mcferreira100

2nd hand dipstick arrived all the way from the States. Also scored a brand new speedo for 5 pounds.

You may have a point there..I should consider replacing them. Yea couldn't get original size battery so just cut up the box to get it to fit snug in there.

Cleaned up control cables and radiator hoses & clamps. Got no idea how stretched these cables might be as I`ve never operated the bike. New sidecover grommets. Yamaha charge 2.2 pounds EACH..ouch. @#$%&*..can`t find the one caliper banjo bolt anywhere..more money and it looks expensive.

yep that's the way ive also always done it..i never had to fiddle with any icons. Its fine..not a train smash.

New horn button in. Polished gear lever. Why I needed new footpegs New air filter in..wetted with 2stroke oil. New battery in 2 stroke & coolant reservoirs on. Radiator on Headlight on and polished up Brake pads look ok Cleanup and assemble calipers tomorrow

:eusa_think:ok hit that top left button and it worked. Never had to do it before though.

well I got the link right as the pic is there. does this help?

Jeez..had to type all this in..it just won`t paste at all..even bits of it.

IMG tagged URL from Photobucket..It does copy onto a word document but not onto this site.

What`s going on..my URL`s not copying onto the site. Is there a problem on the site?

Some parts arrived from Yambits

Crank most definetely been touched. Complete rebuild on it.

Can you guys give me an idea what the break-in schedule is after rebore and new pistons and rings for the RD? Would staying below 6000rpm for 500km be ok?

Couldnt resist putting on unpainted tank etc..to see how its gonna look. Getting a little irritated waiting for engine and spraypainter.

Makes sense..never ridden an RD so have yet to experience the vibration. If it vibrates as much as my XT500 then long distance will be uncomfortable..with that bike after 40kms I lose all feeling in my fingers and backside.

Somebody mentioned to me it is not advisable to run 2 strokes for long distances..no more than 100km at a time. Is there any truth to this..can a 2 stroke cruise (obviously not at high revs) all day long without risk to the engine? Will my RD350 be ok to go touring?

Oh..wanted to mention I will be slightly deviating from original with the engine..this is the paint scheme going to try go for. Original is completely black. Think some silver in there looks great.

Update so far. Still waiting for my engine as conrods yet to arrive. Also waiting for spraypainter to get a gap to do my tank etc. Been doing the plastics with black polish. Comes out great but its a bugger to work with..I suggest gloves. Plastics on the rear end. What a battle getting bottom monoshock pin in with this mudguard in the way. Everything full of grease finger marks here. Electrics going on. Lovely clocks on these bikes. Metal Polished forks some more..still could use some work but its hard job getting them perfect by hand. Footrest/exhaust hangers got same treatment. Horn button missing but have ordered a kit from Yambits which includes new button and spring Would like to get these switch units looking better..would welcome any ideas. Got a scuff mark on rev counter when bike fell over during stripping and clocks took bit of a bang. Tried light sanding and black polish but still showing. Hope internals ok...fingers crossed. New tail light lens fitted. Sidestand was jumping back soon as bike weight was lifted which could cause bike to end up on its side. Don`t know why but it had 2 springs on so removed one..now has nice action. Rear wheel on. Made mistake of metal polishing ignition switch which dulled the on/off/ignition decals. Damn.

Yep..I will own up to that..feel like a right idiot. And now now can`t get one anywhere..had to order off Ebay for $20..@#$%&#@$.

Thought I would check the oil on the XL185 today and it was low. Tookthe dipstick out but then got involved with charging a battery on a scooter so forgot to tighten it. Then went for 10km ride to get something. Outside the shop noticed puddle of oil under the bike..looked closer..NO DIPSTICK..and back of bike full of oil. Oil was already low so thought now there is nothing in there. Rode it home very gently with a gaping hole where the dipstick was and made it back ok...no funny noises developed (says something about these old engines). Retraced my ride with the DT but no dipstick lying anywhere. So guess I`m in the market for a Honda XL185 dipstick.

Good idea..we have some nice 5 star hotels here..like south of France. You can all come to my place for a braai.

Great..everyone within riding distance of each other..who the hell do I go to in Cape Town??? WIll have to move to UK....

Very nice bike with good engines..but that headlight arrangement just doesn't do it for me.