In 1983, Yamaha released the RD350 YPVS, a two-stroke giant-killer that embarrassed many a 750 on both road and track. Known as the RZ350 in North America, the 370-pound, 55-horsepower smoker carried the Yamaha Power Valve System, a variable exhaust port valve that delivered low-end torque without sacrificing top-end power.
The model never enjoyed the suspension, braking, and materials advancements that transformed sportbikes in later decades. That gap makes the RD350 a natural restomod candidate, and previous custom RD350 builds have explored the same potential.
Tomas Gurrieri of Brothers Garage had wanted an RD350 YPVS since childhood. When he finally found a 1990 model, it had been abandoned for over 15 years.
The chassis and engine were salvageable, but everything else needed replacing. Gurrieri sourced a 2001 Suzuki GSX-R750 for the swap.
The entire front end, including USD forks, brakes, clip-ons, master cylinder, and wheel, came from the Suzuki. Out back, the GSX-R donated its swingarm, wheel, brakes, footpegs, and rear brake master cylinder.
Full Carbon Fiber Bodywork
Gurrieri fabricated one-off carbon fiber pieces for the fuel tank, tail section, and front side fairings. A larger aluminum radiator improves cooling over the stock unit.
The front fender is a modified GSX-R750 piece adapted to the RD’s proportions. A custom-built GPS speedometer sits inside the original gauge housing, converted from mechanical to digital.
The exhaust is custom-made and modified. The engine itself remains factory spec, with only gaskets, clutches, and routine maintenance addressed.
Gurrieri estimates four or five extra horsepower from the exhaust. All that carbon and aluminum dropped 25 kilograms from the original weight.
The “Black Widow” sits at 140 kilograms, or roughly 310 pounds. That is 55 pounds lighter than the stock bike.
“With the larger tires and upgraded brakes from the GSX-R750, the riding experience is like that of a track bike, only much lighter,” Gurrieri said. “It has so much torque that the front wheel lifts off the ground in the first three gears.”
Gurrieri runs Brothers Garage from Málaga, Spain, where he moved from Argentina three years ago. His YouTube channel documenting the build has surpassed 750,000 views.
I always appreciate when a builder keeps the engine original and focuses on chassis and weight instead. Gurrieri preserved the two-stroke soul and built modern hardware around it.
He credits his brother, Lucio Gurrieri, as a constant partner in the project. The result is a 310-pound two-stroke with superbike-grade brakes and suspension.
Source: BikeBound
