YAMAHA RD 350 (1973-1975) Specs, Performance & Photos

The Yamaha RD 350 was a sports bike made by Yamaha starting in 1973, replacing the Yamaha R5 model, and it continued production until 1975 when it was replaced by the Yamaha RD400 model. The bike was powered by a two-stroke engine and evolved directly from the Yamaha R5.

All models were fitted with an Autolube (automatic oil injection) system, making it more manageable for the rider to put in gasoline without mixing it with two-stroke oil. The bike was sold in some markets with a six-speed manual transmission and in others with a five-speed unit.

The bike's frame dimensions were very similar to the Yamaha TZ 250 and TZ 350 factory road race machines, with weight and front fork rake differences, such as the 27 degrees on the RD and 25 degrees on the TZ series.

In the performance department, the 1973 Yamaha RD 350 had installed a 347cc two-stroke parallel twin-cylinder air-cooled engine fed by two Mikuni carburetors, delivering an output power of 39 hp with a peak force at 7,500 rpm and 33 Nm (24 lb-ft) torque at 7,000 rpm.

The bike's power was handled by a six-speed manual transmission with a wet multi-plate clutch and sent to the rear wheel through a final chain drive.

The bike was built around a double cradle steel frame with a telescopic fork on the front and dual side-mounted shock absorbers on the rear. The braking power was handled by a 267 mm disc with a dual-piston caliper on the front and a 178 mm drum unit on the rear.