Got me an RD250LC

[Skunk]

Thanks to Inline4 and Coaster I have a new old Yamaha in my collection. :yes:

1982 vintage, needing a little TLC at least. New battery, new oil etc and it'll be ready for the road.
But the question is; do I :
a) repair it? (Strip it down, clean, paint and put it together only replacing what must be replaced)
b) restore it? (Strip it down, clean, paint as factory and put it together replacing everything that looks worn or old)
c) update it? (Strip it down, clean, paint how I like and put it together replacing what has been improved over the last 25 years)
d) just ride the bloody thing. Fix what breaks.

Being a basically lazy bastard, option (d) looks good.
I'd like to do (b) but I don't think I could afford too.

Looking for opinions here. Give me yours so I can think it over, file it with the others, and eventually ignore it completely. (I think there's ginga blood in the family somewhere).

What would you do? Why?

[Mr. Peanut]

Option D

If it aint broke, thrash it...

[Kickaha]

What would you do?

Pre 82 race bike:yes:

[Bonez]

Option D

If it aint broke, thrash it...I second that option. Being a Ginga and all.

[Sketchy_Racer]

Hey, you got me a sponsered classic racebike!!

Your the man andrew!! ( i'll try not to melt it.. honest! )

Seriously, If it is not in such a mint condidtion that you'll be worried about it, race the sucker. Have a bit of fun. But then restoring it might be more fun for you. Just do what = most fun

[Skunk]

I have other plans for a race bike... pre 89, so this is a road bike. Might take it to the track day on 4th March through.

[bistard]

Go for option D,just ride the thing & keep it original!!

[inlinefour]

Thanks to Inline4 and Coaster I have a new old Yamaha in my collection. :yes:

1982 vintage, needing a little TLC at least. New battery, new oil etc and it'll be ready for the road.
But the question is; do I :
a) repair it? (Strip it down, clean, paint and put it together only replacing what must be replaced)
b) restore it? (Strip it down, clean, paint as factory and put it together replacing everything that looks worn or old)
c) update it? (Strip it down, clean, paint how I like and put it together replacing what has been improved over the last 25 years)
d) just ride the bloody thing. Fix what breaks.

Being a basically lazy bastard, option (d) looks good.
I'd like to do (b) but I don't think I could afford too.

Looking for opinions here. Give me yours so I can think it over, file it with the others, and eventually ignore it completely. (I think there's ginga blood in the family somewhere).

What would you do? Why?


I was going to do option b as that bike was gooing to be my next project until I did something stoopid, enjoy!

[Skunk]

Had a quick pull apart and clean and the parts list is:

Air filter (fell apart when I touched it),
Oil (guess it's been six years since it was last changed),
Rear tyre (a bit bald),
Battery (no fluid, no charge, no vent caps),
Brake fluid (old),
Hand grips (bars were a little bent and I don't know if they had been straighten so I replaced them)
Exhaust gaskets (one chamber was loose but the nuts were tight).

Still got to look at the front wheel bearing and brake calliper so there might been additions. Chambers are serviceable but have had a hard life. Full of bog and they've been cut and re-welded a couple of times.

All in all not too bad. Quite happy with that. I think I'll go for (d) while long term it'll slowly get (b)'ed.

[nudemetalz]

LC's are way cool !!!!!
Keep it and restore it, is my opinion (after every told me to do that with Uma!!).

[Skunk]

Front brake caliper is seized solid. Anyone know what other models have the same caliper?

Most bits are now done so I may have it ready for the March 4 trackday. Want to get it out on a Wednesday night ride too.

[Indiana_Jones]

Option Z:

PICS!

-Indy

[geoffm]

Front brake caliper is seized solid. Anyone know what other models have the same caliper?

Most bits are now done so I may have it ready for the March 4 trackday. Want to get it out on a Wednesday night ride too.

XJ series and a number of others.
The calipers sieze on the pins. Pull it apart and use Copaslip on the pins connecting the 2 halves.
The caliper pistons go risty as well. I made some from 316 stainless for mine, and got a seal kit from RDLCCrazy (norbo on Alecs LC/YPVS board). WOrk a lot better. Braided lines help a lot.
Geoff

[Skunk]

Option Z:

PICS!

