Early 80’s Japanese 2-strokes - where to buy?

[Skyman]

I have found myself thinking back to my younger biking days, and the must have bikes of the time - thinking 250/350LCs, GT250 X7 and the like. I have no idea of reliable sources if I wanted to secure a good example today. Any help in pointing me in the direction of suitable dealers/importers, would be very much appreciated. Thank you.

[podman]

I would join the relevant Facebook and owners forums, get to know the owner and some of the bikes more recent history, eBay & dealers being the last resort .

[Sidecar Man]

Graham Crump on Facebook. Buy it direct from Japan.

Edited by Sidecar Man on Monday 27th May 16:10

[Super Sonic]

Pedant alert, they're not 2t, they have valves. EIGHT per 'cylinder'!

Edited by Super Sonic on Monday 27th May 16:57

[trickywoo]

Although not specific to what you are looking for the bike specialist in Sheffield gets some very nice bikes for sale.

[srob]

Super Sonic said:

Pedant alert, they're not 2t, they have valves. EIGHT per 'cylinder'!

Edited by Super Sonic on Monday 27th May 16:57

An RD isn’t a two stroke?

[archie456]

srob said:

Super Sonic said:

Pedant alert, they're not 2t, they have valves. EIGHT per 'cylinder'!

Edited by Super Sonic on Monday 27th May 16:57

An RD isn’t a two stroke?

The bikes in the picture, which are NR750s

[nismocat]

I had a GT250. Wish I kept it.

[black-k1]

TTT Motorcycle Village in Sudbury, Suffolk always have a number of '70s and early '80s 2 strokes. https://tttmotorcyclevillage.co.uk/ They're also on Facebook

[Skyman]

Thanks very much to all for the responses. I shall follow those up. As it happens, I have also found what looks like a good example of an RD350LC quite close to me. That can go into the mix.

[Mr Tidy]

A mate of mine has been buying and selling quite a few bikes of that era as a retirement hobby and has often got good deals at auctions.

[Super Sonic]

srob said:

An RD isn’t a two stroke?

RD is a two stroke, as is X7.
I was referring to the NR in the pic, as Archie spotted. Incredible bike.
Btw, there are 2 strokes with valves, but I don't think any motorcycles have them.

[srob]

Super Sonic said:

srob said:

An RD isn’t a two stroke?

RD is a two stroke, as is X7.
I was referring to the NR in the pic, as Archie spotted. Incredible bike.
Btw, there are 2 strokes with valves, but I don't think any motorcycles have them.

Ok, I thought you were talking about the OP as you hadn’t quoted the NR picture and that bike’s just in an advert relevant to the OP.

With the NR it wasn’t the valves that were most interesting, it was the pistons!

[Super Sonic]

srob said:

Ok, I thought you were talking about the OP as you hadn’t quoted the NR picture and that bike’s just in an advert relevant to the OP.

With the NR it wasn’t the valves that were most interesting, it was the pistons!

Ikr, two cranks on each piston! Putting the 'rings on must have been fun! Apologies to the op for the thread hijack, I'll stfu now!

[Biker's Nemesis]

srob said:

Super Sonic said:

srob said:

An RD isn’t a two stroke?

RD is a two stroke, as is X7.
I was referring to the NR in the pic, as Archie spotted. Incredible bike.
Btw, there are 2 strokes with valves, but I don't think any motorcycles have them.

Ok, I thought you were talking about the OP as you hadn’t quoted the NR picture and that bike’s just in an advert relevant to the OP.

With the NR it wasn’t the valves that were most interesting, it was the pistons!

[Biker's Nemesis]

I've ridden a dozen or so 350Lc's over that last couple of years, all of them have not lived up to my memories.

For me it would be a an air cooled RD, the 200/250 or 400 from Yamaha. But, I would choose an X7 over them followed by a 350Ypvs.

[Skyman]

Would this be a bad idea? Am I being a victim of rose-tinted spectacles? I had been set on a 698 Mono, but nostalgia is still getting the best of me.
https://www.uniquewheels.com/vehicle/yamaha-rd350-...

[Biker9090]

Skyman said:

Would this be a bad idea? Am I being a victim of rose-tinted spectacles? I had been set on a 698 Mono, but nostalgia is still getting the best of me.
https://www.uniquewheels.com/vehicle/yamaha-rd350-...

If it's well cared for, well setup and either you're good at servicing it or know someone that is - then yes. If no to any of those, then no.

[podman]

Skyman said:

Would this be a bad idea? Am I being a victim of rose-tinted spectacles? I had been set on a 698 Mono, but nostalgia is still getting the best of me.
https://www.uniquewheels.com/vehicle/yamaha-rd350-...

Nothing bad about it at all but on my first post, I did suggest joining the owners forums or FB pages where you will gain an understanding of bikes background/restoration process and save yourself several thousand pounds over that price in the process.

I was at a 2T event yesterday with several bikes for sale inc this lovely LC Hybrid.