RZ350 RZ FZ FZR Project Motorcycle Ep 1 Overview of some of the upgrades and modifications.

This is a 1985 Yamaha RZ350 project bike I started many years ago. It is nearly complete now. This video provides an overview of some of the restoration and/or modifications done to the motorcycle. I have completed other bikes, rebuilt and modified some others, added to my horde, etc., always pushing this one aside. The poor thing. But here we are in Covid 2020 and if I don’t get this machine started by the end of this year, it will be very early next year. I expect it to run very good with the upgrades and modifications done to it.
The engine is fresh with a rebuilt crankshaft, new transmission bearings and seals, new clutch, new Wiseco 64.5 pistons, porting, snowmobile thermostat modification, thin copper head gasket (wish me luck on startup), 1.0 mm squish band, VM30 carburetors, fiberglass reeds, new uni-filter foam pods. Expansion chambers at the moment are stainless steel JL Classics.
The chassis is RZ 350 frame, FZR 600 front end and both wheels and brakes, FZ600 aluminum swingarm, NOS Fox twin clicker shock, new 17T CS sprocket, 45T rear sprocket, and O ring chain.
There will be more video episodes to come on this project. I hope you enjoy them.

[@vinm300]

7:33 Norbo parts : I had some gear from Norbo.....oh, it must have been 15yrs ago. My project was started by a chap in York, who had the frame powder coated and a 7UP paint job. Then it was acquired by a chap in Bishop Aukland, who sourced an RGV front end and banana swing-arm and wheels. He had all the parts machined but had to sell due to the arrival of a daughter. He was a smashing bloke, and sold me everything, including extra parts. I completed the conversion with Renthal bars, riser bar clamps. I've had it 18yrs and it still isn't finished.....I really am almost there now though.(LOL)

[@KensGarage1]

You guys do some fantastic builds over there. Finish it up and ride it and put big smiles on your face.

[@glenholmgren1218]

Nice work - I admire your knowledge, experience & dedication. I had an RD400C, which I rebuilt and subsequently blew it up, and my brother & best friend both had brand new Canadian spec '84 RZ350's which were a BLAST! 😁👍😎🤙

[@KensGarage1]

Thanks Glen. I appreciate the comments. It's a fun hobby building these smokers. Lots more coming.

[@RedBud315]

I wish I could find someone in Northern CA. to help me tune my bike. I have TM28 flat-slides, Y-boot K&N, HVC Pipes and just seems to want to run lean. Had to go over 220 mains just to get response at more than 3/4 throttle. Running 270 and still runs a little hot. Hard to do plug chops near where I live. The more throttle the more it falls on it's face. I'm suspecting my left seal is bad and I have full seal kit. Going to replace it when I install my vape ignition system.

[@KensGarage1]

Where in Nor Cal? Most of my RZ's end up with a similar tune and carbs so I can usually get pretty close right off the bat. None with flat slides (at the moment). I do have a set of 32 flat slides that may go on an upcoming project. If you'vs got a bad seal better take care of that first. Good luck.

[@elkarfischer8278]

What's involved with putting the SV swingarm on. Do you have to widen the frame?

[@KensGarage1]

This bike has an FZ600 aluminum swingarm (not SV650) and FZR600 wheels. I have another one with the FZ600 swingarm and retrofitted an SV650 17 inch rear wheel. Much better solution than the FZR600 18 inch rear wheel.

[@elkarfischer8278]

So the FZ600 swingarm fits in with no modifications?

[@KensGarage1]

The FZ600 swingarm needs to be narrowed at the pivot. If you use a FZR600 18 inch rear wheel you will need to machine down the sprocket carrier and use an offset countershaft sprocket to get the chain alignment correct. One of these days I will put up a video showing everything required to get the SV650 17 inch rear wheel in there.

[@elkarfischer8278]

@@KensGarage1 So if i want to set up an SV rear wheel i should be looking for an FZ600 swing arm? from what year?

[@KensGarage1]

@@elkarfischer8278 Search for a 86-88 FZ600 aluminum swingarm. They are getting extremely hard to find. Good luck.

[@saleemjeelani2235]

I have rd350 can I do on this bike too

[@BikeStandByMe]

Nice builds! I have a few questions regarding the front end and rear wheel conversions, I have a fz600 front end and was wondering what was involved in adapting the front end? I also already have a fz600 swing arm and wheel already fitted to the bike and a sv650 wheel I wanted to adapt and also wondered what that took as well. Thanks for posting your projects, very inspiring.

[@saleemjeelani2235]

Plz let me know

[@KensGarage1]

Saleem, are you referring to an air cooled RD350? What exactly would you like to do to it?

[@cb400fhonda6]

@@KensGarage1 Hi there I am in california So where abouts are you I have many questions Thanks

[@KensGarage1]

@@cb400fhonda6 I am in the San Francisco Bay Area. You may ask as many questions as you desire. Thank you.