Yamaha RD 350 LC

[@nicmost3044]

Had a South African RZ 350 YPVS (In UK it is a RD350 YPVS) in pearl white and red. Rebored it out to max 3rd oversize. Had somebody in Johannesburg do some magic with the power valves, then I built the engine with Wiseco pistons, special rings and Boyeson reed valves. Two [[ BRX 8-9-10 EG ]] Racing platinum NGK spark plugs, and an upgraded high Energy spark CDI ignition system. First ride when I was just running it in, I had to change my underpants!!!!!!!!! REgards, Nicky from Coswoth Engineering, Northampton, NN5 5RA,

[@chrissydenham6668]

Lovely bike....colour makes a difference from the old mars bar and bounty! Thank you for the memories!

[@the_mad_leprechaun]

Hello Chrissy! You are very welcome glad you enjoyed what we put together. Hopefully more coming soon. Thank you for stopping by and for leaving me a message! Much appreciated. Murt 😁👍

[@theaustralianconundrum]

As a senior citizen I can state for the record I've ridden every air cooled RD and RD LC as well as owned an RZ500. I absolutely loved them! Fantastic video and a great channel you have there. Highly enjoyable sir. Stay safe and happy.

[@the_mad_leprechaun]

Thank you so very much! It would be absolutely nothing without people like you viewing and commenting. Thank you 😁👍

[@Scott-ph2yk]

Greetings from the US. I had an air cooled RD350 back in '79. We did not get the LC in the US. All of the RD guys were green with LC envy. So we rode our older RD's and cried in our beer. Imagine the surprise and glee when Yamaha announced the US market was going to get a version of the YPVS with cats called the RZ350. I bought one, and it was worth the wait. Better brakes and suspension than the RD, more power, and easier to live with for all day riding, thanks to the rubber mounted engine. So I sold the RD, and kept the RZ. I still own it, and ride regularly. She is cat free. There is nothing like a two stroke bike to spice up your ride.😊 Thanks for sharing Neil's beautiful LC and his RD story. Funny to hear the UK version of the 2024 two stroke story of crazy prices and collector envy. 😅 Same deal here, too.

[@the_mad_leprechaun]

Thank you Scott much appreciated! Nice to hear your story too. I’m on instagram under the same name if you care to share a picture of your bike. Thank you for viewing my channel. Murt 😁👍

[@paulgospel4258]

I bought a 250 lc in 82, 4th hand. Then came 3 lc 350s into the mid 80s. A red and white one with micron's and a Mars bar one with small end can allspeeds. Ear piercing loud! They all were prity flat until about 6500 rpm, then a right kick up the arse power band acceleration hit ! Totally addictive to a man in his twenties! They still look as good now as the day i first saw one in mcn . A true classic!!

[@the_mad_leprechaun]

Hello Paul. Thank you so much for your message. You were a proper LC man!! Wow yr not tempted to get another one like our Neil? I hope to do more videos like this next year so please do say tuned. Merry Christmas 😁👍Murt

[@paulgospel4258]

Hi. Another one would be ace.. but silly money now ov cause. After the 350s I owned a 500 lc for a couple of years. Even more fun! It got stolen one Saturday afternoon in the centre of Leeds. Had to get the bus back to Dewsbury ! Coppers did get me it back though 6 weeks later. Padgetts in Batley fixed it just in time for the 87 TT. Fantastic years all through the 80s and 90s on mainly 2 strokes. I still own 3 today. But it's not the same eny more... Mainly because I'm 64😩🤣👍

[@the_mad_leprechaun]

@paulgospel4258 you still have 3- 350’s?

[@paulgospel4258]

@the_mad_leprechaun hi murt. No not 3 350 lc's.. just 3 other crackers 2 strokes. Kawasaki kr1 250, Yamaha SDR 200 and a fully deristriced aprillia rs 125. Yes the 350 rd lc was an amazing bike in the early 80s! I bought an almost new ( 1,100) miles tzr 250 in about 88 Much better bike than the rd 350! Don't get me started on about the TDR or rgv 250s. Cuckoo!! The 350 lc was an amazing bike in 1981 especially with all the tuning bits that could be fitted too it.. standard today they look a bit.. ordenary .. put some chrome noisy pipes on, .uck the centre stand off, Belly pan fitted and rear set's 😋😎

[@davidbarringham7992]

Back to my youth. I had a few RDs…RD250DX air cooler, RD250LC, RD 350 YPVS (F1), and RD350LC. I preferred the standard pipes by far; they did not restrict power output. Fond memories of setting up the Mikuni carbs, and setting the ignition timing with a dial gauge borrowed from someone at work who used to race TZs. He let me sit astride a TZ750 he had parked in his hallway (thanks, Mick!).

