Missing Steering Lock Stop

[nightcruiser]

Hi guys,
I only recently bought a 1981 RD350LC to restore and basically just use.
But i've seemed to have uncovered a bit of a problem.
I knew the tank was lightly dented when i first bought the bike, and kinda guessed the bar ends weight was responsible for hitting the petrol tank.
Nothing a bit of body filler and a lick of paint wouldn't cure i thought.
But a closer examination revealed a bit more of a problem.
The metal bit "Lock Stop" on the frame head stock is completely missing, so i can only guess it's been down the road at some time in the past or do they just drop off.
Very strange this: I can see where the metal lock stop once sat, as the painted frame has a perfect shape of what was once there.
But what now?
I daren't put my newly painted tank back on, just incase i wack the bars over and dent the tank again, so i really need to sort it.
Trouble is, i have no idea how big or long this metal piece suppose to be.
Another thing that worries me is, u think i could weld a new bit back on without stripping the head stock bearings out?
From what i can see, Yamaha appeared to only put a little blob of weld on either side orignally.
Thanks,
Dave.

[pablo]

i had that problem dave...i think the stop gets bent when the bike goes up the road(down?)...crashes ;D...i welded a bit on one side and ground it off to match...if your gonna do it without stripping the headstock,watch the heat coz you could melt the grease in the bearings...mebbee even catch it alight!...i used mig...

[Norbo]

I think you will be ok welding it just put a blob on one side then one on the other and go back leveit a few minuets and do the same untill you have it how you want it then file down in till you have the right size. Just remember to wet some cloths and put them all around so you dont get any spatter on anything and remove all plasticks .