Pret Link: Restoring my Yamaha RD350

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I have been wanting to restore this for a very long time but since I knew the amount of time and patience it required, never got around to doing it.

BHPian bigron recently shared this with others.

This is a short write up of my Yamaha RD 350, that I finally managed to restore (well almost) after a gap of about 12 years. It is a 1986 LT that I bought in 1994. I have had the bike ever since, though the bike had seen better days during its life.

I have been wanting to restore this for a very long time but since I knew the amount of time and patience it required, never got around to doing it. Then came the pandemic and with all the free time that everyone suddenly had, it suddenly became the best time to restore the RD.

Once the bike was stripped, a list was made of what could be salvaged and what needed to be ordered. The thing about RD parts is that you will find what you are looking for but it will come either with considerable price or delay or both.

The parts were then sent out for electro plating, spokes installed, color shortlisted and the frame was prepared. The engine was working fine before the bike was garaged so the engine was thoroughly cleaned and the seals, etc. that needed replacement were replaced. Despite the fact that the bike was in a much better condition engine wise than visually, a huge list of parts were needed to bring it all together. Tank rust especially had to be cleaned from the inside and took a lot of time to get done. Then there were a few leaks that had to be mended. Almost all plastic parts, wires, seals, bulbs, bearings, gaskets, locks, switches, holders had to be replaced. Of course it needed a new battery, plugs, chain set, headlight (old JAWA) and tyres. I am sure there are other stuff that I am forgetting.

As it stands now, the bike is about 90% complete. I am still running the old meters and will eventually swap for a new pair. The old seat had completely rusted and the cloth was torn. Finding a new seat was proving to be expensive, so the old seat was reupholstered, cushioned and the rust cleaned. It is a makeshift job until I can find a nice new seat.

Attaching a few pictures of the journey. I still have to bring the bike home. Should bring it over the weekend. Will keep updating the thread as more work gets completed.