86 RZ500 restoration

[ypvs kiwi]

Not sure if she's quite a classic - but as there was just over 12,000 ever made between 1984 and 1987 and as I understand it only 20 imported into NZ by Yamaha she must be bordering on being a classic now.

Just need to complete the paint scheme back to original over the next week or two.

Enjoy:http://http://www.flickr.com/photos/...7605994054752/

[Peter Smith]

There are not to many of these 2-stroker still around.
The RZ fits into the Post Classic group. pre '89.
Check out the Post Classic Racing web site, you may even eant to try a track day?
Their last meeting is at Taupo on May 16th, this would suit the light weight 500.
www.nzpostclassics.org.nz

[malcy25]

Not sure if she's quite a classic - but as there was just over 12,000 ever made between 1984 and 1987 and as I understand it only 20 imported into NZ by Yamaha she must be bordering on being a classic now.

Just need to complete the paint scheme back to original over the next week or two.

Enjoy:http://http://www.flickr.com/photos/...7605994054752/

I have the production numbers at home and they didn't make nearly that many...I'll see if I can dig them out. In fact they made less steel framed RZ's than RZV's.

have been a few through the family....I sold mine a few years ago as I wasn't using it.

[MSTRS:Me]

Talked to Sugilite about these bikes? Was his weapon of choice way back when... http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...3&postcount=19

[jonbuoy]

Some serious time and money gone into that, great job. What did you spray the cylinder heads with?? 500cc two stroke = classic bike.

[ypvs kiwi]

I have the production numbers at home and they didn't make nearly that many...I'll see if I can dig them out. In fact they made less steel framed RZ's than RZV's.

have been a few through the family....I sold mine a few years ago as I wasn't using it.

A list of production numbers would be great - I been collecting bits of info along the way so any contributions welcome - PM me if you find it.

[ypvs kiwi]

Some serious time and money gone into that, great job. What did you spray the cylinder heads with?? 500cc two stroke = classic bike.

It's taken 12 months to turn the seven boxes of junk and a rolling chasis into what you see now - not to mention funding the Christmas party at the local Yamaha store, poorer but happier now she's running.

Head and cylinders were painted with Stepotone Engine paint - trick was to bake them for 30mins at 150c to cure the paint. - Wait for the misus to take the Sunday roast out then in to the parts

Note to readers - Even though nearing completion 2 strokes are heavy on maintenance - so always on the look-out for RZ500 parts - pm if you come across any.
Cheers

[nudemetalz]

I had an RZ500 once, the only bike if I had an opportunity I would buy back without a glance.
I loved it, a real challenge to ride fast at times.
But what has said here about being a maintenance hog is no lie. You have to keep them well maintained to get the best out of them.

[geoffm]

They made around 10,000 RG500s, adn there were much less RD/RZ500s made - 6000 rings a bell.
Rare as a rare thing, although there was one on Trademe a coupel of months ago that sat for a while then sold (IMO) pretty cheap.

Anyone with any RG500 motor parts - PM me.
Geoff

[malcy25]

Geoff is surprisingly close. 6632 Yamaha advise.

More RZV's than RZ's.

Will send you a PM

I don't miss mine one bit....

[ypvs kiwi]

Thanks guys -I stand corrected.

Accounting for the inevitable blow-up, accidents and "stuffed in the back of the shed" there would be very few in regular use, only seen one other on the road.

[malcy25]

There were 2 x lots of 20 imported L and N models from memory. 84 and 85.

There have been a number of other RZ's and RZV's that have come in from Japan and Aussie.

[gammaguy]

IMO any two stroke road bike from the eighties back is a classic.

if it is big(bigger than 250cc)so much the better.

the RZ 500 was quickly overshadowed by the RG 500 in most areas,but at least was there first which meant they won the Castrol 6 hour race in Australia and went very well in the NZ race too.

I have ridden the RZ and thought it was a great bike,and if you have a good one now,hang on to it,and ride it regularly to show all those four stroke guys what they are missing out on!

[F5 Dave]

Would have thought more than 20 [edit] ok 2 times 20, I know 7 people who've had them, 5 at least in wellington. & Chris above makes 8 in NZ. 2 still have them. One lives in his lounge & wears FZR upside downies, Marvics, banana sw, braced frame, Nikon pipes. Being finished as money allows.

I have a RZ500 kickstarter I'm putting on my RZ500 twin (work that out!).