Wanted Yamaha RZ50 Tank/seat setup - Converting RD350 into Cafe racer

[neil_cb125t]

Hi all

I have acquired a tidy but not matching numbers RD350 - frame to eng is incorrect and bodywork to year of frame also incorrect. Its in very original condition. I was going to do a full restoration on her but as shes a bitsa its better for me to make it into something a bit more fun.

Im after some RZ50 parts I think they are 1999 model onwards but struggling to find specs on them. I would like the tank and seat unit to convert onto the RD350.

I have attached pics of the RZ50 model parts im after - I will be selling RD350 parts to fund the coversion so if anyone would like Rd350 parts please sing out. Picture of actual RD is attached

I do have some New old stock and new repro parts that will be for sale

Neil

[jellywrestler]

don't ever recall that model coming to nz so will be tough here, small bikes like that popluar in the uk and japan

[husaberg]

Hi all

I have acquired a tidy but not matching numbers RD350 - frame to eng is incorrect and bodywork to year of frame also incorrect. Its in very original condition. I was going to do a full restoration on her but as shes a bitsa its better for me to make it into something a bit more fun.

Im after some RZ50 parts I think they are 1999 model onwards but struggling to find specs on them. I would like the tank and seat unit to convert onto the RD350.

I have attached pics of the RZ50 model parts im after - I will be selling RD350 parts to fund the coversion so if anyone would like Rd350 parts please sing out. Picture of actual RD is attached

I do have some New old stock and new repro parts that will be for sale

Neil

Not sure how its a bitza looks pretty great only thing i noticed as the carbs and the konis

There is a some skyteam tanks which is more 60's Honda style about?

Try chris out here.
https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/s...post1131039798

don't ever recall that model coming to nz so will be tough here, small bikes like that popluar in the uk and japan

Pretty sure there is one on Trademe at the moment
But its the only one i have ever seen as well
the listing is expired.......

.

[Intruder VS]

Hi all

I have acquired a tidy but not matching numbers RD350 - frame to eng is incorrect and bodywork to year of frame also incorrect. Its in very original condition. I was going to do a full restoration on her but as shes a bitsa its better for me to make it into something a bit more fun.

Im after some RZ50 parts I think they are 1999 model onwards but struggling to find specs on them. I would like the tank and seat unit to convert onto the RD350.

I have attached pics of the RZ50 model parts im after - I will be selling RD350 parts to fund the coversion so if anyone would like Rd350 parts please sing out. Picture of actual RD is attached

I do have some New old stock and new repro parts that will be for sale

Neil

Be watching this with interest just acquired a RD400 in similar condition missing seat, pipes, C model with E engine so after current project done thinking similar to you only road racer style with classic old school fairing

Check out trademe for seats there are new fiberglass ones on there.

[husaberg]

Be watching this with interest just acquired a RD400 in similar condition missing seat, pipes, C model with E engine so after current project done thinking similar to you only road racer style with classic old school fairing

Check out trademe for seats there are new fiberglass ones on there.

I wanted to do something like this

but i cant justify the cost of getting TZ rep tank and shipping to NZ at the moment.
I have nearly all the basic parts bar the seat and tank a 2.15-2.5/17 front rim and a set of TZR250 IKT forks
No one in NZ does the TZA/B seat and Tank
plus the seat rail is wider on the RD frame.

Measurements from Gen TZ Tank from Ewe
width at front: 24cm
with at centre: 28cm
width at rear: 15cm
hight at front: 19cm
hight at centre: 18cm
hight at rear: 15cm
length front to centre: 28cm
length centre to rear: 35cm
tank is near even to top of the yoke.

I tried to get Griff interesting in making one but he didn't bite
Maybe he would if he had three orders.

yes , just turned the computer on and yes he was saying some nice stuff (-; regan first but soon changed that lol , yer dont know why the doctor never brings it up , must not like me

[Intruder VS]

I wanted to do something like this

but i cant justify the cost and shipping to NZ at the moment.
I have nearly all the basic parts bar the seat and tank a 2.15-2.5/17 front rim and a set of TZR250 IKT forks
No one in NZ does the TZA/B seat and Tank
plus the seat rail is wider on the RD frame.

