RZ350

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mixalive
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RZ350

Post by mixalive »

Well.. I haven't been working on any bicycles lately, but have been working on my Yamaha RZ350. I am in the process of bracing the frame to support more horsepower. I have already installed FZR600 front end, wheels, brakes and FZ400 swingarm. I need to fabricate a mount for the FZR400 fairing and lower cowling. I have all the parts for this plus the engine rebuild, just gotta make the time. For those not in the know, the 1984 RZ350 is a 2 stroke twin. A big bore kit and stroked crank is available to up the displacement to 421cc's. That, some big mikuni's and a porting job will make this bike scream.
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RZ350 Project 1.jpg
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93 A2R blue/white 14" Craigslist Austin, on the cheap
94 A2M silver/white 14" Cenna's Cycles SA, original owner
94 Cuda Comp purple/white 14" won on Ebay
95 XX Team gold/white 14" Craigslist Memphis

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mixalive
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Re: RZ350

Post by mixalive »

The first image is the plan for the frame, and the second image is the progress so far.
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Another_Brace15.jpg
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IMG_4855.JPG
IMG_4855.JPG (145.54 KiB) Viewed 50842 times
93 A2R blue/white 14" Craigslist Austin, on the cheap
94 A2M silver/white 14" Cenna's Cycles SA, original owner
94 Cuda Comp purple/white 14" won on Ebay
95 XX Team gold/white 14" Craigslist Memphis

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vpc66
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Re: RZ350

Post by vpc66 »

Nice project Mix, how many times have you done a motorcycle build and what styles...do you have or had any old school cafe-bobber type bikes ?
Relax and have deep water thoughts.

F.C.C.R Ride hard,Ride Fast.....Go Insane

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Re: RZ350

Post by neo_pop_71 »

That's a slick project Mix, looking forward to some photo updates!

Those RX, FZ, and FZR bikes were a blast to ride at the time, torquey as all get out, I rode a blacked out FZR with yellow accents for a couple years. It was my canyon killer, lively at the throttle and easy to flick around, I'm thinking I should start looking for a project build.

Here is a cool TT build that pulled the same front end as yours, plenty of photos and good description of the build. Check it out:

http://motorcyclephotooftheday.com/tag/thumper/

Thanks for sharing and for the inspiration!

Cheers,

-D-

p.s. Do you remember the "Thumpers" that came out in the mid to late 1980's? I always wanted to customize a SRX400 or the bigger brother SRX600. A single monster piston with dual carbs for high and low end with a 5 speed gearbox, basically came right from the track. They made cool cafe and bobber bikes too... Vinny, you should look into building one!

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vpc66
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Re: RZ350

Post by vpc66 »

Love motorcycles Super D, but in Florida there is a very good chance of becoming a hood ornament and the lucky ones become road kill right off.
Relax and have deep water thoughts.

F.C.C.R Ride hard,Ride Fast.....Go Insane

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mixalive
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Re: RZ350

Post by mixalive »

Yep. I worked for a Suzuki dealership from 1979-82, when the DR thumpers came out.
93 A2R blue/white 14" Craigslist Austin, on the cheap
94 A2M silver/white 14" Cenna's Cycles SA, original owner
94 Cuda Comp purple/white 14" won on Ebay
95 XX Team gold/white 14" Craigslist Memphis

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mixalive
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Re: RZ350

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The trick to not being a hood ornament is pro-active driving and going faster than the traffic around you. Just saying.
93 A2R blue/white 14" Craigslist Austin, on the cheap
94 A2M silver/white 14" Cenna's Cycles SA, original owner
94 Cuda Comp purple/white 14" won on Ebay
95 XX Team gold/white 14" Craigslist Memphis

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Re: RZ350

Post by mixalive »

Built a bobber style Honda SL175 and a Triumph 650 hardtail chopper when i was a teenager. Had a GS550L and 650L in the early 80's and a Honda 500 Interceptor in the late 80's. The Interceptor modified only for performance. Of course the two Vespas of late. I am trying to work a deal on a 65 Honda Superhawk CB77 305 at the moment. Will make a cafe racer out of it.
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93 A2R blue/white 14" Craigslist Austin, on the cheap
94 A2M silver/white 14" Cenna's Cycles SA, original owner
94 Cuda Comp purple/white 14" won on Ebay
95 XX Team gold/white 14" Craigslist Memphis

neo_pop_71
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Re: RZ350

Post by neo_pop_71 »

mixalive wrote:Built a... Triumph 650 hardtail chopper when i was a teenager.


Sweet Jesus (pronounced "Hey-Zeus") brother Mix that is one gorgeous chop!!!

I know 20 guys, myself included, that would give their left nut for a bike like that... love it!

Thanks for sharing the photo, it's awesome, deep down you just know the f*ck the world moments you had while enjoying some throttle therapy on that killer bike!

Cheers,

-D-

p.s. I'd have to pass on the denim flares, I'd be afraid that the bell bottoms would get sucked into the chain!

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mixalive
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Re: RZ350

Post by mixalive »

12" over front end and tittie grips. That bike engine-vibrated like hell at 70mph but was fun putting around at 40.
93 A2R blue/white 14" Craigslist Austin, on the cheap
94 A2M silver/white 14" Cenna's Cycles SA, original owner
94 Cuda Comp purple/white 14" won on Ebay
95 XX Team gold/white 14" Craigslist Memphis

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