Any conversation about the good old days of motorcycling will eventually include the words “they don’t build ’em like they used to.” And then someone will mention the Yamaha RD350.
The fiery two-stroke was loved when it was released, got even wilder as it evolved, and has been missed ever since it was discontinued. Given the motorcycle industry’s current obsession with nostalgia, the time is ripe for a modern take on the iconic RD—but there are no signs that Yamaha plans to resurrect it. After all, ever-tightening emissions laws have put the kibosh on two-stroke development.
Custom builder Renato Frateschi remembers the RD350 well—particularly the later RD350 YPVS F2, which made waves in his native country of Brazil when it was released in 1987.…