RZ350T restoration.

[Daren_Calgary]

Thanks to the admins for accepting me!

I just recently picked up a 1987 RZ350 T - The first road-bike I've ever owned, to boot.

This forum was recommended by many, and I'm looking forward to diving deeper into this site to absorb everyone's knowledge when it comes to rebuilding this beast. I've worked on my two-stroke dirt bikes all my life, so, I'm sure this will be no different aside from $$$.....

The RZ originally came from Ontario, Canada. It made its way to Alberta back in 2015 where it was ridden up until 2018, then left to sit in the back of the garage until I picked it up two weeks ago. She's in OK shape.. Some cracked fairings, cracked/missing pieces in the sprocket cage from a broken chain.. There are a couple cracks on top of the case that will need to be dealt with.. Other than that, with a new battery I supplied, she was up and running in two kicks. As sad as she sounded she RUNS!!

[Yamavarna]

Hey welcome aboard I’m fairly new also and have an 89 almost identical to yours that I am rebuilding with modern suspension, brakes, carburetors, and electronics sort of a stock appearing restomod type of bike, the guys on here are very knowledgeable and friendly.

[Daren_Calgary]

Hey welcome aboard I’m fairly new also and have an 89 almost identical to yours that I am rebuilding with modern suspension, brakes, carburetors, and electronics sort of a stock appearing restomod type of bike, the guys on here are very knowledgeable and friendly.

Thanks! I was actually just browsing through your post. Being that this is my first restoration of any kind I'd like to get to know the bike fully, and have a baseline (bone stock) before I start making any performance modifications. I'm sure it will cost me more time and money in the end... but, without having ridden the bike at its peak, I'm not sure what I like and dislike.. if that makes sense.

[Yamavarna]

It makes a ton of sense, I also just bought an 81 lc and am keeping that one mostly original, after all they where great bikes when they came out. I had a 1976 rd400 that I put a lot of miles on with great memories, the only mods it had where Bassani pipes and K&N filters and I don’t remember ever wanting better suspension, brakes or electrics! I just bought some parts off Steve aka offroad, I believe he and Evan also live in Calgary.

[Daren_Calgary]

I'm hoping to have this '87 up and running for the beginning of next season. Calgary winters are cold.. not much else to do besides tinker! First step for me will be the engine. I'm looking forward to watching you progress on your build... maybe I'll pick up a trick or two!

[kpke]

Congratulations on the RZ purchase. It looks like a fairly complete bike.

Ask lots of questions here and you will receive a lot of great feedback.

[Daren_Calgary]

Hey Ken,

Thanks! While doing my research on the bike/trying to find one, I stumbled across your YouTube channel.. Great stuff! Like many others on here.. I'll probably order one of those low-profile bike stands .

The RZ is 90% original I would say. It is missing the Yamaha front brake master cylinder (replaced by a Triumph MC), Top end was rebuilt with Wiseco pistons at 28,000km and now has 30,001km on it, fairings were replaced, and theres a god awful headlight fairing bracket that was 'custom made' by welding bits of plumbing pipe together.

Waiting on parts before I dive in to it all!

[Off Road]

Hey Darren.
Congrats on the new bike. It looks like it should clean up really good.

I do know an excellent welder/machinist in Calgary that would be able to do the repairs on the engine cases.
We've had several clutch covers and cylinders repaired by him, and his work is spectacular.

If you're interested, let me know and I'll get you his contact info.

[JonW]

Welcome in!

I know you will have this engine out and apart so its less of an issue, but its likley going to need crank seals so the usual forum advice is to not run it until youve done them. You know it runs, so thats a bonus but dont ride it around or you could cost yourself a lot of money in broken parts.

Its all there and looks very standard, should make a great resto. Keen to see how you go :)

[85RZwade]

Yup, what they said. You're in the right place and you've got the right bike; good on ya!

[Daren_Calgary]

Hey Darren.
Congrats on the new bike. It looks like it should clean up really good.

I do know an excellent welder/machinist in Calgary that would be able to do the repairs on the engine cases.
We've had several clutch covers and cylinders repaired by him, and his work is spectacular.

If you're interested, let me know and I'll get you his contact info.

I'd be super interested in that contact information, thank you!

[Daren_Calgary]

Welcome in!

I know you will have this engine out and apart so its less of an issue, but its likley going to need crank seals so the usual forum advice is to not run it until youve done them. You know it runs, so thats a bonus but dont ride it around or you could cost yourself a lot of money in broken parts.

Its all there and looks very standard, should make a great resto. Keen to see how you go :)

It was more of just knowing if the bike actually ran or not! I didn't want to risk riding it, in fear of everything you mentioned. And with the ever so noticeable oil leak, I didn't know how much (if any) oil was in the case. Cracks will be inexpensive to fix, but it definitely helped me drive the price down . I'll be replacing every seal/gasket, as well as replacing it with an OEM Banshee crank. Pistons, I will have to do more research on. By the amount of people commenting on wiseco pistons, I'll probably go with pro-x.. unless I can find some properly sized NOS pistons around for a reasonable price. The whole goal is to make it as stock as possible, with exception of the exhaust.. only because there are much better sounding options

[JonW]

What people commented on Wiseco? Ive used them and they are fine. I tend to buy TKR (they sell as ProX as well) if i can but thats just my preference, Ive used all sorts even the cheapie cruzin image ones and they are fine too.

[bitzz]

In the good ol days, Wiseco pistons had a bad rep for coming apart, the metallurgy sucked.
Then Wiseco bought JL Pistons.
Wiseco got metallurgy, JL got more piston designs.

Nothing wrong with today's Wiseco pistons.
If you're after longevity, I'd take Wiseco (forged) over ProX (cast) all day long.
Wossner does forged pistons too.
Coated pistons are a good idea

[tacky1]

I run Wiseco in all my smokers and never a prob. Great pistons