Post by billbott on May 2, 2023 10:25:35 GMT 1
Now that my 250 is finished (and my interest in LC’s has again been sparked, I thought it was about time I gave my 350 some attention.
Originally bought in 2004 but due to lack of funds, I never really started it until 2005 so it went back on the road in its first incarnation around 2006. It never ran right, so I’d get fed up with it and park it for a few months then have another go. Turned out it was the droopy can microns as once I fitted my Gibsons it was a different bike and has been used regularly ever since .
The engine was totally rebuilt in 2014 after a small end collapsed then it let me down a couple of years later when the pick-up coil packed in, so I fitted a vape ignition system.
Anyway, I don’t think it’s had any degree of attention since then so I wondered how good it would be under scrutiny.
The finish of the frame is still perfect, the powder coating is still really good with no rust showing. I stripped off the whole back end and have put the original full size mudguard back on with the number plate hanger. Swinging arm bearings are good so I cleaned them and re-greased everything. Took off the two stroke and expansion tanks, cleaned and new pipes fitted. Battery holder off and cleaned. Carbs ultra sonic cleaned (in my Christmas present cleaner) top end off, new small ends and back together. Complete front end off and headstock bearings cleaned and greased. Fork legs stripped and builds back up with progressive springs and lesser air gap (same as my 250) and lowers polished. Micron fork brace polished up too. The rear wheel had a lip in the drum so I machined that out and fitted new shoes. Both wheel rims re polished. I’ve also tidied up the wiring plug connectors. The brake lines were some that I had but they looked a bit cheap so I have bought a set of goodridge lines and new pads for the front. Fuel tap was a bit incontinent so I did the same as the 250 one: stripped it, ultrasonic cleaned it all then lapped in the nylon cone to the body with autosol as a lapping medium then built back up, good as new.
Here it is just after I’d started. Am on holiday now so will finish it off on my return and post some more pictures
Originally bought in 2004 but due to lack of funds, I never really started it until 2005 so it went back on the road in its first incarnation around 2006. It never ran right, so I’d get fed up with it and park it for a few months then have another go. Turned out it was the droopy can microns as once I fitted my Gibsons it was a different bike and has been used regularly ever since .
The engine was totally rebuilt in 2014 after a small end collapsed then it let me down a couple of years later when the pick-up coil packed in, so I fitted a vape ignition system.
Anyway, I don’t think it’s had any degree of attention since then so I wondered how good it would be under scrutiny.
The finish of the frame is still perfect, the powder coating is still really good with no rust showing. I stripped off the whole back end and have put the original full size mudguard back on with the number plate hanger. Swinging arm bearings are good so I cleaned them and re-greased everything. Took off the two stroke and expansion tanks, cleaned and new pipes fitted. Battery holder off and cleaned. Carbs ultra sonic cleaned (in my Christmas present cleaner) top end off, new small ends and back together. Complete front end off and headstock bearings cleaned and greased. Fork legs stripped and builds back up with progressive springs and lesser air gap (same as my 250) and lowers polished. Micron fork brace polished up too. The rear wheel had a lip in the drum so I machined that out and fitted new shoes. Both wheel rims re polished. I’ve also tidied up the wiring plug connectors. The brake lines were some that I had but they looked a bit cheap so I have bought a set of goodridge lines and new pads for the front. Fuel tap was a bit incontinent so I did the same as the 250 one: stripped it, ultrasonic cleaned it all then lapped in the nylon cone to the body with autosol as a lapping medium then built back up, good as new.
Here it is just after I’d started. Am on holiday now so will finish it off on my return and post some more pictures