[@the_mad_leprechaun]

Hello glad you enjoyed the video, and thank you so much for your story, fantastic. I do love 2 stroke bikes I think they sound and smell great. Cheers buddy Murt 😁👍

[@nicmost3044]

upgraded high Energy spark CDI ignition system. First ride when I was just running it in, I had to change my underpants!!!!!!!!! REgards, Nicky from Coswoth Engineering, Northampton, NN5 5RA,

[@kd350]

Just started my 400C. RZ this week had some issues but all's well now...Here in the US we got the cinnamon swirl wheels and the flat head light on the '82 Seca 650 which I bought new as a leftover for half the MSRP. That got traded for an '89 bumblebee DT50/LC which is still in service.

[@richarddepledge960]

Stunning styled bike. Timeless classic. Cult following.

[@the_mad_leprechaun]

Hello Richard. I’m glad you appreciated a classic as much as Neil and I do. It sure is a beautiful motorcycle. 😁👍

[@markleadbeatter6196]

Gotta love an Elsie and the original will always be the best looking of the lot in my opinion. This one looks great in Candy blue but my heart will always belong to the original white and blue colour scheme, which is just so iconic and I could just sit and look at mine for hours.

[@the_mad_leprechaun]

@@markleadbeatter6196 good morning Mark. Mars bar colouring for me. But each to their own. The only reason I prefer the 350 YPVS over the LC is because of my size. So if I could that’s the one I’d have. 😁👍

[@richardwoodhouse8397]

It sound brand new, lovely restored, good finish, pipes sound & look just like oem, I had the pro-am 350lc , micron or allspeeds, microns for rd's microns for kawasaki/suzuki 😅

[@richardwoodhouse8397]

Sorry that's allspeeds for rd's 😮

[@the_mad_leprechaun]

It’s not that long ago!!! Come on now! I had microns on my YPVS and yes the bike sounds great! I love the 2 stroke sound! 😁👍

[@dccsound9209]

Took one of mine up PRESCOTT HILL CLIMB this year… great fun

[@the_mad_leprechaun]

I bet it sounded great 👍 although I don’t have one I still love the sound and smell of a 2 stroke and if it’s a 350 LC all the better! 😁👍

[@davidlutton4560]

Brings back fond memories. I bought a new black 350LC in December '81 from Team Ham Yam Racing who were based in Chester-le-Street at the time. Not sure if they're still in business? Admittedly, it wasn't my favourite bike over the years, as it was a bit light and skitterish over road imperfections, particularly in the wet. Keeping its finish was also a bit of a pain, as the road salt 'loved' it😢. It was, however, great fun to ride and had an exciting (but short) power band. Would like to have another in the garage to tinker with, but prices, even for a rough dog, are unreal.

[@the_mad_leprechaun]

@@davidlutton4560 memories are made of 2 stroke smoke 💨 thank you for your message David much appreciated. Murt

[@sallywalsh6012]

What a beautiful bike with an amazing sound.

[@spotty_cat26]

I've watched a few of your vids previously and found them entertaining, this one however has earned you a sub. I have a candy Blue RD350LC and its a brilliant bike! This video really does do it justice. I am so glad you are a fan too. 👍👍

[@the_mad_leprechaun]

Ah bless you thank you so much! I do think of giving up sometimes. So getting messages like yours helps me keep going. Hopefully I am improving and entertaining. I’m not the BBC and am not trying to conquer the world. But it is nice to have an audience! Oh and I love cats too! 😁👍

[@brianharper9798]

Very nice, had the slightly newer F2 model bought new in 1988. Great trip down memory lane....

