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Glyn said :-
I fail all the time and more often with age it would seem. I have to admit that I’m not having anything to do with the Yam 350 but just storing it until it’s new owner ( my brother ) can get over from the Isle of Wight to collect it. He has a fully restored 250 and enough bits to get this one back on its feet. I do like the simplicity and weight of it, it’s like a push bike to move around.
23/08/2024 07:58:07 UTC
ROD¹ said :-
Hi Glyn, Are you sure it's a 350lc?
I may be wrong (it wouldn't be the first time) but I thought the 350 had twin front discs, and the 250 had a single disc.
24/08/2024 10:19:19 UTC
Glyn said :-
You’re absolutely right Rod, well spotted. I looked at the import paperwork and it says 4L1 . 245cc. I was told it was a 350 and didn’t question it. It does have a single front disc although the mounting is on the other side of the wheel for a second one.
24/08/2024 19:02:22 UTC
Glyn said :-
Great news! The BMW started for the first time yesterday after 12 months or more standing in the garage. I decided to take an off rd ride around my garden which was recorded by Mrs Glyn on her IPad. I was overjoyed by the aftermarket Acewell speedo unit with the oil and charging lights extinguishing and the Tachometer plus speedo all functioning as hoped. I sent the video to a biker mate who wrote back “my lawn mower sounds better than that”! I took more notice of the engine than I had previously when I started it again today. It was indeed Off but I was not exactly certain why. Then I noticed that number one exhaust pipe didn’t burn me after 30 seconds unlike the other 3. Sure enough when I took the plug out it was clean and a bright blue spark appeared when I turned the engine over. I swopped no1 and 2 plugs but no difference. I then turned my thoughts to the injectors, they’ve been overhauled so should be ok. I put a screwdriver to my ear and placed the other end on the injectors and could hear them ticking whilst the engine was running, all apart from number 1 that is.. silence, until I moved the plug and socket on the top and it all jumped into harmony. I cleaned the plug and socket and all is well apart from a very noisy “in tank” fuel pump.
29/08/2024 18:50:52 UTC
Glyn said :-
One interesting thing about the BMW is that all 4 injectors fire at the same time. According to the wiring diagram, they’re all joined at the same connector and therefore must fire twice per engine revolution. This may explain the somewhat poor fuel consumption. So here’s the challenge to the electronic wizards reading this post; how do I convert the system into sequential firing 1,3,4,2, and is that even possible?
30/08/2024 09:25:02 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
I could imagine that you might be able to get them in pairs ("wasted injection") but full sequential sounds tricky.
30/08/2024 18:01:23 UTC
ROD¹ said :-
I agree with Ian, I am sure almost anything is possible if you throw enough money at it, but would it be worth the small improvement to change to a sequential system?
The wasted injection, is not really wasted as a wasted spark is in an ignition system. The fuel which has been injected simply waits a fraction of a second until the induction stroke takes it into the combustion chamber.
30/08/2024 19:25:07 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
I'm with Rod.
It's not wasted. No more than a conventional carburettor equipped engine. Or for that matter early single injection engines.
When the engine is ready it sucks and blows.
Upt.
31/08/2024 09:31:59 UTC
Glyn said :-
I’m done, just over a year of work and the final outcome is in the picture.I completed the full service of all fluids change today. I need to arrange an MOT then ride it. Here’s hoping that you like the seat Up’t as I stopped short of the Bentley stitch in favour of a more 60/70’s style. It took almost 12 months and cost me about £2k including the purchase of the bike. What’s it worth? well you tell me .. probably somewhere between £700 and £1800. Some people will hate it and what I’ve done to it. I can’t add another picture of the other side so will need to start another post.. coming up;
01/09/2024 14:35:38 UTC
Glyn said :-
Here’s the other side;
01/09/2024 14:37:12 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Looks pretty good Glyn but I have to say the seat isn't to my tastes, and am still not sure about the side panels. I would be looking for about what you've spent but probably put it on ebay starting at your 2K and see if anybody bites. I'm afraid it's too heavy for me!
Although I loathe facebook with a vengeance I've both bought & sold bikes on marketplace quite happily.
01/09/2024 16:00:49 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
I think for a do it at home jobby Glyn,it looks a treat.
