RD200a & RD350

[Fredswat]

Back to the 200 and forgot to ask... is there any other way of holding the clutch basket to undo the centre nut, rather than forking out another £25 on the EBC clutch holding tool?

Here are some pictures of a tool I made out of some old shelving bracket material I had ages ok.  used this actually when I did the LC resto .  It worked ok at the time.  I have subsequently bought a couple of EBC holding tools and the things that look like mole grip handles with extended pegs on to hold clutch baskets when the engine is not in the bike to stop the crank turning. 

[Fredswat]

It's ok, you're allowed to 
I bet there haven't been many occasions when a photo of an LC has been posted on this forum. I bet there are many on here who think that the old aircooled bikes are the only 'real' RD's and stick their noses up in the direction of LC's.

The LC is very welcome in here, it was a natural progression from the F (in the UK). Many of the guys on here have owned an LC in the past, and the lucky ones still have one in the garage

I completely agree.  I have been a Yamaha twin fan since I was 14 (1974).  Love all two strokes but fell massively in love with aircooled yamaha's when I traded in my KH250 for a year old RD400C in 1977.  Used to see a lad near my mates house wheelie his silver-dust 350 when I was still at school  .  Not been without a Yamaha two stroke twin of one sort or another since 1984 (had a break to buy a house and get a car like we all did ) .  I think there wouldn't be an LC or power valve without the original air cooled bikes.  That first RD400 is still my favourite bike of all time (SVC878R) .  I actually really like the TZR250's as well and would like one of them in the collection if the opportunity to get one at the right price arises.

PS Rode my T500 the other day compared to the RD400 it feels like an antique.  I was contemplating buying one at the time I got the first RD400 so glad I went down the Yamaha route 


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[Alistair64]

Regarding undoing the clutch basket nut, in the end I found something in my tool box which I'd forgotten about.
Must have bought it for the Powervalve, but it's like a set of mole-grips with jaws that can be locked into the inner clutch basket.
Worked fine and clutch nut removed.

Completely with you on the Yamaha thing. I remember a mate had an X7 and we did a head-to-head top speed run one day.
His bike did sail past me and hit 95 on the clock - I could only manage 90 out of my RD250F with Allspeeds.
His bike also used to wheelie so much easier.
Despite this, there was something about Yamaha RD's which drew me in.
I loved their looks with the speed block paintwork with throw-backs to the TZ's.
The Suzuki X5 and X7 just didn't do it for me and looked too plain and boring.
You could continue this argument on to the RG's, which were arguably better bikes than the RD's and TZR's, but they just didn't have that RD pedigree and as a result I have owned my RD350F since 1986!
The missus says she'll end up burying it with me 

[Fredswat]

Got back to rebuild after a long lay off to refurb the kitchen after pressure from she who must be obeyed .

Started to reassemble the engine

Long way to go but it's nice to get started again. Should get more done next week

[Motty]

Real Life has a habit of getting in the way.
I will look forward to your updates

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[Fredswat]

Thanks Motty appreciate it

[Fredswat]

Bit more progress today assembling the clutch with new friction plates and springs.  I am stuck again now as I realised that I have the wrong RHS cover Gasket so cant fit the cover yet (see photos).  I found an old stock one with Padgetts on Ebay so wont really progress until it arrives.  I could move over to the other side of the engine I suppose. I will have a look tomorrow to see how much progress I can make. 

[Fredswat]

New gasket Arrived today (Spot the difference) . But I got distracted with my new toy. Wanted something that I could just get on and ride next summer without any hassle   

[Motty]

Does the new one require much fettling, or is it ready to go?


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[Fredswat]

No fettling required 14000 miles from new  cant wait. I am going to give it a precautionary service, change all the fluids and filters, spark plugs etc. and then its ready to go.  I probably wont take it out till the spring though don't want to get salt and grit all over it.  I love the two strokes but I have been hankering for something that starts on the press of a button without any fuss. 

[Alistair64]

Your missus must be incredibly understanding - do you have to bribe her?
Mine isn't happy about me wanting a third bike, yet alone however many you have.

[Fredswat]

Ha she is fairly understanding.  I have managed to convince her that most of them are better than money in the bank.  I try to do lots of DIY so I keep myself in the good books.  I cant really justify anymore now.  I have 15 + 1 in pieces which is probably it.  Although I really fancy a TZR250 or a 31k power valve, or a Honda NSR250, or an Aprilia rs250, or a Ducati 916, or a Moto Guzi Lemans MK1, or a Ducati 900ss, or a Laverda Jota, or a H2 750, or a BMW R90s, or a Bimota Vedu, or a Honda NSR400, or a Honda CBX. Ah one day 

[Alistair64]

Ha she is fairly understanding.  I have managed to convince her that most of them are better than money in the bank.

That's a good plan and probably very true 

[Fredswat]

More progress and also frustration today.  Started assembling the pistons and rings and fitting the barrels. It was going great until I broke the bottom ring on the LH cylinder when trying to fit the barrel.  The broken piece of ring fell into the top of the crankcase and luckily I managed to get it out before it went down into the depths of the engine. I thought at first one of the gudgeon pin circlips had shot off until I noticed a chunk out of the oil ring.  I have ordered another set of rings but this has stopped me in my tracks again.  This rebuild has been a fight all the way so far  .  Oh well I'm sure it will all be worth it in the end 

[GAZZATT2]

I have always put the barrels on with a jubilee clip compressing the rings
Plenty of oil on rings piston and barrel
Slide barrel down push clip off
If it snags stop and start again
Once barrel is past rings and piston in bore
unscrew clip and remove  then slide barrel fully down