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Post by shaunthe2nd on Mar 18, 2014 15:23:41 GMT 1
Let's go back to the beginning. By beginning, I mean the start of my relationship with my first ever LC350. 8th November, 1981. 11.00 at the Humber Bridge car park. This is where I handed over a brown envelope with a hard earned/saved £1,000 in cash. It was the first time I had ever held so much money, but it was a small amount for a lifetime of memories. The bike was only 9 months old, in my favourite white/blue colour. I couldn't afford a new one, i think theye were around £1400 at the time. I saw this in the MCN classified section (no Ebay, Pistonheads, or Gumtree at that time)and phoned this fella up on the party line (remember them!) and we did a deal in principle. He was to ride it from Welwyn Garden City and meet me at the Humber Bridge car park near Hull. If it was as described (no emailing of pics back then) I would buy it. And that i did...  This picture was taken just half an hour later by my mate. That's his Superdream in the picture and his younger brother looking on. Drain pipes and trainers were the order of the day. Health and safety was undiscovered in the 80's.   I had 2 great summers on that bike and eventually sold in in 1983. It appears to have disappeared early in 1984 as there are no DVLA records since then unfortunately. If anyone knows otherwise it would be nice to hear from you. Ever since then I have longed for another and my dream came true at the end of last summer when I bought a similar LC350 and changed the colour scheme to white-blue to match the bike of my youth. This further sparked an interest in me to have a go at resurrecting an LC so here I am, a rebuild virgin having a go at getting this 250 back on the road so my bike can have a little sister. Living the dream! |
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Post by shane250 on Mar 18, 2014 15:36:04 GMT 1
"8th November, 1981. 11.00 at the Humber Bridge car park." I cant remember yesterday how did you remember that  Excellent pictures.81 was the year of completion of the bridge wasnt it? |
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Post by shaunthe2nd on Mar 18, 2014 16:00:47 GMT 1
You always remember your first date with your first love don't you?
Besides that, I wrote it on the back of one of the pictures I came across!
Yes Humber Bridge was opened in 81, so your memory pretty good I reckon.
We still paying it off though!
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Post by shane250 on Mar 18, 2014 23:46:46 GMT 1
You always remember your first date with your first love don't you? Besides that, I wrote it on the back of one of the pictures I came across! Yes Humber Bridge was opened in 81, so your memory pretty good I reckon. We still paying it off though! No mate but i remember how her tits felt  I lived not that far from the bridge at the time and the car park down there was a regular haunt.Cb radio days they were ...Roger |
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Post by farmboy on Mar 19, 2014 20:38:23 GMT 1
Pictures are so cooooooooooooooooool.
I was 17 when I brought my first 350 , a white /blue . its the one in my profile picture to the left.
Just one question , how did the seller get back down south , it would have been a long way esp back then with no sat-nav, google maps and the like. At least if you got lost and asked for directions people would help you back then.
Great pics.
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Post by shaunthe2nd on Mar 20, 2014 10:41:34 GMT 1
Nice picture Farmboy, can't beat those 'back in the day' LC pics. Looks great.
It looks like you painted the wheels blue, you doing the same with your rebuild?
The fella I bought my bike from was followed up by his dad in a car.
Luckily for him i was good for my word, but looking back it was an unusual way to buy a bike back in 1981.
Probably the norm these days with internet and email etc.
I remember suggesting meeting at the Humber Bridge because it was difficult to miss and was in the news a lot having just opened.
Best day of my life I reckon!
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Post by alibongo on Mar 21, 2014 21:51:13 GMT 1
Must be something about being 17 and owning a Blue & White 350LC.
Late 1996 saw me driving to Accrington to look at £500 crash damaged 350. Later that evening I was driving back with a Transit stuffed full of not only the crashed 350 but a spare frame, 3 sets of standard exhausts, lots of crappy bodywork, and tons of engine bits plus spare wheels etc.
I have got a pic of it somewhere, I will dig it out.
Should not have sold all those bits back then, if only I knew eh?
