Model Number Guide

[Angel Grinder]

It would seem that some of this information must be wrong as it's got U.S.A. 'B's down as '73 whereas the 'A's didn't start until '74 and the 'B's were '75. Then its got two different model years both down as '75. It's also got U.S.A. RD350s down as 1970, which is certainly wrong. It also has a two year gap between consecutive models.


This info is lifted directly from the info on Wemoto's site as it has exactly the same errors. Has anyone got the definitive correct information which can be posted on a sticky?


It may be only the U.S.A. stuff that's wrong; that's all I've noticed as that's what I'm currently researching.

[Angel Grinder]

This article from a U.S. site in 2011 looks pretty good.
https://www.motorcyclistonline.com/great-bikes-70s-yamaha-rd350

They've got the first RD350 (pre 'A',although they didn't call it that) as arriving in the states in '73, which tallies with all other info from U.S. sources.

Then they've got the '74 model (Ruby Red 'A' but they've called it a 'B')

Then they show the Portuguese orange '75 model, which they have also identified as a 'B' (this time correctly, I think).

Unfortunately, many of the pics are monochrome but the graphics are easily identifiable.

[Angel Grinder]

This page from a U.S.A. forum (from 2011) makes it all absolutely clear (at least for the U.S.A. RD350, RD350A and RD350B).

These are people that own and ride these bikes and have the titles and frame number details right on hand in their garages. The information is pretty straightforward, once you see it in presented as clearly as this.

Obviously the 'purple' the original poster was referring to was the 'Ruby Red' of the '74 RD350A, which is the bike I'm now 100%sure I have.

http://www.2strokeworld.com/forum/index.php?topic=9972.0

'SoCal250' clearly knows what he's on about and even has the factory paint codes for the three models. Unfortunately, the links to the reproduction graphics site only point to their homepage and they don't seem to list the early graphics anymore.

From SoCal250's Posts:
"Factory paint colors:
   1973 RD350   = 00A2 BRR BRANDY RED
   1974 RD350A = 00A8 RBR RUBY RED
   1975 RD350B = 00N7 PGO PORTUGUESE ORANGE"

"There's an easy way to tell what year it is. What's the frame number and engine number?
351-1xxxxx = 1973
351-2xxxxx = 1974
351-3xxxxx = 1975"

Then there's this, from a USA for sale site, which clearly shows the graphics and dates for the two models either side of mine (the Brandy Red 'preA' & Portuguese Orange B)

[betty foRD]

There is a surprisingly large amount of incorrect material out there...some of it even having Yamaha’s name on it!
But I totally agree there is really no doubt about the sequence of models in the rd250/350 range, the yr5s before them or the coffin tanks afterwards.
The only thing that confuses the situation are the dates of manufacture and the dates of first registration. Manufacture obviously predating the sales year and registration being a relatively random event sometime after eventual sale.

[Ozhammer]

So based on the foregoing, would I be correct in stating the following?

A bike with the model number 351-211XXX would be a 1974 RD350A, whilst a bike with the model number 352-310XXX would be a 1975 RD250B.

Thanks

[betty foRD]

So based on the foregoing, would I be correct in stating the following?

A bike with the model number 351-211XXX would be a 1974 RD350A, whilst a bike with the model number 352-310XXX would be a 1975 RD250B.

Thanks

Yes

[RD250NL]

Hello all,

Already been in contact with Paul Dawkins but he could not support with my frame number (im located outside of UK).

Number of my RD250 is: 352-5019**

Unfortunately all the ranges I see everywhere only go to 352-50000.

Does anyone have a source that refers to my number? I need to have this information in order to get my bike licensed in the Netherlands.


Many thanks

[RD250NL]

As you can see there is a gap in the frame-number list:

[betty foRD]

Something wrong with that list… no RD made in 1970 for a start !
Yours is a 1973. Eu/Uk bikes all had VINs starting 352-5,
352-50477x is mine in butterfly blue etc.
I assume Paul maybe limited by the scope of his authorisation  outside of the Uk as I’m sure he knows what the vin rage is for a Uk 1973 Rd250…

[general_piffle]

Trying to figure this out, apologies for the newbie question.

If my RD400 came from the US and the frame number is: 1A1-0133** then what year and model does that make it?!

UPDATE - done some more digging online, and I’m confident it’s a US edition C model from 1976 unless anyone with more knowledge knows better 👍🏼

[Adeyone]

Hi,

I think you may be correct in your assertion from the data I found (see attached) so you have a 1976 RD400C.

I can’t remember where I found the data though, may have been this clubs own tech info page!

Cheers

Ady

[general_piffle]

Hi,

I think you may be correct in your assertion from the data I found (see attached) so you have a 1976 RD400C.

I can’t remember where I found the data though, may have been this clubs own tech info page!

Cheers

Ady

Thanks Ady! Think the attachment might have dropped off?

[Duffy1964]

I found this information on another page which might help.
It also would confirm yours is a C model and 1976 sounds correct to me. 



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[general_piffle]

Thanks Duffy. I think this is partly where it gets a bit confusing, because mine is a US import the frame numbers start: 1A1 and not 1A3 as the European frame numbers do.

Then after the first 3 numbers/letter there’s a hyphen, and for both Europe and the US if the number after the hyphen is a 0 it was probably built in 1976, however if the number is a 1 it was probably built in 1977.

So, this would make mine a 1976 C model 👍🏼

[Duffy1964]

I double checked mine via Yambits you can request via email on their website, but I’m not sure if they have details for import models, as mine was from U.K.


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