Embarking on a Journey-Restoration of RD-350

gypsy1989 · 23rd October 2009, 15:42

Hi Guys,

I have always been in awe of this super machine,the RD350.And guess what,my friend just laid his hands on his dad's long forgotten RD-350!!!
The pics may not look much,but RD is an RD! The bike presently is in Chaibasa,Jharkhand.However,its going to be in Bangalore by day after tomorrow,that is by 25th of oct...
I just cant hold my breath at the prospect of having this bike at my place day after tomorrow..Hurray!!!

Now,this is where I need your help.I am attaching the pics for you people.Please go through it and let me know what needs to be done.As far as I can make out,the engine,the exhausts,carburrator,kick looks ok.Now,I know restoring an RD is not everybody's cup of tea.Would appreciate your feedbacks and suggestions on how to go about it and which mechanic to approach.And ofcourse,do have a limited budget right now,so just want to make this machine look stock,no fancy stuff !

mantrig · 23rd October 2009, 16:26

It a plight to see this legend in the state it is in.

You have a long way to go my friend, Wish you all the best with the restoration.

Looking forward to the developments.

gypsy1989 · 23rd October 2009, 16:41

I know theres a long way to go.But then,the fruit of hard work is going to be sweet,for sure

beejay · 23rd October 2009, 16:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by gypsy1989

I know theres a long way to go.But then,the fruit of hard work is going to be sweet,for sure

With this spirit, I am sure to see a good restoration. Wish you luck and keep posting regular updates.

Ajaybiz · 23rd October 2009, 17:00

Any RD in any condition if its having proper papers is worth restoring, best of luck and ping me anytime if you need help for spares or any other thing for RD.

khaleelda1 · 23rd October 2009, 17:06

great challenge buddy!!
all the best!!

please keep updating your progress as i will be copying your every move in restoring my rx135, its almost half the way from the condition this is in.

looking forward to your processflow in cleaning the engine and bringing it back to full glory!

all the best again, and dont lose hope, as you said ......the rewards will surely be sweet..

mantrig · 23rd October 2009, 18:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by gypsy1989

I know theres a long way to go.But then,the fruit of hard work is going to be sweet,for sure

Thats the spirit mate.

Also, I think you are off to a great start with Ajaybiz already around to help you with restoration. Being from the same city you'll can team up and have a great end-product.

Ajaybiz · 23rd October 2009, 19:56

Making stock RD is also costly affair, but be patient and start with cleaning the bike and removing the rust from all the parts, slowly start with engine and complete with cosmatics, dont leave this beauti at any mechanics place just work on your own, as i said in my previous post help is around anytime.

RuffRyder · 23rd October 2009, 20:20

all the best with the resto gypsy1989..

the RD looks fine, and may not be in such a bad shape as it looks and guess would look dandy with some rust treatment. the cyclinder, chambers, and the mikuni carbs and the silencers also look without collateral damage.

again hope to see this up and running, if you need any help regarding mechs or parts for the buildup..holla me, would be glad to help you any way possible.

gypsy1989 · 23rd October 2009, 21:16

Wow...Thank u guys!!!

Thanks for the support..This is really pepping me up

I knew help would be just round the corner here

Yes,I am going to go slow with this...But do enlighten me here fellas....Are the original RD parts still available in the market?( I know I sound like a complete dumbo,but I honesty dont have much idea about it..) Also,for rusting,I know for jeeps people do sandblasting.Does the same mechanism work here or just doing some cosmetic touch up would cover up the rust?
I have heard that govt has abolished the law to pay road tax for vehicles from other states.Is this true?

The bike will be at Kr Puram station on sunday morning.So will have to wait till then.Till then,ur support and ideas are awaited

Note from the Team-BHP Support Team: Post Edited. Smilie usage is restricted to two per post on Team-BHP. Please refrain from using excessive smilies.

