FLATTY: Vic Protect’s 375cc Two-Stroke Road Tracker…
By the late 70s, Yamaha’s air-cooled RD250/400 two-stroke avenue bikes had been due for an replace. As a way to impress the supersport class, Yamaha determined to go all-out, making a Euro-centric machine that may boast liquid-cooling, cantilever monoshock rear suspension, and different options from their extremely aggressive TZ race bikes:
“The successors to the aircooled RDs can be aimed toward Europe, designed with help from Yamaha Europe and, freed from US restrictions, be as sporty and progressive as potential. In easy phrases, Yamaha wished to ‘construct a TZ for the road’.” –MCN
The end result can be one of the vital iconic efficiency bikes of the Nineteen Eighties, the Yamaha RD350LC, together with its learner-legal sibling, the RD250LC. Quickly, “Elsie” mania was in full swing. The RD350 Professional-Am championship was televised on World of Sport, the place a mixture of novice {and professional} riders raced on identically-prepared machines, together with future 500cc GP star Niall Mackenzie.
“The end result was shut, aggressive racing that made nice TV and helped earn the LC a cult following with speed-crazed youths.” –Hagerty
Enter our buddy Vic Protect of Vic’s Customized Autos, whose MZ-Yamaha “Mutant” hybrid we just lately featured. Vic was a type of “speed-crazed youths” who purchased a 250LC as quickly as he had the cash. He rode his Elsie till it blew up, then swapped out the engine for a Stan Stevens-built RD350YPVS mill — one of many first such “hybrids” of the day.
Quick ahead to right now, and Vic nonetheless loves the scent of two-stroke smoke within the morning. The bike you see right here is his “FLATTY,” a flat track-style construct impressed by none aside from Kenny Roberts:
“I cherished King Kenny on the TZ750, and this was what made me go the best way I did.”
This avenue tracker is one thing of a Frankenbike, that includes an ’83 RD350LC body, Honda CRF250 forks, Yamaha WR125 wheels and swingarm, and an ’82 RD250LC bored to 375cc and tuned by Floydy Racing.
Vic says the bike is as mild because it seems — round 265 lbs — and a brand new set of Lomas pipes evened out the ability supply:
“On the dyno it was simply over 70 bhp…now it’s round 65 however rides a lot better with a easy energy supply, and though it seems excessive on the again, as soon as I’m on the bike it sits down and handles prefer it’s on rails…out-handles a variety of sports activities bikes by means of the lanes.”
Beneath, Vic provides us the complete story on the creation of his “FLATTY”…and several other different people who smoke.
Yamaha RD375LC Tracker: Builder Interview
• Please inform us a bit of about your self and your historical past with bikes.
Let’s begin in the beginning.
I began using Yamaha two-strokes once I was 15 after shopping for a 1978 50cc F1SE moped from an outdated farmer whose son had left it in his barn unloved and with a snapped throttle cable. I managed to get it going and rode it the three miles house, primarily off-road, by pulling the cable with my proper hand and never utilizing the insufficient entrance brake. I then introduced a RS 100 and handed my take a look at ASAP when 17 years outdated. After that I had numerous RD’s: 250cc, 350cc, and the 400s, all air heads.
Once I had sufficient cash, I introduced one of many first RD250LC fashions to have come into Kent, UK. It was about 8 years outdated and I thrashed this in all places till clearly it blew up…twisted crank and melted pistons. I introduced an almost new YPVS 350 engine from a wrecked bike and took it to Stan Stevens, a well-known tuner within the 90s. This engine was particular.
Over that winter in my dad’s shed and lounge I fitted the engine into the 250LC body and rode that bike for a number of years earlier than my “EX” spouse made me promote it in direction of a home deposit.
I by no means had one other LC for years…a number of different bikes however didn’t need one other LC as a result of it might by no means be nearly as good as the primary one.
Roll on 25 years and I used to be chatting with my cousin about bikes and he stated he nonetheless had all his outdated RD350LC’s in his shed…all 4 of them plus bits, most in containers and tea chests.
A deal was struck that I’d construct him a motorcycle that he all the time wished and will by no means afford. I’d have the leftover elements and we’d promote two full unrestored bikes to assist pay for his and my challenge.
I put collectively two bikes and we offered these on for engine funds. Two engines had been taken to my mate John Floyd (Floydy Racing) for gentle tuning on my cousin Jon Cross’s bike and a race however dependable tune on my engine for the FLATTY.
There wasn’t an important deal price saving on my elements and that’s once I determined to construct a flat tracker with a distinction. I cherished King Kenny on the TZ750, and this was what made me go the best way I did.
• What’s the make, mannequin, and yr of the donor bike(s)?
The bike’s body was from a 1982 RD350LC.
The engine was a 1982 RD250LC.
The entrance forks are off a Honda CRF250
The wheels and swinging arm are off a WR125.
• What customized work was carried out to the bike?
- The mono shock was eliminated and I went for an old-school twin-shock arrange.
- Bodywork / tank: RD350LC
- Rear seat unit produced from aluminium.
- No lights and indicators…daylight MOT solely.
- The 2-stroke oil holder is a big duplicate Hurlimann beer can, which acquired the nickname HOOLIGANS within the 90s as a consequence of it making you go loony after a number of beers.
- It has an R1 modified radiator — the unique aftermarket job simply couldn’t maintain it cool.
- The carbs are Mikuni 34 energy jets
- I’ve modified the pipes from Tyga to Lomas, which I modified as a result of the ability was coming in at over 8k and was unridable.
- The engine has been taken out to 375cc and has a racing ignition system, which does away with the generator.
• Any thought of weight and/or energy numbers?
On the dyno it was simply over 70 bhp…now it’s round 65 however rides a lot better with a easy energy supply, and though it seems excessive on the again, as soon as I’m on the bike it sits down and handles prefer it’s on rails…out-handles a variety of sports activities bikes by means of the lanes.
The bike weighs in at round 120 kilos.
• Anything?
The bike together with the paint was all carried out in my workshop over 6 months. Floydy Racing did the engine work and RSK 2 Strokes acquired it arrange on the dyno.
I maintain getting informed that it sits up too excessive…after using my cousin’s bike I felt a typical RD was too small. I’m 16 stone and 5’10” tall, so I really feel extra snug on a taller bike.
It may be dropped by utilizing shorter shocks if I wished, however I constructed it for myself and it fits me high-quality.
Observe the Builder: vicscustomautos.co.uk
