I've actually owned this thing since it was brand new. I bought when I was 16 years old for $838.00 in 1976.They had come out with the 400's and the dealership still had three 350's left over. I rode it from Detroit to Daytona Beach FL. and back. I have many RD stories. There were alot of guys on Nortons and Triumphs that were left astonshished. This thing is pretty tricked out many TZ parts, ported, Bassani expansion chambers, rear sets, K&N's, etc,etc,etc.... I'd like to bring it back to stock condition but good condition stock RD parts are getting harder to find.

 

Thanks for the memories roadglider....I too have a lot of history with a 250 DS7 and a previous Daytona....and am now trying to bring them back to life. As far as getting yours back together it's just a matter of time and money. Parts are plentiful for most of them and a lot of new stuff is available. Just so we don't go to far off topic, shoot me a private message sometime and I'll be happy to offer my assistance and what I've learned lately.

 

Appreciate it Kmac250. I probably won't get started for a month or two on this project I'll have to get another digital camera (mines broken) and document this project.

 

Can't be a real Fiat if it's only rusting slowly....Italian cars rust fast!

I saw the X19, those were fun little cars while they were running. How on earth did you develop a taste for such arcane exotica in what looks like the heartland from your pictures?

 

I got hooked on wheels and gasoline as a teenager....mini-bikes, go karts, dirt bikes, street bikes, on and on and on. Got my first Fiat ('74 Fiat Spider) in 1974. Somewhere in my deformative years the wires got crossed in my brain and I started telling myself I enjoyed working on cars and bikes....wires are still crossed and the fuses just keep blowing!

The heartland you refer to is our family farm in the middle of North Carolina. I play engineer during the week and farmer on the weekends. Side benefit is I have some nice trails and pastures on the farm for my two KLX250's and some nice country roads for the Versys.

 

Mate of mine had a RD350LC, I loved riding that thing it was a lovely beast. Had a mate on the back of it and accidentally mono'd it in 3rd overtaking a car. I bet the look on the car drivers face was priceless! And I was taking it easy it just hit powerband in 3rd and up came the wheel. Ah the memories.

Oh yeah I hate you :-D I had a test ride on the Versys and loved it.

 

Really dig the looks of the versys in kawi green.

 

Put knobbies on that bike and then its a dual sport! LOL

 

And it's a beautiful place you have out there, kmac. My son and I both enjoyed riding your trails and fields, thanks again for having us out, that was a good time. I've been busy a lot since March because I'm running the hare scramble series this year - 10 races down and 6 to go with the next one this coming weekend - I haven't missed a race yet. But if ever you want to get together or need some help building trails or doing any trail maintenance on your property, just give me a yell and I'm happy to come out and help.

 

I actually thought I wanted lime green and found a 2009 with less than 1000 miles on it. It was $600 more, 2 hrs further away, and didn't include the jacket, helmet, bags, etc...When I saw the red, it was love at first sight.

For now the knobbies will have to be Photoshop'd on...the KLX is my go to girl for rough riding. In the back of my little brain is a trip down the Oregon Backcountry Discovery Route (OBDR) with my two sons trailing in behind me. The Versys may be a candidate with some better "shoes".