Nitin · 23rd October 2009, 21:20

Definitely going to be an expensive restoration!But might be worth every penny if you get the right set of people to help you with this. There are some really good RD mechanics in B'lore, and if you can source all the parts from reliable places then you'll be in for a treat at the end of the project!
Good luck!

shan2129 · 23rd October 2009, 23:54

good luck with the restoration ! Do post pics on regular intervals.

Vert1go · 24th October 2009, 04:45

It's a pity such a nice bike has been left to rust. As Nitin said, this will be expensive, but in the end you'll really have a great sense of pride.

One of the first things you need to do is find out why this bike was taken out of service. Likely a mechanical failure of some sort - hopefully not serious like a blown engine, but the engine will need rebuilding anyway.

Obviously the first thing that needs to be done is stripping the entire machine down to the frame. Before anything, you need to evaluate the condition of the frame and if it's restorable. Make sure those tubes are not rusted beyond safe service.

khaleelda1 · 24th October 2009, 12:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by gypsy1989

Wow...Thank u guys!!!

Thanks for the support..This is really pepping me up

I knew help would be just round the corner here

Yes,I am going to go slow with this...But do enlighten me here fellas....Are the original RD parts still available in the market?( I know I sound like a complete dumbo,but I honesty dont have much idea about it..) Also,for rusting,I know for jeeps people do sandblasting.Does the same mechanism work here or just doing some cosmetic touch up would cover up the rust?
I have heard that govt has abolished the law to pay road tax for vehicles from other states.Is this true?

The bike will be at Kr Puram station on sunday morning.So will have to wait till then.Till then,ur support and ideas are awaited

Note from the Team-BHP Support Team: Post Edited. Smilie usage is restricted to two per post on Team-BHP. Please refrain from using excessive smilies.

RD parts - original - were no longer availabel, but just recently ( by recent i mean a week o so) i heard on forums that yam is extending spares support for its older models (rx100 and rd350) in an attemt to rebuild its image in india.

about road tax, yes you do have to pay tax again when you bring it to another state. also considering the age of the vehecle you might face some issues.

i would suggest even before touching the bike , take all the papers to a rto agent talk to him, and get an estimate of the damage, both tax and the registration that yuou have to do...

aruncheloor · 24th October 2009, 12:26

Go ahead mate. Its not an impossible task. If you have money, everything will be ok. All the best. Wait a minute! Is the right silencer missing?

23rd October 2009, 15:42	#1
gypsy1989 BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 57 Thanked: 7 Times	Embarking on a Journey-Restoration of RD-350 Hi Guys, I have always been in awe of this super machine,the RD350.And guess what,my friend just laid his hands on his dad's long forgotten RD-350!!! The pics may not look much,but RD is an RD! The bike presently is in Chaibasa,Jharkhand.However,its going to be in Bangalore by day after tomorrow,that is by 25th of oct... I just cant hold my breath at the prospect of having this bike at my place day after tomorrow..Hurray!!! Now,this is where I need your help.I am attaching the pics for you people.Please go through it and let me know what needs to be done.As far as I can make out,the engine,the exhausts,carburrator,kick looks ok.Now,I know restoring an RD is not everybody's cup of tea.Would appreciate your feedbacks and suggestions on how to go about it and which mechanic to approach.And ofcourse,do have a limited budget right now,so just want to make this machine look stock,no fancy stuff ! Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

23rd October 2009, 16:26	#2
mantrig BHPian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Mumbai Posts: 456 Thanked: 178 Times	It a plight to see this legend in the state it is in. You have a long way to go my friend, Wish you all the best with the restoration. Looking forward to the developments.
	() Thanks

23rd October 2009, 16:41	#3
gypsy1989 BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 57 Thanked: 7 Times	I know theres a long way to go.But then,the fruit of hard work is going to be sweet,for sure
	() Thanks

23rd October 2009, 17:00	#5
Ajaybiz BANNED Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,440 Thanked: 320 Times View My Garage	Any RD in any condition if its having proper papers is worth restoring, best of luck and ping me anytime if you need help for spares or any other thing for RD.
	() Thanks

