RD350LC restoration.

[85RZwade]

I don't keep track of $$. I'm curious, but at the end of the day I'm probably better off not knowing how much I've spent on a project!
The machine work you're doing looks top-notch; it'll pay big dividends in how the bike feels when you're all done.
Where did you buy that very nice YSS shock?

[expat]

I got the YSS shock from Yambits in the UK, I got a lot of parts from both them and Norbo at RDLC Crazy. The rest of the parts I got domestically in the US.
Keeping track of the cost is a good and bad thing. For me, if I am restoring a bike, I am all in. I don't do it for profit, I just like to know at the end of the day, it was done right. I make bushings and parts you never see in better materials just because it will never need replacing, I typically replace everything that can rot with something better that will last.. maybe a result from growing up riding year round in the north of England there they put as much salt on the roads which were perpetually wet as we do on our fish and chips!
The bad is obviously the fact we see how much hard earned money is poured into a 40 year old machine that I originally paid less than a thousand UK pounds for!!

[JonW]

Im with you expat. I also feel and act the same way. you are not alone. :)

[tacky1]

I’m the same. Never once kept track. Probably spent twice what the bike is worth. But it’s worth it to me. I don’t care but has to be done right. I use genuine everything unless it just can’t be bought.
Funny thing, I just started another 500 build and I’m actually going to list every penny I spend on it. I sold off 2 of my 500s and then found another one that came my way at the right money.
I’m just curious on how much I’ll actually spend for once!

[silverstrom]

I’m actually going to list every penny I spend on it. I’m just curious on how much I’ll actually spend for once!

If you are like most builders here it will be more than you expect, but not enough to get it exactly the way you want it.

There are some questions that don't need answers. How much did I spend on the project is at the top of that list.

[JonW]

Haha John, too funny.

[kpke]

Keep up the great work expat

No keeping track of $$$$$ for me. I started to in the beginning but not something I want to think about anymore. It's a hobby.

There is a huge ROI = joy, satisfaction, ear to ear grins when riding, making beautiful two-stroke music, etc.

[tacky1]

I’m actually going to list every penny I spend on it. I’m just curious on how much I’ll actually spend for once!

If you are like most builders here it will be more than you expect, but not enough to get it exactly the way you want it.

There are some questions that don't need answers. How much did I spend on the project is at the top of that list.

Lol. I’ve thought about it. But for one project I’m going to try.
Hopefully the wife doesn’t find the list

[expat]

Tacky, I wake up in a cold sweat hoping mine doesn’t either!!
It does make you more mindful before just tossing a part because it’s easier to replace.. I do try and always save parts, but don’t compromise on things like bearings, cables, chain and sprockets etc.
My RZ I restored about 6 years ago has only done a few hundred miles, my RS250 I finished last year has more than that on it already... all track miles! I am hoping the power band of the LC will be a bit more exciting to ride than the RZ!

[expat]

A little more progress, finished the front mudguard brace, taking it for plating today, the rest of my hardware is ready also at the platers and a few more boxes of parts arrived including the new bushes for the forks which I need to modify to fit and the new crank and bearings.
Taking the cylinders for boring this weekend.
I should be able to start assembly soon!

[expat]

The brace is hard to tell from OEM!
Plating came out nice.

[tacky1]

Really nice job on the brace. And the plating. Noice

[expat]

The Olive drab is very Green when you actually see it, the plater said it is the only shade they can do due to the automated process.. A lot of the bolts will be replaced with stainless so they will just be in stock in case I want to put it totally back to stock one day. Hopefully the rest look ok!!

[tacky1]

Very hard to get the green plating on this side of the USA, The last batch I had to send to the UK and they came back great, Same as yours, a little dark, but looked class...

[JonW]

FYI you can green a stainless bolt if you put it in your plating run, its not quite the same finish and possibly may chip off easier than mild steel, but Ive had good luck with doing that.