Yamaha RD350 LC.

RD Prototype

 The LC did not start life as we see it today.

With Suzuki’s new RG250 Gamma starting to steal sales, Yamaha took the sting out of the Gamma by completely revamping the LC producing the RD 350 YPVS {LCII} There was a new frame, twin front slotted discs, a rear disc and a true mono shock rear suspension, and of course the infamous YPVS (Yamaha power-valve system). So in April 1983 the power valve was born.

 Yamaha's RZ/RD 250 and 350 ranges have become legendary motorcycles in every sense of the word. Since launch in 1980 the RD-series - called RZ in Japan, USA and Australasian - have helped begin many a road or race career on two wheels.

Both the 250 and 350LCs were developed together in the late 1970s and were the result of calls from European bikers for 'pure' sports two-stroke. Hearing this call, a group of passionate two-stroke engineers in the heart of Yamaha began developing the new machines. The resulting RZ250 and 350 models were astounding, with Yamaha admitting at the launch of the machines that they were: '...a direct descendant of the legendary TZ road-racer.' The RD/RZ family finally fulfilled the promise of a race bike for the road, with the 250 alone producing 35 brake horsepower, or around 140bhp per litre from its liquid-cooled (LC) parallel-twin heart.

Never before - or since - has a machine been so loved by its owners. The RZ/RD series offered a mix of performance, practicality, and good looks and value that the opposition couldn't match. While the RZ250 carried on being produced in its original form until around 1986, the 350 became the 'YPVS Power valve' in 1983, evolving into the final Brazilian-made RD350R, which was finally withdrawn in 1996.

Today both the 250 and 350 are regarded as 'cult' and 'iconic' machines, having many thousands of loyal fans across the world. Some machines have been turned into 'specials': one-off bikes with special tuning parts to mark them out as individuals, just like their owners. Meanwhile, more and more are now finding their way back into stock, production form and winning awards once more, at local owners club meetings and classic motorcycle shows.

1980 Yamaha RD/RZ350 Summary Tech Specs

  • Dry weight kg: 143
  • Overall length mm: 2080mm
  • Wheelbase mm: 1370
  • Cylinder arrangement: two-stroke, liquid-cooled, parallel twin
  • Bore & stroke: 64 x 54mm
  • Displacement cc: 347
  • Compression ratio: 6:1
  • Maximum horsepower/rpm: 47 @ 8500
  • Transmission: 6 speed
  • Front suspension: Hydraulic fork
  • Rear suspension: cantilever monoshock
  • Front tyre: 3.00 X S18
  • Rear tyre: 3.50 x S18

1980

There where 3 colours available in 1980 when the LC was launched

1981

No major changes to the 250lc or the 350. But the 350 having twin discs up front and a cush drive rear wheel it gave a lot bigger punch than the 250 and at only £100 more and with the new 125cc learner limit coming in it virtually killed the 250 sales. The LC was still the only stroker worth looking at, 1000s were selling!

1982

This year saw the introduction of the limited edition model; with a pro-am fairing and belly pan as standard, and two new colours the rear red and the traditional black with the red/grey stripe.

RD 350 YPVS Info;

  • Introduced: LC2 April 83 ~ NI March 85 ~ FI Feb 85 ~ NII March 86 ~ FII March 86 ~ R Jan 92
  • Discontinued: LC2 June 85 ~ NI March 86 ~ FI March 86 ~ NII July 87 ~ FII Dec 91 ~ R Dec 95
  • Frame/engine nos: LC2 31K 000101 ~ NI 31K 077101 ~ FI 31K 053101 ~ NII 1WT 005101 ~ FII 1WT 000101 & 015101 86 to 88 ~ R 9c64ce00n0000101, Engine 4ce6-0000101
  • Colours:
    LC2 pearl White with red & Black with red
    NI Clean white with red & new black with red
    FI Silky white & stormy red or silky white and french blue
    NII silky white and red & black & red
    FII Red white & blue~ Blue & yellow ~black & gun met
    R Red white & blue ~ Black onyx & purple
  • Bore and stroke: 64mm x 54mm
  • Capacity: 347cc
  • Max power: LC2, NI, FI, 59BHP ~ NII, FII 62BHP ~ R 59BHP
  • Gears: 6
  • Wheels: 18-inch front and rear
  • Fuel capacity: 4.4 gallons
  • Performance: LC2, NI 118 mph ~ FI, NII, FII 120 mph ~ R 115 mph
  • Weight: LC2 361 lbs ~ NI 355lbs ~ FI, 364lbs ~ NII 355lbs ~ FII 364lbas ~ R 365
  • MPG: 40 mpg