[Kawtriplefreak]

I like it!!

[85RZwade]

I think the fairing will bring balance

[NoRiders]

That seat unit looks to be part of a set inc tank......the stock tank is too small for it alone, maybe offer up the fairing (or a cardboard mock up?) to see if it balances?

As the unit is f/glass, you could section it down 2-3" so it's level with the tank?

[Organicjedi]

It might look more balanced with the bigger more square Euro 400 or later Euro 250 tanks.

It will look fine as is though especially with a fairing.

[The Red Scourge]

Thanks for the input y'all!

As the unit is f/glass, you could section it down 2-3" so it's level with the tank?

Do you mean essentially lowering the seat?

[The Red Scourge]

I mocked up the Dunstall fairing and it looks good with the big ol' seat.  I always forget to take pictures!  I'm working on a mount, another new adventure for me.  I'm basically just copying Airtech's mount.  For most people, the $210 for their's would be a good deal.  I've already spent many hours on it.  I'm learning to weld, so it's been fun.  Here are a few pics of the mount so far and my terrible looking welds.  I did get good penetration though.  The bracket will mount to the frame with hose clamps for now.  I wanted to weld a lug onto the frame, but it'd likely cover the frame serial number, and I didn't want to do that.  More to come!

[The Red Scourge]

So I didn't realize I hadn't updated this in almost 4 years.  A lot has happened since then.  We bought and sold a house, had another kid, life kinda happens, I guess.  I've still been working on the RD.  I ended up welding a piece to the front of the frame after discovering my previously-posted idea didn't work. 

I've modified the Don Vesco seat because I wanted more space on it and it places it rather back on the bike, which I think looks better.  I layed new fiberglass over foam.  That was definitely a learning process!

I made a sort of seat pan that I was certain would work.  I made up a hinge so it could lift up to the right side like stock.  Aaaaand it turns out with the seat mounted the side of it hits the frame.  Back to the drawing board.  Man, fabrication is tough!  Part of it is that I have specific things I want for this build.  I want to be able to easily access the battery.  I came up with another solution though.

I also picked up these dual 2" taillights for $30.  They're Emgos.  Airtech was selling the same unit for $75!  I'm planning on mounting them on a bracket and have them poking through the back of the seat tail.  More to come!

[The Red Scourge]

I used rubber cutting board feet for this side of the seat mount.

[macmorgan]

RD400 projects always catch my eye. I started mine back in 1978 with a used, slightly ported 76 model, green like yours. I raced it in WERA from 1979 till 1985 and still have it in the garage. Mine went through a real metamorphic life. It uses TZ-G forks, Fahron water cooled cylinders, Brembo brakes, Kanemoto exhaust, Femsa ign. Campagnolo wheels, stock tank (no dents/rust) Tommacelli clipons, electronic tach, TZ350 CR trans, dry clutch and primary gears and some more- can't remember all, did it all myself. Happy to send some photos through email, haven't figured how to attach em here, a problem with age!
Regards,
Mac Morgan
Hockessin DE
abarth1202@icloud.com
302-743-6354 cell

So I didn't realize I hadn't updated this in almost 4 years.  A lot has happened since then.  We bought and sold a house, had another kid, life kinda happens, I guess.  I've still been working on the RD.  I ended up welding a piece to the front of the frame after discovering my previously-posted idea didn't work. 

I've modified the Don Vesco seat because I wanted more space on it and it places it rather back on the bike, which I think looks better.  I layed new fiberglass over foam.  That was definitely a learning process!

I made a sort of seat pan that I was certain would work.  I made up a hinge so it could lift up to the right side like stock.  Aaaaand it turns out with the seat mounted the side of it hits the frame.  Back to the drawing board.  Man, fabrication is tough!  Part of it is that I have specific things I want for this build.  I want to be able to easily access the battery.  I came up with another solution though.

I also picked up these dual 2" taillights for $30.  They're Emgos.  Airtech was selling the same unit for $75!  I'm planning on mounting them on a bracket and have them poking through the back of the seat tail.  More to come!

[m in sc]

@ mac,

edit your reply and a drag-and-drop box appears at the bottom of the text window. no idea why it doesn't do it on initial posting.