I tied up Elsie

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absuRD
Posts: 16
Joined: Fri Oct 21, 2016 9:06 pm
Location: Mississauga Ontario Canada

I tied up Elsie

#1 Post by absuRD » Fri Oct 21, 2016 11:35 pm

Hello Ladies and Gents

Earlier this spring on my ay home I happened to see a Honda Grom and it instantly brought back a flood memories of the times I spent trail riding at a friends cottage. One of the other memories that rushed back was seeing a RD350Lc parked in front of a restaurant at a fuel stop along highway 400. It wasn't just that it as a really cool looking bike but its bumble bee paint scheme just froze me in my tracks ( most likely any guy old enough to have a drivers licence did a double take ).

Long story short, bought a Grom and started my search for Elsie. Many months later my search for a un-molested LC has come to a end and I have captured this allusive machine. My plans are to restore it ( her ? ) mechanically to stock except I am going to do a Kenny Roberts tribute in the paint and fairing department. My thoughts are that I should really get involved with others who know more about this machine than myself and so tada I hope this is a suitable introduction to myself and my 1982 RD (4Y3 Canadian edition).
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2015 Grom
1982 RD350LC (work in progress)

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2smoke
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Location: Niagara Ontario Canada

Re: I tied up Elsie

#2 Post by 2smoke » Sat Oct 22, 2016 2:23 am

Welcome :smt006

Looks in good condition already and very complete.
You did well.
Colin
79 RD400F Daytona Special
81 RD350LC
89 TDR250
75 Kawasaki H1 500
77 Can-am Tnt250

LC Cnd
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Re: I tied up Elsie

#3 Post by LC Cnd » Sat Oct 22, 2016 2:58 am

If you going to do the Kenny Robberts paint scheme - you won't be disappointed although the marsbar is Canadian colours. Welcome to the team.

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absuRD
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Re: I tied up Elsie

#4 Post by absuRD » Sat Oct 22, 2016 12:19 pm

Hello 2smoke thanks and yes it is very complete just missing the rear grab rail and tool kit (mud guard was also missing but was able to get one at Bent Bikes Locally).

Hi LC Cnd, I didn't know about the marsbar scheme when I ordered my fairings and graphics but it's more about recreating amemory than anything else.
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2015 Grom
1982 RD350LC (work in progress)

John
Posts: 30
Joined: Thu Dec 10, 2015 12:27 pm
Location: Cumberland, BC, Canada

Re: I tied up Elsie

#5 Post by John » Sat Oct 22, 2016 1:13 pm

Those tank decals are a real beast to apply. I was very patient doing it - and still messed them up.
Your elsie looks in really nice shape to start with. Looking forward to your project.

LC Cnd
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Re: I tied up Elsie

#6 Post by LC Cnd » Sat Oct 22, 2016 1:25 pm

Heh John - how's it going bud (or is it boy in blue lol) ? As far as this form is concerned, the most sage advise can be found here for sure - as least it is from my experience. As far as paint is concerned here is the codes I used:

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=13500" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Results:
viewtopic.php?f=15&t=13795" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Decal application

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=13400" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Perhaps you already read this stuff but there you have it. Bon chance with your project - looks like a busy winter for you.

Hooligan
Posts: 1966
Joined: Mon Aug 20, 2012 1:37 am
Location: Calgary, Alberta

Re: I tied up Elsie

#7 Post by Hooligan » Sun Oct 23, 2016 11:38 pm

That bike looks beautiful. IMO you should NOT molest that paint. The '82 is gorgeous just the way she is.
'82 RD350LC in '81 colours, OEM pipes, UNI filters
'85 FZ750

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absuRD
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Location: Mississauga Ontario Canada

Re: I tied up Elsie

#8 Post by absuRD » Mon Oct 24, 2016 10:47 am

Hello John: thanks for the warning but I failed art in school, paint and decals are not something I would even attempt on something as rare as this bike best left to the pros.

Hey LC Cnd wow fantastic info I will be forwarding the paint details to the people I get to paint for me. The decal videos are truly informative might consider making those links a sticky so that everyone can find them when they need a refresher before appling thier own. BTW I hope my Lc comes out as nice as yours did in fact if it's ok with you I will show the painters a pic of yours and say "exactly like this! ".

