Standard RZ - '83 no longer modified with RGV, Brembo, Zeel & other parts

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hondaror
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Re: Modifed RZ - '83 with RGV, Brembo, Zeel & other parts

#586 Post by hondaror » Fri Jul 20, 2018 1:43 am

All for the sake of OEM appearance. All in weeks of work.
I find it amazing that my list of projects stays so huge, but I find time to get into the nitty gritty, time consuming, seemingly impossible tasks and pull it off. Your tasks have had much more magnitude then mine? You are a true artist Jon. Hats off to you! I'm hoping to follow, in your steps.

I have some pretty daunting body panel repair ahead of me, which I'm looking forward to, in a very scary way. Just shitting my pants about pulling off. I've never done body panel repair before, but don't really care about that. I'd like to keep the panels I have, all broken, as usable OEM panels, that would otherwise, be chucked. As you stated, gone is gone. We don't need that.
Rory
2 1984 RZ350s
1985 RZ350
9 1986-1990 RZ350s
2000 ST2
2005 749
2005 749 with 999 engine

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JonW
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Re: Modifed RZ - '83 with RGV, Brembo, Zeel & other parts

#587 Post by JonW » Fri Jul 20, 2018 2:14 am

Thanks Russ and Rory for the kind words. I always figure its always worth a go to try and fix something. Ive fixed plastic and steel things all my life, saved myself a fortune and paid for the tools to do it at the same time I guess. Ok, no one would or could pay for this to be done, it takes too long; you need to do this kind of work only for yourself.

With my recent purge on the all the parts Ive got stacked up where I decided each item would be either; 1, Restored (and either used, sold or given away) or 2, Thrown away (and no prisoners taken a long the way). Sure, this has meant a huge amount of work, but ive now got a bunch of usable parts and very little dross in my stash and my boxes where each build is contained now have lots of bits ready for assembly.

Following on from that work recently a local friend of mine offered to alloy weld for me, and he's done a few things for me so far. The challenge is to take the nasty broken cast stuff that Yamaha made most of our alloy parts from, those that have often been slathered in oil and grease for 30+ years and somehow get them clean enough to be usefully welded and then continue to make them usable again... or if that fails, just bin them... they were headed for the trash anyway as unusable parts. We've welded up and cleaned up quite a few bits like that, all it takes is a bit of time and effort and you can save most anything.

All in all its been satisfying work really and Ive thrown very little away in the end. What was rusty, nasty junk is now fixed, re zinc plated, powdercoated, painted and looks close to new. Of course I would recommend doing it for the above reasons, but to be honest the sense of satisfaction you get at what you've achieved makes it worth it! :)
80 XT500 Supermoto!
81 RD350LC Resto
82 RD421LC Hybrid
82 RD350LC decapitation project
82 RD250LC JDM '251LC' YPVS
83 RZ350 Resto
84 RZ500 Resto
85 RZ350 F1 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Hybrid

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hondaror
Posts: 2828
Joined: Mon Mar 03, 2014 8:44 pm
Location: Alberta, Canada

Re: Modifed RZ - '83 with RGV, Brembo, Zeel & other parts

#588 Post by hondaror » Fri Jul 20, 2018 3:08 am

+1 there.

There is a reason that I bought 11 basket cases. I want to restore them to working motorcycles, and keep them in the country. So many of the Canadian bikes have been shipped elsewhere. I can't control where they go, but I have a say who I sell them to. I'll be looking for enthusiasts.

Huge job. That's why I tried to stop at 10 bikes. The 11th, just fell into my hands. Lol.
I have what seems like loads of parts, until you start to build. You run out, very quickly.
Old TZ Racer was looking for rear fenders recently. I did an inventory of those and came up with one of the two pieces for him. Another member just emailed me today, looking for something else. Again, I'll have to inventory my stash and get back to him. I feel your pain Jon, and share your attitude. I can't stand throwing stuff out. Fortunately, others feel the same way. I have a load of decent and rough parts, that all deserve attention. I obtained them all from people who did not give up on the stuff. Joken, in Ontario, sold me a ton of parts, large numbers of which, are marked NFG. I'm hell bent to make them good again. John at Bent Bikes in Toronto, sold me most of his RZ350 stock. About 100 pieces of bodywork, all needing some repair. Many great items in near new, freshly crashed form. Clean them off and gloat. Then build with them.

