Hi Folks,

I have always been dreaming about riding a Rajdoot ever since i started reading the blogs related to RD350 and RD175. My Dad had a Rajdoot 175 back in the days when i was a kid. I have very fond memories taking rides on the bike sitting on the tank with my dad. After a few years dad had to sell it off the Rajdoot due to service and maintenance problems.

It is during those days when Hero Honda came out with the CD100 and my dad went ahead and got one.
The CD100 was a very reliable bike in those days with superb mileage and VFM product. We had the bike for about 18years and I have the pleasure of learning to ride bikes from CD100.


That was the day back in 2000 and today is 2014 , I still dream of owing a classic bike (Rajdoot or Yezdi) and experience the legends in this era. Im sure that no modern bike can match the sheer timeless classic feel of these bikes. These bikes provide you with such thrill and excitement that none of the bikes of this period can give.


Cut to July 2014 - One evening when i was walking through my apartment community i noticed a bike that resembled a Rajdoot Yes it was indeed a Rajdoot but as it was late evening and dark i could hardly make out what model the bike was. The bike was parked under a tree and looked like it was sitting there from a long time bearing the harsh conditions of the weather.It looked to be in pretty bad condition and had rust on most of the parts, the seat was missing and so were few other body panels.


I was scared to inspect the bike any further because i was looking like a thief trying to sneak off the bike I left the spot promising myself to come back the next day and inspect it in the broad day light when i can get further details of the bike


On a weekend it was sunny day when i walked back to the same spot with the intention of checking the bike again. I had my fingers crossed and ws excited to know what model was the bike (hoping my luck would favour me and the bike woud be a RD 350)


Once i reached the spot i saw the bike standing tall with its head high but asking for someone to take care of it. I was a couple of meters away when all that questions were answered. The mystery was solved and i knew for sure that it was NOT a RD350 My heart sank... But i gathered and said to myself "hey c'mon, nevertheless its a Rajdoot"


I proceeded further and started looking closely at the bike and was very eager to know what model the bike was if not for RD350. It had a round headlamp and the body panels never looked like it was a Rajdoot 175. But this bike was longer in stance and it looked sportier than any other Rajdoot's i had ever seen


Once i moved to the side of the bike i had all my doubts cleared, here it was where the name of the bike was etched. It was "Rajdoot Excel-T" Yes i had the same quirky expression on my face like the way you guys have right now. I have read a lot of blogs, articles and even found information about most of the Rajdoots in India but i had never heard or knew that such a model also existed (God know how many models did Escorts come up with during those days).


For a moment i thought if this was some kind of modification carried out on a normal Rajdoot and the owner named it by himself just to stand out of the crowd of other Rajdoots


Immediately i took out my mobile and the next thing i did standing there was to Google and check if this bike EXCEL-T really existed. To my surprise there were so many results fetched and the first image i saw was of a bike called Rajdoot Excel-T. The same bike was sitting right next to me, OMG


I started reading through most of the search results in a hurry to know about the specifications and the output of the bike. But to my disappointment there was very little given or known about this particular model. All i knew is that it was manufactured in the year 1985-86 and it was 173cc engine mated to 4-speed gearbox. Apart from a few images and haywire information, i did not find any solid information that could give me in-depths about this bike


Inspected the bike for few more minutes and clicked pictures so that i could use it for reference. Below are the images of the same. Sorry i had to click the pictures from only a single angle because there were cars parked all around and it was difficult for me to get around and click in different angles.


The bike was in pretty bad condition and as i said earlier has rusts on the tank, mudguards and silencer. the seat and back panels seem t be missing and the tyres to have deflated over time. Certainly the weather as taken a toll on the bike and it shows. The bike has been through several years of sun rain and dust, and from the looks it is stranded there for at least couple of years


Immediately i got in touch with the security guards in my apartment to know about which block does this bike belong to and who is the probable owner. As the bike was parked in open area with no parking information about the spot i had difficulties finding the same. The security guards were of least interest even to know whom did it belonged to. After that i left the spot in disappointment because neither it was a RD350 as i had initially thought and i didn't even find any details of the bike on the internet nor i could know who the owner was


I would surely get back to the bike and try finding out more about the owner in the coming days. Once i get in touch with the owner I will try and see if he wishes to sell the bike and if yes, i would want to know how feasible the deal would be.
Below are some of the questions that need to be answered before i go ahead with the bike :

• From this condition, can this bike be restored ?
• If it can be restored what are the efforts required ?
• What are the kind of costs involved to get this bike up and running ?
• Where do i source the parts required from ?
• Is this project worth taking up ?

Please guys need your help on his topic and do let me know your suggestions, feedback and comments on the same.
I work in an IT company and hence in case i take up this restoration project i have to to take out some time from my busy schedule from work and Family.


Thanks in Advance !!