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Post by shaunthe2nd on Mar 22, 2014 13:59:38 GMT 1
Well I must be getting more confident as the build goes on. After reading some of the other builds on here, yesterday I finally decided to go whole hog, and remove the engine and all the electrics from the frame...  so here its is, an engine.....  a box of electrics....  and a frame.....  I'm glad I finally decided to strip to this degree. I should have made this decision on day one instead of fannying around. I was nervous I'd never get it all back together, I still might not, but I'm up for the challenge. I can't strip any further, so this is the turning point, its a rebuild from her on, and feels like I've moved to the next stage. The frame went to the powder coaters today, should be back next weekend. That's when the real fun starts. Bring on the summer. Not too soon though. Lol |
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Post by marsbar350 on Mar 22, 2014 14:26:10 GMT 1
frame looks mint shaun quick clean and put back together save some time and wonga  |
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Post by shaunthe2nd on Mar 22, 2014 21:17:58 GMT 1
Frame is pretty good to be fair and the original plan was to strip back the bike so far and clean it up and a bit of touch up if needed, but having gone so far (by my experience that is) and having read a few other threads, I felt as though I would be cheating myself and the bike if I didn't go the extra mile. I'm sure I'd regret it.
Once I actually made the decision, it felt right and I felt quite liberated by it!
What's time and money hey when you rebuilding an LC. It seems the norm to spend too much of both.
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Post by marsbar350 on Mar 22, 2014 22:37:26 GMT 1
just make sure they mask the vin number off before coating some mot testers like to see it cover with some decent satin paint afterwards |
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Post by shaunthe2nd on Mar 22, 2014 22:50:00 GMT 1
Thanks for the tip, but i use the same painter as muttsnuts does, and he has already beaten these good practices in to him!
Saves me the trouble.
Cheap too, i think mutts has beaten that in to him too! Lol
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Post by marsbar350 on Mar 22, 2014 23:28:27 GMT 1
not asking ya suck eggs shaun my agricultural coaters didnt mask em off so it does happen |
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Post by shaunthe2nd on Mar 22, 2014 23:47:24 GMT 1
I certainly don't know how to suck LC eggs so keep the advice and tips coming.
Sorry to hear about your paint problem, I've seen this sort of thing mentioned by a few on here.
Hope you managed to get it sorted.
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Post by marsbar350 on Mar 22, 2014 23:51:26 GMT 1
not a big problem need to remove 3mm thick of powdercoat to see frame numbers  |
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Post by shaunthe2nd on Mar 26, 2014 23:58:24 GMT 1
Decided to split the engine this weekend, but more on that to follow... In the meantime I need to update you with the wheels which took up most of last weekend, or was it the previous one? Getting old! Lol. Before....   I took about cleaning them up with gunk, wire brushes, tooth brushes, green and red scotchbrite, autosol, hard labour, love, lots of swearing, time, tea, few beers, a bit of shouting, and finished off flirting with them and a bit of gentle caress and some autoglym. A bit like my women! During...    Like the gloves??? and after..    4 hours hard labour per wheel. Not bad for a virgin office boy with latex gloves? |
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Post by shaunthe2nd on Mar 30, 2014 16:08:44 GMT 1
Took the engine for a strip down and checking over this week.  More bits in boxes. Gulp!  Clutch and gearbox in fantastic condition, no wear whatsoever.    Even the crank seals were in good condition. I will change them anyway.  ... and just when you think things are going well, a close look at the crank shows up a problem. Too much sideways movement on one of the con-rods at the big end. On closer inspection it looks like one of the 2 thrust washers have never been fitted.  Its possible it has broken up and been spat out, but no sign of it in the crank, and no other wear that you may expect. So the crank has gone off to a specialist to see if it can be split and sorted out. Fingers crossed on that. I'm hoping to hear later this week. A minor setback I hope! |
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Post by shaunthe2nd on Mar 30, 2014 16:13:04 GMT 1
On the plus side, I picked up my frame from the powder coaters....  and a few other bits too...  I have now turned the corner. Nothing more to strip back. Every bit I add to the frame from here on is a step forward towards rebuild the bike. Exciting times ahead. I've been looking forward to this moment. |
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Post by marsbar350 on Mar 30, 2014 16:52:46 GMT 1
are the tie bars powder coated  the heat can shag the rubber bushes  thats weird with the thrust washer  |
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Post by shaunthe2nd on Mar 30, 2014 22:54:45 GMT 1
I never gave it much of a thought getting the tie bars powder coated, he masked off the rubbers and i assumed all would be ok.