[@the_mad_leprechaun]

Thank you Brian! Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for watching. 😁👍💨

[@jessarellanes6648]

I had one for years

[@the_mad_leprechaun]

Do you miss it? I’d have one again if I could. 😁👍

[@mellowr1]

Lovely bike. Best colour LC Candy Blue👍 Nothing like riding a 2 stroke, still fun today. I have RD 350 F2 YPVS, RD 125 LC YPVS & DT 125 LC YPVS. Love riding them😎

[@the_mad_leprechaun]

Wow seriously impressed! What one is your favourite? Thank you for watching! 😄👍

[@mellowr1]

@@the_mad_leprechaun If I had to pick a favourite it would be the 350, just as it's the biggest cc. But they are all fun in different ways. The rd125 is light and nimble and still goes well, you just have to plan overtakes👍😀The DT is fun for green laning.😎

[@Banditmanuk]

That's gorgeous. Back in 81, I bought a brand new red and white RD250LC. Absolutely loved the bike, so fast for a 250. That's the bike that made the government change the 250 on L plates law down to 125. Think I paid just over £1200 new 😮 I had a Velocity-Moto LC900, made to look like the RD, but in the end, there's no substitute for a two-stroke engine.

[@the_mad_leprechaun]

Morning Richard 100% agree no substitute for the real thing. I still love 2 strokes and just had to get Neil to tell his story! Just a good excuse to sniff 2 stroke !!! 😆

[@Banditmanuk]

@@the_mad_leprechaun The only time I smell two stroke now is using my Stihl strimmer. Only problem with two-strokes is their nasty habit of seizing or generally detonating engines. Not many will get past 20,000 miles without a re-build

[@jive091]

The X7 wasn't bad either ! Two strokes rule 👍

[@Banditmanuk]

@@jive091 True, a couple of mates had their smaller brothers, the X5s 200cc. They still went well.

[@b12kult]

Great looking bike, I've owned the RD400 and a later 350YPVS. Unique sound and smell.....

[@the_mad_leprechaun]

My cousin had a 400 and I had a 350 LC and a YPVS I’d love to have another but can’t justify the price. I’ll just have to settle for making vids like this and sniffing 2 stroke smoke 💨 💨! 😁👍

[@b12kult]

@@the_mad_leprechaun Yes prices are what they are, I'm having the same problem as you. Would also like another 2stroke, can't justify the price either. And I'm also still getting another dreambike ready for the road again (sometime), it's a Honda CB900F Bol d'Or.

[@the_mad_leprechaun]

@b12kult ah wow very nice too! My dream bike would be an XT 600 Tenere I had one when I lived in London, and it was stolen. I then bought the LC and went to LE Mans. Ahhhhh memories! 😆😆😆

[@b12kult]

@@the_mad_leprechaun the XT series, also cult on its own. Yes memories, times that won't come back, I'm nostalgic when thinking about the screaming 4-1's (Marshall, Marvin...) back in the 80's

[@blowduke]

Had one in black with all speeds great bike

[@the_mad_leprechaun]

Mars Bar colours? For me the best colour. Both my YPVS and standard LC were black. 😁👍

[@yoshi4777]

Hello from France 🇫🇷

[@the_mad_leprechaun]

@@yoshi4777 Hello France. Hi Yoshi hope you are well. Thank you for your message. 😁👍 Bonjour France. Salut Yoshi, j'espère que tu vas bien. Merci pour votre message.😁👍

[@yoshi4777]

Merci beaucoup, j’ai exactement la même avec le même coloris 😉 !

[@the_mad_leprechaun]

@yoshi4777 c'est une très belle couleur. Je préfère la couleur de la barre Mars. Chacun son truc ! 😁👍

[@marcswinnen9100]

A dream❤😊

[@the_mad_leprechaun]

Hello Marc. A beautiful blue smoky dream! I too have a dream 💭 hopefully it will come true soon. Thank you for watching. 😁👍

[@timmcvittie436]

Lovely bike 👍

[@the_mad_leprechaun]

Thank you Tim. Neil and I had quite a bit of fun putting the vid together. 😁👍🏍️💨💨

[@kimetogo]

I had 2 back in the day mine was Red, one got stolen aswell, they were hot property back then. great video. and yes it did do over 100mph

[@the_mad_leprechaun]

It make me so angry to hear of people’s bikes being stolen. Unfortunately it has happened to me twice. Thank you for your message much appreciated. 100mph on a private road obviously!😜😆👍

[@anfieldroadlayoutintheloft5204]

nice bike thanks for the share on channel keep up the cool vlogs on channel thanks lee

[@the_mad_leprechaun]

Thank you Lee. Much appreciated. Hope you are keeping well! 🚂👍

[@thehum1000]

Ypvs version was the goat, with standard exhaust

[@the_mad_leprechaun]

I loved my YPVS shame I let it go! 😁👍

[@theaustralianconundrum]

@@the_mad_leprechaun Subscribed from Australia!

