RZ 250 "rolling resto"

[BRG1200]

Morning guys, about a month ago I grabbed an RZ 250 K in sad but pretty much complete and running condition for a grand. Didn't seem much mileage in negotiating so I did pay the asking, and quite glad I did (at that level).

I'll work out a photobucket account later so that I can post up some pics of progress, but the last few nights I've started pulling things off to assess what I've got here.

My plan is or was to get the thing straight onto the road as daily transport, that seems a bit less likely now, as I've found a few issues.
I'm going to ask if any of you guys have some minor spares along the way, as you never know!
Long term plan is to gather the parts required to convert to a 350 and eventually give it the full resto it deserves. Money is tight, so that is a LONG term plan.

The troubleshooting tally so far:

1) Top fairing missing, but luckily I've sourced two broken ones I can eventually cobble into one - happily they had different damage. A job for much later though.
2) Trickier is the "kidney" style clocks which are in a very sorry state.
3) One fork seal has blown badly, oiling a disc. Stanchions seem in good condition below the bottom yoke - good news.
4) took the belly pan off, not too bad, only one lug missing and a bit of fibreglassing on the back. Repairable. Got a scruffy spare one too - lucky find.
5) taking bellypan off revealed a wobbly RH exhaust, stud mounting snapped off, and a bodge was in place to hold it on - pic to follow. Bit of an issue. Looking up the port I suspect a recent rebuild, a very clean piston and barrel inside. Not sure whoever did it should have been doing a rebuild though, based on all the other minor bodges.
6) Wood screws. I HATE finding wood screws. Hopefully these will only be on the metal strap retainers on the carb rubber joints.
7) Engine leaks oil! I have the only Japanese bike that leaks oil!!! Didn't know Yamaha had a factory in England!?! Maybe BSA built a few under licence.
Ah f*&k, now we are seeing the evidence of someone who should not be allowed to own spanners. One engine tie bar ENTIRELY MISSING! Any one got one? Looks like it's been off a long time, no paint damage around the bolt holes, no dirt "shadow" accumulated around the missing parts.
9) Left hand exhaust clashing with swing arm, reckon mainly due to rear footrest hanger taking a hit at some point, bracket on frame maybe bent in a little. Fixable I believe.
10) front brake hoses look careworn, willorder some braided stainless Venhills.

There's the other minor things you'd expect, but that's the crucial stuff as I see it today.

Hard to get stuck into the bike due to overcrowded garage and family committments, but boy, it is nice having a garage. Only had a small front yard in the UK, and in English weather with grit and leaves and other crap blowing in the wind and rain and working by streetlight I really appreciate a garage. Any other former Poms on here will probably have had the same experience!
Shame it's right next the the neighbours house, so noise in the evening not appropriate.

[DOC03]

Very cool you finally got a project and it sounds like a great base to start with, even if its a little "worn"
Be great to see the progress.
Cheers
Pete

[BRG1200]

Thanks Doc, and thanks for your offers of help in the recent past.
In a way still I'm divided as to whether I'd rather have had an LC or an "LCII" as this one is. But heck, I'm just glad to have an RD project, as you say
Fingers crossed there'll be a "cheap" LC at some stage, like the one in Sydney (I think it was).

Now, must ring friendly local wreckers (yes! really!), see if he has any engine related spares - like engine tie bars.


Wreckers in Adelaide, anyone got any hot tips?

I have one that I have found really helpful, Aaron of very well orrganised bits for Japanese Motorcycles in Churchill Road - I am morally obliged to big him up as he helped me out, even though it may mean competition for his spares!
I've grabbed probably the last of the "hard to find" RD/RZ bits he had left, but he has plenty of good very well organised spares for all sorts of bikes.

[Gazzah]

Hi BRG1200
Good luck with your resto. Like you I found an RZ250K on the corner near my place just over a year ago for a grand and after a bit of work getting it basically sorted, I reckon its an absolute little cracker of a bike and will be well worth the effort.
With mine the main thing was the rear shock was rubbish so I got a 99 R6 shock ( a reasonably common solution) which works really well, it adds some height in the rear and although the spring is a little soft its probably well balanced with the soft front springs.
Other than that braided brake lines, 15wt fork oil and some 12mm spacers to add some front preload, and its been a ball of fun ever since.
Good luck with yours I hope you have as much fun with it as Ive been having.
Cheers

[BRG1200]

I owned a 31K in the UK Gazzah, thats where I get the love for this model. Only bike I ever REALLY regretted selling.
You're right, they are a little cracker of a bike when set up right, and I'll remind myself of your preload spacer tip when I get into the forks, was considering it a couple of weeks ago but forgot about it with the other fun and games .
What did you use for spacers?
Rear shock, seen a few comments, apparently an RD 125 shock also works, but I reckon R6 a hell of a lot easier to find!

[Gazzah]

Hi BRG1200,
I just bought some PVC tubing from Bunnings and used that, I tried 15mm but struggled to get the caps on so settled for 12mm, and its fine, but I havent yet checked how they are holding up a year on! With the R6 shock you will have to grind a little off the left side of your frame shock mount so the shock reservoir fits.
But definately an effective way to improve the handling if your on a tight budget. Ive been running the Metzler Laserteks on mine which are great, Ive heard good things about the BT45's too so might try them next.

Cheers

[BRG1200]

That's pretty much what my bike looks like, but missing the top fairing instead of the bellypan. Your cigar pipes look in nice condition.
BT45's transformed my bike back in the UK, though I don't remember what was on it to start with.
Don't hesitate to put a pair of those on.

I was thinking of metal pipe or washers or something for forks. Will mull it over.
For the shock, I have a phobia of trimming anything off a bike that csn't easily be put back on, is there any way to trim something of the shock instead? How much is required?

[JonW]

here is my R6 shock info, I have heard of people shimming the shock, but there is so little removed from the frame everyone says its fine.

http://www.2smoked.com/R6_shock_in_a_Ya ... _YPVS.html

[DOC03]

Geez JOn, youve been busy with your site, Well done looks great.

[JonW]

Thanks Pete, very kind of you mate.

[BRG1200]

Blimey, i think that about covers it for the R6 shock!

[BRG1200]

Hopefully I can get away with the shock for a while but I noticed a weep of oil on the stem, so its a matter of time. Will see what the relative costs are and go from there.

[L.B.]

Hey BRG,I remember some time ago you were looking for an RD/RZ,glad to see you;ve finally found one.
Maybe you should pm Paul Baritakis as lives down your way for info on suppliers etc.

[JonW]

Blimey, i think that about covers it for the R6 shock!

LOL, Feel free to thank me in beer...

[BRG1200]

Jon, if you are in Adelaide at any point I will!

Anyone else for an Adelaide meet/beer?

L.B. what's Paul Baritakis username on here? (sorry if stupid question)