I tried to get Griff interesting in making one but he didn't bite
Maybe he would if he had three orders.

Thinking something along these lines

[husaberg]

Thinking something along these lines

The tank looks like a RD400/late 250 coffin tank. maybe streached about 2 inches?
The seat looks like a Duck tailed TZ750 that Dave Morris do those seats in Southland.
Plus a similar fairing
https://www.trademe.co.nz/Members/Li...?member=133964

[Intruder VS]

The tank looks like a RD400/late 250 coffin tank. maybe streached about 2 inches?
The seat looks like a Duck tailed TZ750 they Dave Morris do those seats in Southland.
Plus a similar fairing
https://www.trademe.co.nz/Members/Li...?member=133964

Cheers for the contact will check him out for the fairing, yeah duck tailed is good gives you somewhere to mount tail light etc don’t like the way cafe guys mount them on the side with the Reg plate looks ugly and sure it’s not to legal. Will most likely fab the seat/tail from steel to suit the frame. Also going to keep original airbox.
Bike turning up over Easter so will start collecting bits so I’m ready to go once the EFE is finished

[neil_cb125t]

Not sure how its a bitza looks pretty great only thing i noticed as the carbs and the konis

There is a some skyteam tanks which is more 60's Honda style about?

Try chris out here.
https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/s...post1131039798

Pretty sure there is one on Trademe at the moment
But its the only one i have ever seen as well
the listing is expired.......

.

She has a elec ignition - I didnt notice the carbs, they are missing the rubber boots, are the carbs non stock??

[husaberg]

She has a elec ignition - I didnt notice the carbs, they are missing the rubber boots, are the carbs non stock??

The carbs looked black in the pic. they also looked to be bigger boddied than the VM28s either that or the carb tops look long and high

[neil_cb125t]

The carbs looked black in the pic. they also looked to be bigger boddied than the VM28s either that or the carb tops look long and high

They were painted black (with spray i think) 28mm oh yep ill have a look see cheers !

[F5 Dave]

First RZ50 I saw was in the early 90s racing as a bucket. Lore has it it was accidentally sent from Japan, they expected an AG or something and opened the crate to find it.
Next there was a chap with 2 imports. But they were earlier and I've never seen that model.

What is it with people finding RD400s? Sheesh. Helped a mate pick up on 2 weeks back. Mine will come. Hopefully lined up.

[Grumph]

Might help some of youse...
Many years back now, I converted a Gilera Nordwest to a singles/BEARS racer - for money of course.

The tank used was a CB250RS Honda one. Longish, narrow, made to fit over a largish center tube.
Worked well for length with rearsets and an RS250 seat on a fabricated subframe.

Steel - and still to be found in numbers as the CB250RS cracks heads with great frequency.

[FJRider]

I have acquired a tidy but not matching numbers RD350 - frame to eng is incorrect and bodywork to year of frame also incorrect. Its in very original condition. I was going to do a full restoration on her but as shes a bitsa its better for me to make it into something a bit more fun.

What is the year of it's official manufacture ... ??

Some interesting reading ...

https://www.motorcycleclassics.com/c...s/yamaha-rd350

http://100motorcycles.xbhp.com/yamaha-rd-350/ This is about the RD350 arriving in India in the early '80's ...

And ... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rajdoot_350

Regardless of your personal ideas of eligibility and suitability for restoration ... the RD350 made it's mark on the roads and racetracks of New Zealand. As such ... a complete RD350 is STILL a rarity. Regardless of matching numbers ... would still be a hard bike to beast in the twisties in this day and age. And the RD350 is actually on the LAM's list.
It embarrassed many a larger more powerful multi-cylinder 4-strokes with monotonous regularity. Although the views of the racing (or the bike you were chasing) were more often than not ... clouded in blue smoke. Every rider had attempted (with varied degrees of success) to walk the fine line between too much oil with the fuel and fouling the plug ... or not enough and seizing the engine (with often spectacular results).

[FJRider]

Thinking something along these lines ...

OR ...

https://gaadiwaadi.com/customised-ya...ambler-087691/