It's so cool to see the lengths you go to, to create high end production restorations. My bag, is a fun bike with major gains, and minimal modification, less fuss about detail. A totally different approach, with much the same effort. Over time, the age and abuse that these bikes have endured, I am very pleased with people's efforts. Evan and his father, in Calgary, do a smashing job of restorations. The love for these bikes is evident. This forum is fabulous, and so are the people here. Thanks guys. You're all a great bunch!
Rory
2 1984 RZ350s
1985 RZ350
9 1986-1990 RZ350s
2000 ST2
2005 749
2005 749 with 999 engine

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JonW
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Re: Modifed RZ - '83 with RGV, Brembo, Zeel & other parts

#589 Post by JonW » Fri Jul 20, 2018 3:23 am

Im with you Rory, its one of the great things about forums, it puts you in touch with like minded people when locally you might normally struggle to find anyone so afflicted.

Like you I recently bought a stash of used parts from Moto Retro who are moving building. This netted me a bunch of cool things and also a bunch more work lol
80 XT500 Supermoto!
81 RD350LC Resto
82 RD421LC Hybrid
82 RD350LC decapitation project
82 RD250LC JDM '251LC' YPVS
83 RZ350 Resto
84 RZ500 Resto
85 RZ350 F1 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Hybrid

Like Watches? www.PloProf.com & www.DeskDivers.com

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kpke
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Re: Modifed RZ - '83 with RGV, Brembo, Zeel & other parts

#590 Post by kpke » Fri Jul 20, 2018 10:58 am

What Rory said about Jon, great work :smt023

And yes...

Parts and bikes in the garage, the attic, the garden shed, and the pool house. Most need love and restoration. Wish I had more time :smt045

Image

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JonW
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Re: Modifed RZ - '83 with RGV, Brembo, Zeel & other parts

#591 Post by JonW » Fri Jul 20, 2018 8:58 pm

Thanks for the kind words, but also the pic... that and chatting to Rory reminds me that my 3 RZs and 3LCs isnt too many of these bikes...
80 XT500 Supermoto!
81 RD350LC Resto
82 RD421LC Hybrid
82 RD350LC decapitation project
82 RD250LC JDM '251LC' YPVS
83 RZ350 Resto
84 RZ500 Resto
85 RZ350 F1 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Hybrid

Like Watches? www.PloProf.com & www.DeskDivers.com

hondaror
Posts: 2828
Joined: Mon Mar 03, 2014 8:44 pm
Location: Alberta, Canada

Re: Modifed RZ - '83 with RGV, Brembo, Zeel & other parts

#592 Post by hondaror » Sat Jul 21, 2018 4:06 am

I read a post today: Men shouldn't have motorcycles after 50. Seriously, 50 motorcycles is plenty.

Honestly, I'm not going there, but I am over 50.


Looks like Ken has 7 RZs.
I know another member here who has 7.
Jon's 3 + 3, my 11, which is 31 just between 4 of us.
Rory
2 1984 RZ350s
1985 RZ350
9 1986-1990 RZ350s
2000 ST2
2005 749
2005 749 with 999 engine

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L.B
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Re: Modifed RZ - '83 with RGV, Brembo, Zeel & other parts

#593 Post by L.B » Sat Jul 21, 2018 5:49 am

Well....my 5 rz's & 2 lc make it 38.

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JonW
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Re: Modifed RZ - '83 with RGV, Brembo, Zeel & other parts

#594 Post by JonW » Sat Jul 21, 2018 9:51 am

:)
80 XT500 Supermoto!
81 RD350LC Resto
82 RD421LC Hybrid
82 RD350LC decapitation project
82 RD250LC JDM '251LC' YPVS
83 RZ350 Resto
84 RZ500 Resto
85 RZ350 F1 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Hybrid

Like Watches? www.PloProf.com & www.DeskDivers.com

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two-stroke-brit
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Re: Modifed RZ - '83 with RGV, Brembo, Zeel & other parts

#595 Post by two-stroke-brit » Sat Jul 21, 2018 11:54 am

i made a good friend through a bike forum and he had a 30 something bikes .
i said were do you keep 30 + bikes ?
"in the hanger with the plane of coarse" he said .
that blew my mind

you never know the circumstances of other members
it always amazes me the spread of people that share our passion .
mark

ps i only have 4 bikes but 3 run which is a new record for me
350LC,Athena 392 big bore,stock porting,swiss cheese air box,stock reeds,spec11 pipes.(now TSA big bore pipes)
She might not be pretty but she will always be a fun ride


1982 YAMA RD350LC
98KDX 220R
1967 TRIUMPH TIGER
2001 TRIUMPH TT600

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JonW
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Re: Standard RZ - '83 no longer modified with RGV, Brembo, Zeel & other parts

#596 Post by JonW » Wed Nov 28, 2018 10:37 pm

I finally got round to doing some work on this one... I rebuilt the seat. In fact I did two while i was at it.

