Holy smokes! Has this already been covered here? The pictures of the items look the same as the more expensive kits. How bad are they?
And you can get kits with the wrist pin bearings for only a few dollars more. But I would feel better with Yamaha wrist pin bearings.
Thoughts........Comments........
www.ebay.com/itm/405742737437?_
No experience with the ones posted above but these kits seem to be proliferating on eBay lately and going for super low prices. Kind of odd that they show 6 circlips in the photos.
I purchased a kit off eBay last year when the discussion on the Kveldwulf kits began and others were buying them.
The ones I got were called Labwork from seller "tyllq", but they appear to be the same or similar to the Kveldwulf ones - same description, same photos, etc.
I had taken photos and made some measurements that I was going to post here but I wanted to also make a sketch of the port map before I post everything.
They look pretty nice and came with everything, including wrist pin bearings (but I was planning on using OE Yamaha instead). The price at the time was right around $150 with free shipping. Looks like he has them for $116.98 right now after 8% off coupon code.
EDIT: The listing description actually states:
Fitment：For Kveldwulf™ Cylinder And Piston Kit For Yamaha Rd350. Us/Uk Specification
labwork_rd350_kit.png
I just took a chance and bought a set. Late summer or fall I'll see how they like some porting and a decent spray of nitrous. I already have a crank built with Banshee rods and ceramic bearings, 39.2 carbs, big reed cages and a couple spare bottom ends just laying around and a pair of Pro-Flo pipes hanging in the dyno room. I'm in the process of messing with a 400 frame and building a long arm with struts so I'll have a place to put it. There is a 1/8 mile drag strip close by to run it. Hey, even if it blows up while testing on the dyno the cost won't hurt too bad.
Quote from: John Ritter on May 15, 2025, 06:25:29 PMI'll see how they like some porting and a decent spray of nitrous.
:science: :olaf:
I chickened out on the $96.50 ones and bought ordered the $103.00 ones. they arrived in 3 days and visually look great, I have not mic'd or measured anything yet so I will hope for the best and report back on how they turn out. Gotta give it a try at that $. I think Mark in SC purchased the kveldwulf labeled ones and has reported in another thread. I would definitely respect his review of them. The question I have is, are all of these Chinese cylinders made at the same place?? Hard for me to believe that there would be enough upside in the knock off market, of a niche item, to justify "competition" amongst Chinese factories. At these prices the china worker must "pay the factory" for the privilege of working there....WTH
j
Now, they are $89.36 OBO from a different vendor.
www.ebay.com/itm/356175243082
Or $85.26 from this one:
www.ebay.com/itm/286119849695
WTF?!?!?!?!?
Maybe if I wait, they'll pay me to take them? :huh:
But seriously, at this price, I actually think I will buy a couple of them.
I just had to buy 2 pair from the $85.26 vendor so I can compare to the 103.99 vendor and confirm my hypothesis that they are indeed the same.
j
Quote from: SoCal250 on May 15, 2025, 11:55:08 AMKind of odd that they show 6 circlips in the photos.
I think it's brilliant. Those who know have seen these fly across the garage to never be seen again.
Quote from: STLMike on May 16, 2025, 11:43:32 PMQuote from: SoCal250 on May 15, 2025, 11:55:08 AMKind of odd that they show 6 circlips in the photos.
I think it's brilliant. Those who know have seen these fly across the garage to never be seen again.
:dawg:
Although not if you utilize Mark's trick of sliding the clip over a small piece of rubber fuel hose while installing. :twocents:
2 yrs ago I ordered this cheap one. It was 2XX back then for our 250 to 350 Conversion, still running good without any issue, 3000k done on this now.
I ordered a set. For that price I figured why not. I am going to remember that tip about the fuel hose. Thanks Russ and Mark.
I just got a notice that there is a $10 discount from Ebay on an order over $50 if you have the app.
i think all are of the same specs and maybe coming out of the same factory. Kveldwulf is just a name used by a seller ? i think so . ports are similar to the US bores and these are of fairly good quality. Better to use some good brand pistons and bearings with it. I use them on my RD
there are def differences here and there , ive seen lower liner cut-out differences, etc. but im sure there are more than one seller selling the same thing.
I hope I didn't waste my money but I just bought a second set for $78.69. How can I pass that up?
the upside is if anybody can fix thrm if it needs it, you can.
Okay, I bought 2 of these cheap kits and just got back from the machine shop.
Long story short: Be sure to measure everything before you stick it together.
Details; Pistons all mic'ed good and consistent.
1 ring was past .016, the other 3 were tight at .007 or .008.
The cylinders: 2 were a bit tight, but could probably be run with extra caution during break-in. 1 was too tight to run and 1 was too loose.
So, I think I can put the bike together using select pieces from the 2 kits. As for the leftovers: The 1 tight cylinder can be honed of course, but 1 cylinder and 1 ring are too far on the large side and so are not usable.
Bought a third set for $76.00 and got a $40.00 refund on the 2nd set, so I paid $96.00, $37.85 and $76.00, $209.85 plus tax for 3 top ends. I haven't dial bored any of them yet, just put them on the shelf for now. I did notice the external portion of the casting above the T2 ports will need to be built up with weld for serious porting. Mark, the drop of several mm below BDC in the liner at T2 won't be a problem, in the 70"s we would intentionally lower it under the impression it helped torque, oh well, times change.
nice. yeah i didnt think THAT itself was the issue, but the ones that are sold w that tend to be different (over all) than the other ones sold for a bit more, was just an 'identifier'' is all.