RD350LC restoration.

[expat]

I know the Brits have the plating pretty much bang on color wise... but with Covid and Brexit and now shipping costs, the deck is stacked against me!
I will see how it looks when I start building and go from there. Most of the bolts will be stainless, I am not looking to restore to OEM specs, I just thought I would get the stuff to the right colors in case I want to go back to OEM specs in future..
Interesting comment on plating the stainless bolts Jon, not something I had considered!

[expat]

I tackled the bodywork today, the tank was remarkably clean for 40 years old! I am doing a second set for a friend at the same time as mine, you are not seeing double!!

[expat]

More pics!

[expat]

Last few for tonight!

[expat]

Last of the parts are finished at the powder coaters. My friend Tom at Tom's Cycle Recycling does a fantastic job of the detail work.

[kpke]

Lots more effort there. Great job.

Do you work in a auto body shop or is that your garage? Your occupation perhaps?

I am looking forward to seeing the end result of this project.

[expat]

I have a very good friend who owns a body shop, he does great work and lets me use his facilities and equipment. Note on the tank, the bondo is not very thick and the large areas are only to smooth out ripples in the original manufacturing process.. 40 years later, we can definitely improve the LC!! Its not my occupation but something I enjoy doing, I typically do most of the prep work and he lays down the paint. He has done all my bikes and the paint always looks fantastic!

[kpke]

Nice to have a "very good friend" with a body shop.

[two-stroke-brit]

A good start you have made there.
4 grand that was spent quickly.
following your progress.
cheers mark

[expat]

Hi Mark. Good to hear from you.
Lots of progress made since my last posts.. bodywork is painted and I just applied the decals, just need to re-clear and buff. On with the small time consuming jobs, restoring the switch gear, clocks etc... I think I have most of the parts here now, will drill the discs, paint the wheels and finish machining a set of stainless head bolts etc. etc. then start bolting it all back together!
We should grab a pint next time I am in Houston... but who knows when that will be!

[expat]

Hi Mark. Good to hear from you.
Lots of progress made since my last posts.. bodywork is painted and I just applied the decals, just need to re-clear and buff. On with the small time consuming jobs, restoring the switch gear, clocks etc... I think I have most of the parts here now, will drill the discs, paint the wheels and finish machining a set of stainless head bolts etc. etc. then start bolting it all back together!
We should grab a pint next time I am in Houston... but who knows when that will be!
A few more pics...

[expat]

More progress pics....

[expat]

Decals done!

[tacky1]

Very nice. Bike is coming along great. That bodywork

[kobra]

those fork legs look fantastic!