Aircooled RD Tech Forum: Low Mileage '73 RD250

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CdnRD
Club Member

Joined: 21/Sep/2009
Location: Canada
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 76

Posted: 28/Oct/2009 at 11:38am

Just a bit of an update. While I've been waiting for the tank and forks to come back I've been cleaning up and re-assembling what I can. I fixed some wiring that had been messed with and fitted a bunch of rubber parts that needed replacing. HVC Cycles' parts are top notch.

I replaced the seat foam and cover. The cover was an Ebay purchase from Pitreplicas. The quality is okay but there isn't a wire around the edge like the original so keeping it in place all the way around required some contact cement in places. Check out the puckering along the seam. It looks worse in the picture than it is. The cover is tight as a drum but I couldn't get rid of it.

The shop says the forks will be done Friday (new seals) so not much to be done til then.

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CdnRD
Club Member

Joined: 21/Sep/2009
Location: Canada
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 76

Posted: 08/Dec/2009 at 4:50pm

It's been a while since I've done an update. I went all out for about a month, but I've taken it a bit more easy for a couple of weeks. Things have come along nicely.

I got the downpipes back from the platers (The Chrome Pit in Winnipeg) and I'm pleased with the results. No photos so you'll have to take my word for it!

Everything that's gone back on the bike has been cleaned up and polished. The center stand was bent so I got a replacement on Ebay.

The tank is back from the paintless dent removal place and I'm now a believer. All of the dents are gone and the only issue I can see is a slight crazing of the colour coat where the two large dents were removed. You have to look very hard to see it. I don't think it will be a problem as it doesn't appear in the clear coat.

I picked up some new tires - IRC GS11. They have a nice period look to them.

The engine has been stripped and now waiting for bearings to arrive from the Yamaha dealer so the crank can be rebuilt. I've painted the side covers with PJ1 satin black.

Last weekend I bought a 1974 RD350 as a parts bike.

It came with wheels that aren't shown in the picture. I bought it for the tank, side panels and headlight so I could have an extra set to paint. I haven't decided whether to go original or something different. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Post some photos if you can.

If any Canadian RDers are looking for other parts from the bike let me know. I'd send parts anywhere but the postage might not make it worthwhile.

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Motty
Club Member

Joined: 15/Mar/2002
Location: United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 720

Posted: 08/Dec/2009 at 8:13pm

Your sympathetic restoration seems to be coming along nicely

BUT

What has someone done to the 350 frame !

It looks utterly horrible in the picture

Cheers

Richard

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CdnRD
Club Member

Joined: 21/Sep/2009
Location: Canada
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 76

Posted: 08/Dec/2009 at 11:11pm

What, metallic mint green wasn't original?

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CdnRD
Club Member

Joined: 21/Sep/2009
Location: Canada
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 76

Posted: 08/Dec/2009 at 11:46pm

Check out the white painted cylinders! I'm thinking this thing was resprayed about '85.

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CdnRD
Club Member

Joined: 21/Sep/2009
Location: Canada
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 76

Posted: 24/Dec/2009 at 1:06am

Woohoo! Christmas came a couple days early!

The latest Ebay purchase arrived today - a pair of NOS headlight ears!

The old ones were a bit beat up after 36 years:

If only I could find an NOS or mint right side cover (possible) and an NOS tank (impossible)!

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hamyamdave
Club Member

Joined: 07/Aug/2008
Location: Australia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 222

Posted: 24/Dec/2009 at 5:50am

same bike and colour as 250 drummies bike nice colour looking good mate

if any more of my tools go missing,im gonna kick brads arse

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CdnRD
Club Member

Joined: 21/Sep/2009
Location: Canada
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 76

Posted: 24/Dec/2009 at 2:14pm

Thanks! Got the crank in for new bearings and then it won't be long till it's done - too bad I won't be able to ride it till April!

