Is it 1979 Daytona, How to verify.

[KANDY]

Hi All,
Recently acquired an basket case, as per the seller it is 1979 RD400 Daytona Special. All other parts except the head it is like Daytona.
CDI, Foot Rest, Tank, side Panel etc, but the Cylinder heads are like 1976 or 77 model Two Heads, Cylinder has 2R9 on it.
The Carburator looks exactly like 1976, 77 model and Head pipes and Exhaust also like 76,77. Could this be a customer modified one or any early Daytona.
Its a Canadian Bike. Matching Numbers. How do I verify it is a Daytona or Does this set up work as normal.

[bitzz]

If it is stock CDI ignition it is a Canadian 3J7 or Australian (don't remember the serial numbers).
The carbs should be different from 1A1 carbs, the tops are different IIRC.
The head pipes on a 3J7 have wider spaced studs... and it should have a Daytona one piece head.
The wheels and brakes on a 3J7 were different from 1A1 and the body work is ALL different.
Daytona's had 35mm forks.
The Daytona got the same shifter as the TZ
So if it is a Canadian Daytona the frame and engine numbers should begin with "3J7"

If you need parts I have some 3J7 stuff... I have heads, rebuilt cranks, ignitions...near Toronto.

[KANDY]

Thanks for the details,
I think the one I got is 1976, or 77 Carburetor, Cylinder and Exhaust set up on Daytona Frame and Bottom end. Hope it work good.
Engine Number Bigin with 3J7
The Cylinder 2R9 is which year.

[zedixe13]

2R9 all over it , you should see 2R9 on the exhaust at the rear , same for the carbs , 3J7 for the Vin and motor  . 2R9 parts go for silly money , just take a look on Ebay UK . 3J7 bikes are different than the US 2V0 , it's more an european 2R9 dressed with the Daytona bodywork , the best of both world .

[KANDY]

Thanks,
I think I will continue with, 2R9 dressed with the Daytona bodywork , the best of both world .

[Organicjedi]

2R9 is Euro '79 stuff. It's very desireable.

The 2R9 cylinders are very close to 3J7 except for the heads. 3J7 had the single ram air head. 

Either someone "upgraded" your Daytona at some point or blew it up and needed to replace the top end.

Check the crank.

[bitzz]

I have 3 Canadian model 3J7 Rd400s. They all came stock with 2R9 cylinders. I have never seen 3J7 cylinders.

[Organicjedi]

I have 3 Canadian model 3J7 Rd400s. They all came stock with 2R9 cylinders. I have never seen 3J7 cylinders.

2R9 and 3J7 cylinders are basically the same. Based off what your saying there must not be a 3J7 stamp for the cylinders, but 3J7 models came with the ram head and should be stamped 3J7.

The split heads he's talking about is leading me to believe that he's got Euro '79 stuff- unless there's more mixing and matching going on. Hopefully he doesn't have 1A1 heads, I don't think the gaskets line up from 1A1 to 2R9. Different thickness.   

[teazer]

In Australia thee E model changed to different frame, 35mm forks (IIRC) and CDI with external flywheel.  F changed to Daytona bodywork and 2R9 cylinders with One Piece head.

That's from memory from about 1990 when We had a yard full of 250 and 400 RD so I don't guarantee my memory is 110% accurate.