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Post by goggo234 on Aug 13, 2023 1:26:22 GMT 1
I just picked up an RD350LC to start shortly. It was a it of story to Hoang collected it. Initially, I was buying some parts for a GSX1100E and in conversation with the wrecker I said I’d love to build an RD350LC one day… he told me he had an IT175 with an RD250LC motor in it however with 350 barrels. I knew how difficult it is to find 350 barrel so I purchased it without having a bike. Arranging delivery from 10 hrs drive away.
Then about 2 weeks later - bike showed up in the opposite side of the country. A matching number 350 however retro downgraded to a 250 - with one caliper and 250 barrels.
In the 80’s and 90’s bike registration was 3x the cost for a 350 than a 250 so commuters would make the changes for cost.
It seemed like the stars are aligning.
Then a week later I found the twin calipers. I have all the basic parts to start.
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Post by goggo234 on Aug 13, 2023 1:31:57 GMT 1
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Post by JonW on Aug 13, 2023 2:35:36 GMT 1
Looks like a good project.
Whats the IT look like?
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Post by goggo234 on Aug 13, 2023 4:28:07 GMT 1
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Post by goggo234 on Aug 13, 2023 23:52:00 GMT 1
Looks like a good project. Whats the IT look like? Jon, are you in Australia? |
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Post by JonW on Aug 14, 2023 0:37:46 GMT 1
Looks like a good project. Whats the IT look like? Jon, are you in Australia? Yep. |
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Post by goggo234 on Aug 14, 2023 0:56:09 GMT 1
I’m looking for someone in australia who knows RD motors… seems there’s plenty in the UK but I’m struggling to find valid or accurate information. I’ve done plenty of yammy big bores but I wasn’t so into the RD info when I owned mine back in the 80’s…
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Post by JonW on Aug 14, 2023 2:59:48 GMT 1
IMHO This forum is the best place for info on anything RD/RZ, especially if there is water involved. The AC forum is the place for wind cooled info. The USA forum is more based on YPVS bikes and facebook is, well, facebook. Say no more. Also, a good read for anything LC is rd350lc.net as thats got info and manuals. We say that a lot of people new to these bikes but it'll save a lot of time to have read Xavier's site as its so info rich, plus hes a nice guy too... and he's on here as well. As for expertise in building an engine, if thats what youre after, Id (and im sure everyone on here would too) advise you to do it yourself as I dont think many workshops here would have much idea about old two strokes. These engines are simple work on at home with help provided on here for your questions and issue found. Lots here have built bikes with all sorts of upgrades. Some guys whove built bikes were well out of their depth when they started and still did their own engine and other work and learnt a lot along the way about their bike as well as gaining experience etc. Your experience says that youre ahead of the curve on the tools I think, but its still worth noting that the engines and rest of the bikes are simple... designed for 18yr olds to butcher from new! haha. The manuals are available and search on here will answer most questions within seconds, else folks will always chip in if its something thats a new problem and perplexing etc. Have a good read in the builds section as that will give you an idea and possibly help lighten your wallet when you see things you 'must have' haha. Big bores, hybrids, more modern suspension/wheels and bodywork - lots has been done before.  FYI since youre in VIC (I deduce from the rec plate in the pics) beware that the state rules are not kind to obviously modded road bikes... or so Ive been told, Im in NSW so not au fait with those rules but there are guys whove told me engineers certs are required. |
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Post by JonW on Aug 14, 2023 3:04:45 GMT 1
Thats very nice indeed! I was interested to see the project you bought with integration of the 250 twin into the IT. I bet thats interesting and not something we see often. Putting the twin in a single space in a thin off road bike isnt easy and pics would be interesting to see how it was done. A few of us fancy doing this and I did once start to do the same with a KTM, but rego issues killed the project really. |
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Post by goggo234 on Aug 14, 2023 3:26:45 GMT 1
Thanks … I got the bike bug when I was 8yo and still have that little xr75… however, the virus and little did I know I actually learnt stuff from my dad at that age… both bit back at full force some 3 or 4 years ago… 6 or 7 bikes later …
The iT490 I built and did as much as possible… and learnt an enormous amount … I’ll have to see if I can get pics from the guy who sold me the motor… he’s a wrecker and in nsw. I’ll find out and let you know.