[@the_mad_leprechaun]

@theaustralianconundrum thank you so very much! 😁👍

[@LarsBgildThomsen]

I think another reason they are quite rare is that back in the 80s these bikes were bought by young idiots that trashed them and ended up crashing them too. I tried a RD 350 YPVS back in the day and it was terrifying - absolutely terrifying.

[@the_mad_leprechaun]

I loved the power they provided I guess its subjective. A lot of these bikes were and still are raced. Thank you for your message 😁👍 Murt

[@LarsBgildThomsen]

@@the_mad_leprechaun I didn't say it was not fun ;) I just think I had a case of too much self preservation to dare riding it regularly. My daily bike was a GS-1000. It would beat the crap out of the RD-350 in terms of top speed but the power came on in a more civilised manner and tended to keep both wheels ON the road ;)

[@the_mad_leprechaun]

@LarsBgildThomsen for sure two stroke engine could be unpredictable. But I loved the 2 I had!! GS 1000 awesome motorcycle! 😁👍

[@parchy6464]

They don't make bikes with this type of character anymore i miss my rd days

[@the_mad_leprechaun]

Yep totally agree with you there. All the technology is wonderful in some respects but characterless. Thank you for your message much appreciated. Hopefully doing more videos like this next year. I just need to find people with a classic happy to tell their story. 😁👍

[@spanky3101]

I know Neil and the story of his LC, it's his fault ive just bought a 1987 RD350F2!

[@the_mad_leprechaun]

Yeah fantastic news! I would like to plan a ride out next year so please do keep in touch with Neil and get involved in the fun! Thank you for your message and for turning in. Murt 😁👍

[@gazzertrn]

Wonder why they did not make it a 400 , just like the original RD ? Just a thought .

[@the_mad_leprechaun]

Mmmmmmmm good question! Unfortunately I don’t have an answer! We may never know. Thank you for stopping by. 😁👍

[@HarryCallahan-tf3qr]

My mate once said his RD350 would beat my 1995 CR500 up to a distance of a Mile 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@the_mad_leprechaun]

And don’t leave me hanging?? 😁👍👍

[@HarryCallahan-tf3qr]

@the_mad_leprechaun I just laughed at him and thought don't think so Mate.

[@MrMuftwub]

miss mine ..... was stolen :(

[@the_mad_leprechaun]

Ahh mate gutted for you! Horrible people bike thieves. 😳👍

[@parasinthephilippines]

Pass me the tissues.

[@the_mad_leprechaun]

Is this a good thing or a bad thing? How long ago did you sell your one? 😁👍

[@Dirk1961-l7y]

I owned one in the 80's. An black with red stripes. original with small handlebar fairing and underspoiler. This blue doesn't fit the yamaha is my opinion

[@the_mad_leprechaun]

Ohhh controversial! 😁 I guess it’s subjective! I on the other hand always loved the Mars Bar colouring or yellow and black. Hopefully getting a blue classic Yamaha myself soon. 😁 thank you for your message. Much appreciated. Murt

[@roche4drumroche]

At the 6 minute mark, he says the new government has a new law- you're only allowed ONE BIKE. Is this true? Perhaps it is time for an uprising against authority! "Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security."

[@the_mad_leprechaun]

Good morning! I use this question in a lot of my videos as I don’t like to use the old scenario of a burning 🔥 building. So it’s just a hypothetical governmentthankfully not a real one! So thankfully we can have as many bikes as we like, as long as we have the money 💰 😁 Unfortunately I spend a sack load of money 💰 on equipment making KZbin videos and can’t afford to buy another bike,….. at the moment! But soon 🔜 I hope to fix this problem. Thank you for your message hope this helps sorry for the confusion. Murt 😁👍

[@kd350]

Got 12 plated, over 2/3rds two strokes! Hard to do in the USA. In my 48th season on my R5 and CS5 twins...38th on the bought new RZ350. All ridden and never hidden.

[@the_mad_leprechaun]

@kd350 they have to be ridden, i honestly don’t see the point of having a bike and not riding it. Thank you for your message much appreciated. Take care Murt 👍😁