New LC project.... Restoration... I know, I know...

Got a customizing or restoration project? Discuss it here

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JonW
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Re: New LC project.... Restoration... I know, I know...

#31 Post by JonW » Sat Dec 13, 2014 9:37 am

I had to find my covers... took ages and in the end they came from the UK :(
80 XT500 Supermoto!
81 RD350LC Resto
82 RD421LC Hybrid
82 RD350LC decapitation project
82 RD250LC JDM '251LC' YPVS
83 RZ350 Resto
84 RZ500 Resto
85 RZ350 F1 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Hybrid

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JonW
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Re: New LC project.... Restoration... I know, I know...

#32 Post by JonW » Thu Jan 08, 2015 2:45 am

OK, back to LCs... remember them... LOL! :)

LB came over today... we, er, did a lot of bike... er, talking... LOL. :smt018

I think we both would have loved to work on some bikes, but... it was over 30deg in the main part of my garage (or so the Koso EGT on my LC said the water temp of the bike was and it wasnt running of course), and hotter in the workshop. hmm...

So the good news for my build is that I now have some calipers as delivered by my guest. Jase had stripped and cleaned them and gave them a lick of paint, I just need a seal kit and then some new pistons and obviously a set of pads and i'm good to go. pics of them when I finish the good work that he started, cheers m8!

Ive also scored a NOS seat cover from the uk, these things are nigh on impossible to find now sadly, so youve just got to grab them when you are offered.

With the other nos parts now needing an extra box, Im starting to get excited to get round to Paul's place and pull 'my frame' out from the middle of his sleeping mars bar, wont be long now I hope :)
80 XT500 Supermoto!
81 RD350LC Resto
82 RD421LC Hybrid
82 RD350LC decapitation project
82 RD250LC JDM '251LC' YPVS
83 RZ350 Resto
84 RZ500 Resto
85 RZ350 F1 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Hybrid

Like Watches? www.PloProf.com & www.DeskDivers.com

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JonW
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Re: New LC project.... Restoration... I know, I know...

#33 Post by JonW » Fri Jan 23, 2015 3:35 am

Funny thing happened this morning, I got a text from LB... In itself that’s not strange, its pretty normal in many ways... The content was tho; He was spending my money!

Yeah... Usually I spend his! Sending him all sorts of good value parts and deals ive seen, but today the bugger was beating me at my own game... He had found me a set of barrels and head for an LC350 on standard bore and about 25mins from my house. Good lad! :D

And it looks like my thoughts on engine size are now crystalised for this build... Its going to be a 350. I do have a set of 250 barrels and was wondering about sending them for a fahron conversion, but right now with my cash all gone, it seems like a decision has been made; 350 it is!

Ive already got some ported reed cages and carbon reeds and some 31k carbs (said to give a bit more oomph), just need the manifolds and rubbers and Ive a working system as Ive got a fully rebuilt airbox already that came from my 421 since I couldn’t use it with the bigger (34mm) carbs that bike has. Also have a new OEM throttle cable and Gary (Arrow) will work his magic on my spare 350 oil pump, so it seems like Ive most of the parts... Just got to get my crank checked over and some pipes... Anyone with a set of Allspeeds they want rid of? I want this to be old skool... and... I bloody love Allspeeds on LCs...

As I type this I'm waiting for some nice things I’ve ordered for this bike.... a few more NOS OEM parts for this build:
- Rear sprocket – suits my 250 wheel (different bolt pattern to the 350) and with a 17T front sprocket will be pretty much the ratio of the 350.
- Seat cover – yeah I know, when did you last see one of those?
- meter covers – not really nos, more ‘new’ but needed to complete that ‘what you touch and see has to feel new’ effect
- Master cylinder – I tracked down a 250 1/2” unit which people say they like on the 350, which should have a 5/8. We’ll see.
- Key set – Again not really NOS, but its great to know I've got a new OEM Ignition, also comes with seat lock and fuel cap (plastic of course)

I've also grabbed a few other small items along the way, small things of no real consequence, but needed all the same... but I just love to get NOS OEM stuff when I can, and this build is gradually racking up some rare parts, master cyl, seat cover, headlight+rim being the highlights, stuff you don’t normally find.

