New Toy (non Laverda)

julian

julian

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Location
Belgium
Been looking for one of these for a long time,
Actually didn't need one right now but this one came up at a price I could not refuse so you know the story.
Really chuffed with it as it is really nice. Restored to a good level and came complete with a full fairing and clip-ons as optional equipment.
Collected it last night and just had a better look at it this morning, really lovely bike. I'm like a dog with three dicks this morning.

Jules
 

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FFS keep it stock. I've replaced more pistons on those things than I'd like to remember.

From an engine builders perspective the worst case scenario is an owner with one of those who has the talent to use it to the max - and keeps asking for more....And luckily had the income to pay for it too.
 
Congratulations, Julian! I had the very same bike as 250 (RD250LC), which was my second bike (following the GT200 Suzuki and being replaced by my now black Jota that I still have). They weren't called "widdow-maker" for nothing though... Below 5.000, they behave like normal bikes, but above.... It's really like a turbo kicks in.... If only brakes and suspension would be to the same level... Or if only you could actually reach the brake lever when this happens :eek:

When a friend of mine bought the YPVS-Version of the 350, I shoke his hand and said: "it was really nice to having known you." He survived it, but crashed it 3 times...

Good luck with it and don't overdo it... ;)
 
I had a 250 in 1980 and was absolutely in love with it until a daft 80yr old biddy knocked me off (on her first day on the road after a 2 year absence)
Broke my neck and broke my bike, 3 months in head traction and 2 months in a full torso plaster cast!
You just got to have one in the collection haven't you. Looking forward to a little spin on it on Saturday.
When we started it last night all my memories just flooded back, it was like a door into the past, Spine tingling experience!
I will leave it stock, I may change the seat to original but then again I like this one so maybe not. (it's a Wulf option)

J

Thanks Lothar, I will be sensible don't worry, nothing to prove. 😀😀
 
Always loved them, had an RD400 when I was a kid and as previously stated , if only the suspension and brakes matched the power output.
Enjoy Jules, I reckon you're going to have a heap of fun. 🙂
 
Probably need to change the tyres though, it had Hidenau tyres, I heard these are about as good as the old Yokaslides I used to have on my 250?

J
 
I also had the YPVS version of the RD350LC for a short while back in the mid 80s. Soon realised why it had been such hard work racing against them on my F500/Monty. I would take it for short blasts around the country roads near Milton Keynes, where I lived at the time. Wheelied it nearly everywhere. 🙂
Of course I couldn’t resist racing it. So I entered on it at the MCC high speed trials at Silverstone on the club circuit. All was going well until near the end of the 30mins when some wanker with more ambition than talent T-boned me at Woodcote Corner, forcing me off the circuit into the bales. I now have a lasting memory of the event with a little finger on my right hand that points in slightly the wrong direction.
 
My first road bike was a 88 rz250, learnt a lot of things on that bike, it blew up, long story short it became a 350, easy conversion back then, Clq guys couldn’t work out why I was so fast on it, couldn’t keep up with the jotas as top end, but was always nipping at their heels, has nothing on the rs handling wise but 100cc more was awesome in comparison, nothing like a 2 banger, nothing
 
Can't get more bang for your buck.
A 125 Cagiva Mito has somehow found a home in my shed, should be fun once, and if, I get it going.
 
I once swapped TOG for a YPVS and this for a lap of the IOM mountain course (roads open) I was aware that I was being followed by a quick blue and white thing, later got to see that it was a YPVS, decided to stop at the coach and horses, and he followed me in, he was a Jap journalist by the name of Yoshi ????, we chatted about his bike and my 1200TS and we decided to swap bikes for a whole lap, it was fairly quiet and there wasn't the traffic cone/police/temp speed limits nightmare that virtually stops that fun element now, I was a bit worried about his stature because he was about five foot two and (maybe) seven stone, we swapped places a few times, I out powered him on the Yam and he out torqued me on TOG, it was a great ride, when we stopped we were both grinning from ear to ear, he had never ridden a Laverda, (which was why he proposed the swap) but I had ridden several quick two strokes including a Yam 500LC four, I think the 350 was te better of the two, but it inspired me to build a TZ500 race bike from bits obtained through sidecar racing, the lads were buying complete bikes and robbing the motors for GP sidecars, I collected the bits and the motor came from British champion ship and GP contender Dave Carnell, money troubles (bounced very large check, 3 months work) caused me to sell it for £8500, they are now worth north of £40,000, but at the time, there was no where to ride it, too noisy for club racing, or track days and Spa plus FOTB had not been invented goddammit
CLEM
 
Ask Mick Doohan about those LC Yamahas that he started his road racing career on. They were a lovely bike to ride as well as being super effective on the track, but a widow maker moniker I have never found on any of the countless I test rode after servicing. All the Yamaha twins were bloody fantastic riders bikes even since the ´60s, and the handling just got better and better over the years, especially after they got some cornering clearance. They still have a huge loyal following of rememberists.
 
Sir Sidney Ruffdiamond said:
What a super looking bike

Only one of two Yamahas I have had both two strokes - the RD400 was the perfect hooligan - reckon the 350 LC was the best developed 2 stroke View attachment 61804
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RD430, two-four seat, Becket pipes, Mel-leMoto mudgaurd, clip-ons and a YDS-7 frame. Had the power delivery of a firework - had a truly dreadful engraved Phoenix on the timing cover so I imagine it had burst into flames at some point!
 

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I have a Canadian 82 model in the same colours languishing in the shed along with my other projects . A long way from your beauty.Bought unseen .with a holed piston .. was planning a hybrid build and have all the parts to build a 385 ypvs engine with a long stroke crank...but might go stock and rebuild the original motor.
There is a great forum and online store called rd crazy if anyone is interested. Tons of of go faster nd trick parts readily available if you are into that.
Nice lightweight bike for when the bigger ones get too heavy to manouvre
 

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Hi all, thanks for the great response, I think the Yamaha two strokes get out the youth in us all don't they.
I was contemplating a set of expansions and a few other things but looking at it it is such a shame to spoil such a lovely piece of history and memories just for more power and ultimately more huliganisum which my family can do without I am sure.
I am just going to leave it stock and maybe improve a couple of areas that are not perfect.
Already ordered a new 90/90 Avon Roadrider II for the front and had a new 110/80 rear Avon in my spares so will do that as soon as the new front arrives.
Need to paint the rear brake plate as that is still ally, but other than that it is absolutely mint. Love it!!!
 
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