I fitted covers that I had bought ages back, one for this bike and one for the F1. I actually now have 3 nice seats for these two bikes as I have a nos seat as well.. hmm... I guess one day I'll sell one of these lol

So, seat totally stripped. Base cleaned fully in parts washer with Ozzy Juice, they come u almost like new. Best of my stacks of foams raided and then a new cover and rezinc'd latches and nuts fitted.
80 XT500 Supermoto!
81 RD350LC Resto
82 RD421LC Hybrid
82 RD350LC decapitation project
82 RD250LC JDM '251LC' YPVS
83 RZ350 Resto
84 RZ500 Resto
85 RZ350 F1 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Hybrid

Like Watches? www.PloProf.com & www.DeskDivers.com

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JonW
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Re: Standard RZ - '83 no longer modified with RGV, Brembo, Zeel & other parts

#597 Post by JonW » Wed May 15, 2019 9:57 pm

Website now updated with the forum posts into a more condensed and rewritten form:
http://2smoked.com/Yamaha_RZ350_RD350_Y ... 3_31k.html
80 XT500 Supermoto!
81 RD350LC Resto
82 RD421LC Hybrid
82 RD350LC decapitation project
82 RD250LC JDM '251LC' YPVS
83 RZ350 Resto
84 RZ500 Resto
85 RZ350 F1 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Hybrid

Like Watches? www.PloProf.com & www.DeskDivers.com

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JonW
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Re: Standard RZ - '83 no longer modified with RGV, Brembo, Zeel & other parts

#598 Post by JonW » Thu Jul 04, 2019 5:11 am

Finally been back in the garage and did some welding repairs to this frame as earlier in the story of this one I had set this frame up for NK's RGV rear end kit, that meant I needed to cut off the old center stand captive nuts as the threads had been drilled out of them for a through bolt. I had to replace them with ones I had cut from an old dead frame some years back so that the frame is at least a standard LC2 again, and it will be fitted with a center stand of course.

I also remade the steering stop tang as I cut it off for a local guy (Did you ever use it Paul?) and the RGV forks would need a larger tang fitting anyway.

With those repairs done and of course the old oil tank captive plate weld checked I thought I was done and figured I should just quickly check the frame tubes as this frame sat under a mate's house for many years on the dirt... I was right to do so, it was very thin on one frame tube so the welder got another work out.

All that work done and its now been picked up by a mate to take it to the blaster/powdercoaters.
80 XT500 Supermoto!
81 RD350LC Resto
82 RD421LC Hybrid
82 RD350LC decapitation project
82 RD250LC JDM '251LC' YPVS
83 RZ350 Resto
84 RZ500 Resto
85 RZ350 F1 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Hybrid

Like Watches? www.PloProf.com & www.DeskDivers.com

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JonW
Posts: 10599
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Location: Sydney
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Re: Standard RZ - '83 no longer modified with RGV, Brembo, Zeel & other parts

#599 Post by JonW » Wed Aug 21, 2019 8:35 pm

Im back now from a very long 5 week trip across multiple US states and along the way managed to meet up with two forum friends and pick up a bunch of parts for this build. They say that travelling broadens the mind and while I agree with that and it's even better when you get to get to hang out with a couple of the folk that you met on line. Its fun to check out their fleet IRL and meeting those people that youve got to know over the years on the forums in person is one of my favourite pastimes. I am very grateful for the hospitality and kindness of these friends. Thanks guys!

While in the USA I spent a very large wedge of coin in parts for my projects with the local OEM suppliers and in the parts haul were a number of parts for this and other builds. What's exciting is that while I was gone a mate here did sterling work managing the process of having two frames powdercoated for me; this LC2 and the LC '251LC' bike. The powdercoating wasn't without its problems due to some rust and other issues but he valiantly sorted those for me, and i'm very grateful to him. I picked up the LC frame yesterday, probably get this frame next month so either this or the LC will be the next project on the lift... watch this space!
80 XT500 Supermoto!
81 RD350LC Resto
82 RD421LC Hybrid
82 RD350LC decapitation project
82 RD250LC JDM '251LC' YPVS
83 RZ350 Resto
84 RZ500 Resto
85 RZ350 F1 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Hybrid

Like Watches? www.PloProf.com & www.DeskDivers.com

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JonW
Posts: 10599
Joined: Sat Oct 10, 2009 4:33 am
Location: Sydney
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Re: Standard RZ - '83 no longer modified with RGV, Brembo, Zeel & other parts

#600 Post by JonW » Thu Sep 26, 2019 1:34 am

The frame and swingarm have been collected from the powdercoaters!

Image

Image

(They are a little dusty in the photos)

This is the next project on the block I think, once the 51LC is done. :)
80 XT500 Supermoto!
81 RD350LC Resto
82 RD421LC Hybrid
82 RD350LC decapitation project
82 RD250LC JDM '251LC' YPVS
83 RZ350 Resto
84 RZ500 Resto
85 RZ350 F1 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Hybrid

Like Watches? www.PloProf.com & www.DeskDivers.com

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