Build suggestions for a RD500 Rolling Chassis please Banshee

[tony2stroke]

Feb 3, 2021 11:24:47 GMT 1 revolvor said:

Hi,
We’ve a 1984 UK road registered steel framed RD500 with original wheels, forks, swingarm etc - tbh it looks awfull. (FZ750 wheels 🤮)
Thoughts are to do something like R6 front and rear end, (although USD R6 fronts aren’t cheap) RZ350 / Banshee big more motor (I’m looking for an engine)

Looked at buying a RD500 motor but they are overpriced and less power than a more simplified big CC twin, plus I could do without the hassle of all the related overpriced parts, I’m hoping plates bolted to the steel chassis rails will work to keep the frame original,

Any suggestions please : We’ve a GT750 motor in RM125 chassis, 6 cylinder KH ,RG500, Drag Snowmobile other weird stuff etc so aren’t scared of a fabricating, machining etc,

So suggestions Please on best budget front and rear ends, maybe Aprilia, Yam, ? What’s been done that works well ? And does anyone have a Banshee engine we can buy ?


Thanks in advance

Sorry I can't help but.

O!!!!!!!!!!M!!!!!!!!!!!!!G!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   A GT750 motor in a RM125 chassis, awesome, any pics of it mate.

[JonW]

Sell the 'overpriced' 500 parts and buy something else that's not 'overpriced'?

[veg]

With john on this you could make some decent money on the chassis and buy a far more suitable one esp if you’re trying to make a more modern stroker.
Although looking at your build history I suspect the easy path is less well trodden 👍

[ajh]

Feb 3, 2021 12:56:57 GMT 1 tony2stroke said:

Feb 3, 2021 11:24:47 GMT 1 revolvor said:

Hi,
We’ve a 1984 UK road registered steel framed RD500 with original wheels, forks, swingarm etc - tbh it looks awfull. (FZ750 wheels 🤮)
Thoughts are to do something like R6 front and rear end, (although USD R6 fronts aren’t cheap) RZ350 / Banshee big more motor (I’m looking for an engine)

Looked at buying a RD500 motor but they are overpriced and less power than a more simplified big CC twin, plus I could do without the hassle of all the related overpriced parts, I’m hoping plates bolted to the steel chassis rails will work to keep the frame original,

Any suggestions please : We’ve a GT750 motor in RM125 chassis, 6 cylinder KH ,RG500, Drag Snowmobile other weird stuff etc so aren’t scared of a fabricating, machining etc,

So suggestions Please on best budget front and rear ends, maybe Aprilia, Yam, ? What’s been done that works well ? And does anyone have a Banshee engine we can buy ?


Thanks in advance

Sorry I can't help but.

O!!!!!!!!!!M!!!!!!!!!!!!!G!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   A GT750 motor in a RM125 chassis, awesome, any pics of it mate.

+1 - And a 6 cylinder KH!

[veg]

Tapatalk is the best way to post pics but there are also tutorials for others but Tapatalk means you can post directly from your device it’s the easier way.

[julianboolean]

The obvious answer is sell the RD500 chassis and buy something better with the money, I can't think of any reason to keep the RD chassis, but you're not going to do that, so we're looking for an engine to go in the large hole in an RD500 frame.

Almost any two stroke parallel twin would fit, but the engine is going to be a long way back as it will be shorter than the 500 engine, what you really want is a square 4 or V4 two stroke, but both are rare and expensive, which brings me to my suggestion, Rotax tandem twin 250 as used in Armstrongs, Aprillias and racing go karts.

[julianboolean]

Banshee 421cc engine then
A friend raced one of the Rotax engines in an Armstrong chassis, it was faster than a TZ but was peakier

[midlifecrisisrd]

If it's 500cc on the logbook it would be criminal not to stick a 485cc banshee motor in it

Steve

[headcoats]

rg500 motor !

[trappena]

There is an rd500 engine for sale in holland for less than 2k, here the link link.marktplaats.nl/m1659481602

Cheers

[richb]

If you are going to be using a RD500 chassis then it has to have a RD500 engine it. 4 pipes, 4 clouds of smoke and an enchanting noise - GO FOR IT. If going big bore 350 twin then Aprilia RS250 chassis surely plus cradle kits are available and building a big bore 350 aint going to be cheap neither.
AS for front and rear ends I used Yam 600 thundercat complete front end ie forks, wheels, discs, brakes, mudguard, bars - all drop straight in with just ignition switch slight tweeking. Rear end 600 Fazer swingarm from year 2000 with bottom shock arms added by NK Racing, Nitron rear shock which comes with adjustable ride height, Thundercat rear wheel disc and Fazer underslung caliper and bracket - all drops straight in with a 160 rear tyre. All bits plentiful and cheap.
Pipes more like £1400 for JL GP if stainless steel and carbon cans, or plain steel with ali cans are cheaper but still £1k. Standard carbs do come fairly often just keep eyes open and they will appear.
Rich

[muttsnuts]

The YPVS based engine into that frame will be easy as the cradle is already there, just a few brackets and chain alignment to sort.

I'd build a 496cc twin, loads of power and lots of torque, can be expensive to build, but depends on spec and bhp required etc

Whereabouts you based, if state side then I am sure you already know the banshee stuff is easily sourced over there, not as easy over here.

Different front and rear end setups, lots to choose from, the R6 is a good route, as is the fazer and thundercat, or you could try much more modern and look at the MT range, MT07, MT09, MT01 etc, or considert the kwak range, ZX6R, ZX10 etc, lots of options

[Tobyjugs]

I would go big bore on the engine and put it in and an old Aprilia 1000 VTwin chassis. Great chassis, not too expensive.

[muttsnuts]

by eck, that's a long time ago !

um, bottom ends are hard to get hold of, as are full YPVS engines

The Athena kits can yield good power if done right, but not in the same league as the CPI cheetah, super cub stuff, but a 421 Athena can give respectable power, mid 70's upwards depending upon spec/tune etc

Yep, helpful bunch on here (well some of them anyway !!)