Which pipes for a Canadian-Spec RD?

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Darrell
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Which pipes for a Canadian-Spec RD?

#1 Post by Darrell » Sun Jun 24, 2018 12:18 pm

I have an 89 Canadian-Spec RD350 that's a hoot to ride. Many years ago I raced an 86 RZ, and it was pretty fast with Spec II racing pipes, Spec II porting, and 30 mm Mikuni carbs. My little RD has the stock 26 mm power-jet carbs, and the stock expansion chambers. I sent the cylinders to Herr Jugs for "race" porting. It's been a long time since I owned the RZ, but if my memory is at all accurate, my RD isn't in the same ball-park, and it signs off pretty early in the rev-range, comparatively speaking.

So I wonder if swapping to after-market chambers would be helpful. The stock chambers look pretty close to what DG offers (though I certainly haven't made measurements). Spec II pipes are hard to find. Toomey pipes are available but expensive.

I'd appreciate hearing what your experiences are with similar mildly-modified bikes. Which pipes yield the best performance on the street and offer good bang per buck? Were new carbs required to get the best from the new pipes, or were jetting changes enough?

Right now I'm running the stock 27 pilot jets, and the bike idles well, and just one size over at 190 mains.

Which tires are you guys running? I don't care about mileage, but do want some sticky rubber. Too bad Q4's aren't made in RD / RZ sizes.

And finally, if you have a passenger grab rail to fit my bike and you're willing to sell it, let me know.
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89 Canadian Spec RD-350
2013 BMW R1200RT
2007 Harley XL1200C Sportster
2008 Ducati 1098R
2015 Gas Gas 300 Trials bike
1972 Turbo-Charged 240Z
Zastava Black Arrow .50 BMG

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two-stroke-brit
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Re: Which pipes for a Canadian-Spec RD?

#2 Post by two-stroke-brit » Sun Jun 24, 2018 8:04 pm

welcome Darrel,
its a great site with tons of info helpful peeps.
cheers mark
350LC,Athena 392 big bore,stock porting,swiss cheese air box,stock reeds,spec11 pipes.(now TSA big bore pipes)
She might not be pretty but she will always be a fun ride


1982 YAMA RD350LC
98KDX 220R
1967 TRIUMPH TIGER
2001 TRIUMPH TT600

Darrell
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Re: Which pipes for a Canadian-Spec RD?

#3 Post by Darrell » Sun Jun 24, 2018 10:37 pm

Thanks Mark,
And thanks for reminding me of Allspeed pipes, I'd forgotten them entirely. I've made an inquiry of them to see if they ship to the U.S.
89 Canadian Spec RD-350
2013 BMW R1200RT
2007 Harley XL1200C Sportster
2008 Ducati 1098R
2015 Gas Gas 300 Trials bike
1972 Turbo-Charged 240Z
Zastava Black Arrow .50 BMG

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T.RexRacing
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Re: Which pipes for a Canadian-Spec RD?

#4 Post by T.RexRacing » Sun Jun 24, 2018 10:54 pm

I had a set of large can Allspeeds on my '84 US spec RZ350 when I bought it. A nice pipe w/o too much noise. Strong in the middle but signs off kinda early.
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Re: Which pipes for a Canadian-Spec RD?

#5 Post by Yellow and Black RZ » Mon Jun 25, 2018 10:31 am

I've only tried stock, DG, Micron and JL's and I've always liked JL's. On my second set of JL's and the build quality, sound and performance has worked for my bike whether for stock carbs (26's), big single (42mm) or dual "too big of carbs to be smart but it works". I just prefer a pipe that revs too high unless your crank is trued and welded with pinned main bearings. :D
'85 RRZ350 - Hacked.

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Re: Which pipes for a Canadian-Spec RD?

#6 Post by hondaror » Mon Jun 25, 2018 12:31 pm

That's a Brazilian spec bike. Canadian is RZ350 with a single square head lamp.

I'm running Toomey's with K&N pods and it's the hardest hitting RZ350, stock based, that I've every rode. A fellow member has stated the same thing, and we both raced in the past.

Jetting with the stock carbs is all that's needed. 56 wheel hp. Very entertaining.
Rory
2 1984 RZ350s
1985 RZ350
9 1986-1990 RZ350s
2000 ST2
2005 749
2005 749 with 999 engine

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Re: Which pipes for a Canadian-Spec RD?

#7 Post by Questo vecchio rz » Mon Jun 25, 2018 1:42 pm

Not sure where where you are located am assuming it is North America.

I don't think you can get a set shipped from the UK for under $650.00 -$700.00 US dollars.

Spec 2 is only a phone call away.

Toomey sells the entire kit with battery Box Etc you might call them and ask him if you just want exhaust pipes the cost could come down maybe $100.00

Frankly you can't beat Toomey's for there all around performance and the lightning acceleration his pipes offer, they are quite simply....that good.

Love the twin headlights with the blue paint thas one of the best looking original looking blue bikes, I've ever seen
Banshee (Baja) race bike,+ 2 A Arms,L.E.Ds, Toomey, +4 stroker IMS tank, run flats.
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Re: Which pipes for a Canadian-Spec RD?

#8 Post by T.RexRacing » Mon Jun 25, 2018 2:10 pm

Anyone running Toomey pipes with the airbox?
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Re: Which pipes for a Canadian-Spec RD?

#9 Post by Yellow and Black RZ » Mon Jun 25, 2018 2:40 pm

I've always ran stock sized Battleaxe BT35/45's.
'85 RRZ350 - Hacked.

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Re: Which pipes for a Canadian-Spec RD?