Looks like I'm low on funds again tho... Will have to sell a set of 350 RZ cyls and maybe my spare LC350s as well... gulp...
80 XT500 Supermoto!
81 RD350LC Resto
82 RD421LC Hybrid
82 RD350LC decapitation project
82 RD250LC JDM '251LC' YPVS
83 RZ350 Resto
84 RZ500 Resto
85 RZ350 F1 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Hybrid

Like Watches? www.PloProf.com & www.DeskDivers.com

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L.B
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Re: New LC project.... Restoration... I know, I know...

#34 Post by L.B » Sat Jan 24, 2015 5:11 am

Lol glad to help Jon hehe.....

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JonW
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Re: New LC project.... Restoration... I know, I know...

#35 Post by JonW » Sat Jan 24, 2015 9:16 am

thanks m8!
80 XT500 Supermoto!
81 RD350LC Resto
82 RD421LC Hybrid
82 RD350LC decapitation project
82 RD250LC JDM '251LC' YPVS
83 RZ350 Resto
84 RZ500 Resto
85 RZ350 F1 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Hybrid

Like Watches? www.PloProf.com & www.DeskDivers.com

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JonW
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Re: New LC project.... Restoration... I know, I know...

#36 Post by JonW » Sat Jan 24, 2015 9:20 am

Not quite sure where I found this now, but any of the guys whove tuned an LC want to comment on this?

Image

Ive already spoken to a few people about going a more comprehensive option and Ive realised I really just cant do a big spend on this motor, the rest of the bike will be where its at and I want to keep it looking standard anyway, apart from period looking pipes like Micro or Allspeed etc.

I already have some ported reed blocks and carbon reeds and 31k carbs, but thats all so far...
80 XT500 Supermoto!
81 RD350LC Resto
82 RD421LC Hybrid
82 RD350LC decapitation project
82 RD250LC JDM '251LC' YPVS
83 RZ350 Resto
84 RZ500 Resto
85 RZ350 F1 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Hybrid

Like Watches? www.PloProf.com & www.DeskDivers.com

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L.B
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Re: New LC project.... Restoration... I know, I know...

#37 Post by L.B » Sat Jan 24, 2015 10:29 am

Jon i still have this mag article some where lol. I followed it to the letter & worked for me from hazy memory.....lots of other smoke besides 2s smoke..........
Apart from one step,i was an apprentice & remember taking it all to work to grind instead of lap. I was operating a HOOGE ASS snow grinder, still it worked very well from the seat of my pants.....
Reminds me ill have to start looking for pistons for my barrels.

hondaror
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Re: New LC project.... Restoration... I know, I know...

#38 Post by hondaror » Sat Jan 24, 2015 2:15 pm

I love the LC engine and the punch it gives. I am not a fan of screwing with the head, but after reading your article, this guy makes sense. It's a combination of barrel and head shave for optimum squish. Just milling the head is asking for a grenade effect.
Rory
2 1984 RZ350s
1985 RZ350
9 1986-1990 RZ350s
2000 ST2
2005 749
2005 749 with 999 engine

hondaror
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Re: New LC project.... Restoration... I know, I know...

#39 Post by hondaror » Sat Jan 24, 2015 2:21 pm

I am going to put together an LC engine to drop into one of my YPVS frames. I'd like to start with an unmolested engine, and tweak it from there. This sounds like an awesome mod. Great info Jon.
Rory
2 1984 RZ350s
1985 RZ350
9 1986-1990 RZ350s
2000 ST2
2005 749
2005 749 with 999 engine

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JonW
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Re: New LC project.... Restoration... I know, I know...

#40 Post by JonW » Sat Jan 24, 2015 7:56 pm

LB, Cool, I didnt know anyone had done this one, usually it was guys like me who read em and then wimped out LOL Are you tempted to do it again on your build?

Rory, I dont know anyone who has put an LC in a ypvs frame, but there isnt any reasn why you couldnt of course, would still make a good fun bike and while its probably not something you might choose to do, if you already have the parts you would as you know they bolt together etc.
80 XT500 Supermoto!
81 RD350LC Resto
82 RD421LC Hybrid
82 RD350LC decapitation project
82 RD250LC JDM '251LC' YPVS
83 RZ350 Resto
84 RZ500 Resto
85 RZ350 F1 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Hybrid

Like Watches? www.PloProf.com & www.DeskDivers.com

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JonW
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Re: New LC project.... Restoration... I know, I know...