From what I can gather they usually cure paint at temps around 180-200 deg C which cant be much higher than the engine temperature.
I will keep an eye on them in case.
If anyone else has had a similar problem, drop me a line.
Thanks for the tip Marsbar.
Yes the thrust washer is a bit wierd. Hope its not an expensive missing washer!
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Post by shaunthe2nd on Mar 31, 2014 18:37:59 GMT 1
Good news! I like this bit.
The crank has survived.
Its been split, 2 new thrust washers, reassembled and trued up.
All good to go.
Pick it up later this week.
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Post by farmboy on Mar 31, 2014 19:08:11 GMT 1
You just never know what may turn up when working on something thats 30 years old and may have had a mixed life.
Now you see without all that new found confidance you got to pull out the and strip the engine would have never spotted that until it bit you back one sunny afternoon stuck and siezed on the side of the road.
Did you have the swing arm coated too?
Looking good, great work.
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Post by shaunthe2nd on Mar 31, 2014 23:31:02 GMT 1
Thanks, yes I'm gaining experience and confidence every day, and really enjoying it. A few downs, but lots of ups, and some great people on here to help. Definitely pleased I decided to split the engine and also powdercoat the frame, despite the problems, I'd sooner sort them out now. I did get the swing arm, stands and a few other bits powder coated early on.  I'm just messing about painting some other bits like the switchgear, levers, brake reservoir etc and will no doubt post on that. A few more prep jobs to do before I start the build in earnest. How is your build going? |
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Post by shaunthe2nd on Apr 1, 2014 16:27:34 GMT 1
Time to tidy up the top end! It came off easy enough, although I didn't realise each pot had its own coolant drain hole! You live and learn hey!    The bore looks good, still on standard!  Just needs honing, no apparent need for a rebore. Pistons cleaned up well.  Just ordered some new rings, little ends and gudgeon pins. The head cleaned up nice with a bit of scothbright and hard labour...  A bit of masking, and a few coats of PJ1 later...   Bake for 2 hours, slowly increasing the temperature and stirring occassionally...  A generous splash of Autoglym, and leave overnight, followed by a gentle polish with one of those yellow duster things (wondered what they are for!)....  and they ready for fitting.  Another job ticked off. |
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Post by marsbar350 on Apr 1, 2014 17:03:25 GMT 1
nice work shaun  when i do my heads.i dont mask bolt holes or the thermostat use a good craft knife and clean the paint off as you know its a pain making everything up  |
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Post by muttsnuts on Apr 1, 2014 17:12:54 GMT 1
your crank is back and at my house, it will be in the crank cases later tonight |
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Post by shaunthe2nd on Apr 1, 2014 17:23:33 GMT 1
nice work shaun when i do my heads.i dont mask bolt holes or the thermostat use a good craft knife and clean the paint off as you know its a pain making everything up Thanks. I found the masking off strangely therapeutic! I left the tape on too long after baking though and had trouble removing the adhesive, so your method maybe better. Once i worked out that a spray of GT85 worked wonders though, it sped the job up. |
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Post by shaunthe2nd on Apr 1, 2014 17:25:16 GMT 1
your crank is back and at my house, it will be in the crank cases later tonight Thanks Dave. I'm just waiting on Norbo for the other bits and pieces, i will drop them over once they turn up. Hope you are finding some time to get that turbo finished off! See you soon no doubt. |
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Post by muttsnuts on Apr 1, 2014 17:54:34 GMT 1
no problem, I have some crank seals and the others I need here so can get the bottom sorted for you, leaving just the top end to sort when you bring the parts ! I'll even take some piccies for you !!  |
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Post by Roofmonster on Apr 1, 2014 17:58:17 GMT 1
Did you get grief for putting bike parts in the oven?
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