RD'll be back

[Francis_FR]

Hi everybody!

Long time I didn't post anything since my RD350 heat problems!

Actually it's holidays time, so free time, so restoration time !

After 7 years in the garage, this week I started the operations to restart my RD500.
I'm going to change lot of gaskets, oil seal and so on...
As I remember the bike was running in 2002, so I'm suppose to not have a lot of parts to replace/repair.
BUT, a problem comes from the forum, when I see how some artists can transform the V4 it gives some ideas...

As you can see, the bike is not in bad state, I bought and use it less than 300 kms before she fell asleep

Here after the pictures of the day:











Have nice day

[Kalim]

Salut Francis,

She seems to be in a pretty good state ! After 7 years of being stocked, mine was clearly more dirty !

Good luck for the rebuilt.

David.

[Francis_FR]

Hello David,

Yes, the bike is less dirty, it will be more easy to clean it .
You made a great job !

Yesterday I worked a bit more on the bike, but with temperature of 35 C (95F), I passed my time to drink

I made a try with a rear body I exchanged few years ago with slick tyres.
As I often ride alone on the bike, I was thinking to transform it.
It looks great, but I would need to replace the pipes because original upper ones don't fit very well.



As you can see, I finished at night, taking advantage of fresh air:



I was in hurry to dicover the piston size, it was to dirt and dark but I think I saw .50 on one.



Next step is to get the engine out...

[Francis_FR]

Hi,

The current state:
The rear cylinders are on the workbench, now I have to take the front off.



The faulty lower front cylinder full with oil...



...and a view on my personnal swimming pool



Coming next in september, tomorrow is starting holidays to Quebec

[Francis_FR]

Well, what a looooooooooooong period without news
Not a lot of time to work on the V4, but this summer the story seemed to restart.
In fact, I was a little tired of engine mechanics, so I decided to switch on body work.

The frame received epoxy paint, feel better now!
Same way for the wheel, epoxy black

And as you can see, the look of brakes "changed a little"
I found a brembo 300mm kit for the LC:


I'm waiting for a set of bearing to be able to set the bike back on wheels.

[Francis_FR]

Hello,
here the status of the engine, it's a loooooog way to go



I project that bike will be "on wheel" end of this month (then I'll work on engine)

I'm going to get new tyres. I have metzeler lazertech on the 350Lc and I like them, even on track.

Maybe also I could get with bridgestone.

[Francis_FR]

Hi,

Some news from these days.
I used stripper to take the old "yellow" varnish out of aluminium parts.
Then light cleaning with metallic wool, when everything seems Ok, clean with acetone, and put varnish.
For the part of suspension, I clean always with metalic wool, then I used satin black paint for ... portal.
All that with a simple brush.



Here the result:



I used a heater gun to help varnish to dry, and bubbles to go away



Not "as new", but it is in state I want to get my bike, "as clean as possible".



I sand the contact key, I'm going to paint it back in black


The frame start to retrieve parts...
bye

[2smoke]

Looks great!
No riding in the rain after this!

[Francis_FR]

Hi,
Not a lot of time this weekend, I was just able to rebuild bearing in the front Wheel.
Ready to get new tyre, I'm waiting for a new set of screw to fix the brembo as the original ones didn't like the "unscrew"

[Francis_FR]

This weekend I finished the Wheel bearing restore, with the rear Wheel ready for tyre.

I made some paint on the keylock


And the actual status in a nice "Pocket Bike"

[Francis_FR]

Hi,
This week end was dedicated to rear bike rebuilt.
First I cleaned the chain protection, I think I will have to find a better one soon


Then I played to the before/after game..
I tried to take same pictures today during rebuilt, compared with old ones .






in that case you become happy with the job already done, here the status, the bike took off the floor:

[NJRZ500]

Great progress so far. I like those before and after pics,. You can really see what a nice job you're doing!

[Francis_FR]

hi guys,
this weekend I received the pair of new Lasertec:



I bought also 90° valve to make it easy with the big brembo


I was supposed to rebuid the fork but I have to change the part 31A-23125-31 (Metal side) as it looks "tired"..

Bye

[Francis_FR]

Hi,
this afternoon was dedicated to engine.



I used yambits extractor, very good help !



then oil pump is going to move



water pump went away...



that's it for today, the collar from kickstarter is blocked so I can't open the crankcase cover



I put some rust remover (and put back nut after) , will see next weekend...

[Francis_FR]

Hi,
not a lot of time on the bike this weekend.
I have always pb to unlock the kickstarter collar I tried to warm it, nothing to do !

On the other side, I had 3 screws blocked, good news, now it's Ok.


I unlocked all gear box screw, I cleaned a little before to open as engine was full of grease from chain..