Author Topic: Another 2T project  (Read 3601 times)

Offline Rob62

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Another 2T project
« on: December 02, 2019, 07:12:18 PM »
Just bought another stroker...a Yam RD350YPVS. Never owned an LC before but always fancied one. I almost bought one new back in 1980 but my dad talked me into a CB550 instead.. So, at this years 2 stroke rally at Squires Cafe there was the usual plethora of shiny LC’s and I decided I have to have one before its too late, so here she is... The last of the Japanese manufactured models (production moved to Brazil). It should be fully faired and I have all the panels but I will be converting it to a naked model. The frame and motor are already rebuilt (supposedly) but the paintwork needs doing, plus there are one or two bits that need sorting out. The motor sounds very quiet, no rattles, should be an easy project. These bikes weigh roughly the same as my aircooled RD250 (which will give the CB750 more than a good run for its money) but at 63bhp are more than double the power. They are awesome giant killers in the right hands (not mine).. can’t wait for spring.






Offline Johnwebley

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Re: Another 2T project
« Reply #1 on: December 02, 2019, 07:15:12 PM »
Very nice. Aahhh the sweet smell of 2t smoke

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Offline masonmart

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Re: Another 2T project
« Reply #2 on: December 09, 2019, 05:02:37 PM »
Rob, as I go into the twilight of my biking life I'm going to go nearly 100% 2T. I was looking for an LC or T500 but found an A7 and have another A7 and a H1a triple now to restore and use for my last few years. They are pretty incomparable because of their acceleration in the powerband and great manoeuvrability because of low weight. I have a feeling that while the market for 4Ts is almost non-existent, buyers are realizing that 2Ts are almost the ultimate classics now as non are made and few parts are available for many. If I didn't have one (I mean 3) I'd be looking for one.
Dresda CB500-4, 605 cc
CB-77, 350 cc
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1976 Thruxton Velocette
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Offline Nurse Julie

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Re: Another 2T project
« Reply #3 on: December 09, 2019, 05:19:59 PM »
I used to love a 2 stroke back in the day and have had great fun on them but as I head nearer to my 60's (well, in 18 months time 😫😫😫), I can't think of anything worse to ride. I do love the smell of Carol R but all that zing.. a... ding... a....ding..... a....ding ding ding noise would just do my head in now.

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Offline Rob62

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Re: Another 2T project
« Reply #4 on: December 09, 2019, 07:54:17 PM »
Hi masonmart, my twin bro has a mint X7 which he rides regularly, also an RGV250... i have an RD250F and an NSR250...there are lots of 2T guys round the yorks area, we have a great classic scene. Interesting you say the market is almost nonexistent for 4T’s....but prices are sky high from what I see..... yes the 2t’s are popular and there are plenty of specialists supplying parts.

Oh julie....the sound is surely one of the biggest draws to 2t ownership....they sound amazing and the power delivery is so exciting even though the small 2ts are low powered compared to modern stuff, they deliver fun in bucketloads.... I love the sound of my sohc but the sound of a yamaha RD twin on the pipe is enough to make my hair stand on end (if i had any) 😄. Come to Squires cafe next summer and I’ll let you borrow one...

Meanwhile have a listen to this guy 😄
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cHRs3JXirC0

Offline Nurse Julie

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Re: Another 2T project
« Reply #5 on: December 09, 2019, 08:07:11 PM »
I blew the engine up on one of my 2T's, the RD 350 LC, I only had one more after that, a T500, which I didn't blow up as I only had it a short time but I would have caused damage if I had kept it any longer. I need bikes with very robust engines and  can only be trusted with 4T's these days. Also Trig only rebuilds 4T engines, so I will have to stick to them 😊😊😊
LINK TO MY EBAY PAGE. As many of you know already, I give 10% discount and do post at cost to forum members if you PM me direct.
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Offline Johnwebley

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Re: Another 2T project
« Reply #6 on: December 09, 2019, 08:14:07 PM »
I have a little 2T.

 a 125 screamer . with a drum front brake that fades at the thought of a stop.


  BUT,I need some advice,  it eats contact breaker points,not the actual points ,but the fibre heels ,

set the gap,go for a blast,(the only way to ride these things)

both heels wear,retard ignition ,and its lucky to get 60mph,,
you 2T buffs,do you have a prefered points maker ?
one suggestion I had was weaken the spring?
the lubrication pad is well oiled (no comments "hic" )

thanks in advance

PS,love the aroma !!
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Offline Rob62

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Re: Another 2T project
« Reply #7 on: December 09, 2019, 09:11:15 PM »
Strange one that John..... never had a problem like that. I suspect the problem could be the cam itself, is it a bit worn or rough as it must be abrading the points? Have you tried polishing it? Also make sure the points plate is exactly perpendicular to the cam otherwise the points heel will only be making point contact on the cam and that would wear it faster...sounds unlikely though.
Ps none of my strokers are on points.... only the CB750 and I'm using points from DS on that... done about a thousand miles with no problems at all.

Offline Rob62

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Re: Another 2T project
« Reply #8 on: December 09, 2019, 09:12:32 PM »
I blew the engine up on one of my 2T's, the RD 350 LC, I only had one more after that, a T500, which I didn't blow up as I only had it a short time but I would have caused damage if I had kept it any longer. I need bikes with very robust engines and  can only be trusted with 4T's these days. Also Trig only rebuilds 4T engines, so I will have to stick to them 😊😊😊

Julie, I might have to retract my offer 😬

Offline Johnwebley

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Re: Another 2T project
« Reply #9 on: December 09, 2019, 09:18:15 PM »
Rob.

