RZ350 Super Motard

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Smoker
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RZ350 Super Motard

#1 Post by Smoker » Mon Mar 30, 2009 12:15 pm

Since I saw Alex's custom motard with the RZ350 engine, I've been thinking about building one. Here's the inspirational bike:

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Then, when Alex posted pics of the German-built RZ350 Motard, I thought this might be something I could do.

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Since I won't be racing this bike, it doesn't have to meet any type of requirements, other than being street legal. The donor bike is a bone stock 1987 RZ350, registered & licenced, and ready for modification. :smt003
Last edited by Smoker on Fri Jul 28, 2017 1:39 pm, edited 2 times in total.

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#2 Post by Smoker » Mon Mar 30, 2009 12:19 pm

I would like to run a low front fender like this dual-sport style bike:

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Last edited by Smoker on Fri Jul 28, 2017 1:39 pm, edited 2 times in total.

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#3 Post by Smoker » Mon Mar 30, 2009 12:21 pm

At first I was concerned about the steel tube frame, but there are a lot of cool modern bikes using tube frames.

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#4 Post by Smoker » Mon Mar 30, 2009 12:36 pm

I like the radiator shrouds from the German-built motard because they frame the engine well, and don't use the tank as part of the side panel design.

On a lot of these bikes, the seat attaches to the top of the tank, and the shroud attaches to the bottom of the tank. With this bodywork, the shroud butts into the seat - this makes it much easier to make a custom tank (which I think would be a good idea).

The lower attachment points for this shroud are near the frame rails, and the shroud ends nicely at the lower point of the seat (good for mis-matching with a different tail). The upper frame rail also doesn't interfere with mounting this shroud.

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The bodywork on the German motard is from a Honda CRF450R.

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Last edited by Smoker on Fri Jul 28, 2017 1:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.

T.RexRacing

#5 Post by T.RexRacing » Mon Mar 30, 2009 12:56 pm

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That's Mike Metzger and it is a CRF450R.I also see problems with chain geometry using a stock RZ chassis.Look at the slop in that german bike's chain.Noisy swingarm slappin' slop.The stick CRF has issues with chain geometry as do most long travel bikes.Makes a horrendous noise at lower rpms.How do I know?I have one.

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#6 Post by Smoker » Mon Mar 30, 2009 1:05 pm

I like the tail and swingarm from the Aprilia SXV/RXV.

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I already spoke to RGVSteve about converting this swingarm to the RZ350 chassis. I still need to find the dimensions for this arm - not sure it will fit, yet. :smt017

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Last edited by Smoker on Fri Jul 28, 2017 1:40 pm, edited 3 times in total.

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#7 Post by Smoker » Mon Mar 30, 2009 1:11 pm

T.RexRacing wrote:Image

That's Mike Metzger and it is a CRF450R.I also see problems with chain geometry using a stock RZ chassis.Look at the slop in that german bike's chain.Noisy swingarm slappin' slop.The stick CRF has issues with chain geometry as do most long travel bikes.Makes a horrendous noise at lower rpms.How do I know?I have one.
I know what you mean, I was looking at that, too.

Could you get a measurement for me from the CRF450R? Could you measure the center of the countershaft sprocket to the center of the swingarm pivot? That would be much appreciated.

I measured the RZ350 at right about 5 inches.

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#8 Post by ax-racing » Mon Mar 30, 2009 4:11 pm

Rz engine have too much cranckcase behind sprocket
(semms a strange phrases but is true :smt003 )

now i work on a project where i cut 63 millieters of rear
crankcase (lile Mauro's Mito-RZ)
this because i try to put engine in a very short frame
and barrels in stock configuration collide with front wheel.

the secondary advantage of cutting engine is to have a very short
distance sprocket/pivot (with a 18 teeth sprocket i'm at limt
of interference with swingarm)

in a motard project like german one i think that is possible to
raise a little RZ engine inside original cardle
I dont make any test ora measurement on this thng, but i think
that is possible with a new-design mounting bracket.
distance srocket/pivot remain high but you can have a better
chain line and reduce rattle at low speed.
bigger sprocket (and bigger rear crown) can help al little bit more
to chain clearance
Alex

