[Spitfire]

Originally Posted by Technocrat

What's with Pune & burning of RDs. I knew someone whose RD was burnt by one of his friends (this came to light later on) due to jealousy.

I remember that from the RDD days. WHOA!! brought back memories. There was a collective effort to restore that RD. Its being a while though.

[ku69rd]

Originally Posted by Tejas Ingle

Thanks a lot buddy. Here are the closeups of the front wheel which I clicked while I was working. The brake lever is from Pulsar.

thanks Tejas, it appears to be a very nice mix and match. Would you have changed the complete fork assembly or just the fork bottoms?
My RD earlier ran with the Kawasaki Eliminator Disc/Caliper Assembly/Hub setup before i could lay my hands on the Original RD 350 Front Suspension.
But should say it seems to be a very good fix.

[susan3004]

Request post the photos of the brake set near the brake lever. Is it 100% Pulsar set up on the top?
What is the dia of the disc?

[Tejas Ingle]

Originally Posted by ku69rd

thanks Tejas, it appears to be a very nice mix and match. Would you have changed the complete fork assembly or just the fork bottoms?
My RD earlier ran with the Kawasaki Eliminator Disc/Caliper Assembly/Hub setup before i could lay my hands on the Original RD 350 Front Suspension.
But should say it seems to be a very good fix.

It is possible to change only the fork bottums provided the diameters match. The same appears to be done for this particular RD.
Are you using the original RD rim and spokes? I had some trouble getting the original spokes for the rear wheel. Front spokes were good.

Originally Posted by susan3004

Request post the photos of the brake set near the brake lever. Is it 100% Pulsar set up on the top?
What is the dia of the disc?

It is a direct lift from the Pulsar. The lever assembly and the bolt that retains the oil hose to the master cylinder are from Pulsar. The hose is from kawasaki. Incidentally, I had replaced the original lever with the Pulsar lever about a month before the bike was burnt since the former had developed a major leak. Posting the only close up I have of the lever at this time. Will let you know the dia of the disk later.

[AlphaKilo]

How is the bite of the brakes?Was it converted from drum to disk?

[Tejas Ingle]

Yes it is converted to disc. The brake bites very well. Infact, that is the only device on the bike that induces some confidence. Otherwise the bike is way out of control.
The brake lever travel is slightly more. Not very noticable though.

[ku69rd]

Originally Posted by Tejas Ingle

Are you using the original RD rim and spokes? I had some trouble getting the original spokes for the rear wheel.

Nopes for my restoration work could not lay my hands on the Original RD Rim. The figures that were quoted were very astronomical considering the status they were in. Picked up the Honda Unicorn (Old Model) rims which are an excellent match to RD's rims including the size and design. To be honest the quality was also very good when compared to RD stuff. (Escorts Mandap Rims).

Luckily I had spare spokes for the rear (Step Spokes) which was sourced quite some years and have used them. The restoration took me a good 8 years to complete. Would you require some spokes let me know will guide you to the shop. He does not have the original Step Spokes but stuff that you can use for and which can last a decent life.

[nomadabhi]

Good to see that the bike is restored back. I can understand what a pain it would be. Color is subjective and better to leave with owner's likes.

Have observed one thing common among most of Pune Bikes is that they use 2-in-1 exhaust.

Btw, I will be visiting 'slopes to hell' this Sunday i.e. 4th Sep 2011 with few more RDs from Mumbai. If any of RDians/TBHPians interested let me know.

[deetjohn]

A friend used to own one and I have ridden it a few times. Absolute beast with wooden brakes, but I have not been on such a balanced bike! The RD can really mask its weight when riding. It was the high torque model.

One question. Why do people go from a 2x2 into a 2x1 exhaust? Isn't that fiddling with one of the main characters of the RD? The idling sound was so unique because of them. What are the benefits of the 2x1 system?

[moralfibre]

Originally Posted by nomadabhi

Have observed one thing common among most of Pune Bikes is that they use 2-in-1 exhaust.

And that weird handle bar as well. Most of them are done at the Bhapkar Petrol pump on Satara road. All RD's coming out of there sport these mods.

[Tejas Ingle]

Originally Posted by nomadabhi

Have observed one thing common among most of Pune Bikes is that they use 2-in-1 exhaust.

Originally Posted by deetjohn

One question. Why do people go from a 2x2 into a 2x1 exhaust? Isn't that fiddling with one of the main characters of the RD? The idling sound was so unique because of them. What are the benefits of the 2x1 system?

I guess the main advantage of 2X1 would be cost cutting and the second would be weight reduction. Other aspect would be that the bike sounds more like a super bike because of 2X1. I mean the sounds from 2 exhausts blend and gives a more smoother note (thats my observation). This one is HRC exhaust so catches a lots of attention.

Originally Posted by moralfibre

And that weird handle bar as well. Most of them are done at the Bhapkar Petrol pump on Satara road. All RD's coming out of there sport these mods.

That would be changed soon. The owner has got an original handle bar under my insistence.

[nomadabhi]

Originally Posted by Tejas Ingle

I guess the main advantage of 2X1 would be cost cutting and the second would be weight reduction. Other aspect would be that the bike sounds more like a super bike because of 2X1. I mean the sounds from 2 exhausts blend and gives a more smoother note (thats my observation). This one is HRC exhaust so catches a lots of attention.
.

You mean cost cutting as in "the original ones cost 15k now-a-days"?
Weight Reduction would be I guess only few grams as the 2x1 have heavy belly and can.

Yes!!! the sound (but the 2 pipe tone is so much musical that one can find himself in heaven with the fumes and blue smoke and music). Voice is unique charachter of any individual. Dont snatch it.

I have not tested one and may never, however once tempted seeing it on my friends RD. However, the day I thought trying it on mine, my friend's RD engine gave up due to the back pressure created.

All in all, 2x1 are good if done with proper chamfering and considering all calculation wrt to port opening, back pressure and can size, else only good to be heard as some SBK.

[xingamazon]

Tejas,

I must say thats an impressive job, the bike looks spic and span now. In fact I like the looks of the new remade model than the old(just my style). Great job.

How did you manage for the parts, are the parts openly available or did you have difficulty procuring the parts that got burnt.
Can you post more pics of before / after to help us get a better picture..

Ultimately, its because of guys like you the bikes still retain its spirits.

[Tejas Ingle]

Originally Posted by susan3004

What is the dia of the disc?

The disc measured 280mm in dia.

Originally Posted by moralfibre

And that weird handle bar as well. Most of them are done at the Bhapkar Petrol pump on Satara road. All RD's coming out of there sport these mods.

Handle bar replaced with original one. But I wish it was a bit lower. Will have to change the brake oil hose now.

Originally Posted by xingamazon

Tejas,

I must say thats an impressive job, the bike looks spic and span now. In fact I like the looks of the new remade model than the old(just my style). Great job.

How did you manage for the parts, are the parts openly available or did you have difficulty procuring the parts that got burnt.
Can you post more pics of before / after to help us get a better picture..

Ultimately, its because of guys like you the bikes still retain its spirits.

Thanks Xingamazon. Many parts were directly available (original/duplicates). I had to roam around for some parts (spokes etc) and the tail light wasn't available. I used one from Thunderbird.

Posting more pics.

[Tejas Ingle]

Few pics showing the making.