I’ve been getting emails about troubles with RD350s which prompted me to bring back this REALLY old post from the dead. Give this a go and it may help you out. Your bike might not catch fire when you’re riding, but no harm in being prepared. 😉

This is just a compilation of things that could happen as seen on other sites. I haven’t written all this stuff down since I am not a great techie, but this is something that could get your thought process started on what could be wrong. If you find something that’s wrong or would like me to add something more, please let me know.

1. Engine misfires/ fails to start

• Moisture/ choking in the carburetors
• Uneven C.B. points gap/ pitting/ wrong ignition timing
• Faulty condenser
• Spark plug fouled which leads to no spark at plug or weak spark at plug
• Loose or cracked spark plug terminals
• Battery in low on charge
• Carburetor mounting not air tight
• Blown head gasket or bore gasket
• Points are arcing or sparking; consider replacing condenser

2.Loss of power

• Wrong engine tuning
• Chocked air filter
• Chocked silencers
• Engine requires decarbonising
• Worn out piston /rings lack of compression
• Ignition timing not set correctly
• Timing is retarded. Advance to correct setting

3. Engine fails to reach high speed

• Decarbonise engine
• Chocked air filter
• Wrong engine tuning

4. Engine overheating

• Failure of oil supply
• Wrong oil to fuel ratio
• Poor quality 2 stroke oil
• Pre-ignition and or jetting too lean
• Ignition timing too retarded

5. Difficulty in engaging gears

• Selector forks or rods bent
• Broken springs in gear selector mechanism
• Clutch drag
• Worn dogs on ends of gear pinions
• Sticking cam plate plunger

6. Gearshift lever does not return to centre position

• Broken return spring

7. Engine RPM builds but machine does not move

• Clutch slip

8. Difficulty in engaging gears/ engine moves forward with clutch pulled in

• Clutch drag

9. Clutch lever action is too hard

• Bent push rod
• Dry push rod
• Damaged trapped or frayed clutch cable

10. Engine keeps jumping out of gear

• Worn dogs on ends of gear pinions
• Defective cam plate plunger

11. White Smoke from exhaust

• To much oil
• Engine might need to be re-bored
• Tank has premix and not pure petrol
• If smoke is only from the right side then the crank seal needs to be replaced

12. Kick-starter does not return/ slips/ jams

• Broken kicker spring
• Worn ratchet assembly
• Worn gears on ratchet

13. Battery Discharged

• Loose connection(s) in the charging circuit
• Faulty R.R. unit
• Damaged magneto winding
• Weak/ sulphated battery
• Excessive use of lights/ horn without starting the engine or running at low speeds
• Ignition or parking lights left on, on parked motorcycle

14. Wobbly wheels

• Loose race bearing
• Tyre fitment wrong- imbalanced or not seated properly
• Front wheel axel nut loose
• Rear Swing fork arm nut loose or worn-out bushes and bushings
• Improper tyre inflation