RC45's Project-OW48R/53P/TZ500J - 1985 Works Brembos!

[RC45]

I need an 80's TZ when you tidy up

I have 1. An 87 2KM in 99% original condition. The 1% was my fault - I tried to remove the rear hugger and the original bolts got all weird in the nutserts in the top of the swing-arm.

Its complete down to the original zipties and tielaps on the wiring harness. Includes battery and charger etc. Been dry stored sing the 1990's. Just haven't got around to rejuvenating the rubber in motor. I have been thinking about letting it go along with all the spares once I have got all the measurements and data from the chassis.

Seen in the foreground here.

[lost1750GTV]

Thou shall not covet your neighbors garage.

[RC45]

Finally got round to weighing the alloy tank.

It is not as light as it could be as its just a reasonable aluminum copy made by some fabricators in India that welded up a copy for a guy a few years back and then decided to start selling copies.
It is an alloy version of the TZR250 1KT, 2MA street bike. Very well done and only costs about $500 shipped to the US. I bargained down from his $760 eBay price.

Stock RZV500 tank is 10lbs
Stock steel TZR250 tank 9lb as currently being used
Alloy tank 7.2lb (with a locking tilting cap - will be swapped for light weight screw in cap)

As a comparison, the TZ500H tank I have is 8lbs and the proper factory 1985 YZR500 OW81 tank is 4lb

So the current tank swap is a 2lb saving.

[kpke]

Fuel tanks getting frisky and reproducing in your shop?

That alloy tank is RZ350, is it not? The rear mount sure makes it look like it is.

[RC45]

TZR250 1KT/2MA, same as the steel one.

[silverstrom]

That alloy tank is RZ350, is it not? The rear mount sure makes it look like it is.

TZR250 1KT/2MA/2ME/2XT tank uses the same rear mount design as the RZ350.

[Luther]

I looked at the FZ 750 and its nothing you want to use or copy. It gets ugly with plastic off

So I looked back to page 1 and I see a beautiful TZ 500 J. Skipped a few pages and more glamor shots of GP bikes. Basically you want a vintage GP bike. I think you should buy one and hire me to build a functional reliable roller and you do the outside. I'll maintain and come to the track and take care of it. Its getting popular and easier to repair and replace nla parts, gears shafts bearings castings. Your hooked up with Japanese sources. Whats available??

[Luther]

Modern ignitions fix a lot of old problems. I don't like inline motors prefer V or twin crank

[RC45]

I looked at the FZ 750 and its nothing you want to use or copy. It gets ugly with plastic off

So I looked back to page 1 and I see a beautiful TZ 500 J. Skipped a few pages and more glamor shots of GP bikes. Basically you want a vintage GP bike. I think you should buy one and hire me to build a functional reliable roller and you do the outside. I'll maintain and come to the track and take care of it. Its getting popular and easier to repair and replace nla parts, gears shafts bearings castings. Your hooked up with Japanese sources. Whats available??

Uhm, every person with an RZ500, RG500 or NS400 basically "wants a vintage GP bike" - lol - that's kinda the point innit?

Any Js that do come up for sale are way oer priced and not worth the entry fee.

As for this thread and my bike, like everyone elses, it is just a long winded RZ500 rebuild - nothing special

[Smoker]

Uhm, every person with an RZ500, RG500 or NS400 basically "wants a vintage GP bike" - lol - that's kinda the point innit?

As for this thread and my bike, like everyone elses, it is just a long winded RZ500 rebuild - nothing special

Absolutely zero interest in owning a vintage GP bike.

My RZV500 project is as long winded as any... but hoping for something special at the end.

I know. I'm clearly in the minority. Just don't want to be forgotten.

Very nice progress on the bike! Always enjoy checking out your work.

Can't stop looking at that polished aluminum fuel tank.

[Luther]

Just throwing it out there. I've been close to buying old gp bikes many times but it was always just out of my reach. I am interested in your tz250.

As for you building a replica i'm all for it. Just lost track of what your building and how far your going with it. Its way better than in the past and I've seen it run with modern bikes. Modern 17 or 18 years ago that is

The suspension link thing. I have a gsxr 1000 shock for my rg. It has 2.5" of travel for probably 4.5" of wheel travel. The spring rate is about 500 pounds. This is common for many bikes. The first round of CMRA races is at Cresson Houston in February. Go ask the suspension guys what bikes have the best these days and why. Ask how much progression there is. I think its a weak spot on our bikes that's never been addressed

[RC45]

The 1KT/2MA Alloy tank from India vs the steel version.





I couldn't resist- and finally rounded up a TZ500 rear master. Have a rebuild kit inbound.



Test fitting new radiator quick release mounts - but I am still thinking of going with a more rectangular radiator - the TZ500 fairing is a very tight fit around the giant curved alloy lump.



Making progress with the reassembly. Fisrt reusing all the same components - verify full functionality then retrofit the new forks and other lightweight components.

[rd84]

Your project looks fantastic.
Nice to see something a bit different as well.

Cheers
Paul

[RC45]

It has alwyas bothered me that the dash buttons were not correct - I have had these in a box for years, finally hot round to installing





Progress summarized in a couple collages.

[RC45]

Have to put those TZ500 upper fairing stays to proper use

Will be tackling the lower fairing mounts tomorrow.