R4 street-legal two-strokes?

[D-Mac]

Lately I've been obsessing about getting a vintage 2-stroke to mess around on. Maybe it's because the top-end blew up on my last "vintage" ride....so why not just lose the top end altogether.  

More exotic and popular models like the H1 and H2 are well out of my price range (I'm trying to do this on a tight budget), so I'm thinking of getting an RD350 or maybe something smaller.  Hell, maybe buy a junk pile and cafe it?

I've been bidding on the smaller (150cc) version of this "hustler" today. http://www.motorcycleclassics.com/classic-japanese-motorcycles/suzuki-x6-hustler.aspx I love the styling on the old Suzukis - something about the shiny tank and shape is very cool. Can't get it out of my mind.

Who out there in R4 has owned/owns a street-legal two-stroke? Thoughts?

[mxvet57]

The only 2-stroke i have had on the street were the dirt bikes.

Glad to say the cops never caught me.

[Gat]

Who out there in R4 has owned/owns a street-legal two-stroke? Thoughts?

I cleaned up a 1974 RD350 for my brother a few years ago.  I ran it around the GR area for about a month before importing it to Canada.  It was fun for short runs but I wouldn't want to do an all day ride.

[Ralf]

If I lived in the U.S. I would try and find a nice RZ350. Had two in the past and currently own a TDR250. Two strokes are indeed fun!

[JSharp]

I raced them in the 70's. I still have one laying out back that I keep thinking I'll drag up to the shed and get it running. Then I realize after spending untold hours and probably even more $$ I'll  still have a 70's RD350 when I'm done...

[bomber]

Owned a Hustler back when it was only 5 years old . . . . .ran like stink, it did, but, my o my, the frame was flexi!

[stromgal]

Owned an X-6 Hustler, a couple RD350s, and an RZ. My thoughts have run along the same lines as the OP.... 'gee, wouldn't it be fun to own a smoker (again)!'

Good luck with your search, I think it could be a fun around-town runner. Synthetic injection oil is your friend.  

[veefer800canuck]

I've always wondered what it would be like to slip one of these:



Into one of these:



421cc's and 80 HP. The front tire would last almost forever!

[veefer800canuck]

Holy schnike! I didn't realize one could take a Yammie twin to such extremes. 611cc and 150 HP.  

Would be a little unmanageable in an RZ350 chassis though, with the spindly frame tubes, soda straw forks, flexy swingarm, etc.

My buddy had a breathed on RD350 back in the day and that thing was frightening in the chassis department.
Way too much Horses, not nearly enough Corral.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Banshee-611cc-DM-Cheetah-Complete-Drag-Motor-150hp-/350414850849?pt=Motors_ATV_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item51965a4b21

[D-Mac]

Nice pics folks.

I'd love to own an RZ350, but an RD350 is probably more in my price range.

The Hustler I was bidding on has gone too high for me, so I'll keep looking. I don't want to spend too much on it because I'm trying to save for tools.

[bomber]

Like a mid-60s muscle car, these scoots are much better toys than actualy motorcycles . . . for short runs around town, or out to nearby boonies, they'd be aces . . . .

for an M-to-M run, it'd be, er, less than comfie for many ;-}

+1 on synth oil -- you'll look less like a rig from the mosquito abatement department.

[Breadman]

+1 on synth oil -- you'll look less like a rig from the mosquito abatement department.

Thanks for the laugh, John.  On my day off, laughs are welcome (as I am cleaning windows)!

[bomber]

Thanks for the laugh, John.  On my day off, laughs are welcome (as I am cleaning windows)!

It is my pleasure to serve ;-}

[DonS3]

Here's a pic of this summers project bike. It's a 72 R5C w/75 RD250 bodywork. 2 strokes are great fun but can get expensive.
I smoked the motor in my 76 RD400 3 weeks ago. Needs pistons, crank rebuilt and 1 cyl. head.

[G]

i had a mid suzsuki 550 triple two stroke, man could it rev. if you want to talk two stroke hp look at snowmobile motors 700cc 145hp in my 03 arctic cat and 800cc =163hp in my 2011 sled and this is out of twinns

[MAXMAN]

Here's my current Vintage ride '75 550 GT. I love the sound and the smell.  

[stk0308]

I've played with the notion of a little nipper for my 7 mile commute to work, for a couple years now.  I passed up a decent priced RD60 last year that might have worked, but I was unsure about that small a bike making the 1-2 mile blast at interstate speed to cross a major river bridge.  I'm not as light as I used to be.

[OU812]

I had a 73' Water Buffalo but always wanted the T500 Titan.

[shawn and gwyn]

the very first bike i rode on the street was a yamaha DT 400.   fun to ride. but man. you ride more than 20 miles and you can hardly uncurl your hands from the bars.  vibes were really bad. but you know what . it got me started on the path.  thank god.

Shawn

[D-Mac]

Cool. I hadn't realized that so many people rode 2-strokes back in the 70s (I was busy learning how to walk/eat/read at the time).

I had a chance to check out an RZ-350 (yellow) a couple of weeks ago. What a cool bike! I'd love to own one someday.