RZ350 TZR 3XV Hybrid

[kpke]

1/7/24 EP10





Back to Julian’s shop. Here he is measuring the angle of the swingarm. And as it turns out the piece of 2 x 4 needed a very slight trim to get the attitude of the suspension where it needs to be.



Next up is getting the bike into the shop for a bit of welding.



Forward tank mount parts are fixtured and ready to be tack welded onto the frame.



When I grow up, I want to learn to do this.



And trailer the thing home for a little more paint removal and test fitting of the fuel tank.



This week Julian is going to work on utilizing these cool parts that just arrived to assemble a couple of rear sub frames for this bike and one of his. Your hard work and brainpower are very much appreciated Julian!!!

The parts in the photo below are all designed by Julian. Files are sent to the source and this is the result. Really quite beautiful fabricated components.

[Yamavarna]

Ken,

Because you are making a custom subframe I may never know if these tanks would mate up with the stock seat and bodywork

[kpke]

My guess is the tank would not work.

1/27/24 EP11




Back to Julian’s shop for more mods.


I got an update on some of the mods he has done to his bike.







My bike came over looking like this.



And left looking like this. Progress, eh?

[giron]

Ken your pm is not coming through

[kpke]

George, I had sent a PM thru the 500 forum. You can have the 500 pivot shaft. Just need to get it up there. I may have a road trip that way coming up soon.

1/28/24 & 2/2/24 EP12




Stopped by Julian’s house to look at some progress on his bike.



Back home reassembled the chassis back to a roller.



And then assembled a dummy engine for fitment of more parts.

[Yamavarna]

His seat still appears up at a 45* angle that’s going to be hard on the nards! My KTM doesn’t have that much fender clearance and it’s got 13” of wheel travel.
Edit: It doesn’t seem as bad in the video I guess I’ll have to wait until he finishes it.
What carbs are on yours Ken?

[kpke]

2/10/24 EP13



Stopped by Julian’s.

He was doing some bending of parts and machining tubing of subframe parts.



More send/cut/send parts arrived. Many thicker gauge “special” parts that he designed and ordered for my bike.

[kpke]

Frame Maker welding, assembling, and installing a master piece of metal work on Super Sunday. And a “solution” for the upper shock mount is designed.

[kpke]

2/19/24 EP15

Engine disassembly begins.




Taking squish band measurement.



A rare shot of the rookie mechanic in Ken’s Garage

[Yamavarna]

Not so rookie!

[silverstrom]

Definitely not a rookie ken. You've done far more than most of us will ever accomplish. I'm always inspired when I see your work.

Watching Framemaker at work is very impressive. From concept to final product he makes it look effortless. Certainly one of the greats.

[kpke]

Thanks John and Yamavarna.

Frame Maker has been doing this for decades. He is amazing. Surely you seen this "tribute" 350 he built. I'm sure I put something on here about it.

https://youtu.be/0FU8ElMuPrM?si=dxy9XQzUN6xRsfb4
Can't seem to get that YT video to embed properly???

[giron]

Ken it looks trick, but is the frame steel? And if it is. What about doing one in aluminum? Delta box?

[kpke]

Ken it looks trick, but is the frame steel? And if it is. What about doing one in aluminum? Delta box?

Yes, it is steel. He does not work with aluminum with regard to frame structure.

BTW, Julian has the 500 pivot shaft. He will likely be going to Brian's before I do. And hopefully he'll remember to pick up the TZR fender.

[kpke]

2/25/24 EP16





Back to Frame Makers to install upper shock mount brackets.





Things went swimmingly until we tested the rear suspension. It barely moves. Julian has determined that the heavy aluminum lower arm (fabbed and set up buy someone else) is too short. The suspension is unable to work properly and will need further mods. Damn.