Honda-SOHC
SOHC.co.uk Forums => Other Bikes => Topic started by: SteveW on January 13, 2019, 01:23:16 PM
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Anyone know anything about them, my mate has had one in his shed for must be at least 10 years.
Hasn't moved in all that time. He's now thinking of selling it so I may go for it. Think the engine needs a bit of work.
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I can't remember any detail about mine back in about 1981, except it was black and fantastic fun to ride.
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Do some research on spares availability first. Yamaha used to have a policy of taking unsold spares back from dealers 12 years after production ceased, and crushing them! Check especially for availability of crank parts, including the labyrinth seal which often needs replacing when a 2 stroke has been standing many years.
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The power valve model was the best. Problem area is the power valve servo motor sticking due to carbon build up. You should hear it whine when you turn the ignition key, they spin to clear themselves on start up. Likely to be seized if the bike has been standing so be careful. I ssem to remember the early 350's (non power valve) suffered cracked exhaust pipes at the cylinder head due to movement of the engine. Yamaha cured it by fitting damper rods I believe and I think these were also a dealer warrenty mod but I may be wrong?
Like any two stroke, be careful of any that have been radically tuned. The early bikes were used in pro-am racing and had a neat cockpit fairing.
Avoid the Brazilian built bikes, quality was poor, a mate had one and it was always seizing and the red paint flaked off the frame just looking at it.
Worth good money now👍, good luck with the purchase.
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Barrels not out to maximum rebore like rocking horse dodo. Tanks rot out for fun. Brilliant bikes when runing right.
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3 different exhaust mods under warrantee, water pump and oil pump seals go if left stood make sure it is a true 350 not 250 with 350 top end as there were a lot of differences.
If i had to have a bike fordaily use it would be a true 350LC as they were fun, fast and cheap to run but keep the oil tank FULL.
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Thanks for the info everybody.
One last question:
Has anyone got any tips on how I persuade the missus to let me keep it in the living room?
Garage is full.
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If its an original lc i.e. not the later powervalve model, then they are rare, desirable and worth a lot so don’t let it go for a song... ;)
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Thanks for the info everybody.
One last question:
Has anyone got any tips on how I persuade the missus to let me keep it in the living room?
Garage is full.
Do the garage out to be the best, most sumptuous and relaxing room in the house. Move Mrs W in to the garage and all the bikes in to the house......good luck 😁😁😁
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Thanks for the info everybody.
One last question:
Has anyone got any tips on how I persuade the missus to let me keep it in the living room?
Garage is full.
Put a light shade on it and spread some avant-garde magazines on the coffee table
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Just been to have a look and from the VIN number its a 1980 RD250LC but the engine is definitely a 350.
Is this still a worthwhile investment or should i walk away?
Bike is in amazing condition.
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Definitely worth having...join the rdlccrazy forum and ask for advice on its value (remember to filter the answers as with all forums 😄 ).... they also have a spares shop “the one stop lc shop” where you can buy just about everything and its good quality too. The guy who runs the site is a good guy and knows his stuff (norbo)...
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Definitely worth having...join the rdlccrazy forum and ask for advice on its value (remember to filter the answers as with all forums 😄 ).... they also have a spares shop “the one stop lc shop” where you can buy just about everything and its good quality too. The guy who runs the site is a good guy and knows his stuff (norbo)...
Thanks, will check it out
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Just been to have a look and from the VIN number its a 1980 RD250LC but the engine is definitely a 350.
Is this still a worthwhile investment or should i walk away?
Bike is in amazing condition.
Tons of 250’s were converted to 350’s and not worth anywhere near as much as a genuine bike
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Sure it may not be worth as much as a matching numbers 350... but its still a rare bike these days and very sought after.... dont forget they only made these for 18 months or so before moving to the YPVS and many were crashed or raced.... There is a massive support network of spares for these old yams which is testament to their value.... If you decide its not for you, you wont have any trouble shifting it 8)
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Vin number and engine number should be the same.There was a lot more to a proper conversion than just barrels and pistons like:-
Carbs
Reed valves
Full generator
CDI
Exhausts
Plus extra front disc and probably loads more