2 Strokes Down Under

Where is the best place to buy head gaskets for the RZ500? Any indication of what they should cost?

Cheers, Markus.

Most people will tell you to use Genuine Yam head gaskets, but I used an entire Vesrah kit on mine and haven't had an issue as yet. Most bike shops should be able to get the Vesrah kits, or you can find them on evilbay too I think.

Genuine Part #s:
47X1118100
47X1118200

You can use this part search tool that I wrote for looking up part numbers:
http://www.rzrd500.com/parts/

hybrid wrote:Most people will tell you to use Genuine Yam head gaskets, but I used an entire Vesrah kit on mine and haven't had an issue as yet. Most bike shops should be able to get the Vesrah kits, or you can find them on evilbay too I think.

Genuine Part #s:
47X1118100
47X1118200

You can use this part search tool that I wrote for looking up part numbers:
http://www.rzrd500.com/parts/

Thanks mate!

What would a set of Vesrah headgaskets be worth?

Where would you enquire, MCAS?

Cheers, Markus.

If they can get Vesrah stuff they should be able to get them in.
I used to get mine from a small bike shop in Bankstown that I don't think exist any more.

Bike Biz in Parramatta have ordered in bits for me also, but I always take the part #'s with me coz most bike shops these days have NFI about any bike older than 5 years.

Here is a full gasket set that will set you back about $100 inc postage:
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/YAMAHA-RZ500-RZ5 ... 3efbfdcee9
I have bought from this seller previously and they are fine.

This search also shows some new ones, but this seller always makes out like parts that are still available from Yamaha are hard to come by:

http://shop.ebay.com.au/?_from=R40&_trk ... Categories

hybrid wrote:If they can get Vesrah stuff they should be able to get them in.
I used to get mine from a small bike shop in Bankstown that I don't think exist any more.

Bike Biz in Parramatta have ordered in bits for me also, but I always take the part #'s with me coz most bike shops these days have NFI about any bike older than 5 years.

Here is a full gasket set that will set you back about $100 inc postage:
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/YAMAHA-RZ500-RZ5 ... 3efbfdcee9
I have bought from this seller previously and they are fine.

This search also shows some new ones, but this seller always makes out like parts that are still available from Yamaha are hard to come by:

http://shop.ebay.com.au/?_from=R40&_trk ... Categories

Thanks for that mate.

Went to Sydney City Motorcycles at Kogarah this morning, as I was in the area anyway. They quoted the geniune Yamaha ones at about $90 ($180 for the set) each.

Managed to buy an aftermarket set on Yahoo Auctions Japan for 3,200 Yen. That should be around A$80 landed in Sydney by the time you add agent commission, domestic shipping and international shipping.

Cheers, Markus.

try "norbo" in the uk at rdlc crazy he seems to get anything yamaha and will ship within a day or two

They should be fine.. just make sure you torque them down, do a few heat cycles, and re-torque them.
Shouldn't have a problem.

hybrid wrote:They should be fine.. just make sure you torque them down, do a few heat cycles, and re-torque them.
Shouldn't have a problem.

Should I get the heads and / or barrells machined for straightness?

Cheers, Markus.

Just check them with a straight edge (metal rule etc). If they are ok, don't worry about machining.