#41 Post by JonW » Sat Jan 24, 2015 7:58 pm

I also had their 250 tuning article in the same folder of scans, just in case people wanted to read it:

Image
80 XT500 Supermoto!
81 RD350LC Resto
82 RD421LC Hybrid
82 RD350LC decapitation project
82 RD250LC JDM '251LC' YPVS
83 RZ350 Resto
84 RZ500 Resto
85 RZ350 F1 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Hybrid

Like Watches? www.PloProf.com & www.DeskDivers.com

hondaror
Posts: 2828
Joined: Mon Mar 03, 2014 8:44 pm
Location: Alberta, Canada

Re: New LC project.... Restoration... I know, I know...

#42 Post by hondaror » Sat Jan 24, 2015 10:57 pm

Ya people ask me, why? I'd like to open up the YPVS all the way, permanently, but apparently not a good idea due to transfer port dump. I liked my power valveless TZs. They smack you in the ass with acceleration on the pipe. What a punch. The LC engine can be hogged in the ports to make it very difficult to keep on the power, like the old TZs. This is what I'm looking for. A 2000-3000 rpm powerband. Not many can ride those well.
Rory
2 1984 RZ350s
1985 RZ350
9 1986-1990 RZ350s
2000 ST2
2005 749
2005 749 with 999 engine

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JonW
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Re: New LC project.... Restoration... I know, I know...

#43 Post by JonW » Tue Feb 10, 2015 7:56 pm

Been working on more parts for this one again... this time its the wheels.

The reason I ended up doing them was that I bought a new compressor... er, ok, yeah bear with me... so the new compressor is bigger and better than my old one and I decided to plumb it in, creating drop legs for water traps along the way as I do plan to try painting with this one. So I needed to build in lots of cold pipe and hang things on the wall, including my old compressor tank for when I need an extra 50L of air... its going to be quite a decent system when its done... this takes time and effort away from bikes and of course while preparing to run the piping I had to remove the things in the way of the runs, and that included all the LC wheels that were tethered to my rafters - regular visitors to my garage will remember them wired to the beams and looking pretty horrible as I never even cleaned them when I picked them up LOL! I actually had two fronts and one rear, all of them had had a hard life but I saved them from the scrap man a few years back when a local guy was ready to chuck them out for their weight in alloy. In fact I had an extra pair of wheels in that deal as well, but sold them to cover the cost of the haul but typically (for me) I never really had a plan for the others (I just didnt want them melted down), until this bike came along.

So with the wheels littering my workshop and getting in my way I decided to at the least give them a wash and then choose a front from the pair and then get them ready for use, the other wheel would go back in the rafters as a spare in case I ever had a problem with the front wheel, yeah our roads are pretty pot holey...

In a recent rebuild thread on here a forumer posted that he used an electric tooth brush to clean up his wheels, using WD40 as the cleaning solution. I had something similar in that Aldi had recently sold a device like a larger version of the toothbrush with differently shaped heads. I gave the WD40 thing a go and it worked well on some of the grime, but really a normal tooth brush and WD were what i needed on the caked on chian grease on the rear wheel as it was so deep in gunk and the rims needed a bit of sandpaper to remove the dirt. Thats weird I know but it was probably brake dust, dirt and grease or oil or something from being stored in a workshop. It could even have been something sprayed in a shop that was on them - it reminded me of the bike iI bought once that had been laid against a fence that was then spray creasote'd right over the bike, sigh - but no way would it shift with anything non abrasive, maybe a scouring pad would have done it, but I didnt have one handy and the rims needed a polish anyway.

So on to polishing... no one who has done it would look forward to this job... this is my third set in 3 years, 1 set a year is about right I reckon - set aside a clear day per wheel to do this right, espeically if painting, any less and you compromise the finish. You may think you will do it faster, but you wont... Anyway, start by cleaning up the dents and scratches with 80 or 120 and a multi tool makes things quicker on the messed up rim edges, then running the whole rim with ever decreasing levels of grit (240, 320, 400, 600, 1200 all used wet) and then finally a light polish.

Sounds quick and easy when I say it like that, but old alloy is always pitted from oxidisation, is dented from stone ships and poor tyre fitters and often has been dropeed or laid on the ground by guys who have had the wheels lying around. This means that it takes a lot of work in the initial stages to get right into all the strange shapes and get at the marks. Some you will just never remove, but you would be surprised in what is possible. FWIW I actually used my balancer as the device to hold the wheel and then spun it with my other hand. Even wearing gloves my fingers still feel sore as you need to apply pressure, although this decreases with the levels of grit and by the time you polish its almost a breeze.