I think you are undervaluing it though. Check out some of the heaps out there and the money asked and I'd think you were asking way under what you may get back should you decide to sell it.
I would think you have poured your heart/soul and wallet into it. Don't let it go cheap.
Unless you sell it to me of course.
Upt.
01/09/2024 16:42:40 UTC
Glyn said :-
I'm not really eager to sell it yet. I was just being a little negative over values per hour spent I guess. No, it has to be ridden first,enjoyed a little (or a lot) plus I do like the multi cylinder sound even through the stock silencer arrangement.These things are always in the eye of the beholder and if I were to put a picture of it on the owners club I could genuinely expect death threats and a hail of abuse. It's been a little of an "off piste" experiment for me as I usually rebuild biles back to stock where possible.
01/09/2024 17:44:05 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
They do actually sound quite nice, especially when revved a little.
They also handle OK for the big old lump they are.
Plus, you can't sell it until you've seen it blowing smoke rings on a frosty morning. Magic.
Forgot to say, the colour's a good choice and works well with the seat colour......but you already knew that.
Enjoy it fella, you earned it.
Upt.
01/09/2024 21:13:45 UTC
nab301 said :-
An interesting project , way better final result than I'd imagined it when you first posted, was it really 12 months ago !
Nigel
02/09/2024 10:32:28 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Well I'm impressed Glyn. The colours make me think of American 50's cars and/or possibly even 1930's Art Nouveau? Whatever, you have done a great job which means you have far too much patience and spare time on your hands.
Now - it needs a screen and luggage. I'm thinking chrome trimmed wrap-around style screen and hard leather luggage like from the good old days...
03/09/2024 10:47:07 UTC
ROD¹ said :-
Glyn, you have achieved a very nice looking bike. The finish looks very good and to my eye it all looks in proportion...... Apart from one thing. I think the headlight looks like it is mounted a little high.
Great job Glyn, happy riding.
03/09/2024 19:21:26 UTC
Glyn said :-
Many thanks for the positive encouragement all. I've booked the MOT. The first date they could fit me in was the 19th. I took the bike out along the lane and was surprised by how civilised it is to ride, however, it did throw up a couple of issues. The throtte cable is very notchy and after a few minutes I realised that I could'nt go any real distance without my wrist starting to ache. This cable is new but Cheap! I bought a generic cable as the BMW item is too short because I fitted wider handlebars. So as a fix, I ordered a Slinky glide kit from Wemoto and made up a new cable and it was excellent. The only issue is that special flux is required for the solder because the cable is stainless steel and normal flux/solder doesnt flow around the cable and nipple joint. The second issue was the electronic Acewell CA80 speedo had an unstable RPM reading. Also, revving the engine caused the MPH to become unstable even whilst on the stand. It would appear that this is due to the BMW RPM signal having major spikes on it from the ignition coil that disrupts the new guage. The answer I think is to make up a circuit to condition the RPM pulse which is hopefully within my abilities. I'll use a schmidt trigger I.C. and a couple of transistors and see how it works out. The third problem is that I (almost) cant touch the ground when sat on it. I'm not sure how I'm going to deal with lengthening short legs (29")
10/09/2024 16:42:13 UTC
ROD¹ said :-
Glyn, I would not recommend lowering the suspension as you do not have a lot of clearance to play with. You could take some padding out of the seat, but I would try some built up boots.
I have shorter legs than you and find built up boots a good option. On the RT I had the soles and heels built by 2". This is about the maximum you can get away with without interfering with the gear change. On the K1600 with the low seat I can get away with 1" wedges inside standard boots.
I would suggest trying some wedges ( seat lifts ) first as these are the easiest option and can be changed between your chosen footwear.
10/09/2024 17:36:02 UTC
Glyn said :-
That’s a thought indeed Rod. I’ll look into that, I think 1” would be suitable as I put 25mm thick wood either side of the bike and found it much better after I read your post. I found the Honda Deauville was a little too tall for me as well and I could only dream of being able to ride a GS. I sold the Deauville last weekend and so only have the K1100 now. I keep looking at Goldwing Trikes, should I get that affliction looked at by a professional? It would save me some money in new boots.
10/09/2024 19:33:31 UTC
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