Topic: ‘67 Bridgestone 350 GTR Project

[Popwood]

Needed a new project so today I carted home this Bridgestone. It’s been in the family since 2008 and had it running but not really reliably well but has mostly collected dust since 2008. Only has a bit more than 4,000 miles on the clock and it’s 99% in tact and mostly free of rust.

Anyone have knowledge of this bike specifically and/or 2 strokes in general? Will likely need some advice along the way to getting back on the road and running well. After running well and will take stock of what sort of restoration I will want to do.

The ID VIN number tells me it came off the line in June, 1967; same month and year I graduated high school— yes I’m old. And it also tells me it was number 439 off the assembly line.

Will start with cleaning carbs then a total tune up. Wish me luck!

[ekpent]

  Our neighbor across the street when I was growing up had a Bridgestone 350. At the time my dad had a Suzuki T500 then a GT750. I saw the bike on the road a lot and to this day have a soft spot for that model,always thought they were quite attractive and they are spirited also. A vintage resto shop near me was working on one within the last year or so and I was kicking the tires and admiring it.
   I think I read at one time where Honda and maybe others finally got on Bridgestone's case a little and pretty much said do you want to build tires for us or bikes and we know where that went.
  Hopefully you can post up a picture and enjoy your new toy.

[scottly]

Steve, I graduated Jr High the same month and year, and I do vaguely recall the brand, but I don't know anything about them in particular. Weren't they sold by Montgomery Ward or J.C.Penny, like the Sears Allstate? I seem to think they were similar to the Yamaha twins of the same period?   

[Popwood]

Rockford Motors in Illinois was exclusive distributor for Bridgestone in US. It was an expensive bike in its time and had some unique tech features; first among them is a rotary injection oil system that negated the need to mix oil and gas in the tank. It’s also said it was faster than the 750s in the day. It’s extremely light weight. The only wheelie I ever did was unintentional on this bike and boy, did I get immediate respect for its power.

[Popwood]

Here she is. I have the tank and seat. De-rusted the tank over the weekend. Must say, Evaporust is an excellent product.

[hawaiikid]

There was a Bridgestone 350 a Friend of mine had and it was fast! His father was a speedboat racer and had the two stroke tuners handbook. He fashioned a set of custom chambers for it and I know for sure he was outrunning Honda 750s. I don t recall which model it was but I know he modified the rotary induction intake pieces as well. I always thought the frame was a little skimpy. the cylinders were chrome plated I believe. I know where that bike is now and i occasionally make an offer on it but the current owner turns me down. The bike is in good shape and i wonder what a good assessment of its value would be. It still has the chambers on it although I don't know if he has the original exhaust laying around. there was a GTO and GTR model and I think one had upswept exhaust.

[ekpent]

Here is a very good article about the 350 and the Bridgestone history. It points out that my tire theory I mentioned in an earlier post is just a popular myth.  Wrong again Eric    Good read though.  https://www.oldbikemag.com.au/bridgestones-crowning-glory-350-gtr/
  Engine on that thing is kind of similar to the Kaw 350 Avenger.  Interesting that it looks like they may have made less of these then the Sandcast 750's.

[MauiK3]

Very cool bike, I remember the high pipe version, it was also pretty cool.

[Stev-o]

Anyone have knowledge of this bike specifically and/or 2 strokes in general?

I have a few 2 strokes [Kawasaki, Yamaha, Suzuki] and the big thing with them is the crank seals.  They get old and deteriorate, cause the motor to run lean and sometimes burn holes in pistons [dont bother to ask how I know]

Great looking bike, looking forward to seeing you get this one back on the road.

[Popwood]

Crank seals, huh. Thanks for the heads up. Steve-o, my plan is to first simply see if I can get it running reasonably well, then get it titled (hopefully). If titling successful, then go deeper into restoration. Given it has less than 5000 miles, would like your opinion on risk of crank seal problem if I’m just getting it running and putting maybe 20 miles on it in the process, a few miles at a time. Just don’t want to put a lot of $$ and time into it if I run into unforeseen title issues.

And speaking of getting titles, are there any states left where a title service company can get a title that can then be transferred in Ohio where I live? I recall there were a couple states some years ago.

Thanks

[Stev-o]

Given it has less than 5000 miles, would like your opinion on risk of crank seal problem if I’m just getting it running and putting maybe 20 miles on it in the process...

And speaking of getting titles, are there any states left where a title service company can get a title that can then be transferred in Ohio where I live? I recall there were a couple states some years ago.

Thanks

I dont see much harm in getting it running, just keep an eye on the spark plugs for a very lean condition.  And obviously check your oil injection pump to be sure it's working once fired up. Some guys mix two stroke oil with the gas to be sure it's getting lubrication.

Fairly easy to get a registration from Vermont, will OH accept a transferable reggie as proof of ownership? [TX does]

http://www.chinonthetank.com/2014/04/get-a-title-with-a-vermont-registration/

[Just John]

They were sold out of a catalog at a small auto parts story in my little Arkansas home town.  Unfortunately that was the case with no real dealer network and they were very expensive.  A 350 cost the same as a Triumph Bonneville.  Consequently they got very little interest in my area which had established Honda and Yamaha dealerships.  The stock 350s were fast, I saw one run on a 1/4 mile strip against a Yamaha Big Bear that had been heavily modified.  The Big Bear won but it as close.  The few bikes sold were mostly 50cc AKA The Bridgestone 7.  The store had a 350 GTO (high exhausts) on display in the front window in 1969.  I was told it went to a bike dealer in Tennessee when Bridgestone stopped manufacturing in 1970.  I read an article that said the Keiretsu told Bridgestone to stop building motorcycles and concentrate on tires. 

[MrGardman]

When I first started working at the bike dealership where I now live, we sold Bridgestone. We campaigned a 175 scrambler for TT and scrambles also. Sold quite a few of them. The 350 was pretty quick back in the day. If I remember correctly they had rotary valves just like the 175s.

I always like the seats on the 350s, the suede like material on the top always felt good and a person would not slide around like on regular vinyl.

[hawaiikid]

i know its not a Honda but i am interested in following your build>

[faux fiddy]

Crank seals, huh. Thanks for the heads up. Steve-o, my plan is to first simply see if I can get it running


And speaking of getting titles, are there any states left where a title service company can get a title that can then be transferred in Ohio where I live? I recall there were a couple states some years ago.

Thanks

The Bridgestones get raced.  The people who race the 200's have found ways to isolate the hemispheres of the motor with a retro engineered seal. It increases performance as well as fixes an inherent design flaw. I would think the 350 has similar issues and the similar 'recall fixes' described are  there om the web if you look hard enough.

[grcamna2]

Very interested to see this restoration go forward  .
I know that VT. has a great motorcycle registration to put vintage bikes 'back into the system'.The registration forms can be downloaded and printed then sent to Burlington,even from out of state.I was living in PA. and did it and it works