Yamaha RD350LC / RZ350 / RD500LC / RZ500 — Example photo: Ronald Saunders, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

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

RD350LC / RZ350 / RD500LC / RZ500

Library entry covers 1980-1986

19 factory 38 guideline

Published source

Yamaha RD350LC Owner's Manual, Spanish edition (Yamaha Motor Co.), Mantenimiento periodico / intervalos de lubricacion pp.6-3, 6-4

Factory owner's handbook. Covers RD350LC owner's manual (Spanish edition), chart in km and mi; Yamaha's RD500/RZ500 service manual (1984-86) gives the same intervals.

57 items for a 1985 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: Electronic (CDI / transistor / ECU)
Charging: Alternator / stator with rectifier
Battery: Wet cell (flooded lead-acid, needs topping up)
Fuel system: Two or more carburetors
Cooling: Liquid 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, single shock / cantilever
Front brake: Disc, hydraulic
Rear brake: Disc, hydraulic
Wheels: Cast / alloy, tubeless
Sidecar: No sidecar

Maintenance schedule

1985 Yamaha RD350LC / RZ350 / RD500LC / RZ500

On the road: every 200 km

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 500 km

3 items

Check lights, horn, brake light switches

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline
Check tire pressures

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline
Lubricate drive chain

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

Lube warm, ideally at the end of the riding day so it soaks in overnight. Sooner after rain.

On the road: every 800 km

1 item

Check coolant level

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

On the road: every 1,000 km

1 item

Check chain slack and rear wheel alignment

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

Every 500 km

1 item

Clean drive chain thoroughly (remove and soak, re-lube)

Final drive

Factory

Manual: Drive chain: check tension and alignment, clean and lube. Factory: Periodic maintenance and lubrication intervals pp.6-3, 6-4

Every 3,000 km or 12 months

1 item

Replace spark plugs (two-stroke)

Engine

Guideline

Every 5,000 km or 12 months

7 items

Check throttle cable(s) free play and return

Fuel and air

Guideline
Clean fuel tap filter / sediment bowl

Fuel and air

Guideline
Inspect chain and sprockets for wear (measure stretch)

Final drive

Guideline
Check steering head bearing adjustment

Front end

Guideline
Inspect fork seals, stanchions and fork boots

Front end

Guideline
Check footrests, pegs, rear brake and gear lever pivots

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline
Grease and check center / side stand and springs

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline

Every 5,000 km or 2 years

1 item

Decarbonize exhaust ports, pipes and baffles

Engine

Guideline

Two-strokes coke up the exhaust port and muffler baffles; power falls off gradually.

Every 6,000 km or 6 months

13 items

Walk-around: check nuts and bolts for vibration loosening

Pre-ride / on the road

Factory

Manual: Chassis fittings and fasteners: check. Factory: Periodic maintenance and lubrication intervals pp.6-3, 6-4: first at 600 mi; center and side stands checked at the same interval
Check / bleed / adjust oil injection pump cable

Engine

Factory

Manual: Autolube pump: check operation, bleed. Factory: Periodic maintenance and lubrication intervals pp.6-3, 6-4: first at 600 mi; dealer item
Inspect, clean and gap spark plugs

Engine

Factory

Manual: Spark plugs: check condition, clean or replace. Factory: Periodic maintenance and lubrication intervals pp.6-3, 6-4: first at 600 mi (1,000 km)
Clean / inspect air filter

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Air filter: clean, replace if necessary. Factory: Periodic maintenance and lubrication intervals pp.6-3, 6-4
Replace fuel lines

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Fuel hose and vacuum pipe: check for cracks or damage. Factory: Periodic maintenance and lubrication intervals pp.6-3, 6-4: dealer item
Synchronize carburetors

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Carburetors: check idle speed and starter operation, adjust. Factory: Periodic maintenance and lubrication intervals pp.6-3, 6-4: first at 600 mi; dealer item
Check battery electrolyte, top up with distilled water

Ignition and electrics

Factory

Manual: Battery: check specific gravity and breather. Factory: Periodic maintenance and lubrication intervals pp.6-3, 6-4
Adjust clutch free play, lubricate cable and lever pivot