I think I be absorbed so much info on the RD and will do much information online and some very old.. you have to work out what’s fact and here say, and also the age of information, plus what is relevant to race.. much simpler with the dirt bikes…
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Post by goggo234 on Aug 14, 2023 3:32:17 GMT 1
I’ve uploaded some pics of the chop job the guy did to the 350 motor… Cut up some of the case .. clutch cover from memory. I’ve sent the guy a message to see if he’s got pics. www.flickr.com/gp/198995947@N08/gR0fPNW237 |
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Post by JonW on Aug 14, 2023 3:47:49 GMT 1
Well since you did most of the IT work yourself then you'll be fine with an LC, its not difficult to work on really. Plenty of teens with a cheap socket set managed to keep em on the road in the 80s lol Parts are not easy to find in Aus, so get used to buying from abroad and long wait for post lol One of the reasons you dont need to ask for the latest about the LC is that not much new is happening. So the age of info isnt a huge deal with these bikes, its all still valid. Most things were found out in the 80s and are still relevant. Not everything new is better like you find with some bikes and in fact there often isnt anything new... nor has been for decades. This forum is a vast resource of info and 99% of things have been covered before. Its not often we find something new, but it does happen and its great to learn more when it does. You can rely on info on here, its not hear say. People here are experienced and have actually done the work unlike other places online. If you are racing there could be good info on the PCRA and other racer sites as some of those guys will help you as they want more people in the sport, but it should be said that creating an LC race bike in 2023 is less of a thing as they are worth too much really as road bikes now, its not 'cheap bike racing' like it was. Some of the Aus LC racers do hang out on here and may comment on that. FYI The banshee drives engine development of the base ypvs motor still in 2023, but few people offer new LC stuff as its all been done and most builders stay standard when doing an LC it seems... apart from pipes of course, and new pipes are computer designed and tested on a dyno so are absolutely better and will make power, unlike the old 80s stuff which mostly just made a nice noise. FWIW Mutts on here is doing LC development things, but no one in Aus AFAIK. LCs (and RZs) were a small market here and still are really. Really the development of LC stuff has been to remake parts to keep bikes on the road or allow them to be restored. You can now buy aftermarket bodywork, including new tanks as an example. |
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Post by goggo234 on Aug 14, 2023 4:28:06 GMT 1
The only thing I didn’t do was the motor… as to get the best from them they need squish re cut… and those old IT’s were bashed to death for 40 years.. not one I’ve found that was done right… the last one I helped a guy with it had every internal nut and bolt loctited bc of the vibration but as a result - all of them either stripped or rounded in removal. What a mungrel of a job…
Plus they were run through creeks, caked in mud and back then had low value… so when you buy one you can imagine the state most are in.
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Post by JonW on Aug 14, 2023 5:23:54 GMT 1
You'll find lots of bodges with the LC as well. Not just cos teenagers kept em on the road on a shoestring when they needed a cheap commuter, but also as in Aus everything it seems ended up as a paddock basher in the end. These bikes were also worthless at one point. You might get lucky and yours is in good fettle, but often the 'any bolt will do if fits' brigade will have had a go at some point. We were all young once... lol If you want to see some scary bodges sold as a running bike, check out Naich's thread on his bike and what he's discovered. scary. My fingers are crossed for you and im sure it'll be ok, everything is sortable with an LC. Put up some pics on here using the forum tags and let us know how youre going. |
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Post by goggo234 on Aug 14, 2023 5:38:19 GMT 1
Will do … I’m just tidying up a couple of jobs at the moment on the current runners then will crack on with it…
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Post by goggo234 on Aug 14, 2023 9:49:39 GMT 1
Thanks … I got the bike bug when I was 8yo and still have that little xr75… however, the virus and little did I know I actually learnt stuff from my dad at that age… both bit back at full force some 3 or 4 years ago… 6 or 7 bikes later … The iT490 I built and did as much as possible… and learnt an enormous amount … I’ll have to see if I can get pics from the guy who sold me the motor… he’s a wrecker and in nsw. I’ll find out and let you know. I think I be absorbed so much info on the RD and will do much information online and some very old.. you have to work out what’s fact and here say, and also the age of information, plus what is relevant to race.. much simpler with the dirt bikes… Here is the comment from the guy I bought the 350 Motor from…. “I wouldn’t take any pointers from the way it was fitted into the frame lol , it was far from a nice job , looks as if the cut away enough of the frame to sit the motor in , then welded box section steel around the place on situ to brace it in and form engine mounts , then added dual mono shocks , it was a mess really.” |
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Post by JonW on Aug 14, 2023 13:47:31 GMT 1
Ahh... yeah, I dont think anyone will be copying that lol Ta for asking him tho |
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Post by goggo234 on Aug 15, 2023 0:42:35 GMT 1
No prob… he also has a tank but it’s a bit rough… couple of rust holes in the bottom.
