Yamaha RD350LC fun resto

[steelerd]

Hey everyone so I thought I'd stick my 350lc build back up an stick around a bit more seeing I've been on here since I was 17.

So a few will remember when I got the 350 with my dad back in the day which turned into a full on elsie obsession for me even now in my early 30s an this is the one elsie I'll never let go.




The chassis is all done and rebuilt.



Did a bit of work on the carbs.



started stripping the engine she's on her original bore which tied up with the low original mileage.



Nos clock assy put together few washers to replate but they are all nos.


Did a video on some of the nos finishes for anyone that gets interested and popped the nos tank on lightly to see how the original colourway looks.

[beardy]

Great father and son project 👍🏻

[steelerd]

Thanks mate great to be finally getting her done.

[shaunthe2nd]

Looks a good project. Good luck with it and if you need a hand with the clocks give me a shout.

[steelerd]

Thanks Shaun looking forward to getting them together got a Nos Rev Counter an MPH speedo + a spare

Be great to fit the nos bars on as well Gonna be exciting to see

[steelerd]

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[steelerd]

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[shaunthe2nd]

Wow, fantastic, not seen some NOS new clocks for a long while. We forget how 'orange' the needles were as most have faded somewhat.

Are you going for an original look?
If so, (anorak on) the clock bracket should be olive green, the original clocks didn't have the Japanese writing at the bottom, and looks like the clutch cable retainer clip needs modifying (anorak off).
If not, ignore my comments. Build looks great and its great to be building with your dad. Good luck with it.

[steelerd]

Hi mate to a point with some sensible mods the nos clock bracket is green just a rubbish photo.

[shaunthe2nd]

There's some great original reference pics (and other info) here....

www.skills.plus.com/LC/page5.html

The clock bracket bolts and washers were olive, you can see this if you scroll through the pics in link above.

With regards to the offset lock fuel cap, it was year dependent. The early LC models had an alloy offset cap, which was then replaced by a plastic offset cap, and the later models had the plastic central lock type.

Also plenty of other info on these bikes here...

www.rd350lc.net/index.htm

One of your pics shows a red 3-striper paint set which I think was 1982 Japanese style, but another pic shows your new 2-striper white/red tank which was 1980/1 variant, UK and Europe and maybe elsewhere. What year was your bike as there were differences which may affect your originality goal.

Keep up with the fantastic work and keep us posted.

[steelerd]

Hi mate yep she's a 1980 bike looking forward to working on her more thanks for all the info an advice 👍

[shaunthe2nd]

Off top of my head, I seem to remember the 1980 bike had the early forks with no drain hole, no tie bars, thin flange exhausts, early barrels without the '1', 4L0 00 carbs as you said, simple side stand no triangle, offset alloy cap, no grease nipple on swinger bolt, early style front brake calipers, and probably a few other things I can't recall. You should find all on Xavier site though.

[steelerd]

Yep that ties up with everything that was on her mate apart from the fuel cap unfortunately

[JonW]

Why are all the posts gone Tom?

[steelerd]

Tbh Jon I'm sick of all the negativity on here its become a bit of a trend not in this thread but in others so I've decided to come off the forum which is a shame after 15 years but when something stops being fun there's no point.

When my 250lc got posted in the chancers thread that was the final straw tbh. I'm the most honest person going pointing out things others don't bother to often to my own detriment looking at other descriptions on other bikes.

So that's me done I think I'll be involved with other clubs just not this one.

[JonW]

Sorry to hear that Tom, I always enjoyed seeing how you were getting on with the builds, but then like all good council workers I do enjoy watching other people work

[steelerd]

Thanks mate as I say I'm still involved with other groups just not this one catch you on the other side.

[donkeychomp]

Sorry you're leaving Tom. Another loss...

Alex

[shaunthe2nd]

Shame.

[steelerd]

Decided to stick about made some good friends on here an the pm's n messages made me realise its worth staying.

So I've done a bit on the bottom end all new seals n usual bits that need doing Gen Nos from fowlers and a brand new Fondseca crank used the correct theebond.

This week's job is to get the top end done.


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[JonW]

Thats good news, welcome back Tom!

[steelerd]

Thanks Jon

[shaunthe2nd]

We need as much youth in this forum as possible! Glad you stayed and good luck with the build.

[steelerd]

Thanks mate hope you guys are having good weekends.

[oldbritguy]

👍

[donkeychomp]

Really happy you decided to stay. Yes there are some total dorks on here (I'm one of them) but you get that everywhere I'm afraid. Crack on with the build!

Alex

[steelerd]

thanks guys hopefully should have the top end on this week.

[chrisg]

Looking good. It's nice to see younger members getting stuck in. I often wonder who will be riding these bikes when we're to old. I suppose that applies to the old British stuff and there still going strong, so maybe I've answered my own question. Can you get a sidecar to fit an LC?

[steelerd]

Hi Chris I've had elsies now god it's gotta be going on 15 years or so this was the first one.

It's funny you should mention British stuff my daily rider is a 1967 Norton 650SS has been for 3 years now lots of us into the Brit stuff. I'm actually letting my 250lc and my other 350lc go to fund a flat tank Norton. Could never let this elsie go though as she was the motorcycle that started it all for me.

Yep I reckon you could get a side car on anything tbh there's a British company that do really good sidecars called watsonian.