rickster1971

I've been down to the Aqua blasters and they use a fine grit/sand, not glass beads. Will this be OK? The firms main business is car body repair and they didn't come across as having done many bike crank cases. I'm a little concerned that I would never be able to get all of the grit out.

Thanks everyone for your input, you've all been most helpful. I've found a place in Guernsey that does Aquablasting (thanks for the tip airhead). I'll pop down there tomorrow and see what they can do. Speedshop, that's a good tip regarding the oil ways, I'll ask them to take care around them and to mask them off.

Hi, I've stripped my RD350 engine down and I need to clean up the outside of the crankcase halves so I can paint them and make them look nice before re-assembly. I will need them blasted to get rid of the old paint and aluminium "crust". Has anyone got any suggestions what is the best way to get these cleaned up? I've read that bead blasting can leave glass beads behind that can cause trouble later on. I can get my hands on some soda blasting kit, would that do the trick? Also, how should I clean up the the seats where the bearings fit? Can I use something like Autosol to clean them up? Many thanks, Rick. http://rd350nrebuild.wordpress.com/

Thanks guys for your replies. Threebond it is.

Thanks for your reply. What number three bond do you use?

I need to get some sealant to join my crankcase halves (RD350). I've read online and watched on YouTube that I should use a rubber based sealant? Anyone got any recommendations? Three bond has been mentioned but this appears to be silicone based? Standard off the shelf instant gasket isn't suitable?

Hello everyone, I've just got my hands on a '86 RD350N1 YPVS. I got it for a good price because the engine was seized. The engine hasn't run for years, so I was hoping the seizure was just the pistons stuck in the bores. Unfortunately not, one of the I've been riding and servicing bikes for years, but this is my first engine rebuild. I've tended to steer clear of engine internals, preferred to leave it to the pro's, but now it's time to get stuck in, I don't think I can break it anymore than it already is. Hopefully you guys will be able to give me some pointers when things get tricky? I'm documenting my progress here, so feel free to have a look and comment if I cock something up

:-) you could be right, it could have been underwater. I think though the barrel gasket gave up and coolant dripped down onto the bearing. The bike hasn't run for years so it's had plenty of time to fester. The left-hand side of the crank is perfect. I'll probably go with the Yambits crank, the rest of the engine looks good so it will be worth it. I'll nip into the "new members" section and introduce myself. Thanks guys for your replies.

Hi, I've recently bought a very tired '86 RD350 N1 with a view to restoring it. The engine didn't turn over so I've started with that first. I've stripped the engine to find that the crankshaft has a rusty big end. I've spoken to a few engineering firms in the UK and they have given me quotes of between £300 - £390 to rebuild it. The thing is, I found new cranks for sale at Yambits for the same money. Does anyone have any experience with Yambits cranks, are they OK? Apparently they are brand new, not reconditioned, but the price just seems to good (or the rebuild prices are too high ). Thanks. _________ http://rd350nrebuild.wordpress.com/