RZ350 Hybrid
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- Regular Stroker
- Posts: 66
- Joined: Tue Jun 07, 2016 7:34 pm
- Location: Brisbane
RZ350 Hybrid
Hi,
After having a blast on a RD350LC I bought new back in 1981, I thought it was time to get another RD and do it up with a couple of individual touches ie a hybrid.
After finding out the price of LCs these days and the availability of parts, I widened my view to an RZ350 which seem to be a bit more available. I eventually found an unloved and messed around example that I wouldn't feel guilty about modifying and wasn't too expensive. It was running, but only just and didn't make any nasty noises so hopefully the engine rebuild shouldn't show too many issues.
I then found some RGV front and rear suspension, wheels and brakes for a fair price and ordered an Aprilia 250 fairing from Tyga along with some CF front and rear guards. I also have a fibreglass Honda 125 race tail that works with the look I'm going for but will need to be widened to match the rear of the tank.
Since then I've cut off the rear subframe and have started building a new subframe to suit the new tail section.
I also got a 650 GSXR rear shock at 325mm long which fits snugly in the swingarm but I've now found that it moves the lower suspension pivot down and that's now fouling the JL GP style exhaust I got. I've heard that the R6 rear shock @ 300mm long fits but I'm concerned that the gas cylinder may foul the swingarm. My other option is to cut off the top shock mount and make my own at the ideal location.
Anyway, lots of ideas, lots of options ....
After having a blast on a RD350LC I bought new back in 1981, I thought it was time to get another RD and do it up with a couple of individual touches ie a hybrid.
After finding out the price of LCs these days and the availability of parts, I widened my view to an RZ350 which seem to be a bit more available. I eventually found an unloved and messed around example that I wouldn't feel guilty about modifying and wasn't too expensive. It was running, but only just and didn't make any nasty noises so hopefully the engine rebuild shouldn't show too many issues.
I then found some RGV front and rear suspension, wheels and brakes for a fair price and ordered an Aprilia 250 fairing from Tyga along with some CF front and rear guards. I also have a fibreglass Honda 125 race tail that works with the look I'm going for but will need to be widened to match the rear of the tank.
Since then I've cut off the rear subframe and have started building a new subframe to suit the new tail section.
I also got a 650 GSXR rear shock at 325mm long which fits snugly in the swingarm but I've now found that it moves the lower suspension pivot down and that's now fouling the JL GP style exhaust I got. I've heard that the R6 rear shock @ 300mm long fits but I'm concerned that the gas cylinder may foul the swingarm. My other option is to cut off the top shock mount and make my own at the ideal location.
Anyway, lots of ideas, lots of options ....
-
- Regular Stroker
- Posts: 66
- Joined: Tue Jun 07, 2016 7:34 pm
- Location: Brisbane
-
- Regular Stroker
- Posts: 66
- Joined: Tue Jun 07, 2016 7:34 pm
- Location: Brisbane
Re: RZ350 Hybrid
Crickey, rapid progress! Looking good
Ex UK, now in Adelaide. LC250/350. DT175. Shed full of sh1t in the vague form of dismantled rusty RD’s and RZ’s.
Re: RZ350 Hybrid
Cracking build, almost looks factory but imho the colour scheme needs some good old Yam speed blocks.
Really looking forward to seeing this one finished.
Rgds
Ozhammer
Really looking forward to seeing this one finished.
Rgds
Ozhammer
Re: RZ350 Hybrid
Cracking build, almost looks factory but imho the colour scheme needs some good old Yam speed blocks.
Really looking forward to seeing this one finished.
Rgds
Ozhammer
Really looking forward to seeing this one finished.
Rgds
Ozhammer
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- Regular Stroker
- Posts: 66
- Joined: Tue Jun 07, 2016 7:34 pm
- Location: Brisbane
Re: RZ350 Hybrid
Hi,
I haven't updated for a while. Have been working on fitting the fairing a modifying the tail piece to match the frame.
I've also stripped down the motor and it will go through a complete rebuild. The head was damaged by some previous big end bearing failure and although they replaced the bearing and piston, they didn't repair the head. Consequently an aftermarket head is on its way. new piston set and rebore plus all new seals, bearings, clutch basket, power valves etc to get it back to specs.
tail mods plus seat pan and fabricated seat.
