Restoration of a 74 RD350

Last Chance

Last Chance

Active Member
Hope I am in the correct place to show the progress of restoring a 74 RD350. Will be starting after the first of the new year.
My name is Ray and my username here is Last Chance. Please let me know if this is the right area to be in.
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This is the right place! Looks like a great starting point. If you're not stuck on being 100% concourse accurate, I'd keep the shouldered alloy front rim and find a match for the rear.
 
After I get it tore down. I will decide if I go back all original or not.Depends on the condition of everything. What is your reason for keeping the front wheel?
 
Luugo86 said:
Welcome to DTT.. that is a really clean bike to start with
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Thanks, I am looking forward to disassembling and restore frame up. My wife has taken up my work area with Christmas decoration boxes. I guess that is a downfall for downsizing to another home. So hopefully the second or third week of January I will begin. This is going to be a adventure. I haven't worked on bikes since my early twenties. Plus if you didn't read some of my previous posts. I am a double amputee, right leg above the knee and right hand and wrist. That happened in a vehicle accident in 2015. I have managed to adapt to my favorite hobby which is fishing. So I am going into this build with a kick ass attitude. Hopefully I will document as much as I can.
 
Last Chance said:
Thanks, I am looking forward to disassembling and restore frame up. My wife has taken up my work area with Christmas decoration boxes. I guess that is a downfall for downsizing to another home. So hopefully the second or third week of January I will begin. This is going to be a adventure. I haven't worked on bikes since my early twenties. Plus if you didn't read some of my previous posts. I am a double amputee, right leg above the knee and right hand and wrist. That happened in a vehicle accident in 2015. I have managed to adapt to my favorite hobby which is fishing. So I am going into this build with a kick ass attitude. Hopefully I will document as much as I can.
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Hell ya man. There are a lot of really great people on this forum and most have a wealth of knowledge to share. Looking forward to seeing your work!
 
It is helpful to note where you live. If any of the members live close they are a great resource for help and parts.
 
Last Chance said:
Thanks ex, I forgot to finish my profile.
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I am also in FL. We just moved here as full time residents in October. I have not yet moved all my bike stuff and tools until we get a garage built. I am in Eastpoint. 6 hrs away from you, but we haven't explored much of FL yet. Ask if you need any free advice, I have been inside more than 1 RD building race bikes.
 
ex119x said:
I am also in FL. We just moved here as full time residents in October. I have not yet moved all my bike stuff and tools until we get a garage built. I am in Eastpoint. 6 hrs away from you, but we haven't explored much of FL yet. Ask if you need any free advice, I have been inside more than 1 RD building race bikes.
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Thank you, I am sure I will have questions.
We used to snowbird from Michigan. After 2015 we moved here full-time.
Depending how this build goes. I might think about another RD350. This time maybe a café.
 
I have never heard of this place. It is about 4 hrs northwest of me. I don't need any more junk stuff until I take care of what I already have.
 
Last Chance said:
After I get it tore down. I will decide if I go back all original or not.Depends on the condition of everything. What is your reason for keeping the front wheel?
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It's an alloy, 'shouldered' rim - stronger and lighter than the chrome plated steel original that I expect came on the bike and is on the rear. No chrome to peel and no steel to rust :)

I will say tho that the lacing on that front wheel looks WAY off. Like "dangerous don't ride-it" off. Can you snap a pic of the front wheel from each side?
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The Sunshine Antique Motorcycle Club chapter is very active. Most folks consider it an American bike group but there are several members who were metric bike dealers when your RD was new. I've always found them to be very helpful. https://sunshineamca.com/
 
Bought my first part for the RD. Purchased the seat on Ebay. I am really happy with it. Not a blemish on the seat or chrome strip. Pan is in great shape no rust. The brownish color on the edges of the pan seems like a adhesive. It is more a black color by the naked eye. If there are knockoffs, let me know. Then I learned a lesson.
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The pan looks like an original piece that has been recovered by someone who has recovered seats before.. looks like a great score to me
 
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