1981 Yamaha RD350LC
Bought Oct 26th 2015 on Ebay.
16,000 miles. Un-refurbished and all stock apart from the sensible upgrade of stainless steel brake lines. The matching frame and engine numbers
(beginning with 4L0), indicate the bike originally came from Europe.
The closest I got to my teenage dream of owning one of these was a friend lending me his neglected black 250 for a week while I cleaned it up for him. It was an unforgettable time. Later, in my early twenties I finally got my own one, in Kenny Roberts colors no less. Long story short, work enveloped my life leaving no room for such luxuries as hobbies and it got abandoned in a friends garage in Glasgow when I retreated to the States for work. Some 20 years later this one popped up in my E-bay saved search. I’d been looking for another LC for years and could not believe my eyes. These bikes were never imported into the USA, so to say that it’s rare that they appear on Ebay is a vast understatement. My heart rate increased as I consulted Emily who was as supportive as ever and insisted I get it. With one key stroke I clicked Buy-It-Now and it was mine.
Sitting on it prior to a test ride at the sellers house near Santa Clara, CA.
Dad lent me his truck to go get it. You can’t see it on my face but this is me REALLY happy.
Apart from the not uncommon flat spot at around six grand and some binding brakes, the bike was a runner. I started with sorting out the front calipers. The pistons were looking very second hand...and this was after cleaning them up...
...so I got a caliper rebuild kit complete with stainless pistons from Yambits in the UK.
Next was to check out the carbs. Hard to believe it even ran....
I invested in an ultrasonic cleaner and got them back into shape. Jets remain stock 220's. A good sign.
Looked at the air filter which simply turned into powder on touching it.
It was around about here that I had done as much as I could without conferring with some specialists. I found the best online forum I have ever had the pleasure to be a member of. (https://rdlccrazy.proboards.com/) Everyone I have connected with are not only incredibly knowledgable but are super generous with their time and advice the latter of which is always gold standard. I discovered a gentleman who goes by the name of Arrow who refurbishes the oil pumps- the heart of this motor- although mine looked well on the outside, why risk it? So I sent it. straight to Liverpool, which is where Mr Arrow lives...more or less. (12miles away anyway).
And out with the engine for a good bath. I had decided, since it ran, that I was not going to open it up. I know, I know- the crankseals are probably as flexible as toast and could lead to a failure but back then I didn't know so much about the engine and being short of cash and eager to ride, I let sleeping dogs lie....would they wake up and bite? Only time will tell.
One thing I did know was that this did not look right. Wrong carb inlets and balance pipe. I think this is a set up for a Daytona RD400. New inlet rubbers and a used , almost iconic, alloy balance pipe came from Norbo @ https://rdlccrazy.co.uk/
This was a relatively easy fix. The center stand was no longer keeping the rear wheel off the ground. That frame cross member had caved a little. My Dad helped out by welding these washers onto the top of the stand.
Not the best picture, but I simply went about cleaning the frame and then polishing it, and everything black, with a decent car polish. (Mothers) It would never be the same as a paint job or powder coat, but it looked decent.
Polished up the wheels, added new chain, sprockets and tires. It's either Bridgestones or Avons for these bikes...I like the Bridgestones.
cleaned up the wire loom and got an new old school acid battery....
Not for the purists, but I think that new clear oil lines look great with RedLine Full Synth on the red white color scheme
and boom it was ready to go!
All was going well until about 238 miles in it started running a bit hot. I checked the oil and as you can see water was getting in. The forum was quick to diagnose a water pump impeller oil seal failure. This seal separates the coolant from the oil, the impeller runs through the middle of it. Over time (and knowing the friction qualities of oil against metal- a VERY long time which makes me wonder a bit about the 16k reported mileage) a groove can wear in the impeller shaft threatening the ability of the seal to hold back the water. Result: oil & water emulsion.
a groove....almost perceptible
offending oil seal lies within...
at the time Norbo sold some specially hardened metal impellers.....acquired one of those and the other necessities such as the appropriate gasket, seal, and bearing.
Happy to say it was a relatively easy job, the most time consuming being the draining of the coolant and oil. Didn't have to take the engine out. Oil pump which is installed in the right cover can remain in place with all it's plumbing as long as you sit it on a a handy stool.
also wise to replace this o-ring.....
....the water pump impeller bearing...
..and of course this gasket....the functionality of which I truly love....
....within a day we were back up and running around at the beach....and have had no significant problems since. The flat spot is still there. I have since completely rebuilt a different 350LC motor which included a new crank (with TZ bearings) and rebore by UK two stroke specialists PJMC, and that engine runs like it's brand spanking new....it weren't cheap but at least I know what's next for this bike....
....but it's still good enough to ride around and appreciate the change of scenery that is Nashville....