23rd October 2009, 17:06	#6
khaleelda1 BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 39 Thanked: Once	My God!!!!! great challenge buddy!! all the best!! please keep updating your progress as i will be copying your every move in restoring my rx135, its almost half the way from the condition this is in. looking forward to your processflow in cleaning the engine and bringing it back to full glory! all the best again, and dont lose hope, as you said ......the rewards will surely be sweet..
	() Thanks

23rd October 2009, 19:56	#8
Ajaybiz BANNED Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,440 Thanked: 320 Times View My Garage	Making stock RD is also costly affair, but be patient and start with cleaning the bike and removing the rust from all the parts, slowly start with engine and complete with cosmatics, dont leave this beauti at any mechanics place just work on your own, as i said in my previous post help is around anytime. Last edited by Ajaybiz : 23rd October 2009 at 20:01.
	() Thanks

23rd October 2009, 20:20	#9
RuffRyder BHPian Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 286 Thanked: 8 Times View My Garage	Not Bad.. all the best with the resto gypsy1989.. the RD looks fine, and may not be in such a bad shape as it looks and guess would look dandy with some rust treatment. the cyclinder, chambers, and the mikuni carbs and the silencers also look without collateral damage. again hope to see this up and running, if you need any help regarding mechs or parts for the buildup..holla me, would be glad to help you any way possible. Last edited by RuffRyder : 23rd October 2009 at 20:22.
	() Thanks

23rd October 2009, 21:16	#10
gypsy1989 BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 57 Thanked: 7 Times	Wow...Thank u guys!!! Thanks for the support..This is really pepping me up I knew help would be just round the corner here Yes,I am going to go slow with this...But do enlighten me here fellas....Are the original RD parts still available in the market?( I know I sound like a complete dumbo,but I honesty dont have much idea about it..) Also,for rusting,I know for jeeps people do sandblasting.Does the same mechanism work here or just doing some cosmetic touch up would cover up the rust? I have heard that govt has abolished the law to pay road tax for vehicles from other states.Is this true? The bike will be at Kr Puram station on sunday morning.So will have to wait till then.Till then,ur support and ideas are awaited Note from the Team-BHP Support Team: Post Edited. Smilie usage is restricted to two per post on Team-BHP. Please refrain from using excessive smilies. Last edited by bblost : 23rd October 2009 at 21:51.
	() Thanks

23rd October 2009, 21:20	#11
Nitin Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 3,294 Thanked: 20 Times View My Garage	Definitely going to be an expensive restoration!But might be worth every penny if you get the right set of people to help you with this. There are some really good RD mechanics in B'lore, and if you can source all the parts from reliable places then you'll be in for a treat at the end of the project! Good luck!
	() Thanks

23rd October 2009, 23:54	#12
shan2129 BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Dehradun Posts: 303 Thanked: 82 Times	good luck with the restoration ! Do post pics on regular intervals.
	() Thanks

24th October 2009, 04:45	#13
Vert1go BHPian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Cape Coral Posts: 74 Thanked: 3 Times	It's a pity such a nice bike has been left to rust. As Nitin said, this will be expensive, but in the end you'll really have a great sense of pride. One of the first things you need to do is find out why this bike was taken out of service. Likely a mechanical failure of some sort - hopefully not serious like a blown engine, but the engine will need rebuilding anyway. Obviously the first thing that needs to be done is stripping the entire machine down to the frame. Before anything, you need to evaluate the condition of the frame and if it's restorable. Make sure those tubes are not rusted beyond safe service.
	() Thanks

24th October 2009, 12:26	#15
aruncheloor BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Trichur, Kerala Posts: 231 Thanked: 216 Times	Go ahead mate. Its not an impossible task. If you have money, everything will be ok. All the best. Wait a minute! Is the right silencer missing?
	() Thanks