Here's a pic of the bike outside with a photoshopped colour scheme.
I haven't updated for a while. Have been working on fitting the fairing a modifying the tail piece to match the frame.
I've also stripped down the motor and it will go through a complete rebuild. The head was damaged by some previous big end bearing failure and although they replaced the bearing and piston, they didn't repair the head. Consequently an aftermarket head is on its way. new piston set and rebore plus all new seals, bearings, clutch basket, power valves etc to get it back to specs.
tail mods plus seat pan and fabricated seat.
Here's a pic of the bike outside with a photoshopped colour scheme.
Re: RZ350 Hybrid
Great work Phil but I still think it would be worth considering some sort of speed block pattern within the main red part, just to add some character.
Rgds
Ozhammer
Rgds
Ozhammer
Re: RZ350 Hybrid
Quick work, very impressive.
I actually quite like the original RZ in flat black too.
Will be interesting to see how your paint scheme comes our
I actually quite like the original RZ in flat black too.
Will be interesting to see how your paint scheme comes our
Ex UK, now in Adelaide. LC250/350. DT175. Shed full of sh1t in the vague form of dismantled rusty RD’s and RZ’s.
Re: RZ350 Hybrid
Very nice.phil1rowe4 wrote: ↑Thu Apr 27, 2017 9:00 pm
Here's a pic of the bike outside with a photoshopped colour scheme.
No speed blocks!!! They are overdone and would be outdated on the style you have established. The red flash on the fairing is a little overwhelming but a 'YAMAHA' in white could break up the vastness of the red.
"A motorcycle is a bicycle with a pandemonium attachment and is designed for the especial use of mechanical geniuses, daredevils and lunatics." - George Fitch Atlanta Constitution, 1916
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- Regular Stroker
- Posts: 66
- Joined: Tue Jun 07, 2016 7:34 pm
- Location: Brisbane
Re: RZ350 Hybrid
To speed block or not to speed block, that is the question !
Been there and tried a few different ideas but I was trying to make something a bit more individual looking.
I tend to think the white area on the fairing and tank are too big, not the red.
Also remember that this shot is quite low and you'll be typically looking from a much higher position, so the red will tend to disappear under the bike.
It's also obvious that my colouring in skills are pretty crap, so its just a conceptual idea, not an exact example.
Just got the re-bored barrels an new pistons back from the machine shop, so will clean up any flaws in the castings and match the inlet, exhaust and transfer ports. Cases have been vapour blasted and carbs ultrasonic cleaned and soda blasted. Just waiting on some OEM engine parts before starting to rebuild the bottom end.
Here's a pic of the cleaned up inlet side.
Been there and tried a few different ideas but I was trying to make something a bit more individual looking.
I tend to think the white area on the fairing and tank are too big, not the red.
Also remember that this shot is quite low and you'll be typically looking from a much higher position, so the red will tend to disappear under the bike.
It's also obvious that my colouring in skills are pretty crap, so its just a conceptual idea, not an exact example.
Just got the re-bored barrels an new pistons back from the machine shop, so will clean up any flaws in the castings and match the inlet, exhaust and transfer ports. Cases have been vapour blasted and carbs ultrasonic cleaned and soda blasted. Just waiting on some OEM engine parts before starting to rebuild the bottom end.
Here's a pic of the cleaned up inlet side.
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- Master Stroker
- Posts: 748
- Joined: Tue Nov 26, 2013 6:03 am
- Location: Brisbane
RZ350 Hybrid
Like this ?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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- Regular Stroker
- Posts: 66
- Joined: Tue Jun 07, 2016 7:34 pm
- Location: Brisbane
Re: RZ350 Hybrid
Yep, that's one of the inspirations.
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- Master Stroker
- Posts: 748
- Joined: Tue Nov 26, 2013 6:03 am
- Location: Brisbane
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- Regular Stroker
- Posts: 66
- Joined: Tue Jun 07, 2016 7:34 pm
- Location: Brisbane
Re: RZ350 Hybrid
That looks nice too.
You guys are stretching my photo shopping and painting skills !
You guys are stretching my photo shopping and painting skills !