#10 Post by Questo vecchio rz » Mon Jun 25, 2018 2:46 pm

My very 1st US/Calif spec RZ, I ran the Toomeys w the stock air box, (with no jetting changes), that bike ran great, flawless really. Was certainly faster after carbs were jetted, but likley rode 30k on that configuration, as did a friend whom had Spec 2s( stock carbs & pipes) and air box worked quite well.
That RZ was still quicker than most, due soley to the pipes and pipes alone. Later Gary did a pretty quick motor, but I still used the Toomeys.
Note this was at sea level,all stock Yamaha specs. If everything is in working order I think it's probably one durable state of tune. I doubt I ever could have even blown it up..God knows it should have...lol
Last edited by Questo vecchio rz on Mon Jun 25, 2018 10:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Banshee (Baja) race bike,+ 2 A Arms,L.E.Ds, Toomey, +4 stroker IMS tank, run flats.
96 GSXR SRAD, Future Yoshimura rep.
85 custom Tri-Z
RZ/YZR bike(project)
86 VFR750 RC24 Merkel replica (project)
Royal Enfield Bullet 500

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Evans Ward
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Re: Which pipes for a Canadian-Spec RD?

#11 Post by Evans Ward » Mon Jun 25, 2018 4:28 pm

I'm running Toomey's w/ airbox. Performs well- jetting specs are in my signature below.
84 RZ350-Toomeys,SCR milled head, stk 26 carbs,300 M, 35 P, stock regrooved needles AS 2.5 turns out,stk air box,Banshee reeds Zeel non-progr CDI,TSRL Program YPVS,alum rad,R6 shock,GV emulators w/RT springs,fork brace,Shindy steering damper.

bitzz
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Re: Which pipes for a Canadian-Spec RD?

#12 Post by bitzz » Mon Jun 25, 2018 4:55 pm

I would first ask the guy doing the porting what pipe HE wants on the bike.

If that doesn't pan out the next would be a modern pipe designed on an engine simulator. Nothing legacy.

In 1989 the hot setup for the Canadian RZ Cup was Factory pipes.

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Re: Which pipes for a Canadian-Spec RD?

#13 Post by Darrell » Mon Jun 25, 2018 5:06 pm

I'm grateful for all the input. Thanks! Those Toomey pipes are sounding like the right choice, even though I had very good luck with Spec II pipes on my race bike. But that was full-on race, not streetable at all.

The bike had poof-can silver paint when I bought it. I painted it myself (if you could see it in-person you'd be able to tell, it's far from perfect, but not bad.) The twin-headlight set-up is not original, the guy I bought it from had that put on in Canada. (I have the receipts, and he paid good money for it!) The bike still has the Canadian "DOT" sticker on it, so I'm pretty sure it's Canadian spec. The guy I bought it from brought it down from BC, and I took it to the customs office in Tacoma to get the paperwork done, which was way easier than I expected.
I have a Harley 1200 Sportster and a BMW R1200RT, and both of those bikes are faster than the RD, but the RD is a lot more fun than either of those.
89 Canadian Spec RD-350
2013 BMW R1200RT
2007 Harley XL1200C Sportster
2008 Ducati 1098R
2015 Gas Gas 300 Trials bike
1972 Turbo-Charged 240Z
Zastava Black Arrow .50 BMG

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Re: Which pipes for a Canadian-Spec RD?

#14 Post by RuZty » Mon Jun 25, 2018 5:57 pm

Depending on your budget also consider TSA (Two Stroke Addicts, Kenny on this forum). He is in the UK so shipping can be a factor, but his pipes are a modern design and hand made to order. I have had SpecII's for ages and they are pretty decent but Kenny's are worth the extra $$ if you are buying new, lots of grunt and you don't need to rev the crap out of it.
http://www.twostrokeaddicts.co.uk/yamahadyno.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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Re: Which pipes for a Canadian-Spec RD?

#15 Post by Questo vecchio rz » Mon Jun 25, 2018 11:06 pm

Just so you know, I ran Spec 2 pipes, and several other brands they all were quite nice, but my Toomeys easily out performed them all. If you have a street bike , and it sounds as if you've had a rebuild, It's doubtful you'll ever have to worry about high revs, I have mega miles on RZs, and on a road bike a stock crank will suit you just fine, no worries.,none at all.
As far as pipe designs go , old vs new..don't sweat it, Toomeys new pipes are sutley redesigned and deliver even more power , over a broader range than the original "legacy" pipes? I certainly dont drink the Kool Aid on that subject with a bike spec with your top end design.
The old pipes are still F-ing great fir you if you can score a set, do it, I have a pretty good gut feeling that a Toomey equipped Street RZ is going to give you more twist of the wrist speed than most anything you'll come across, I'd wager $ on it.
Also of course your 1200 Harley is quicker...it darned right should be..The RZ is still a RZ, 347cc of pure fun. Your RZ can easily cover a 1/4 Mile in the same time or less , but that's it.
In addition to your port work did you have your head reworked?
Also for a fun street bike, drop the sprocket at least 1 on the front, makes all the difference! A set if V Force reeds is almost mandatory too, V Force and only V Force if your looking for the best max power and breathing., Your 26 mn carbs will be just fine, all the carb you really need on a street bike.

You won't be disspointed with a set up like that, I could almost guarantee that.... almost ?
Banshee (Baja) race bike,+ 2 A Arms,L.E.Ds, Toomey, +4 stroker IMS tank, run flats.
96 GSXR SRAD, Future Yoshimura rep.
85 custom Tri-Z
RZ/YZR bike(project)
86 VFR750 RC24 Merkel replica (project)
Royal Enfield Bullet 500

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