Hey everyone,
I just bought a 73 rd350, and joined the forum.
Are there any posts suggesting what to check on an old bike like this? This starts and seems to run o.k. But should I do a compression test, and change the trans oil? If so what oil to use.
Or can someone suggest where to buy a service manual?
I had a Yamaha 350 two cylinder 2 stroke that I rode from california to miami florida, and back in 1968. And I just like 2 strokes and wanted another one.
By the way I ordered some amsoil 2 stroke injector oil, is that a good choice? And should I service or rebuild the oil injection pump?
Thanks to anyone for any advise you can give me.
Hey,
and welcome. Its funny you mention it, i was going to do a 'what to look for' post at some point. But haven't yet.
that being said:
compression check (anything under 110 psi, prob rebuild time)
check operation of everything. oil pump had a procedure.
tank condition, petcock, does it run?
crank seals: how old are they? if unkown.. might be a time bomb.
biggest issue ive seen come up again and again, wiring and charging issues.
where exactly are you located?
the tech library has a LOT of really good info as well.
:gentleman:
Welcome :cheers: and congrats on your new (old) bike.
For trans oil you'll get as many opinions as there are oil brands, but it's definitely worth changing on a new acquired bike. FWIW, I've been running BelRay Gear Saver 80W in all my bikes for years (this was a recommendation I got 10-15 years ago from a 2-stroke engine builder and tuner with 40-years experience).
I'll add to Mark's list of things to check and suggest that you verify ignition timing is set correctly. Stock for an RD350 is 2.0 mm BTDC, but with today's fuel it is best to run at about 1.8~1.9mm with a unmodified engine. Set point gap first, then check/adjust timing. You'll need a dial gauge and spark plug hole adapter to do this.
How exciting, fresh meat, er, a New Member! What they said, and good tires; don't scrimp on the rubber.
Welcome and where are you located bad luck? :umm:
Hi m in sc, (Mark)
I just got back from work, so I didn't have a chance to reply earlier, I live in Moab, Utah.
Yes the bike starts and runs.
I haven't done a compression test yet, I guess that should be the first thing to check.
The fuel tank and petcock seem okay. I do live in the desert so there isn't too much rust.
As for the crank seals, I haven't any idea what condition they are, but I'll look in the tech library to try and find the procedure for checking them.
The wiring doesn't seem to be butchered too bad.
Thanks for the advice, I really do appreciate it.
Good day SoCal250,
I will order some BelRay gear saver 80 weight in the morning.
To verify the timing I still have my old Yamaha dial gauge I bought more than 50 years ago.
As you can tell I'm an old fart now.
Wow, you have quite the stable of old Yamaha bikes! But being a yamaholic is a good thing right?
Hey 85RZwade,
You're right, I know I'll need new rubber.
I have ridden around the block, but I won't go much more than that until I can replace the tires.
What tires do you like?
Hello Evans Ward,
Thanks for the welcome, I know I will learn a lot here.
It's so nice to be able to ask advice from experienced riders such as you.
I'm in south east Utah, in the desert.
Welcome to our forum.
I've had great service from Bridgestone BT45s
Quote from: 85RZwade on October 15, 2022, 07:11:57 PM
I've had great service from Bridgestone BT45s
[/quote
I'll certainly check on those after I get everything else sorted out.
Thanks for the recommendation.]
BT45s are great as are avons.
If you are going to do tires sooner than later, i would def look at wheel bearings while you are in there. its cheap preventative maintenance.
whenever i get a 'new' project, what i usually plan on changing out out of preventative are:
- trans fluid
tires
wheel bearings
possibly swingarm bushings
chain (unless its obviously good)
clutch frictions of the clutch is sticky or drags or its obvious the clutch cover has never been off
clean the carbs even if it runs well
synch the carbs
verify timing and inspect alternator brushes
coils if stock/original
flush brake fluid out.
rear brake shoes, inspect when wheel is off for tire.
left hand motor seals, minimally. they will leak. all easy to change (pushrod/shift shaft/sprocket under LH cover)
ive had all of these burn me in the past if i ignored them. Im not saying they need to be done the 1st day or weekend, but plan on it.
Welcome.
Please make sure your gear shift & kickstart lever bolts are tight as well.
Almost all of the bikes I have gotten had these both loose.
M
Congratulations on your new to you RD and welcome to the group.
Regards,
Rob
Welcome, this is a great place to learn and get info , great people !
Hey Milan,
Good call, yes I just checked them and you were right, they were both very loose.
Hey Milan,
Good call, I just checked and they were both loose.
Thanks for the advice.
good call Milan.
:patriot:
Hi plasticman,
Thanks for the welcome, yes I'm excited to have an old 2 stroke bike again.
You seem to have an awesome collection of rd400's.
And I see that you're restoring one of them.
Have any of the chrome plated parts like the taillight bracket been rusty and corroded?
If so how do you deal with it?
Hi Mark in sc,
Sorry that I didn't respond sooner, we just returned from a camping trip with no signal.
Anyway thank you for the advice.
I am going to take care of the other problems first, before I get new tires.
So I have the oil to change the trans fluid, and as you suggested I will check and replace the wheel bearings if necessary.
I will definitely check the swing arm bushings too.
And I will have to replace the chain and sprockets.
The clutch seems to be o.k. so far.
And I agree with you, I should pull and clean the carbs, and find out how to synchronize them or get someone to do it for me.
I can't find my old dial gauge to check the timing, so I'll order a new one.
Do you recommend just replacing the old original coils?
And I know I need fresh brake fluid. Thanks for reminding me.
And I didn't consider the left side seals, I can tell you've done all this before.
It's a big help, this will be a fun thing to work on during the cold season.
The folks on the forum are so helpful, I do appreciate all the advice.
Hi TPR5,
I can already tell that there are some incredibly knowledgeable and helpful people on the forum, I've already learned a little.
Thanks for the welcome.
I usually replace the coils. see the tech section for the sv650 coil mod.
tbh, you can set the timing with a timing light (if you have one). IF you need a dial gauge, the one from economy is a good unit and priced very right.
i alwasy feel regardless, if the tires are questionable... just change them now. or at least plan on it.
as far as synching carbs, it s a5 minute job, people make way too big a deal out of it. (i need ot make a video of doing it). the way -i- do it is, synch them up TOP 1st. i use a mirror, look in there, when the slides align at the top of the bore... they will be synchronized. as far as down low off idle...
get the bike running, then stop it, pull a plug wire, and run it on 1 cyl. turn the slide screw in (side) until it idles at 1100-1200 rpm. on one cyl. turn bike off, connect plug wire. fire back up. will idle high but will clear plug.
turn bike back off, pull the other plug wire off, get bike running on the other cylinder, turn slide screw until it idles at same speed, 11-1200 rpm. turn bike off. reconnect plug wire. fire up, will be idling around 2900 rpm or so, turn each slide screw in equal amounts (1/4 left, 1/4 right, back and forth) until the bike idles at wherever you want it to land (I like 1200-1300). carbs are synched.
worry about this after the timing is set. :twocents:
Mark,
I ordered a service manual for the rd350, but it isn't here yet.
But I doubt that it would have the method you described. I'll look up the sv650 coil mod.(a very nice bike btw I just gave mine to my son)
And I definitely plan on replacing the tires.
So I need to do a leak down test, I just did a compression test and both cylinders are at 104 psi.
As you mentioned I will get the timing set and then sync the carbs.
You guys are great, if I ever meet you I will buy you a beer!