Yamaha · Yamaha two-stroke twin (YDS, DS, R5, RD 1959-1985)

R3 / R5 / RD250 / RD350 / RD400

Library entry covers 1969-1980

29 factory 41 guideline

Published source

Yamaha RD350B Owner's Manual (Yamaha Motor Co.), Lubrication and Maintenance Charts pp.28-30

Factory owner's handbook. Covers 1974 RD350B owner's manual; the row covers the 1969-1980 piston-port and reed-valve twins.

Open the source

70 items for a 1970 model, grouped by interval the way a factory chart is laid out.

How this bike is built (what the schedule is based on)

Engine cycle: Two-stroke
Engine lubrication: Two-stroke oil injection (Autolube, Injectolube, Pilgrim pump...)
Oil filtration: None (no filter)
Valve gear: None (two-stroke porting)
Ignition: Battery and coil with contact points
Charging: Alternator / stator with rectifier
Battery: Wet cell (flooded lead-acid, needs topping up)
Fuel system: Two or more carburetors
Cooling: Air / oil cooled
Primary drive: Gear or chain inside engine, shares engine oil
Gearbox oil: Separate gearbox oil
Clutch control: Hand lever, cable
Final drive: Chain
Front suspension: Telescopic fork
Rear suspension: Swingarm, twin shocks
Front brake: Disc, hydraulic
Rear brake: Drum (or band / belt rim)
Wheels: Spoked, tubed
Sidecar: No sidecar

Maintenance schedule

1970 Yamaha R3 / R5 / RD250 / RD350 / RD400

On the road: every 150 mi

1 item

Check two-stroke oil tank / carry premix oil

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

Running a two-stroke out of oil seizes it. Injection bikes: check the tank. Premix: carry oil and a measure.

On the road: every 250 mi

1 item

Lubricate drive chain

Pre-ride / on the road

Factory

Manual: Drive chain: lubrication/adjust as required. Factory: Service note No. 1, p.30: lubricate every 200-250 miles

On the road: every 300 mi

2 items

Check lights, horn, brake light switches

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline
Check tire pressures

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

On the road: every 500 mi

1 item

Walk-around: check nuts and bolts for vibration loosening

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

Old machines shake things loose: exhaust nuts, mudguard stays, footrests, tank mounts, battery strap.

On the road: every 600 mi

1 item

Check chain slack and rear wheel alignment

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

On the road: every 1,000 mi

1 item

Check road kit: plugs, points file, master link, tube patches, wire, tape

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

Every 1,000 mi or 1 month

2 items

Clean / inspect air filter

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Air filter (wet type): clean/replace as required. Factory: Periodic maintenance intervals p.30; service note 2: at least once per month or every 1,000 miles
Check battery electrolyte, top up with distilled water

Ignition and electrics

Factory

Manual: Battery: top-off/check specific gravity. Factory: Periodic maintenance intervals p.30: monthly, or every 1000 mi

Every 1,000 mi

11 items

Inspect, clean and gap spark plugs

Engine

Factory

Manual: Spark plugs: inspect/clean or replace as required. Factory: Periodic maintenance intervals p.30
Clean fuel tap filter / sediment bowl

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Fuel petcock(s): clean/flush tank as required. Factory: Periodic maintenance intervals p.30
Adjust clutch free play, lubricate cable and lever pivot

Primary and gearbox

Factory

Manual: Clutch: check/adjust as required. Factory: Periodic maintenance intervals p.30
Check gearbox oil level

Primary and gearbox

Factory

Manual: Transmission oil change (check). Factory: Lubrication intervals p.28: CHK every 1000 mi
Clean drive chain thoroughly (remove and soak, re-lube)

Final drive

Factory

Manual: Drive chain: remove/clean/lube/adjust. Factory: Lubrication intervals p.28: every 1000 mi; lubricate every 200-250 mi (service note 1)
Grease swingarm pivot

Rear suspension and frame

Factory

Manual: Rear arm pivot shaft: zerk, apply until it shows. Factory: Lubrication intervals p.28
Adjust rear drum brake and rod / cable linkage

Brakes

Factory

Manual: Brake system (complete): check/adjust. Factory: Periodic maintenance intervals p.30
Check brake pads and discs

Brakes

Factory

Manual: Brake system (complete): check/adjust. Factory: Periodic maintenance intervals p.30
Check spoke tension and wheel true

Wheels and tires

Factory

Manual: Wheels and tires: pressure/spoke tension/runout. Factory: Periodic maintenance intervals p.30
Check wheel bearings for play

Wheels and tires

Factory

Manual: Wheel bearings: check. Factory: Lubrication intervals p.28: CHK every 1000 mi
Inspect tire tread, sidewalls and date codes

Wheels and tires

Factory

Manual: Wheels and tires: pressure/spoke tension/runout. Factory: Periodic maintenance intervals p.30

Every 2,000 mi or 12 months

1 item

Replace spark plugs (two-stroke)

Engine

Guideline

Every 2,000 mi

12 items

Compression test (or leak-down)

Engine

Factory

Manual: Cylinder compression: preventive maintenance check. Factory: Periodic maintenance intervals p.30 (dealer)
Decarbonize exhaust ports, pipes and baffles

Engine

Factory

Manual: Decarbonize engine, includes exhaust system. Factory: Periodic maintenance intervals p.30 (dealer)
Synchronize carburetors

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Carburetor adjustment: check operation/timings. Factory: Periodic maintenance intervals p.30
Check / set ignition timing