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CdnRD
Club Member

Joined: 21/Sep/2009
Location: Canada
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 76

Posted: 01/Jul/2010 at 10:16pm

How not to do a restoration diary! Last entry was just before Christmas when I brought my crank in for a rebuild. It took the machine shop 5 months to get it back to me! The bike's now done without any updates along the way.

I was able to find a near perfect seat and side cover. All of the paint is original, except the engine side covers and the speedo/tach covers.

The chrome is original except for the exhaust downpipes.

Took it out for an hour today and it runs like a dream!
You may notice the only non-original style part is the handlebars. I went with a lower bar for the look and the riding position.
I'm still scouting Ebay for a perfect tank, but I doubt I'll find one. Otherwise I'm done. Wouldn't have been possible without help from the forum members!

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welsh_dragon
Club Member

Proud to be Welsh

Joined: 11/Sep/2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 784

Posted: 01/Jul/2010 at 10:28pm

Looks great

I wouldnt change it, its pretty much original

project 350E monoshocked monstrosity

If at 1st you don't succeed, hit it with a hammer!

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350lc
Club Member

Joined: 27/Aug/2009
Online Status: Online
Posts: 304

Posted: 01/Jul/2010 at 10:32pm

nice bike mate

rd 200
tdr 250
RD 350 LC 1981
KR1 250
gt 125 1975
gsx 750 1981

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Arrow
Club Member

Joined: 08/Apr/2009
Online Status: Online
Posts: 1466

Posted: 01/Jul/2010 at 10:53pm

Looks like a new one. Very nice.

Member; 2177, Cheshire.
RD250E

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CdnRD
Club Member

Joined: 21/Sep/2009
Location: Canada
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 76

Posted: 02/Jul/2010 at 12:37am

Thanks all, the build's been great fun!

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Saint-Ex
Club Member

Joined: 08/Jul/2009
Location: Canada
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 62

Posted: 02/Jul/2010 at 1:49am

Damn that looks good Donny. Wish I had that good of a starting base. Enjoy the ride.

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Johnny.
Club Member

Joined: 08/Dec/2008
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 160

Posted: 02/Jul/2010 at 1:52am

BIKE LOOKS STUNNING , and better for not over restoring.

SUPERB JOB

<a href="http://www.sweetim.com/s.asp?im=gen&lpver=3&ref=11" target="_blank"

img src="http://cdn.content.sweetim.com/sim/cpie/emoticons/00020469.gif" border="0" title="Click to get more."

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axles of evil
Club Member

Joined: 19/Apr/2010
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 80

Posted: 05/Sep/2010 at 6:05pm

Geeeze, I bet the old lady is lovin you for bring the frame indoors and landin' it on top of here lovely clean wood floor!

75 FS1E Baja Brown/Restored P reg
76 RD400C (R reg) Restored 75 RD250B (P reg) starting restoration
74 Escort 1300E 28K mls, perfect condition, M reg.
Warrington, Chesire UK

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CdnRD
Club Member

Joined: 21/Sep/2009
Location: Canada
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 76

Posted: 05/Sep/2010 at 10:11pm

She wasn't thrilled cause it was in her dining room - she still hasn't noticed the marks it made on the floor!

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tractorman
Back Lane Scratcher

Joined: 30/Mar/2010
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 63

Posted: 06/Sep/2010 at 10:31pm

What a lovely looking bike. Don't you think that colour suits the style of the bike perfectly.

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CdnRD
Club Member

Joined: 21/Sep/2009
Location: Canada
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 76

Posted: Today at 2:16am

Thanks. I really like the paint on both the 250 and 350 from 1973. I was looking for a later RD or RZ but this one came up and I had to have it!