Primary and gearbox

Factory

Manual: Clutch: check operation, adjust. Factory: Periodic maintenance and lubrication intervals pp.6-3, 6-4
Grease swingarm pivot

Rear suspension and frame

Factory

Manual: Rear arm pivot: check for looseness, regrease moderately. Factory: Periodic maintenance and lubrication intervals pp.6-3, 6-4: first at 600 mi; lithium grease
Inspect rear shocks for leaks and damping

Rear suspension and frame

Factory

Manual: Front forks and rear shock absorber: check operation and oil leakage. Factory: Periodic maintenance and lubrication intervals pp.6-3, 6-4
Check brake pads and discs

Brakes

Factory

Manual: Brakes: check operation and fluid leakage. Factory: Periodic maintenance and lubrication intervals pp.6-3, 6-4: dealer item; master cylinder and caliper seals every two years, brake hoses every four years
Check wheel bearings for play

Wheels and tires

Factory

Manual: Wheel bearings: check for looseness or damage. Factory: Periodic maintenance and lubrication intervals pp.6-3, 6-4
Inspect tire tread, sidewalls and date codes

Wheels and tires

Factory

Manual: Wheels: check balance, damage, wear. Factory: Periodic maintenance and lubrication intervals pp.6-3, 6-4

Every 9,500 km or 12 months

6 items

Inspect coolant hoses and clamps

Engine

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

Fuel and air

Guideline

Ethanol fuel varnishes old carbs quickly in storage.
Check charging voltage and regulator / cut-out

Ignition and electrics

Guideline
Check swingarm bushes for play

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline
Lubricate control cables and lever pivots

Controls and cables

Guideline
Lubricate speedometer / tachometer cables, check drive

Controls and cables

Guideline

A dry speedo cable whips the needle and eventually kills the instrument.

Every 12,000 km or 12 months

1 item

Replace fuel filter

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Fuel filter: check condition, replace if necessary. Factory: Periodic maintenance and lubrication intervals pp.6-3, 6-4: dealer item

Every 13,000 km or 2 years

1 item

Replace spark plugs

Engine

Guideline

Every 16,000 km or 2 years

2 items

Compression test (or leak-down)

Engine

Guideline
Change fork oil

Front end

Guideline

Some early telescopic forks are grease filled or use very small oil quantities. Check your manual.

Every 19,500 km or 2 years

1 item

Replace air filter element

Fuel and air

Guideline

Every 24,000 km or 2 years

4 items

Replace coolant

Engine

Factory

Manual: Coolant: replace. Factory: Periodic maintenance and lubrication intervals pp.6-3, 6-4: cooling system checked for leaks every 4,000 mi
Change gearbox oil

Primary and gearbox

Factory

Manual: Transmission oil: replace (warm engine before draining). Factory: Periodic maintenance and lubrication intervals pp.6-3, 6-4: replaced at 600 mi; level and leaks checked every 4,000 mi
Repack / replace steering head bearings

Front end

Factory

Manual: Steering bearings: regrease moderately. Factory: Periodic maintenance and lubrication intervals pp.6-3, 6-4: checked for looseness at 600 mi and every 8,000 mi
Clean and grease rear suspension linkage

Rear suspension and frame

Factory

Manual: Rear suspension link pivots: grease lightly. Factory: Periodic maintenance and lubrication intervals pp.6-3, 6-4: operation checked every 8,000 mi

Every 29,000 km

1 item

Replace chain and sprockets (wear based)

Final drive

Guideline

Every 32,000 km or 4 years

1 item

Repack / replace wheel bearings

Wheels and tires

Guideline

Cup-and-cone and taper roller hubs need periodic repacking and adjustment.

Every 40,000 km or 6 years

1 item

Replace swingarm bushes / bearings

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline

Every 48,500 km 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

3 items

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

3 items

Replace oil injection delivery lines

Engine

Guideline
Inspect brake hoses; replace old rubber

Brakes

Guideline
Rebuild calipers and master cylinders (seals)

Brakes

Guideline

Every 6 years

1 item

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.