I prefer to not fully polish these rims as they never came with a totally bright finish from the factory, it was really a quick buff over the machined surface - you can still see the machining across much of these wheels when you look closly if theyve never been messed with and Ive tried to replicate that with sandpaper and spinning the wheel. That leaves a pretty good version of that finish actually, sure its not a lathe, but its not far off.

I got a bit lucky with the rear as the paint was actually still very good so Ive decided not to paint it and leave it OEM, its not perfect but it was covered in enough grease and grime to have protected it over the years, a lucky break I think, masking rims for 5mins of painting is another hour or your life you wont get back! The front will need painting though... roll on a nice summer day for that task.

So, I think you would agree that these came up not bad for a couple of wheels that have lived a number of lives. While neither runs 100% true on the balancer, they only have a very minimal run out (less than 1mm in places, but yeah not perfect) so close enough to work when on a bike. The rear had a bit of a chuck missing in the rim, where it looked to have been dropped onto something when it was tyre-less, I cleaned it up and it looked much better as it appeared to be quite awful when hanging in the rafters as the dirt magnified the damage, then I added a little metal filler to it so it looked better. Its not going to effect the structural integrity of the wheel or be a problem with it holding a tyre, it just looked nasty with the dent in it.

As an aside: I could have cleaned up the runout on a lathe (a friend has one that i think is large enough to accomodate a wheel), but to be honest cutting the edge back strikes me as something of a bodge since all youve done is make the outer edge run true, the actual flange is still not straight is it? Plus youve removed a bunch of the material, which cant be good for it. Anyway its a moot point with these, they are fine enough, but its worth bearing in mind if you have wheels straightened and the guy doing the work suggests thats how he will do it, they need to be coerced back into shape not just cut is my feeling. Ive only ever had one wheel straightened (an RGV front for the LC421) and it was reshaped before cutting and run strue both front and back of the rim lip. Ive also tried to bring back a CBR rim from the dead as I wanted to see what was required and it wasnt pretty. I dont really like repaired rims after I did that... certainly not ones that have had a lot of work.

One nice thing is that the front wheel is still perfectly balanced even after all the work was done and its less than cherished life, the rear isnt, but then its still got the sprocket's cush drive mounts so I didnt expect it to be. I will play with balance when I fit the sprocket and disks etc to these, as with my own balancer i get to play as long as a like to get the weights as low as possible, tho with tubes its not always easy to dial much out mechanically.

In Australia polishing is something to be done on colder days and we had a few rainy ones so the following pics is where I am right now... and I'm typing this with sore fingers LOL!
Last edited by JonW on Tue Feb 10, 2015 8:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.
80 XT500 Supermoto!
81 RD350LC Resto
82 RD421LC Hybrid
82 RD350LC decapitation project
82 RD250LC JDM '251LC' YPVS
83 RZ350 Resto
84 RZ500 Resto
85 RZ350 F1 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Hybrid

Like Watches? www.PloProf.com & www.DeskDivers.com

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JonW
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Re: New LC project.... Restoration... I know, I know...

#44 Post by JonW » Tue Feb 10, 2015 8:02 pm

Pretty yukky 'as found':

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A simple wash and a run round of sandpaper on the rim, cleaner but highlights some minimal (ive seen much worse!) marks :

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Dents removed, ie surface flattened:

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Polished:

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80 XT500 Supermoto!
81 RD350LC Resto
82 RD421LC Hybrid
82 RD350LC decapitation project
82 RD250LC JDM '251LC' YPVS
83 RZ350 Resto
84 RZ500 Resto
85 RZ350 F1 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Hybrid

Like Watches? www.PloProf.com & www.DeskDivers.com

User avatar
JonW
Posts: 10599
Joined: Sat Oct 10, 2009 4:33 am
Location: Sydney
Contact:

Re: New LC project.... Restoration... I know, I know...

#45 Post by JonW » Tue Feb 10, 2015 8:05 pm

And the rear wheel for completeness, also showing its good paintwork:

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80 XT500 Supermoto!
81 RD350LC Resto
82 RD421LC Hybrid
82 RD350LC decapitation project
82 RD250LC JDM '251LC' YPVS
83 RZ350 Resto
84 RZ500 Resto
85 RZ350 F1 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Hybrid

Like Watches? www.PloProf.com & www.DeskDivers.com

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