 It's a glossy NOS shiny cam.

So shiny I need to wear shades.

The points mounting are onto the generator. A pretty flat base

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Offline Rob62

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Re: Another 2T project
« Reply #10 on: December 09, 2019, 09:31:12 PM »
Nos OEM or pattern? Shiny could still be abrasive especially if its a pattern part.... a polish may help. If its oem then i would be surprised if it was faulty... but something is wearing the points away... worth trying a gentle rub with some fine metal polish. Im assuming you have tried decent quality points, not cheap Chinese..?

Offline Nurse Julie

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Re: Another 2T project
« Reply #11 on: December 09, 2019, 09:34:03 PM »
I blew the engine up on one of my 2T's, the RD 350 LC, I only had one more after that, a T500, which I didn't blow up as I only had it a short time but I would have caused damage if I had kept it any longer. I need bikes with very robust engines and  can only be trusted with 4T's these days. Also Trig only rebuilds 4T engines, so I will have to stick to them 😊😊😊

Julie, I might have to retract my offer 😬
Wise move 😊😊😊
LINK TO MY EBAY PAGE. As many of you know already, I give 10% discount and do post at cost to forum members if you PM me direct.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/julies9731/m.html?item=165142672569&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.m3561.l2562

LINK TO MY CB400/4 ENGINE STRIP / ASSESSMENT AND REBUILD...NOW COMPLETE
http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,14049.msg112691/topicseen.html#new

Offline Johnwebley

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Re: Another 2T project
« Reply #12 on: December 09, 2019, 09:57:36 PM »
Nos OEM or pattern? Shiny could still be abrasive especially if its a pattern part.... a polish may help. If its oem then i would be surprised if it was faulty... but something is wearing the points away... worth trying a gentle rub with some fine metal polish. Im assuming you have tried decent quality points, not cheap Chinese..?
Bought from a Yam specialist. They certainly cost enough. I hope  there not Chinese junk.
They should float my boat.so to speak

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Offline masonmart

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Re: Another 2T project
« Reply #13 on: December 10, 2019, 11:13:28 AM »
Hi masonmart, my twin bro has a mint X7 which he rides regularly, also an RGV250... i have an RD250F and an NSR250...there are lots of 2T guys round the yorks area, we have a great classic scene. Interesting you say the market is almost nonexistent for 4T’s....but prices are sky high from what I see..... yes the 2t’s are popular and there are plenty of specialists supplying parts.

Oh julie....the sound is surely one of the biggest draws to 2t ownership....they sound amazing and the power delivery is so exciting even though the small 2ts are low powered compared to modern stuff, they deliver fun in bucketloads.... I love the sound of my sohc but the sound of a yamaha RD twin on the pipe is enough to make my hair stand on end (if i had any) 😄. Come to Squires cafe next summer and I’ll let you borrow one...

Meanwhile have a listen to this guy 😄
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cHRs3JXirC0

Rob, I have a bad habit of monitoring prices of 60's Triumph twins since doing so to buy one a few years back and for good ones they were selling for £10k plus with the odd ridiculous wants of £15k plus thrown in. There seems to be a solid limit of £7-8k now above which they aren't selling and several with no or low reserve have sold for around £6k. The markets are also being distorted bay dealers bringing in container loads of classics from the USA. I see that on e-Bay many are reappearing or just being withdrawn, many being sold by dealers are not shifting in years now. Some bikes are firming up but none like 2Ts. Suzuki T500's bottomed in the low £2k's and are fetching 3 times that now. LC's were cheap at one point but they're rocketing now. Seems to be very bike specific now rather than any classic being valuable. I would like to sell a couple of classics to make room for my new 2Ts but may hold on a while.
« Last Edit: December 10, 2019, 11:15:41 AM by masonmart »
Dresda CB500-4, 605 cc
CB-77, 350 cc
1968 Bonneville
1976 Thruxton Velocette
1974 Kawasaki Avenger
1997 VFR 750

Offline Rob62

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Re: Another 2T project
« Reply #14 on: December 10, 2019, 01:16:43 PM »
I must say I haven't done a study like that.. but I can well believe what you are saying. There are definitely plenty of USA bikes coming into the UK, the condition makes them a great prospect for restoring or even keeping as original..  My latest 2T, a late model Japanese made YPVS, is supposedly one of the least valuable of all the LC's but the problem is trying to find a good one for what they are "supposed" to be worth.. I have already reached that limit and still have to sort the paintwork, fix any hidden problems that the PO didn't mention and buy a new set of spannies (circa 650 quid). But I will get plenty of use out of the bike and I'm sure the value will eventually creep up.... I would advise anybody who sees his toys as an investment as well as a hobby to but a 2T before they become too expensive. I think you can still own one for reasonable money, especially if you can restore them yourself, but for those who have to buy fully restored, the prices for fully restored mint examples are reaching crazy levels.... for example a nice bike but....
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Yamaha-RD350-N1-YPVS-Nut-Bolt-Restoration-UK-Matching-Numbers-Very-Rare/184044195776?hash=item2ad9e38fc0:g:KOEAAOSw7xZde4el
or even worse, the least desirable of all (Brazilian made)
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1993-Yamaha-RD350-Probably-the-Best-in-the-UK/183793429121?hash=item2acaf12a81:g:6JIAAOSw7aNcyB4I
These may never actually sell at those prices of course...

 

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