Ignition and electrics

Factory

Manual: Ignition timing: adjust/clean or replace points as required. Factory: Periodic maintenance intervals p.30 (dealer)
Clean and gap contact breaker points, oil cam felt

Ignition and electrics

Factory

Manual: Ignition timing: adjust/clean or replace points as required. Factory: Periodic maintenance intervals p.30 (dealer); point cam wick every 4000 mi, p.28
Change gearbox oil

Primary and gearbox

Factory

Manual: Transmission oil change. Factory: Lubrication intervals p.28: check at 250 mi, change at 500 and 1000 mi, then check every 1000, change every 2000
Change fork oil

Front end

Factory

Manual: Front forks: drain completely. Factory: Lubrication intervals p.28: check every 1000 mi, change every 2000 (dealer)
Check steering head bearing adjustment

Front end

Factory

Manual: Steering ball races: inspect. Factory: Lubrication intervals p.28: CHK every 2000 mi (dealer)
Check footrests, pegs, rear brake and gear lever pivots

Rear suspension and frame

Factory

Manual: Brake pedal and change pedal shafts: light application. Factory: Lubrication intervals p.28
Grease and check center / side stand and springs

Rear suspension and frame

Factory

Manual: Stand shaft pivot(s): light application. Factory: Lubrication intervals p.28
Repack / replace wheel bearings

Wheels and tires

Factory

Manual: Wheel bearings: do not over-pack. Factory: Lubrication intervals p.28 (dealer)
Lubricate control cables and lever pivots

Controls and cables

Factory

Manual: Control and meter cables: apply thoroughly. Factory: Lubrication intervals p.28

Every 3,000 mi or 12 months

7 items

Check engine mounting bolts and plates

Engine

Guideline
Check throttle cable(s) free play and return

Fuel and air

Guideline
Adjust clutch pushrod / clutch adjuster

Primary and gearbox

Guideline
Check chain guard, chain oiler (if fitted), rear chain case

Final drive

Guideline
Inspect chain and sprockets for wear (measure stretch)

Final drive

Guideline
Check steering damper (friction or hydraulic)

Front end

Guideline
Inspect fork seals, stanchions and fork boots

Front end

Guideline

Every 4,000 mi or 12 months

3 items

Check / bleed / adjust oil injection pump cable

Engine

Guideline
Replace spark plugs

Engine

Guideline
Lubricate brake cam spindles, check linings and drums

Brakes

Guideline

Every 4,000 mi

3 items

Clean carburetor float bowl(s), check float level and jets

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Carburetor overhaul: clean/repair/refit/adjust. Factory: Periodic maintenance intervals p.30 (dealer)
Repack / replace steering head bearings

Front end

Factory

Manual: Steering ball races: inspect thoroughly/pack. Factory: Lubrication intervals p.28 (dealer)
Lubricate speedometer / tachometer cables, check drive

Controls and cables

Factory

Manual: Tacho and speedo gear housings: light application. Factory: Lubrication intervals p.28 (dealer)

Every 5,000 mi or 2 years

1 item

Check cylinder head bolt torque

Engine

Guideline

Air-cooled iron and alloy engines can lose head bolt tension; follow your manual's sequence and whether it is done hot or cold.

Every 6,000 mi or 12 months

3 items

Check charging voltage and regulator / cut-out

Ignition and electrics

Guideline
Check swingarm bushes for play

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline
Inspect rear shocks for leaks and damping

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline

Every 6,000 mi or 2 years

1 item

Lubricate and check automatic advance unit

Ignition and electrics

Guideline

Every 10,000 mi

1 item

Replace chain and sprockets (wear based)

Final drive

Guideline

Every 12,000 mi or 2 years

1 item

Replace air filter element

Fuel and air

Guideline

Every 12,000 mi or 3 years

1 item

Replace points and condenser

Ignition and electrics

Guideline

Every 15,000 mi or 5 years

1 item

Inspect clutch plates and springs

Primary and gearbox

Guideline

Every 15,000 mi

1 item

Replace brake linings / skim drums (wear based)

Brakes

Guideline

Every 25,000 mi or 6 years

1 item

Replace swingarm bushes / bearings

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline

Every 30,000 mi or 6 years

1 item

Rebuild forks: seals, bushes, springs

Front end

Guideline

Every 6 months

1 item

Clean battery terminals, check charge and strap

Ignition and electrics

Guideline

Every 12 months

1 item

Check speedometer / odometer against a known distance

Controls and cables

Guideline

Old speedos drift with tire size and drive wear. Use phone GPS over a measured 10 miles / km.

Every 2 years

4 items

Inspect fuel tank for rust, sealer failure, leaks

Fuel and air

Guideline
Inspect wiring, bullet connectors and ground points

Ignition and electrics

Guideline
Inspect frame, welds and lugs for cracks

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline
Replace brake fluid

Brakes

Guideline

Every 4 years

4 items

Replace oil injection delivery lines

Engine

Guideline
Replace fuel lines

Fuel and air

Guideline

Old rubber and modern ethanol fuel do not mix well.
Inspect brake hoses; replace old rubber

Brakes

Guideline
Rebuild calipers and master cylinders (seals)

Brakes

Guideline

Every 6 years

2 items

Replace inner tubes and rim tape with tires

Wheels and tires

Guideline
Replace tires on age (regardless of tread)

Wheels and tires

Guideline

Guideline lines: Intervals here are general guidelines for the machine's era and layout, compiled for this app. They are not factory manual figures. Check your workshop manual, and edit any interval in the bike's Schedule tab.