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Restorations Diary
Aircooled RD Tech Forum : General : Restorations Diary

Author	Message
CdnRD Club Member Joined: 21/Sep/2009 Location: Canada Online Status: Offline Posts: 76	Posted: 28/Oct/2009 at 11:38am
	Just a bit of an update. While I've been waiting for the tank and forks to come back I've been cleaning up and re-assembling what I can. I fixed some wiring that had been messed with and fitted a bunch of rubber parts that needed replacing. HVC Cycles' parts are top notch. I replaced the seat foam and cover. The cover was an Ebay purchase from Pitreplicas. The quality is okay but there isn't a wire around the edge like the original so keeping it in place all the way around required some contact cement in places. Check out the puckering along the seam. It looks worse in the picture than it is. The cover is tight as a drum but I couldn't get rid of it. The shop says the forks will be done Friday (new seals) so not much to be done til then.
	IP Logged

CdnRD Club Member Joined: 21/Sep/2009 Location: Canada Online Status: Offline Posts: 76	Posted: 08/Dec/2009 at 4:50pm
	It's been a while since I've done an update. I went all out for about a month, but I've taken it a bit more easy for a couple of weeks. Things have come along nicely. I got the downpipes back from the platers (The Chrome Pit in Winnipeg) and I'm pleased with the results. No photos so you'll have to take my word for it! Everything that's gone back on the bike has been cleaned up and polished. The center stand was bent so I got a replacement on Ebay. The tank is back from the paintless dent removal place and I'm now a believer. All of the dents are gone and the only issue I can see is a slight crazing of the colour coat where the two large dents were removed. You have to look very hard to see it. I don't think it will be a problem as it doesn't appear in the clear coat. I picked up some new tires - IRC GS11. They have a nice period look to them. The engine has been stripped and now waiting for bearings to arrive from the Yamaha dealer so the crank can be rebuilt. I've painted the side covers with PJ1 satin black. Last weekend I bought a 1974 RD350 as a parts bike. It came with wheels that aren't shown in the picture. I bought it for the tank, side panels and headlight so I could have an extra set to paint. I haven't decided whether to go original or something different. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Post some photos if you can. If any Canadian RDers are looking for other parts from the bike let me know. I'd send parts anywhere but the postage might not make it worthwhile.
	IP Logged

Motty Club Member Joined: 15/Mar/2002 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 720	Posted: 08/Dec/2009 at 8:13pm
	Your sympathetic restoration seems to be coming along nicely BUT What has someone done to the 350 frame ! It looks utterly horrible in the picture Cheers Richard

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CdnRD Club Member Joined: 21/Sep/2009 Location: Canada Online Status: Offline Posts: 76	Posted: 08/Dec/2009 at 11:11pm
	What, metallic mint green wasn't original?
	IP Logged

CdnRD Club Member Joined: 21/Sep/2009 Location: Canada Online Status: Offline Posts: 76	Posted: 08/Dec/2009 at 11:46pm
	Check out the white painted cylinders! I'm thinking this thing was resprayed about '85.
	IP Logged

CdnRD Club Member Joined: 21/Sep/2009 Location: Canada Online Status: Offline Posts: 76	Posted: 24/Dec/2009 at 1:06am
	Woohoo! Christmas came a couple days early! The latest Ebay purchase arrived today - a pair of NOS headlight ears! The old ones were a bit beat up after 36 years: If only I could find an NOS or mint right side cover (possible) and an NOS tank (impossible)!
	IP Logged

hamyamdave Club Member Joined: 07/Aug/2008 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 222	Posted: 24/Dec/2009 at 5:50am
	same bike and colour as 250 drummies bike nice colour looking good mate
	if any more of my tools go missing,im gonna kick brads arse
	IP Logged

CdnRD Club Member Joined: 21/Sep/2009 Location: Canada Online Status: Offline Posts: 76	Posted: 24/Dec/2009 at 2:14pm
	Thanks! Got the crank in for new bearings and then it won't be long till it's done - too bad I won't be able to ride it till April!
	IP Logged

