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Post by stevebgt1 on May 27, 2015 12:45:59 GMT 1
Ok, a little advice needed please ? Being in my late 40`s and now having some spare room in my garage, I have got a hankering to re-live my youth and get myself an RD. back in the day I only ever owned LC`s, 125, 250 and 350. Although I did have a quick go on my mates 400 E. I currently have a couple of modern bikes to keep me happy, but I would like some nostalgia back in my life ! I want a nice cared for/restored classic Rd, there a few popping up on flea bay from time to time. I,m not great with spanners, can only manage general maintenance, but I would only use the RD on rare occasions, bike shows, sunday ride outs, the odd commute on a nice day, hence not putting a load of miles on it. 30 odd years on....which should I get ? for the useage I have planned ? 350 Lc or 400 AC ? I know the LC`s look nicer (matter of opinion of course), but there`s something about an Air Cooled 2 stroke !! I am just worried that the old AC might feel a bit slow, and drab compared to the LC. Being that I have ridden neither for the last 30 years, I just wondered what you current owners think I should do, and why ?? Your comments would be much appreciated.....before I do something I regret !!
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Post by arrow on May 27, 2015 13:19:22 GMT 1
Welcome to the forum mate. A correctly set up 400 is certainty no sloutch. I would go for what you had back in the day for the highest nostalgia effect. I was an lc person but I have owned a 250e and I loved that too. Your choice. Oh, and I'll take a guess that what ever you choose you will find yourself using a bit more than you think, but at least that will keep the mileage down on your modern bikes.  |
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Post by shaunthe2nd on May 27, 2015 13:55:46 GMT 1
I agree with Arrow, if you had an LC back in the day you will love it even more today.
It's like getting back with your first girlfriend for a romantic weekend away. Happy days!
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Post by stevebgt1 on May 27, 2015 14:02:16 GMT 1
Ha ha !! I hope so Shaun !!
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Post by stevebgt1 on May 27, 2015 14:04:16 GMT 1
Welcome to the forum mate. A correctly set up 400 is certainty no sloutch. I would go for what you had back in the day for the highest nostalgia effect. I was an lc person but I have owned a 250e and I loved that too. Your choice. Oh, and I'll take a guess that what ever you choose you will find yourself using a bit more than you think, but at least that will keep the mileage down on your modern bikes. Hi Arrow, it`s funny you should say that, I was only riding back from work last night on my 8 month old superbike ! Thinking....hmm this is all good and well, but it has no heart, no character.... I want an LC !!  And I think you might be right, one sniff of that 2 stroke and feeling those vibes again......It might be getting dragged out more than I think !! |
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Post by stevebgt1 on May 28, 2015 11:39:24 GMT 1
So, nobody got any strong advice/views as to for/against either machine ??
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Post by muttsnuts on May 28, 2015 13:10:12 GMT 1
I have both, well I ahve a good few actually, anyway, I love the LC becuase it brings the hooligan out in you, the 400 E/F is easier to ride though if your not out for a thrash, but good 400's are hard to find these days anyway, as are LC's, but there are more LC's around in general.
if you had an LC back in the day, then stick with that, you won't regret it, just make sure you do your home work and buy with your head and not your heart (as most of us do) that way it should save you some money and grief and being on here means you have access to loads of knowledge/helpful people etc who will do what they can to help you out
Get to 25 posts and you can see the "for sale" section etc as well and bikes do come up on here and are generally better value than what you will find on fleabay
HTH
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Post by stevebgt1 on May 28, 2015 13:37:52 GMT 1
Cheers mate, that is the sort of honest answer I wanted. I have been snooping around this site and there are some lovely re-builds and hybrids on here ! You feel guilty asking people if their works of art are for sale, but the reality is , I do not posess the skills needed to do one myself ! I notice there aren`t many 250 lc`s knocking about though ?
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Post by Delbert on May 28, 2015 13:56:57 GMT 1
Hi and welcome
I have a modern 1000cc Yamaha as well as my 350lc & to be honest I have more fun on the lc , as said defiantly brings out the hooligan in you and nothing like the smell of two stroke , to be honest I doubt you would be disappointed with either choices , quite fancy an air cooled myself
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Post by stevebgt1 on May 28, 2015 14:14:14 GMT 1
Hi Delbert, thanks for the welcome ! Yeah , I know what you mean about the air cooled...my mate has just bought an air cooled DT 175, it just has that `rawness` to it...if that's the right word ?? lol !! The more I am researching though, I think I will end with an LC.... Just need to get my 25 posts on here and start looking !!
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Post by mannanan on May 28, 2015 15:06:41 GMT 1
I recently sold my aircooled RD 250 and my Fireblade. Why? because every time I wanted to go for a ride I left them both in the corner in favour of my F2. For me it's an all round better bike than any of the aircooled models so unless nostalgia is your top priority for an aircooled, go for the LC every time. Better performance, better reliability and better availability of spares. All assuming of course that you can find a decent one for a decent price.
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Post by stevebgt1 on May 28, 2015 15:17:59 GMT 1
Cheers Mannanan.....I think its gonna be LC all the way....Just need to find a good honest one....that`s the bit that worries me.. !!!