Hi Hooligan I took the pics I posted on a rainy day the water made the paint look way better than it actually is as you can see in the photos I'm posting now. I was informed by the previous owner that the tank leaked and I ill hopefully find out today if it can be saved so even if I wanted to stay with the original colours it would have to be repainted. I do agree that with most restorations that they should be returned to the original colours but I bought this bike with the soul purpose of gettig a gem like LC Cnds'.
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2015 Grom
1982 RD350LC (work in progress)

Hooligan
Posts: 1966
Joined: Mon Aug 20, 2012 1:37 am
Location: Calgary, Alberta

Re: I tied up Elsie

#9 Post by Hooligan » Mon Oct 24, 2016 1:58 pm

Oops! Well THAT paint most certainly needs to be updated. :).
'82 RD350LC in '81 colours, OEM pipes, UNI filters
'85 FZ750

Bare
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Location: vancouver

Re: I tied up Elsie

#10 Post by Bare » Mon Oct 24, 2016 11:27 pm

Damn That thing get fished out of the St Lawrence.. Looks like it.
Hopefully the innards are in better shape ?
Healthy tanks are Rare AND pricey.

LC Cnd
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Re: I tied up Elsie

#11 Post by LC Cnd » Tue Oct 25, 2016 12:48 am

By all means you are (any and all) welcome to it. The formula was obtained from a 2014 Toronto bike show in which the artist was gracious enough to share when asked. The finish product was two coats of clear to protect the decals with a rub down of 1500 grit wet sanding between each coat. Used a light gray primer (instead of red) as the paint as quite opaque and I wanted the tank body to pop against the decal. It worked. Another suggestion is to seal the inside of your tank to deal any concern(s) with any possible pinholes leakage. Might want to do a light gas tank pressure or liquid test b4 considering a liner. If you acid dip the tank 4 paint prep, the shop will likely have the ability to do the pressure test. However, the liner no guarantee of stopping leakage 100 % via the POR but is an preventive one for sure. Many form members recommended POR 13 (black gloss) as a liner sold at Cnd Tire - total about $115 (prep/cleaner/paint) and usable on your frame if need be after. You may consider a clear liner application if available - don't know, but your tank looks clean inside fm the photo provided if you want the bare metal look. Bit a work, but worth it.

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absuRD
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Re: I tied up Elsie

#12 Post by absuRD » Tue Oct 25, 2016 6:42 pm

Hi Bare, looks like bike was stored under a down spout luckily it looks like tank was only thing affected.

Hey LC Cnd thanks again for more great info.

Good news, bad news. Found a great grab rail cheap good news, looks like I'll be hunting a gas tank appears mine may not be able to be repaired. I will try and solder it up this winter when I find some free time as a spare.
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2015 Grom
1982 RD350LC (work in progress)

LC Cnd
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Re: I tied up Elsie

#13 Post by LC Cnd » Tue Oct 25, 2016 9:31 pm

You may consider investing in one of these but won't be cheap ($618.00 CND) + posting and insurance.
Link:
http://www.microdaddy.co.uk/norbo/html/ ... 0page.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Click onto the 250/350LC icon.
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absuRD
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Re: I tied up Elsie

#14 Post by absuRD » Tue Oct 25, 2016 10:55 pm

Thanks LC Cnd I was looking at the ones made in India as a plan "B" thought they might be Rajoot but haven't investigated into it yet. The link you posted seems to say the Indian ones are not up to par so I guess that makes them plan "C" lol. Have a few more places that are semi local to check first as I would prefer a real oem tank even if it is in wores shape and had to be reconditioned.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/YAMAHA-RD350LC- ... GC&vxp=mtr" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

$215 usd plus $99 usd shipping
2015 Grom
1982 RD350LC (work in progress)

LC Cnd
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Joined: Sat Feb 08, 2014 5:39 pm
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Re: I tied up Elsie

#15 Post by LC Cnd » Wed Oct 26, 2016 12:59 am

Yes, its unfortunate that the ones fm India do not fit yet where as the one's fm Blighty (rule Britannia) do. I'm guessing you'll find an unmolested one in the Dominion of Canada. Canuckville always seems to pleasantly surprise when it comes to hidden RD parts - Ontario especially. I suspect you'll locate one, while looking for other parts, before Spring surely. I retrieved RD bits fm the Vatican City and Isle of Man.
I'm sure others have found parts in odder places during the hunt. Its the allure, the rarity of a RD/RZ (whatever the cc) restoration. Forget about counting the coin on it once your committed because you just won't care as things piece together. In your case, you have a fine start it appears.

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