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#9 Post by Smoker » Mon Mar 30, 2009 4:31 pm

ax-racing wrote:in a motard project like german one i think that is possible to
raise a little RZ engine inside original cardle
I dont make any test ora measurement on this thng, but i think
that is possible with a new-design mounting bracket.
distance srocket/pivot remain high but you can have a better
chain line and reduce rattle at low speed.
bigger sprocket (and bigger rear crown) can help al little bit more
to chain clearance
I understand what you mean about raising the engine to get a better chain line. Good idea! :smt023

Also, I was thinking about running a custom chain tensioner to help with chain slack issues.

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#10 Post by Badass » Mon Mar 30, 2009 4:47 pm

I have some advice that will save you a lot of headaches, here it goes: JUST BUY AN APRILLIA RXV :smt013 I know I'm brilliant, your welcome :smt003 LOL Sorry I couldn't think of any thing more :smt017 funny
Two strokes keep the mosquito's in check!!
1984RZ350 Bought with 2,600 mi. in 1998
SpecII Pipes, Complete engine rebuild, 30's, S. 1 Porting, Clutch, Self ported reed cages, T.D.R. reeds, Fork brace, Steering damper.

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#11 Post by Smoker » Mon Mar 30, 2009 5:23 pm

Badass wrote:I have some advice that will save you a lot of headaches, here it goes: JUST BUY AN APRILLIA RXV :smt013 I know I'm brilliant, your welcome :smt003 LOL Sorry I couldn't think of any thing more :smt017 funny
10,000 USD - and not enough smoke and noise - make the Aprilia a poor choice for me. :smt102

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#12 Post by Smoker » Mon Mar 30, 2009 6:56 pm

Well, I'm probably getting ahead of myself - but I just found an Aprilia SXV swingarm for sale.

I don't want to buy it yet, because I don't know the length, width, and where I could attach the upper bushings on the RZ350 dogbones (L-brackets) to the Aprilia swingarm. :smt017


Image
Last edited by Smoker on Fri Jul 28, 2017 1:41 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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#13 Post by Smoker » Tue Mar 31, 2009 2:28 pm

Found some rare parts - and started loosing my mind, again.

Currently in negotiations to purchase an Aprilia SVR frame, swingarm, shocks, and a bunch of other parts I can't afford. I didn't expect to do this...but you guys know I get a little carried away, sometimes. :smt102

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#14 Post by Badass » Tue Mar 31, 2009 4:26 pm

Smoker wrote:
Badass wrote:I have some advice that will save you a lot of headaches, here it goes: JUST BUY AN APRILLIA RXV :smt013 I know I'm brilliant, your welcome :smt003 LOL Sorry I couldn't think of any thing more :smt017 funny
10,000 USD - and not enough smoke and noise - make the Aprilia a poor choice for me. :smt102
Well, you already have one 10,000 RZ don't ya. LOL :smt017
Ahh just put a little 2T oil in the tank when you fill up the RXV. LOL :smt003
Two strokes keep the mosquito's in check!!
1984RZ350 Bought with 2,600 mi. in 1998
SpecII Pipes, Complete engine rebuild, 30's, S. 1 Porting, Clutch, Self ported reed cages, T.D.R. reeds, Fork brace, Steering damper.

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#15 Post by Smoker » Thu Apr 02, 2009 1:34 pm

Hardly had any sleep for the past 4 nights because I can't stop thinking about this project (don't want to miss out on those parts, if I can use them). Yesterday, I drove out to the Aprilia dealer who let me check out the 450 SXV (same frame as the 550 SXV) It's a demo bike, so I could have taken it out for a thrashing, but I was too tired to care.

I only took a ruler, because I didn't think there would be a chance that the RZ engine would fit. But I was wrong. I'm not saying it will work, yet - but I'm not saying it won't work. It's extremely close to not working, though.

I'm going to try to see the bike again today, armed with this template. (I didn't finish the front of the head/cylinder, but I think it's okay for eyeballing the frame clearance.)

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Last edited by Smoker on Fri Jul 28, 2017 1:42 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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