UK Pre A 350 'box of bits' Resto (DONE)

[stevie747]

Hi gurus....

I'm about to embark on a 'box of bits' UK 74 350 (matching numbers suggest a pre-A though)





My first question of doubtless many: is are there any reference pics of pre A rebuilds on the forum anywhere?

I'm not too anal about using correct fittings etc. but if I'm going to restore any parts I may as well know if they are right in the first place - in terms of differences with A/B models (and looking at some pictures there's loads of differences). 

Otherwise, be prepared for loads of pics and dumb questions 

Alternatively, has anyone got an original pre A anywhere (preferably within 100 mile radius of Newmarket)  that I could visit and take some notes 

[stukey]

Didn't dave higgins (rdnuts) do one ?

[Motty]

Could you post (or email to Del) a photograph of your good self standing next to the pile of bits 
This should be an interesting rebuild, a box of bits is never an easy start position
Does it have a disc front end

is are there any reference pics of pre A rebuilds on the forum anywhere?

Steve SFBrain has one on the go, although progress tends to be in fits and starts due to his work commitments http://www.aircooledrdclub.com/smf/index.php?topic=43792.0
Another Pre A WIP http://www.aircooledrdclub.com/smf/index.php?topic=44475.15] [url]http://www.aircooledrdclub.com/smf/index.php?topic=44475.15[/url]
Common as muck these Pre As 

If you widen the search to include the A model, I can find the following (some of these look a tadge early for an A)
http://www.aircooledrdclub.com/smf/index.php?topic=37313.0
http://www.aircooledrdclub.com/smf/index.php?topic=24651.45
http://www.aircooledrdclub.com/smf/index.php?topic=30430.0
http://www.aircooledrdclub.com/smf/index.php?topic=22314.0
http://www.aircooledrdclub.com/smf/index.php?topic=29490.0

[Paul Dawkins]

I have one and RD nuts has loads of them.

This is a Pre A and it should be the same colour as yours but I like blue.



I hope your front mudguard is OK as these are very hard to find.

[stevie747]

Could you post (or email to Del) a photograph of your good self standing next to the pile of bits 
This should be an interesting rebuild, a box of bits is never an easy start position
Does it have a disc front end

is are there any reference pics of pre A rebuilds on the forum anywhere?

Steve SFBrain has one on the go, although progress tends to be in fits and starts due to his work commitments http://www.aircooledrdclub.com/smf/index.php?topic=43792.0
Another Pre A WIP [url=http://www.aircooledrdclub.com/smf/index.php?topic=44475.15]http://www.aircooledrdclub.com/smf/index.php?topic=44475.15] [url]http://www.aircooledrdclub.com/smf/index.php?topic=44475.15]http://www.aircooledrdclub.com/smf/index.php?topic=44475.15]http://www.aircooledrdclub.com/smf/index.php?topic=44475.15] [url]http://www.aircooledrdclub.com/smf/index.php?topic=44475.15[/url]
Common as muck these Pre As 

If you widen the search to include the A model, I can find the following (some of these look a tadge early for an A)
http://www.aircooledrdclub.com/smf/index.php?topic=37313.0
http://www.aircooledrdclub.com/smf/index.php?topic=24651.45
http://www.aircooledrdclub.com/smf/index.php?topic=30430.0
http://www.aircooledrdclub.com/smf/index.php?topic=22314.0
http://www.aircooledrdclub.com/smf/index.php?topic=29490.0

Cheers for all this.

Yes it does have a disc front end and I'll endeavour to get a pic with the remains...

[stevie747]

I have one and RD nuts has loads of them.


I hope your front mudguard is OK as these are very hard to find.

I've got two front mudguards, both need repair/rechrome.  One looks like yours and the other had a front number plate on it and the front part of the mudguard overhangs the stays more than the rear if that makes sense - hence my position of not knowing what's correct half the time 

For instance, these are my two mudguards, the bottom one had a front number plate attached:



I've got two sets of engine bolts - which ones are correct?



Two different side stands for locating spring:



And  carbs (360-02) which have been painted but someone said they should be bare metal 



Switches - correct?  (P.S. I've got sausage fingers so does anyone refurb these on the forum  )



I'm actually doing a 'B' based cafe racer custom build at the moment so the resto will start when that one's finished (don't hold your breath...).  It's just that I might as well get the plating etc. done at the same time for both bikes and didn't want to end up throwing money at restoring/collecting parts that are wrong for the old one 

[5port]

My original unrestored late '72 built RD350 US spec has: the shorter front muddy with rounded head bolts in the stays, the non-flange engine bolts without numbers, the sidestand with the hole and all black painted carbs.   If you paint the carbs, you will need to use a heatproof paint like PJ1 or Plasticote BBQ black paint and, cure it carefully in the oven or, it will peel off. 

[Paul Dawkins]

The one with the number plate holes is a UK one.
I have one of them on mine now.

[stevie747]

Thanks guys, keep em coming... 

As well as restoring swichgear, is there anyone in the club who does the paintwork (tins) - if not any recommendations from members 

Cheers, Steve

[miciver]

Med did mine and his work was excellent so I would recommend him. 

[twostrokelooney]

Switches are correct, mine has black carbs (UK model).

[Paul Dawkins]

Med on here is the man for paint if he is taking work at the moment, he gets so busy he sometimes has to turn work away.

[stevie747]

Med did mine and his work was excellent so I would recommend him. 

Thanks, I'll try my luck he's not too busy 

[stevie747]

Right, it's been a while since I posted anything on this, but I've had to build a new shed to carry out the resto 





Bike is now stripped (although it was pretty stripped when I got it) and I'm now in the process of sourcing parts and restoring the one's I've got that are restorable.

I'd like to make it clear at this point that my intention is to attempt to get this pile of shite back to as near original, in terms of appearance and finish, as possible/affordable.  I'm not an OCD bolt counter (there seems to be some good natured 'hostility' to this approach anyway on the forum...) and there'll no doubt be numerous repro items involved in the build, but as I've mentioned in various other posts when challenged why I'm trying source correct parts, is that it costs just as much to restore a wrong part than a correct one

I might sell it when finished, but in reality I tend to get too attached to projects and end up keeping them - hence the new shed 

I'm actually doing a cafe racer/TR3 ish project in parallel (which I'll start a new topic on soon...) and (another  ) 73 H2 750, so this one will be on the back burner for a while as I attempt to source/restore parts etc.

P.S. It's got UK mudguards, but the rear is close to being past restoration in terms of rust inside the double skin areas - I've put a request on the wanted section for one... 

[ozmadman]

Nice bike...good luck with the re-build and nice shed door too!!!

Paul