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Main Area => Projects / Builds, Racing and Tech => Topic started by: EdE on September 04, 2012, 09:37:16 PM

Title: GSxRD400
Post by: EdE on September 04, 2012, 09:37:16 PM
It had to be done..
(http://i1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc412/EdE62/GSXRD1.jpg)
RD400 engine into GS500 Chassis.
I've been doing a build write up on the conversion on my website at: http://erlenbachracing.net/GSXRD400.htm
Title: Re: GSxRD400
Post by: Big Rich on September 04, 2012, 09:42:19 PM
Oh my..........that thing is going to scream.

I had the chance to ride a hopped up rd350 about a month ago - overall the bike was.......um......barbaric. But the motor was ready to kick you in the throat.
Title: Re: GSxRD400
Post by: seamax on September 05, 2012, 07:41:31 AM
 :o Wow that thing looks puny in the GS frame. The 2 stroke is going to scream unlike any GS and kudos with the kick start.  :thumb:
Title: Re: GSxRD400
Post by: cbrfxr67 on September 05, 2012, 11:13:14 AM
engine swapgasm,.....
(https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS1qYlyhRe3NgOYGL8ht1N9zvFp7CDsDNV8wdyUJRI6ESk8GJkJ)
Title: Re: GSxRD400
Post by: steezin_and_wheezin on September 05, 2012, 11:33:08 AM
^^ haha my thoughts exactly!

Awesome build, will be following this thread closely
Title: GSxRD400
Post by: NortwestRider on September 05, 2012, 11:43:31 AM
I raced RD400's thru the 80's and always wished they handled better,you just answered my wish !!.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: GSxRD400
Post by: catch2otwo on September 06, 2012, 07:22:50 PM
 we will be comparing notes this winter.  I was considering warmed over banshee motor instead of rd.  Looking forward to your progress.
Title: Re: GSxRD400
Post by: steezin_and_wheezin on October 25, 2012, 07:00:16 AM
I crave more 2 strokin' gs updates!!!
Title: Re: GSxRD400
Post by: surplus 6 on November 11, 2012, 04:00:55 AM
 :thumb: updates?????
Title: Re: GSxRD400
Post by: EdE on August 01, 2013, 09:39:33 PM
Hi Guys, The economy has made this build a lot harder than it's had to be but There's been a lot of progress. I've got my fully rebuilt, nicely massaged RD400 engine bolted in, I just wiring in the ignition and have spark, I need to finish rebuilding the carbs, add a chain, buy a few more minor parts and mount the pipes and she'll be a rollin and a runnin.  Ed


I've got an add in the wanted section for a seat and a couple other parts "preferably" local if anyone has any.
Title: Re: GSxRD400
Post by: BockinBboy on August 02, 2013, 05:20:45 AM
That exhaust looks so... 'cute'   :icon_mrgreen:

Seriously though, awesome build!  I really hope to see a video of her running some day.

- Bboy
Title: Re: GSxRD400
Post by: bombsquad83 on August 02, 2013, 07:37:49 AM
subbed... I don't want to miss the completion of this project!
Title: Re: GSxRD400
Post by: steezin_and_wheezin on August 02, 2013, 11:58:39 AM
It's... Beautiful! (http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll129/steezin_and_wheezin/smilin/mouth_water.gif)

Combining my two current loves of moto, the gs(of course) and a 2 stroker. Those water formed pipe are a thing of beauty by themselves!! Love the sound of a well tuned rd400 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4IVc4AV54g)

Can't wait to see more progress
Title: Re: GSxRD400
Post by: Big Rich on August 02, 2013, 04:43:12 PM
Glad to see you're still at it Ed. I was just wondering about this project, actually.
Title: Re: GSxRD400
Post by: jacob92icu on August 02, 2013, 04:49:00 PM
Hahaha look at that tiny little exhaust. Cant wait to see it completed. :thumb:
Title: Re: GSxRD400
Post by: Wagoneer on August 08, 2013, 03:52:28 PM
Why not stick with the 500 theme and the Suzuki family and go with the engine from a T500? It's got ~8 more bhp too.