CdnRD Club Member Joined: 21/Sep/2009 Location: Canada Online Status: Offline Posts: 76	Posted: 01/Jul/2010 at 10:16pm
	How not to do a restoration diary! Last entry was just before Christmas when I brought my crank in for a rebuild. It took the machine shop 5 months to get it back to me! The bike's now done without any updates along the way. I was able to find a near perfect seat and side cover. All of the paint is original, except the engine side covers and the speedo/tach covers. The chrome is original except for the exhaust downpipes. Took it out for an hour today and it runs like a dream! You may notice the only non-original style part is the handlebars. I went with a lower bar for the look and the riding position. I'm still scouting Ebay for a perfect tank, but I doubt I'll find one. Otherwise I'm done. Wouldn't have been possible without help from the forum members!
	IP Logged

welsh_dragon Club Member Proud to be Welsh Joined: 11/Sep/2006 Online Status: Offline Posts: 784	Posted: 01/Jul/2010 at 10:28pm
	Looks great I wouldnt change it, its pretty much original
	project 350E monoshocked monstrosity If at 1st you don't succeed, hit it with a hammer!
	IP Logged

350lc Club Member Joined: 27/Aug/2009 Online Status: Online Posts: 304	Posted: 01/Jul/2010 at 10:32pm
	nice bike mate
	rd 200 tdr 250 RD 350 LC 1981 KR1 250 gt 125 1975 gsx 750 1981
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Arrow Club Member Joined: 08/Apr/2009 Online Status: Online Posts: 1466	Posted: 01/Jul/2010 at 10:53pm
	Looks like a new one. Very nice.
	Member; 2177, Cheshire. RD250E
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CdnRD Club Member Joined: 21/Sep/2009 Location: Canada Online Status: Offline Posts: 76	Posted: 02/Jul/2010 at 12:37am
	Thanks all, the build's been great fun!
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Saint-Ex Club Member Joined: 08/Jul/2009 Location: Canada Online Status: Offline Posts: 62	Posted: 02/Jul/2010 at 1:49am
	Damn that looks good Donny. Wish I had that good of a starting base. Enjoy the ride.
	IP Logged

Johnny. Club Member Joined: 08/Dec/2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 160	Posted: 02/Jul/2010 at 1:52am
	BIKE LOOKS STUNNING , and better for not over restoring. SUPERB JOB
	<a href="http://www.sweetim.com/s.asp?im=gen&lpver=3&ref=11" target="_blank"img src="http://cdn.content.sweetim.com/sim/cpie/emoticons/00020469.gif" border="0" title="Click to get more."
	IP Logged

axles of evil Club Member Joined: 19/Apr/2010 Online Status: Offline Posts: 80	Posted: 05/Sep/2010 at 6:05pm
	Geeeze, I bet the old lady is lovin you for bring the frame indoors and landin' it on top of here lovely clean wood floor!
	75 FS1E Baja Brown/Restored P reg 76 RD400C (R reg) Restored 75 RD250B (P reg) starting restoration 74 Escort 1300E 28K mls, perfect condition, M reg. Warrington, Chesire UK
	IP Logged

CdnRD Club Member Joined: 21/Sep/2009 Location: Canada Online Status: Offline Posts: 76	Posted: 05/Sep/2010 at 10:11pm
	She wasn't thrilled cause it was in her dining room - she still hasn't noticed the marks it made on the floor!
	IP Logged

tractorman Back Lane Scratcher Joined: 30/Mar/2010 Online Status: Offline Posts: 63	Posted: 06/Sep/2010 at 10:31pm
	What a lovely looking bike. Don't you think that colour suits the style of the bike perfectly.
	IP Logged

CdnRD Club Member Joined: 21/Sep/2009 Location: Canada Online Status: Offline Posts: 76	Posted: Today at 2:16am
	Thanks. I really like the paint on both the 250 and 350 from 1973. I was looking for a later RD or RZ but this one came up and I had to have it!
	IP Logged