For Sale

Yamaha RD350LC 1982

£12995

No motorcycle of recent times has achieved ‘cult’ status to the same extent as Yamaha’s legendary ‘LC’. Launched at the Tokyo Show in 1980, the RD250/350LC marked the introduction of water cooling to Yamaha’s range of potent middleweight two-strokes while also bringing mono-shock rear suspension and – in the 350’s case – twin disc front brakes to the package for the first time. Water-cooling had been a feature of the Hammamatsu firm’s TZ racers for some years, and the LC’s family resemblance was obvious. The 350LC continued the Yamaha tradition of giant-killing performance established by the air-cooled RD350 and RD400, and although its circa 110mph top speed was inferior to that of the larger, multi-cylinder opposition, over twisty going a well ridden 350LC could show almost anything the way home. It was also relatively inexpensive, endearing itself to impecunious younger riders, whose high-street stunts rapidly established the easily wheelied LC’s ‘hooligan bike’ credentials. The availability of noisy expansion chamber exhausts and a host of other tuning accessories – some of dubious merit – only served to further enhance its ‘bad boy’ image.

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