It's likely to be a (very) slow burner, as aside from work and other non-work distractions like riding my bikes, drinking beer, chasing women etc, I also have a number of on-going bike project things that to date have been higher in the queue (most notably de-gummify-ing the carb on the Nordwest that has been in pieces and static on the bench for the last couple of years or so and putting it all back together) , but I love 2 strokes with a passion, and particularly LCs, so my thinking is that if I post it up here it should hopefully give me the incentive, and possibly kicks up the arse from others if need be to sort it before the summer, with the idea that I take it to Pembrey this August and re-live some of my 1980s life, for at least a few laps
So, a bit of background on the bike:- it's a 1986 RD350N1, originally from Germany, I picked it up a year or so ago and am it’s first UK registered owner. It’s showing 31k km (just under 20k miles) on the speedo
It’s, of course, impossible to be completely sure, but I’m prepared to believe that the mileage is genuine, and as far as I can tell, the top end has never been off the motor, let alone the motor split, and rear sprocket aside, is just about completely original, down to all the nuts and bolts, locks, keys, and toolkit, etc.
And that’s how I’d like to keep this one, save for a few sensible (IMO) bolt-n and off-able (and hence reversible if I choose) enhancements that will be done solely with improved performance/ riding experience in mind.
When I bought it, I overhauled the fuel tap and carbs , basically replaced diaphragm, seals, needle valves, etc to stop it pissing fuel on the floor, and re-sprayed the top yoke to sort the key-rub marks but that aside, all I’ve done to it is put fuel (Esso Supreme to keep the dreaded Ethanol carb gummage at bay), and ridden it a handful of times on sunny days.
It sounds lovely, ticks over perfectly, has the best standard brakes of any RD I’ve ever ridden (I’ve owned 8 LCs 2 x RD400s and an A/C 250 and 350 too over the years so have a view on that) particularly considering it has original rubber hoses, and overall, it rides well for what it is albeit the suspension is well overdue an overhaul, and I’m pretty sure it’s lost a few horses over the years. Although it revs out fine, it doesn’t have the top-end that it should have, struggling to get too much over 140kmph; - German models weren’t restricted, and aside from steering lock and auto-retracting side stand, are identical to the N1s originally sold here, so I think a top-end refresh is in order, will be well deserved, if it has indeed never been apart
Also, as it is over 30 years old, as you can probably imagine it is by no means immaculate, so along with the mechanical fettling/ performance enhancements there will be a bit of a sympathetic cosmetic re-furb here and there, where warranted
So, my list as it currently stands, in no particular order ( it will all be done as one job) is:
1. Swing-arm re-spray in original Yamaha silver
2. New rear YSS shock (already purchased a few months ago, but still in the box…)
3. Front fork rebuild with new progressive springs (both YSS and Wilbers sell em, probably Hagon too), and see what can be done to improve damping performance within the confines of the twiggy fork leg- back in my 350 proddy racing days, I’d use different weight oils and qtys of (old size) 5p pieces, but things have possibly moved on since then
4. Top-end (Pistons, Rings, small-ends, PVs etc) re-furb, new oil, and fuel lines, and anything else related if relevant on inspection.
5. Replace Exhausts- as you can see from the pics, the RH one particularly has bit of gravel rash. I have a pair of completely unscathed original 31K pipes, one has lost the spot-welded collar that the baffle screws into, so I just need to fabricate a new collar, weld it in and give them a re-paint with the correct VHT paint
6. Find and fit a replacement speedo- the current one has the trip reset knob snapped off, and also makes an annoying whiney noise
7. Replace chain and sprockets with OE sprockets and decent quality chain
8. Replace front brake hoses with OE rubber hoses
9. Replace headlamp rim – it has a relatively minor, but noticeable to me, graze on one side
10. Re-furb clutch casing- although it looks pretty good in the pic, that flatters it and it really isn’t- its had a partial in-situ repaint by brush, so will come off, be stripped back and properly re-finished, and re-fitted new OE screws.
11. New wheel bearings- there is currently no discernable play or roughness, but , well, they is old!
12. Gearbox oil & brake fluid change, new air filter (and possibly remove trumpet/ lid mod) , and any other general service type jobs that come up along the way
And finally, I’m probably going to also get a set of TSA pipes for it too- whilst standard ones will probably stay on it most of the time, the TSA ones whilst not IMO the best looking, really do work exceptionally well on standard motors, with a massive hike (roughly 10hp all the way from 6k to 9k ) , and allow the motor to run as it should
And finally-finally, if I do venture near a track on it, then chances are I’ll bite the bullet and buy a pair of the massively expensive, but super sticky Avon AMs rather than risk getting too excited on weedy BT45s.
The Avons were specifically designed for the YPM / Classic racer boys- basically allow you to put oversized sticky tyres on ye-olde stick-thin 18” rims.
Now I’ve written it down, the list is a bit longer than I thought, but there I’ve done it now so am committed.
Smokers have a special place in my heart, and particularly RDs, so this definitely won’t be a chore, it’s a keeper for me and I want it as nice as it can be.
Just need to get that Nordie sorted and sold and the bench freed up and we’ll be off and running
In the meantime, here’s a few pics below to show you the current state of things
One of THE BEST Yam paint schemes IMO- remins me of 70s TZs..
RH Exhaust
Swing-arm paint
Clutch cover
Under Tank
New Shock!
- TO BE CONTINUED !
