RD250 1980 General question (my first bigger twin)

[cjr]

Hi all, just bought an RD250 registered June 1980, delivered this week, I'm chuffed and can't wait to take it out! If you can help with these please:

I'm told this is an RD250F, but there is also 250E, what's the difference please
Bike running pre-mix, I prefer auto-lube.  I'm yet to take off carbs, side casing etc, but likely to need your held when I start looking in greater detail
Until I meddle with auto-lube, any suggestion on oil / fuel ratio please
Been looking for Haynes Manual, but can only find 'Yamaha twins 250-350 1972-79' - will this cover my 1980 model?
Bike has Higgspeeds and is very loud.  I've re-packed baffle wadding, but still much louder than I expect - is this normal (if yes, will look for standard pipes)
Has no centre stand.  I can only find parts for 1972 onwards, marked RD250/400.  Will this fit a 1980 bike ( I expect it would have remained the same)

Sorry about the barrage of questions, I know most of you know this stuff.  I just want to be sure I'm on the right track when meddling to get it nicer to ride and use.  I'm no 'restorer', I get bikes working, polish, clean, sit and look a lot, then go out on dry days for a blast around the kent countryside.

Best, Chris jr 
 

[reedpete]

As model differences go the E and F are essentially the same (2R8) bike , some minor cosmetic differences , just E is 78 model and F is 79 model … but both E and F are very different from A-D.
30:1 premix is a good compromise for general running.
Higspeeds are simply VERY loud … not much you can do about that… they sound awesome for about 5 mins and then most folks realise they can’t live with it.
Main stand from any RD250 will fit… same part Is used on all.

[dusty350]

Does it have the oil pump ? If so, or when you find one if needed, get it booked in for a rebuild with Arrow on this forum. It will come back better than new and give many years of reliable service.
They are simple engines, plus this model has the CDI ignition. Some parts getting harder to find new or good used now, but Fowlers are still a good resource for NOS, plus Norbo sells some aircooled parts in his shop. Beware some of the parts offered by Yambits - a lot is basically not fit for purpose, so be very careful what you buy from them.
Standard pipes can be hard to find in nice condition - I personally go with Allspeeds on these bikes, plus they will be quieter than the Higgspeeds which are loud !
Great bikes though - enjoy

Dusty

[cjr]

Hi Dusty, Lee, really appreciate your insight and expertise. Dead right, I can't live with the noise of Higgspeeds. It's like firing a Gatling gun in the garden. Now I'll start looking for pipes, down pipes. I have two spare RD125LC pipes (no good for this) plus I have two spare RS125DX pipes, and a pair of battered Allspeeds from my old GT200 - all no good for this bike. My brother does engineering / lathe work and he said sod it, angle grinder, welder, let's make them fit.

Would love Allspeeds, but only originals. Bought a new one for Mk2 125Lc and it weighs as much as an empty bake bean can, with welding by Stevie Wonder. Lot of money for poor quality.

A 'bag of bits' came with the bike. Only looked last night and all the 2T pump parts are in there. As for Yambits, I've bought mirrors / indicators for my RS125DX and they are cheap, poorly made - agree with you entirely.

Thanks for confirming the mix ratio. I topped it up with 2 litres super, with 50 ml 2T, first time ride round the block. Got to say, the carbs need to come off as it won't rev cleanly past 6,000 - not that I want to thrash it. Seller says the bike has been sat for a long time and is a bit 'fluffy'.

Will need to come back to you for more advice as my meddling moves on. Good to know RD250E/F have same pipes, centre stand. Thanks again Chris

[cjr]

Hi Chaps, as mentioned, regarding Higgspeeds, I just cannot handle the noise. Finding E/F pipes isn't going to happen, unless I want to part with £800 plus.

As I also meddle with rifles and moderators, I'm fitting internal partition washers to the baffles today, just three each side. Try and capture more sound within the thin end can. I've downloaded DB measuring app to see if any difference

2nd option; cut off end can, weld on bigger can and make original baffles fit. 3rd option. replace with Allspeeds