74' Yamaha RD350 - Crawlin' along

Re: 74' Yamaha RD350 - Basement Build

Thanks dude, your builds are something incredible so I really appreciate the kind words.

The foam is fairly dense but I went after it with the rasp for a bit too long, cleaned it up with some sand paper tonight. The foil tape i'll be covering it with should cover up the rest of the holes? Again, I'm open to any advice on better ways of going about prepping for glass.

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But as always, I have to take at least one kick in nuts from this thing every time I uncover something. Decided to start cleaning up the fork lowers and came across this gem when I pulled the dust cover off.

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For now I'm just going to leave it alone and keep moving forward since replacing a fork is something easy to do in the spring when I have more money to spare. Not sure how big of a deal it is since nothings leaking from it but I don't want a blow out during a long ride.
 
Re: 74' Yamaha RD350 - Basement Build

Slowly milling around. Crank and cylinders haven't come back yet so the engine is still at a stand still. In the mean time i've been slowly gathering parts and cleaning stuff up. It's been the Metal Rescue show for a couple weeks. Stuff works way better than I would've expected.

Started off with the front disc.
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Threw some more stuff in with it
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Result
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Chain adjusters before
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Disc assembled
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Finished polishing (unless I decide to not black out the engine)
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Then it was time for rear shock rehab
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Some parts (many more on the way)
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And the fun is about to begin
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Plan on laying the glass tomorrow, once that's done then it's onto adding things back to the frame
 
Re: 74' Yamaha RD350 - Basement Build

Who's been busy then!! That rescue stuff is magic, is it expensive and can you get it in the UK? Love these bikes, good luck with the rest of the build.
 
Re: 74' Yamaha RD350 - Basement Build

When you have the cylinders bored the machinist should insist on having the pistons and rings, if they don't ask for them find another machine shop to do the bore job. Wiseco pistons do require a different clearance spec but any machine shop worth their collective salt will know this already. Either way the only way to do a correct bore job is to measure the pistons exactly and fit them to the cylinder. I've built about 20 RD350's and a few RD400 over the last 25 years. I used to use John at Pro-Flo exclusively till he retired about 8 years ago. I never had a motor he built ever go bad on me. That is saying a lot seeing as how these things always seem to let go just after they are running perfect!

I'm currently building 2 RD350 cafe projects this year as well as a TX500, a GT550 and a Yamaha XT500 single. Lots going on in my shop right now. Good luck on your project, looks like its coming along nicely...

Later Travis
 
Re: 74' Yamaha RD350 - Basement Build

Wab- The stuff is about $25 a gallon here in the states but their website does make it sound like it's available internationally but you have to fill out a form to find out where.

Iron & Swivel - The machine shop has the pistons, rings, and the clearance spec sheet with the cylinders. The guys are friends of mine who specialize in performance automotive engines but said they could do my cylinders for me at a good guy price, they're smart guys with years upon years of experience so I have faith in em.
 
Re: 74' Yamaha RD350 - Basement Build

He'll read the specs...these guys know what they're doing.


On the other hand I fly around in learn by doing land. Laid some glass down on my mold today. Learned pretty quickly that anything over an 8oz batch of resin will harden before I use it...lost a good 30oz to my stupidity. Once the stuff is cured and I pull the mold out I'll know exactly what I'm dealing with but I already know that I have lots and lots of sanding to do. I won't be too surprised if I actually have to redo it, I was struggling to get rid of air bubbles.

Used the spray booth at school to keep myself from hallucinating too much.
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Lots of tiny little bubbles. I had a roller but it wouldn't get it all out either
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Re: 74' Yamaha RD350 - Basement Build

Is this going to be a one off seat? I can't tell if your making a mold or if this is the final product? If it is a one off, I'd do a few more layers with woven cloth to give it some real strength. Don't worry so much about all the little bubbles as long as none of them are half popped.

Personally, I'd let what you have cure for a couple days then sand it as smooth as you can with 120-220 grit with a DA sander or an orbital palm sander. Take care as all your trying to do is smooth off the surface and leave it just rough enough to give the next layers something to bite and bond to. The sanding now will make the final product much easier to finish before painting. Then prior to the next round of glassing you'll want to cut pieces of woven cloth as panels that will overlap the major bending points. You don't have to do all of it at once but I would do one layer at a time and overlap all the joints with alternating layers.

I'd add 3 more layers of cloth and then let it dry for a few days. Then sand it again the same as before, only this time finish with 320. At this point you'll really be able to see if you need filler anywhere, don't get ahead of yourself and remove the core. Wait till the last to remove the core. If you do need a coat of filler use as thin a layer as you can because 80% of it will just end up on the floor.

