Alright, let me tell you about this Yamaha LC 350 project I got myself into. Found this old beast tucked away, hadn’t seen the light of day for who knows how long. It looked pretty sad, honestly, covered in grime.
Getting Started
First job was just cleaning it up. Had to hose it down properly to even figure out where to begin. You know how it is, gotta see the battlefield before you plan the attack. Once the worst of the dirt was off, I could see the potential, but also the work ahead.
The engine was my main focus initially. Figured if I couldn’t get that heart beating, the rest didn’t matter much. Pulled out the spark plugs first thing. Yep, they were as crusty as you’d expect. Looked like they’d been in there since the dawn of time.
Digging In
Checked if there was any spark. Got a little flicker, but it was weak. So, I spent a good while cleaning up all the ignition bits. You know the drill:
- Cleaned the points.
- Checked the condenser.
- Made sure the coil connections were solid.
It was fiddly work, took some patience, but eventually got a stronger spark. Felt like a small victory right there.
Next up, the fuel system. Oh boy. Peeked inside the tank, saw that familiar rusty haze. Dealing with rusty tanks is never my favorite part. Drained the old fuel – nasty stuff, smelled terrible. Gave the tank a good few rinses. Tried the old vinegar trick, let it sit for a day, then rinsed it out thoroughly. Hoped for the best.
Then, the carbs. Knew they’d be clogged up. Pulled them off the bike. Taking them apart piece by piece, very carefully. I always lay everything out on a clean towel so I don’t lose those tiny screws and jets. Sprayed a ton of carb cleaner in every hole I could find. Used a thin wire to poke through the jets, making sure they were clear. Putting them back together is always a bit nerve-wracking, hoping you remembered where everything went!
The Moment of Truth
With cleaned ignition, flushed tank, and rebuilt carbs, it was time. Poured in some fresh gas, popped in new spark plugs. Took a deep breath and started kicking. Nothing. Kicked again. And again. My leg was starting to feel it.
Checked things over. Was fuel getting to the carbs? Looked like it. Okay. Adjusted the choke a bit. Gave it another series of kicks. Then… a sputter! Just a little cough, but it was something! My heart jumped a bit.
A few more determined kicks, and suddenly it burst into life! Well, maybe ‘burst’ is too strong a word. It coughed, sputtered, and smoked like a chimney, but it was running! The sound was rough, uneven, but it was the sound of a running engine. That felt amazing after all the cleaning and fiddling.
Let it idle for a while, clouds of smoke filling the garage. Probably burning off years of gunk inside. It needs a lot more tuning, for sure.
What’s Next
So, the engine runs. That’s a huge step. But it’s far from done. The brakes feel dodgy, definitely need a full check and probably new pads or fluid. The tires are ancient and cracked, wouldn’t trust them further than the end of the driveway. Lots more to do, tweaking the carbs, checking the oil pump, electrics… it’s a journey.
But yeah, getting that LC 350 engine to fire up again, that’s the kind of progress that keeps you going on these old project bikes. One step at a time, that’s the way.