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Post by oldelsieboy on May 28, 2015 15:30:20 GMT 1
I think its gonna be LC all the way....Just need to find a good honest one....that`s the bit that worries me.. !!! I can build you one  pm sent OEB |
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Post by muttsnuts on May 28, 2015 15:49:21 GMT 1
yes, Nige is the sites prolific LC builder, I think as and when LC's run dry he will be lost for something to do !! |
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Post by oldelsieboy on May 28, 2015 15:55:26 GMT 1
yes, Nige is the sites prolific LC builder, I think as and when LC's run dry he will be lost for something to do !!  |
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Post by stevebgt1 on May 28, 2015 16:30:38 GMT 1
yes, Nige is the sites prolific LC builder, I think as and when LC's run dry he will be lost for something to do !! ha ha !! You had one of his bikes then ??  |
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Post by muttsnuts on May 28, 2015 16:32:48 GMT 1
no not me, I build all of my own, but Nige just can't help himself, he loves them .......I think he's a secret LC lover........... or is that a secret lemonade drinker....... hehe |
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Post by oldelsieboy on May 28, 2015 16:47:18 GMT 1
no not me, I build all of my own, but Nige just can't help himself, he loves them .......I think he's a secret LC lover........... or is that a secret lemonade drinker....... hehe Seen too many LC's broken for spares, need to build 'em not break 'em I am partial to a drop of lemonade, as long as it has a dash of Vodka in it  OEB |
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Post by stevebgt1 on May 28, 2015 16:57:17 GMT 1
Hear hear !! It would be a crying shame to see all these beasts being laid to rest ! Leave the Kawasaki breakers to that !
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Post by muttsnuts on May 28, 2015 17:12:53 GMT 1
yes, too many are being broken for spares, its a sad statement but true that an LC is generally worth more in parts than as a whole !, still, some need to be broke to keep those that are on the road, on the road !! Partial to the odd lemonade meself.......with maybe a drop of something else in it !!  |
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Post by howard on May 28, 2015 19:40:28 GMT 1
Only a couple of years ago I had both a mint low mileage LC and a 400e , both original and unrestored mint bikes , I warmed them both up one summer day and took them both out for a thrash around our village to decide which was the keeper , the LC was the one I parted with .
I've now got one of each again and have no intention of selling either , love them both .
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Post by stevebgt1 on May 28, 2015 21:33:05 GMT 1
That doesn't help me Howard !!! lol !!! I appreciate your input, but I only have room /time to get one or the other…..
What are peoples take on specials one here ? yeh or neigh ? Originals look cool but specials look cooler…..
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Post by steve h on May 28, 2015 21:57:39 GMT 1
I agree with Arrow, if you had an LC back in the day you will love it even more today. It's like getting back with your first girlfriend for a romantic weekend away. Happy days! Getting back with 1st girlfriend? Kin ell.....with that advice........he could end up buying a firkin car instead...  |
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Post by steve h on May 28, 2015 22:03:35 GMT 1
LCs are an improvement over aircooleds.................but aircooleds are a very capable bike, especially a good 250. (capable of carrying 20+ stone around) |
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Post by shaunthe2nd on May 28, 2015 22:38:51 GMT 1
LCs are an improvement over aircooleds.................but aircooleds are a very capable bike, especially a good 250. (capable of carrying 20+ stone around) that a reflection of your first girlfriend? lol |
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Post by dusty350 on May 28, 2015 23:02:14 GMT 1
Hi I love 400's - I 've had a few and they are great bikes. Lc/Ypvs are the natural progression though and as much as I love the aircooleds, I would choose an Lc over one now. I always build specials - to varying degrees - but beat your own drum and do what suits you, there are a lot of stunning standard bikes out there as well as beautiful specials, so each to their own. Hybrids are popular now, so you can keep the look of an Lc but with a pv engine for a bit more grunt. Welcome to the forum. Take some time to check out the rebuilds section, it may help you decide which route to take Regards Dusty  |
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Post by JonW on May 29, 2015 1:14:10 GMT 1
And.... you can also build really big motors now with lots of power for the old LC. Eg an 'easy to build' 421cc would have double the power of a 350LC if not more... and 600cc would make, well... depends on the depth of your wallet and how tight you can hold onto the bendy frame LOL! I wrote this little guide on that stuff for my website if you fancy a read: 2smoked.com/Yamaha_RD_%26_RZ_upgrades_-_RZ350_RD350_Big_Bore_Primer.htmlIve also built restored and modified bikes and currently have one of each LC and YPVS on the go, which do i love more? well for me its modified, but I also enjoy the clean original look its just that the engineering challenges of modding are more fun for me. Ive some of my builds on my site if you navigate about a bit, tho if youre not a builder you might just want to skip to the more finished looking pics LOL As for AC vs LC... I was a little late to the party and the LC was already out by then, the ACs didnt get a look in when I was a kid. So its a no brainer for me... Watercooling all the way! |
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Post by stevebgt1 on May 29, 2015 13:25:58 GMT 1
I'm blown away by the friendly advice on here. ( unlike other forums) i have pretty much decided it has to be an LC , my first girlfriend love my 125 when we used to go pub on it !! Been chatting to a couple of builders on here , and thats the way to go for me . Get something to my spec that I know from start to finish . Nothing personal , but my builder of choice will be based on location , knowledge and reputation .... Location being the key as i dont wanna fly length and breadth of the uk to check progress ! Gonna get my thinking cap on now regarding spec .... Watch this space , once i get going , i will update you all . Once again , thanks for some very constructive advice !!
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Post by bare on Jun 1, 2015 4:33:07 GMT 1
Dunno.. The early 350 Aircoolers were A lot of Fun.
Their Short wheelbase translated into Wheelies any time you wanted one. More so than a LC even.
As for Power their ~35hp wasn't that different from the Real 37hp a typ real life LC generated as opposed to the Nonsense hp numbers Yama claimed.
Just saying that an Aircooler won't shortchange you, funwise either.
Likely a lot cheaper to aquire and run too.
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horace
Thrash Merchant
Posts: 456
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Post by horace on Jun 1, 2015 7:45:22 GMT 1
400 for me j, just a classier bike all round imo ! Air brings a bigger grin to my face easier to maintain than the lc as well , but I'm sure you won't regret which ever one you buy , both great bikes.
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