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I Want a Radian

Discussion in 'Other Motorcycles' started by vashtsdaytona, Mar 31, 2018.

  1. vashtsdaytona

    vashtsdaytona Active Member

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    don't really know why just like the shape and want to add to my collection. I know the basics of them, but wondering if anyone really knows them, or knows of a site, to get better details.

    specifically from 86-90 (when they were made) any significant revisions? what years had gold wheels? color options for years? that kind of stuff. I want to really narrow down what year I want.

    thanks for any help.
     
  2. Sodeju

    Sodeju New Member

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    badrad600.com Is the only site i found with a lot of info. I used it for the resoration of a radian i got for free. They are great bikes, with a really smooth engine.
     
  3. Liebo

    Liebo New Member

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    I have an '87 radian, violet/blue with gold wheels and valve cover. There is a facebook group dedicated to old yamahas like it called "yamaha orphans" as well, mostly xj/fj/yx platforms.
     
  4. Fuller56

    Fuller56 Well-Known Member

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  5. Tim O

    Tim O Active Member

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    Oooooo... I like that one...
     
  6. Minimutly

    Minimutly Well-Known Member

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    Ooo, that's different - don't recall ever seeing one - is it like a 650 maxim with funky tank, seats and turbo wheels?
     
  7. Fuller56

    Fuller56 Well-Known Member

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    Well, Charlottesville is not so far away. I went there to acquire a Wee Strom a few months ago. The Radians were a Yamaha parts bin special. They were nice bikes with no new to the time engineering, more of a styling exercise. I have never heard any bad reports about them other than an exceptionally small fuel capacity, I think something in the area of 3-ish gallons? I am going out of town for a week so will not be immediately available to do an initial look at for you for a bit.
    John
     
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  8. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    Sort of. The Radian was built on the Maxim 550 frame, with a slightly detuned FJ600 engine (and wheels), parts from other bikes, as well as parts unique to the machine.
    It was an excellent exercise in economically introducing a new model, as well as being a darned-good bike.
     
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  9. Simmy

    Simmy Well-Known Member

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    Actually the FJ600 shared wheels with the RZ350 and SRX600, very skinny 18's front and back. Radian had 16's front and back, borrowing front wheel from the FZ600. The rear wheel is unique to the Radian although I suspect other than the spoke pattern, may fit on a 550 Maxim.
    All shared the double 3-spoke pattern with other sporty Yamahas of the era, RZ350, RZ500, SRX600, FJ600, FZ600, YX600, FZ750, FJ1100.
    The XJ900 had a similar pattern but had 2 round holes in each spoke section instead of the elongated oval.
    Yamaha spoke pattern.jpg
     
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  10. Simmy

    Simmy Well-Known Member

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    Oops, just noticed the RZ350 and FJ600 are similar to XJ900 pattern.
    SRX600 are unique.
     
  11. Tim O

    Tim O Active Member

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    Although I would... don't think the wife would be crazy about it considering the time I'm already spending on the Seca...

    Maybe my kid would be interested.
    If it's still there and you check it out I'd drive down for any kind of discount he might give.
    Minimum:
    • Engine starts and runs
    • Electrical seems to work for the most part.
    • Exhaust intact (doesn't have to be overly pretty though)
    • I'd be curious about his clutch statement... is it slipping or a tranny problem? A test ride should show that...
    Other than those unforeseen seems like an OK deal....
     
  12. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    Just about everything on that bike is.
     
  13. Mark John Smith

    Mark John Smith New Member

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    Hello
    This is an old post but, I'm checking into buying a SECA, and learn now that there are very similar Maxims and Radians too. What are all the differences ?
     
  14. Simmy

    Simmy Well-Known Member

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    All the differences?
    All are 2-valve air cooled 4 cylinder except the Maxim-X which was liquid cooled with 5 valve head.
    550 and 600’s are chain driven and a physically smaller motor.
    650, 700, 750 and 900 are shaft and a bigger block motor.
    Seca has 18” rear
    Maxim has 16” rear.
    Individual models are all slightly unique but all share same basic design
     
  15. Mark John Smith

    Mark John Smith New Member

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    Thx for your help. Seca for me it seems.
     

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