-IndyYeah, yeah. When it's together. If ya can't wait inline4 has posted a few of it.


XJ series and a number of others.
The calipers sieze on the pins. Pull it apart and use Copaslip on the pins connecting the 2 halves.
The caliper pistons go risty as well. I made some from 316 stainless for mine, and got a seal kit from RDLCCrazy (norbo on Alecs LC/YPVS board). WOrk a lot better. Braided lines help a lot.
GeoffThe halves are OK, it's just the piston. And it's solid. To top that someone has drilled and tapped a hole in the back of the 'piston bore' and put a bolt in it. Like WTF!

Thanks for the web site.

[Macktheknife]

Soak it for a couple of days in penetrating oil or WD40, see if that helps, if not then you have lost nothing but 2 days.
My choice would be B by the way, restore it to its former glory. But this can be a slow process as budget permits, they were a fantastic bike.

[stanko]

early rz calipers are similar. Ill have a look and see what Ive got. This is a right side caliper only?

[TonyB]

Hey Stanko- I got a call from a guy wanting RD350 (LC?) cylinders. Can you help him out?

[stanko]

No I cant sorry

[Skunk]

early rz calipers are similar. Ill have a look and see what Ive got. This is a right side caliper only?
Yep, that's the one. I have an RZ calliper but it's completely different.
I'll PM ya if I need it; I've got a lead on one local. Just following it up.

[TonyB]

No I cant sorrysaid Stanko somewhat nervously, as he tried to hide the massive pile of rare RD350 parts behind him."They're mine, all mine," he thought, "and with them I will complete my evil plan for world domination! Mu HAHAHAhahahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaa" Too late, Stanko realised that he was laughing out loud....

Know anyone that can?

[Nutter34]

said Stanko somewhat nervously, as he tried to hide the massive pile of rare RD350 parts behind him."They're mine, all mine," he thought, "and with them I will complete my evil plan for world domination! Mu HAHAHAhahahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaa" Too late, Stanko realised that he was laughing out loud....

Know anyone that can?


That's funny...

So, is it true? If so I know where bits are forthcoming for my 350lc...

I'd go for b if money wasn't an issue or d for a more realistic option...

[geoffm]

Yep, that's the one. I have an RZ calliper but it's completely different.
I'll PM ya if I need it; I've got a lead on one local. Just following it up.

IIRC, 83 (and maybe 84) caliper is the same as the 4L0/ 4L1. After that they went to the twin opposed piston caliper.

[Skunk]

Got home from work, Skunk Control sees me twitching and tells me to go to the garage. Yes!
Change all the oils (gearbox and two stroke tank), fuel (with a little premix in case the injectors not working), air filter, pipes back on etc and kick it over. It fires and runs but not very well.
Check the pipes and the right hand one is cold. Swap the plug - still not going. Check spark. Owww! Yep, that's OK. Must be the carb. Pull the choke on and it runs on both - primary jet blocked I'd guess.
Pull the carb off and it's full of crystallised fuel. Pull the jets out and blow it out and clean it up, reassemble and refit. Yeah, that's a job I don't want to do too often.
Kick it over and its running on both cylinders now.

It's going to be option d till everything is sorted then I'll aim towards a restore sorted thing. I won't go so far as restickering the switch gear! It's for riding not polishing.

[Skunk]

An update: it's all road legal and running. Went for a test ride on TCWNR last night and ran it to work and back today.

On the must do list:
1. new front tyre to replace the rear one on it, (Now done)
2. correct size rear tyre to replace the front-sized one on it, (Now done)
3. new front brake hose, (Now done)
4. new front brake seals,
5. replace the shock and rebuild the forks,
6. get the steering lock working,
7. recover the seat,
8. get the side cover welded (that's done; now to paint it),
9. fix exhaust leak.

That'll do for a start I think.

Still no photos sorry.

The brake calliper cylinder and piston was supplied by 'Mad Murray' a local RD/RZ 'enthusiast'. No seals available so I reused the ones in the old calliper (had to smash the cylinder out).

EDIT: couple of jobs done.