Starting on my 73 RD 350

[Skyguyz]

I started the restoration on my original 1973 Yamaha RD 350. I acquired this completely running example from the famous "Buzz Walneck." I will take it to a level 2+ restoration and it will be done corectly using OEM/NOS and new 70's level chrome, (No "Harley show chrome") and do all the re-zincing of the original fasteners myself. The engine will be refreshed down to the crank. All wiring will be scrutinized and any replacement I have the tools and parts to use only original style Japanese connectors and wire. This will be a fun project as my 74 Suzuki GT750 was completed last week and I have been waiting to dive into this one. I will update this board on the progress.


*The RD 350 running prior to teardown:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoIj3uazBkw


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*Some of my previous restorations:


1974 & 1975 Suzuki GT 750's


1969 Kawasaki 500 H1


1974 Norton Commando 850


1975 Kawasaki 750 H2C

[Motty]

Good luck with your restoration. Any updates would be very welcomed 

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[Skyguyz]

The 73 RD 350 is coming along nicely. Things done are:

-Frame and other bits back from powder coating. Look great.

-Crank specs are well within tolerance.

-inner engine case vapor blasted and engine partial assembled.

-New wire harness arrived.

-2 shipments of OEM Yamaha parts arrived from Partzillia.

-All new pistons, rings, bearing and all seals ready to go in.

-Honed and finished the barrels and had heads vapor blasted. All painted and polished in house.

-Wheels polished, new spokes going on vaporblastred hubs, (*Yes, I true my own wheels.)

I am sure there is more but for now, it is going good.





Parts to send to chromer and some polish at home.







*All done in house:






Before...UGH!


After:

[Motty]

It is coming together nicely
A vapour cleaned engine makes such a difference.

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[Adeyone]

Looking very good, taking lots of care I can tell.

Well done my friend!

Cheers!

Ady

[5port]

Yes, very nice.  It is good to see an "OE" resto in the USA and not another gee-whizz souped-up bike. Well done! 

5port

[GAZZATT2]

looking good
not sure how long the pistons will last 

[Rd400greenhorn]

Very nice, love a perfect restauration

[Skyguyz]

Shiny time. The parts came back from the chrome shop and they look great. Still have the rims and one fender coming next week. I should have the engine done this week and the wheels laced by a week from now. Steady pace.



before



After

[Motty]

Look at the difference between the before and after photos

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[betty foRD]

This is great inspiration for us all !

[Skyguyz]

I did the fork lowers yesterday. Thank goodness for my Caswell buffing station. LOTS of hand sanding, ugh! But they look nice.

Before:





After:

[Motty]

Will you be lacquering the fork legs or leaving them au naturale?

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[Skyguyz]

Will you be lacquering the fork legs or leaving them au naturale?

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I don't like lacquer because it over time it becomes a issue to deal with. I use CTI metal polish to make em shine and fill the pores then I spray them with "Boeshield" and call it good.

[Skyguyz]

More progress on the 1973 Yamaha RD350. Wheels trued with new spokes and new chrome. A tedious task but with a spoke torque wrench and digital gauge, it makes it so much easier to fine tune beyond what is practical.