Just already had that engine or something?
Title: Re: GSxRD400
Post by: EdE on August 13, 2013, 03:19:10 PM
Quote from: Wagoneer on August 08, 2013, 03:52:28 PM
Why not stick with the 500 theme and the Suzuki family and go with the engine from a T500? It's got ~8 more bhp too.

Just already had that engine or something?

I'm an old RD400 guy   http://www.erlenbachracing.net
Title: Re: GSxRD400
Post by: Big Rich on August 13, 2013, 04:37:34 PM
Just want to add (Ed, please correct me if I'm wrong): a stock T500 motor might put out a couple more horses than a stock RD motor......but RD motors have a huge aftermarket following. I believe the Banshee motors are a drop in (and liquid cooled) replacement for an RD motor?
Title: Re: GSxRD400
Post by: EdE on August 13, 2013, 08:30:04 PM
Hi Rich, The RD's, especially the 400's (my favorite) are just a sweetheart of a motor. They rev higher, are more dependable, and have a broader powerband (reed valve induction), than the T500's and you can pull 70-75 rwhp out of one in roadracing trim. Not to mention parts availability is a lot better and a better level of performance parts. The RD's even benefit from some of the RZ/Banshee performance parts.
The RZ and Banshee engines aren't a drop in replacement because the mounts are a little different, but the dimensions of the engines are so similar the engines are often swapped one way or the other. Ed
Title: Re: GSxRD400
Post by: Big Rich on August 13, 2013, 10:53:56 PM
Thanks Ed!  :thumb:

For some odd reason I think the transmission is different / better in the RD400 motor in comparison to the RD350 too.... I have some friends that are into the old RD motors - that's the only reason I know anything about them. And they sound great at wot.

Either way, great project you have here. Hope you get it up and running 100% soon.
Title: Re: GSxRD400
Post by: jboogie13 on August 14, 2013, 05:06:05 AM
Quote from: jacob92icu on August 02, 2013, 04:49:00 PM
Hahaha look at that tiny little exhaust. Cant wait to see it completed. :thumb:


:whisper: except there's 3 of them
Title: Re: GSxRD400
Post by: Wagoneer on August 14, 2013, 12:52:31 PM
Gotchya. New there had to be a good reason.

Dear god a 75whp two-stroke would be awesome. Is this engine fully race prepped by you or is it stock? Sorry if it's somewhere in the other thread, I've just read this one.
Title: Re: GSxRD400
Post by: jboogie13 on August 15, 2013, 06:51:01 AM
unless the rd400's were a twin?  :dunno_black:
Title: Re: GSxRD400
Post by: Shepa on August 15, 2013, 09:52:32 AM
How on Earth I skipped this thread?



Sent from my toilet seat using HTC FartPhone

Title: Re: GSxRD400
Post by: EdE on August 15, 2013, 01:02:36 PM
The RD400 is a Two-Stroke Air cooled Parallel Twin. Stock they made about 40 rearwheel stock, but the beauty was in their potential. Easily taken to 50-60 rwhp for the street and as I said 70-75 rwhp in roadrace trim. Ed
Title: Re: GSxRD400
Post by: steezin_and_wheezin on November 07, 2013, 08:08:48 AM
Bumpdates!