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Post by goggo234 on Aug 16, 2023 4:45:13 GMT 1
So there’s no option to increase capacity with the 250?
Increase stroke? I saw a post about Fahron engineering converting 250 barrels to have you heard of this?
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Post by JonW on Aug 16, 2023 6:50:09 GMT 1
So there’s no option to increase capacity with the 250? Increase stroke? I saw a post about Fahron engineering converting 250 barrels to have you heard of this? search for fahron on here, you'll find lots of info about that. you can of course also fit the 350 parts, dont forget to do them all. |
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Post by goggo234 on Aug 16, 2023 7:22:17 GMT 1
Yes, it is just finding the 350 barrels… I think I was quite lucky both with calipers and barrel …
Unless I build an rz350 with yvps… and go down the banshee route I suppose..
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Post by JonW on Aug 16, 2023 8:00:41 GMT 1
Yes, it is just finding the 350 barrels… I think I was quite lucky both with calipers and barrel … Unless I build an rz350 with yvps… and go down the banshee route I suppose.. Have a look at the builds on here, you'll get lots of ideas I will say tho that a standard banshee isnt what you need, but the banshee/ypvs bottom end as a hybrid gives lots of options. Anyway, have a look. lots of exciting times ahead... you can even buy new 350 cyls now. |
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Post by midlifecrisisrd on Aug 16, 2023 8:45:37 GMT 1
So there’s no option to increase capacity with the 250? Increase stroke? I saw a post about Fahron engineering converting 250 barrels to have you heard of this? Fahron will bore out and reline a 250 top end to 370cc 54mm to 66mm bore) but it's a long lead time Steve |
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Post by goggo234 on Aug 16, 2023 9:22:37 GMT 1
If it’s just a re line … couldn’t any engineer do that… unless something had to be done with the water jackets..
But I’ve seen pics and Looks like a straight sleeve …
I’ll get my engineer guy to take a look…
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Post by goggo234 on Aug 16, 2023 11:13:17 GMT 1
My engineer says the sleeve basically isn’t rocket science…
I might get him to sleeve my 250 barrel for a 350… see if there’s any issues..
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Post by jessy03 on Aug 16, 2023 12:11:02 GMT 1
I’ve got some 250 barrels with a big bore sleeve fitted, just had them re-bored to 67.5mm, they will go to 68mm, last size for the DT175 piston. Had them years can’t even remember how I came by them.  |
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Post by abar121 on Aug 16, 2023 12:23:01 GMT 1
So there’s no option to increase capacity with the 250? Increase stroke? I saw a post about Fahron engineering converting 250 barrels to have you heard of this? Fahron will bore out and reline a 250 top end to 370cc 54mm to 66mm bore) but it's a long lead time Steve Yep, 18 months. Should be worth it though. |
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Post by goggo234 on Aug 16, 2023 12:45:56 GMT 1
It’s just a blank sleeve you get put in, and the ports cut into the new sleeve. My engineer said it quite an easy job… it doesn’t seem any water jackets will get in the way…
Unless I’m not seeing something any motor engineer can do it…
Sounds like he does a bit of port work but for a base build should be an easy upgrade? Unless I’m Missing something…
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