PAINT AND CHROME

Paint is surprisingly good and easy to reproduce on the coffin tank models, with the stick-on speed blocks readily available. Metal quality is average. The chrome is good and being a two stroke, the amount of unburnt two-stroke oil in the silencers stops them from rotting from the inside.

RDs were frequently fitted with budget “spannies”. You can't get original pipes new, but both Higgspeed and Allspeed make new expansion chambers for around £650 to £700 a pair if you want to re-live your youth.