I used to use pink foam a lot in college for model making, I have a degree in Industrial Design. We'd dig out most of the core with a long razor knife and then what was left dissolve out with thinners or even gasoline. You don't need to get out the foil tape you used to seal the core but if you want to uses a 4-1/2" angle grinder and a wire wheel. It will remove a lot of material very quickly so take your time and be careful.

I hope this helps. Later Travis
 
Re: 74' Yamaha RD350 - Basement Build

Lookin good, I wish I had a nice basement to work in, my college digs only has a den that is now covered with motorcycle parts. Good thing my roommates are sympathetic.
 
Re: 74' Yamaha RD350 - Basement Build

I appreciate the tips Iron but I'm incredibly impatient and couldn't wait any longer so I popped the core out :-\ It is going to be a one off seat and don't want it to get any larger so I want to add more layers to the inside of it. I don't have any woven and I'm trying to keep this as cheap as possible so I am thinking of glassing in some flat aluminum I had layin around. I'm not sure if it'll give me much strength, I'm mostly hoping it'll give me a more solid place to run some bolts through.

Here's my idea(nevermind the edges...they need a good bit of attention yet)
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Re: 74' Yamaha RD350 - Basement Build

Yeah, glass that stuff in there and it'll help a treat. I'd think about riveting those bars in place first though.
 
Re: 74' Yamaha RD350 - Basement Build

Time for another small update, it's already riding weather outside I am still a long ways from being done with this thing so desperation is starting to set in.

Spokes came in so I laced up my wheels and they are off being trued up.
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Glassed that aluminum into the seat and had to add glass back onto the sides because my 1st attempt was garbage.
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And then added lots of filler(no pics of that because it came out looking like a leopard) and put some primer down, still need to do a tiny bit of sanding and then another coat of primer but it's close
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Hoping to finally get the frame hoop, seat stays, and battery/electrical pan made and welded tonight
 
Re: 74' Yamaha RD350 - Basement Build

Very nice build! I am looking into a RD350 for a cafe racer. Where is the oil ran when you clean out the triangle(where battery and oil tank are)? I know guys put the battery under the hump just not sure what the guys are doing with the oil to get the clean minimal look. Are they just removing it all together and pre mixing the oil/fuel?
 
Re: 74' Yamaha RD350 - Basement Build

I have really enjoyed following this build and taking notes as I go along. I am stoked to see the rest. Always remember to take in a beer break to clear the brain. But I am guessing you knew that already.
 
Re: 74' Yamaha RD350 - Basement Build

Thanks for the positive reinforcement guys!

I suppose I should update my thread a bit. Finally got my frame mods done...hopefully?

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Still need to make a cardboard oil tank so I know dimensions. Then the pieces can get laser cut and welded by some buddies that work for a large manufacturer but at least the mounts are there.

Starting to get it back to a roller, still waiting on my wheels to be trued. I'm paying a buddy that is incredibly good at it a 30 pack of Schmidt so I don't feel like I'm in any place to complain.

Here's where it stands after tonight. Sorry for the phone pics. Cameras been dead for about a month and I haven't managed to plug in the charger. Lotsa work to make that happen :P

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Re: 74' Yamaha RD350 - Basement Build

cjrenick said:
Very nice build! I am looking into a RD350 for a cafe racer. Where is the oil ran when you clean out the triangle(where battery and oil tank are)? I know guys put the battery under the hump just not sure what the guys are doing with the oil to get the clean minimal look. Are they just removing it all together and pre mixing the oil/fuel?
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I will be putting one in beneath the seat. It's gunna hang a bit into that open area you're talking about...not thrilled about it but thats the only way to make it street-able...well at least 200 mile ride-able. I plan to have one custom made so it will at least look trick, maybe :-\ we'll see, but yes...lots of the great builds run premix
 
Re: 74' Yamaha RD350 - Basement Build

badluck said:
I have really enjoyed following this build and taking notes as I go along. I am stoked to see the rest. Always remember to take in a beer break to clear the brain. But I am guessing you knew that already.
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Haha, when I'm not at school I'm usually surrounded by booze since I've been part timing in the liquor industry for 3 years. I really do understand the wonders of a beer break, been more into whiskey for the last year tho...sometimes Bushmills 21 year sounds better than motorcycle parts
 
Re: 74' Yamaha RD350 - Basement Build

FlyinRyan350 said:
I will be putting one in beneath the seat. It's gunna hang a bit into that open area you're talking about...not thrilled about it but thats the only way to make it street-able...well at least 200 mile ride-able. I plan to have one custom made so it will at least look trick, maybe :-\ we'll see, but yes...lots of the great builds run premix
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cant wait to see this oil tank. im throwing ideas around everyday and change my mind just as often of what i wanna do with my rd. but you just got the mind going again about borrowing your idea for the underseat oil tank and possibly a similar electronics tray. please post pictures and details once you get this oil tank. great build
 
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