GS needs more 2 strokin, any more progress EdE?
Title: Re: GSxRD400
Post by: dB-tje on November 07, 2013, 02:17:49 PM
Quote from: EdE on August 01, 2013, 09:39:33 PM
Hi Guys, The economy has made this build a lot harder than it's had to be but There's been a lot of progress. I've got my fully rebuilt, nicely massaged RD400 engine bolted in, I just wiring in the ignition and have spark (you can't see it in the pic), I need to finish rebuilding the carbs, add a chain, buy a few more minor parts and mount the pipes and she'll be a rollin and a runnin.  Ed

(http://i1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc412/EdE62/GSXRDPipes2_zpse8d969f2.jpg)

I've got an add in the wanted section for a seat and a couple other parts "preferably" local if anyone has any.
Great combo  :bowdown:
Title: Re: GSxRD400
Post by: lance89 on November 07, 2013, 06:19:49 PM
nice project. I just started a KX500/GS500 race project. Lance

[attachment deleted by admin]
Title: Re: GSxRD400
Post by: EdE on November 21, 2013, 09:15:40 PM
Well at long last she's finally done. I finished modifying the pipes yesterday, fired her up and took her for a ride today. Rips like an RD and handles like a sportbike.. imagine that.. sweet!!
Thanks everybody who helped me with parts!! now to put some miles on her!! Ed

(http://i1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc412/EdE62/GSXRD400A_zps0e03d6ec.jpg)
Title: Re: GSxRD400
Post by: Janx101 on November 21, 2013, 09:24:23 PM
 :D :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown:

now PLEASE tell me you have a GoPro or Drift camera or something!!

take some footage!! .. NEED to see that wee beastie running!!  :thumb:
Title: Re: GSxRD400
Post by: Zookmang on November 21, 2013, 09:40:39 PM
Yes! Must see how that thing goes!
Title: Re: GSxRD400
Post by: Big Rich on November 21, 2013, 09:52:18 PM
Congrats Ed! She's a real beauty, that's for sure!
Title: Re: GSxRD400
Post by: cbrfxr67 on November 22, 2013, 07:53:37 AM
 :bowdown: Very nice good sir!  I hope (really really hope) you can get some video.
Title: Re: GSxRD400
Post by: steezin_and_wheezin on November 22, 2013, 08:26:22 AM
:woohoo: She's a thing of beauty!! Great work, very clean swap. Looks like it belongs in there :cheers:

This has spurred me to find another gs and start searching for a rd engine! Would definitely love to see a vid of her running/riding
Title: Re: GSxRD400
Post by: fleshpiston on November 22, 2013, 08:34:14 AM
Nicely done, looks factory  :bowdown:
Title: Re: GSxRD400
Post by: Jim Knopf on November 22, 2013, 08:42:59 AM
Servus Ede,

great work, RESPECT   :bowdown:  :bowdown:  :bowdown:  :bowdown:
Title: Re: GSxRD400
Post by: cbrfxr67 on November 22, 2013, 12:34:12 PM
Quote from: steezin_and_wheezin on November 22, 2013, 08:26:22 AM
This has spurred me to find another gs and start searching for a rd engine!

makes me want to get to work too!  :technical:
Title: Re: GSxRD400
Post by: steezin_and_wheezin on November 22, 2013, 04:11:06 PM
Are you running RD controls and harness with GS gauges?

I got zero work done today thinking about this build! haha
Title: Re: GSxRD400
Post by: steezin_and_wheezin on March 17, 2014, 06:52:32 AM
Bumpdates! Riding season's right around the corner, any chance we'll get to see a vid of this beast revving?
Title: Re: GSxRD400
Post by: EE on March 28, 2014, 02:49:11 PM
I'm getting the paint done right now so she's been down for a few weeks but she should be back up within a week. I don't have a video camera... but I've really been enjoying riding the bike it came out really nice.  Ed
Title: Re: GSxRD400
Post by: cbrfxr67 on March 31, 2014, 06:57:48 AM
ready for those pics!  :icon_twisted:
Title: Re: GSxRD400
Post by: steezin_and_wheezin on June 16, 2015, 11:52:18 AM
Old bump, been loving the two stroke world, but still miss you GS'ers. I spotted this a while back and wanted to check in. Looks like he finally get her road worthy! Hope to find more of it later, would love to find another gs and do this swap someday

http://websta.me/p/976994490029455243_12918596