|
|
Post by sundowner on Oct 12, 2019 14:00:53 GMT 1
Hello,
What if any are the differences between 4LO German import and a uk spec 1981 350lc.
Are they the same power etc. I expect the headlight to dip the wrong way but other than that any changes.
Also are they worth much less than uk bikes, strange as they are both imported from the land of the rising sun.
All views welcome.
Thanks
|
|
|
|
Post by veg on Oct 12, 2019 14:38:16 GMT 1
I have an austrian import, it has a different headlamp, kmh clocks, steering lock on head stock, a couple of other differences, mine is completely non standard and was used as a basis for my special so i wasn't bothered by originality. Prices are cheaper for non uk bikes. Always been a bit of a debate on here about relative merits of uk over imports and as you say they were all built in japan. To my mind due to the harsher TUV tests they tend to have been less messed about with far fewer owners. I don't get the originality thing as generally most of us back in the day bought spannies cut down the rear mudguard etc etc etc, for some the holy grail is a matching numbers totally original UK bike these are demanding top dollar. Go with what floats your boat, mine is for me no one else it has been built as a readers special in Performance bikes magazine from the 80's others want std others want pv motors, usd forks etc whatever you want it can be the bike to all men. They aren't quick don't handle and are very much of their day and they are the most fun you can have on a bike in this crazy world.
|
|
|
|
Post by rigga on Oct 12, 2019 14:55:48 GMT 1
^^^^^^ pretty much that
|
|
|
|
Post by sundowner on Oct 12, 2019 15:53:31 GMT 1
Cheers all
|
|
|
|
Post by oldbritguy on Oct 12, 2019 16:50:46 GMT 1
Have a look at Xavier's site He has loads of LC info on numerous models over the years www.rd350lc.net/index.htmVeg has pretty much covered most of your questions tho'  |
|
|
|
Post by shaunthe2nd on Oct 12, 2019 16:56:38 GMT 1
Rear mudguard is different as euro one has an extension piece rivetted on. Side stand spring and mount different.
|
|
|
|
Post by shaunthe2nd on Oct 12, 2019 16:57:22 GMT 1
And most euro ones had a vin plate that UK ones don't.
|
|
|
|
Post by shaunthe2nd on Oct 12, 2019 16:57:51 GMT 1
And mirrors are different.
|
|
|
|
Post by reedpete on Oct 12, 2019 19:12:32 GMT 1
Frame is basically the same , engine is the same...goes just the same...
Just cheaper....
|
|
|
|
Post by allspeeds on Oct 12, 2019 19:42:54 GMT 1
Bit funny really I always thought of all RDs as a bit of a rebel /holigan thing and if you were a sensible type you got yourself a nice four stroke ,if not then the 2 stroke was your weapon at whatever level ,rd 125/200 for me at the time .Fast forward 30 years and the must have for some is factory standard uk green bolt matching numbers bike. Are theses people ex superdream owners that have come out of the closet? LOL
Whatever floats your boat mate but as said if you are an investor matching numbers uk bike is cream of the crop.
As veg said the imports seem to be the best bet if you want a bike that has the same parts on it that were fitted when it left Japan and maybe one day collectors will value that who knows?
|
|
|
|
Post by earthman on Oct 12, 2019 20:56:38 GMT 1
Hello, What if any are the differences between 4LO German import and a uk spec 1981 350lc. Are they the same power etc. I expect the headlight to dip the wrong way but other than that any changes. Also are they worth much less than uk bikes, strange as they are both imported from the land of the rising sun. All views welcome. Thanks From a riders point of view, there isn't really a difference,....the clocks could be changed to a mph set or an inlay card could be fitted, the trip/mileage counters would still count in kilometers though. Removing one of the springs from the side stand would stop it automatically folding up when you lift the bike upright, the turn signals auto cancel feature won't actually work due to the electrical box never being added to them. The only real annoyance for me personally is the steering lock, it's on the stem and uses a totally different shape/style of key,.....could be rectified by welding a stop on the frame and fitting a UK style ignition lock. Honestly, the whole aspect of whether or not it's a UK or matching numbers bike is nonsense when it comes to riding/enjoying the thing.  |
|
|
|
Post by donkeychomp on Oct 12, 2019 22:34:15 GMT 1
German bikes tend to be better maintained (well, they are Germans lol) and they can't alter the bike in any way. One problem is they do have restrictors in the down pipes. The German bike I bought had the pipes removed and the washers inside cut out, then bolted back together. And a very neat job too...must be all that Leiderhosen...
Alex
|
|
|
|
Post by reedpete on Oct 12, 2019 23:05:56 GMT 1
German bikes tend to be better maintained (well, they are Germans lol) and they can't alter the bike in any way. One problem is they do have restrictors in the down pipes. The German bike I bought had the pipes removed and the washers inside cut out, then bolted back together. And a very neat job too...must be all that Leiderhosen... Alex No restrictions on a 350 and only restrictions on the 4L2 out there, their 4L1 was still full chat. |
|
|
|
Post by donkeychomp on Oct 12, 2019 23:13:37 GMT 1
They did have them Peter go look at the pipes I gave you they are off my German LC. Unless sonething else made the owner cut and shut the pipes!
Alex
|
|
|
|
Post by tony2stroke on Oct 12, 2019 23:56:05 GMT 1
They did have them Peter go look at the pipes I gave you they are off my German LC. Unless sonething else made the owner cut and shut the pipes! Alex The German 250 4L1 exhausts are still marked 4L0 though Alex, so maybe the exhausts you gave Peter were 250 ones, the only way to tell is the 0 stamp on the back of the bracket, or look inside to see if they have 4 holes in the baffle plate or 8 holes with a flexy camera. |
|
|
|
Post by donkeychomp on Oct 13, 2019 0:17:08 GMT 1
Aahhh...gotcha!
|
|
|
|
Post by reedpete on Oct 13, 2019 0:21:08 GMT 1
They did have them Peter go look at the pipes I gave you they are off my German LC. Unless sonething else made the owner cut and shut the pipes! Alex Crossed wires....those pipes were two sets made into one. Nice headers put with nice rear sections and a slip joint used to mate them up. 4L2 pipes are marked 4L2 and have a restriction in the top of the header. German 4L0 and 4L1 pipes are same as here , both with 4L0 part numbers but 350 ones additional marked with the zero on the flange etc etc. |
|
|
|
Post by tony2stroke on Oct 13, 2019 0:24:05 GMT 1
Someone may have tried to make them 350 exhausts as Yamaha say 350 ones work well on the 250 but not the other way around, and the only difference is 8 10mm holes in 350 4 in 350 and they say to remove wire mesh from inside for racing. Edit: 4 holes in 250 sorry |
|
|
|
Post by donkeychomp on Oct 13, 2019 23:12:21 GMT 1
Never knew that. Learn something new every day, but sadly it pushed something else out of my brain.
Alex
|
|
|
|
Post by tony2stroke on Oct 14, 2019 10:00:17 GMT 1
Never knew that. Learn something new every day, but sadly it pushed something else out of my brain. Alex  |
|
