RZ restore

**smudge** · 29th August 2007, 00:10

I have started on a restoration project for my Yamaha - it's a 1986 RZ350L that I have had from new and has pretty much sat in my garage for 12 years. Apart from a little crash damage - both pipes are really beaten up and so is my spare set - it was pretty tidy but now it's a sorry state, rusty frame, lots of corroded bits here and there. It was home to at least one mouse family who had chewed through the air filter element and built a nest in the air box. I now really enjoy shooting mice but now my garage leaks even more.

I thought I would start a thread on here so I can keep motivated to finish the job. Where it's at now is in 6 or so large boxes and I have cleaned up the frame to a stage where it is almost ready for painting and am starting to clean up the clutch cover which has lost half it's paint. My first priority though is to get the frame and swing arm painted. Time and money are tight but HOPEFULLY I will have it on the road for summer. With some help from Kawa and encouragement from Minnie we should get there.

Jobs to do:

Finish cleaning then paint the frame and swingarm
Fit swingarm and shock to the frame
Replace seals on forks and refit triple clamps and forks
Wheels cleaned, new tyres, new bearings and fit
Clean and check carburretors
Repaint the engine barrels, head and clutch cover then stick it in the frame - the motor runs and sounds good so will leave it alone at this stage.
Fit radiator
Clean up and paint all the little bits and assemble
Try to find some half decent pipes repair/repaint as needed and fit
Fit electrics
Rekit the master cylinder, brake calipers and fit new pads
Fill it up with oil, gas and glycol
Stick in some new gbox oil and run it a little then change it again
Get it VIN'ed and legal
Buy/beg/borrow new boots, jacket, pants, gloves and skid lid
Go do the Coro loop.

Easy peasy.

**Romeo** · 29th August 2007, 00:22

Best of luck man, I love that model - it's the squarish one isn't it? Here's some inspiration for you - this lil' beauty belongs to one of the JCOG riders.

**smudge** · 30th August 2007, 21:03

That's the bugger! I will accept all offers of luck

**Quickrik** · 30th August 2007, 21:44

Good Man,

I embarked on a similar project on my '87 TZR250 over a year ago. A bike I bought from new after my 350F2 was destroyed.

Read the whole story at HERE

Good luck

Rik

**chanceyy** · 30th August 2007, 21:57

nods once I get my full & upgrade I want to do a full restoration on "Betsy"

another rz350 (83 model)

**dino3310** · 30th August 2007, 22:03

nice one smudgenz, look forward to your progress up dates

**smudge** · 30th August 2007, 22:08

Rik, I liked the mice in the aircleaner, mine was the same! My bike has been raced a little but not as bad a shape as your TZR from the sound of it, my bike was very tidy apart from the pipes and a couple of small dings in the tank, just neglected it by leaving it to rust. I smashed the front guard with a pumpkin..........

**jonbuoy** · 30th August 2007, 22:30

I'd like a raspy mental two stroke as a future project. Like an RG500 or something. They seem to be pretty thin on the ground and go for big bikkies though. Good luck.

**smudge** · 4th September 2007, 20:21

Work this week on the RZ? Ummm nothing at all although I did pick up some bits and look at them and put them back down again. The pile of empty beer cans is getting bigger, even a few Woodstocks in the mix.

I have a mate (Kawa) who has offered to help me paint the frame, so I better go out in the cold, crank up Hauraki (it's not too bad at night) drink some more beers and do stuff.

Mostly though I will just drink beers.

Oh yeah I am now just Smudge, I dont need the NZ part here...

**smudge** · 4th September 2007, 20:37

Chanceyy, hopefully mine will be back on the road before you get stuck in. I will help you where I can on one condition: don't call your RZ Betsy give it a more appropriate name like Gordon or Roger.

**chanceyy** · 4th September 2007, 20:43

Originally Posted by smudge

Chanceyy, hopefully mine will be back on the road before you get stuck in. I will help you where I can on one condition: don't call your RZ Betsy give it a more appropriate name like Gordon or Roger.

to late she is a total Betsy, & the name is firmly entrenched .. once she is restored she may undergo a name change via deed poll ..

& bikes are woman not boys