Picked up a 1985 RZ350

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Arne
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Picked up a 1985 RZ350

Post by Arne »

The fellow I got it from didn't know too much about it, other than it runs good and is faster than he expects for a 350.

Image

Its got chambers, braided stainless brake lines, aftermarket carbs, and aftermarket rearsets.

Runs good, has some cosmetic stuff to take care of.

Anybody got any blinkers, stock pegs, bodywork laying around for a RZ?
1954 Harley ST165 basket in the attic
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markj
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Re: Picked up a 1985 RZ350

Post by markj »

Nope - But I'm jealous. Those are awesome little bikes. Two stroke fun wrapped in a tiny, great handling package. Good luck with it and I hope you have as much fun with it as I think you will.
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Arne
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Re: Picked up a 1985 RZ350

Post by Arne »

markj wrote:Nope - But I'm jealous. Those are awesome little bikes. Two stroke fun wrapped in a tiny, great handling package. Good luck with it and I hope you have as much fun with it as I think you will.
Thanks Mark, I've been up and down my driveway about 20 times on it. (its a bit too loud and smoky to take it on the road without insurance and they're not open on the weekends).
1954 Harley ST165 basket in the attic
1972 Suzuki GT750 project in the works
1981 Honda CB750-1000 driver
1982 Honda GL500 easy project
Arne
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Re: Picked up a 1985 RZ350

Post by Arne »

Well, this thing is by far the highest rpm motor I've been exposed to.

It doesn't start making power until 8 grand and it doesn't stop at 11 grand (well past red-line).

It is a bit odd that you don't have to take it out of first gear to go highway speed, and you really don't need anything past second gear for the freeway.

I've got a 12 tooth front sprocket on the way so I can get a bit more use out of the 6 gear bottom end (its a 17/40 stock setup).

I'm going to either sell it right away or end up taking the top end apart to see just whats been done to this little monster.
1954 Harley ST165 basket in the attic
1972 Suzuki GT750 project in the works
1981 Honda CB750-1000 driver
1982 Honda GL500 easy project
crash277
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Re: Picked up a 1985 RZ350

Post by crash277 »

it sure would be fun to bring that racing!!!!! im jelous!!
Arne
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Re: Picked up a 1985 RZ350

Post by Arne »

Here's a video of it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wroH0PLRt00" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
1954 Harley ST165 basket in the attic
1972 Suzuki GT750 project in the works
1981 Honda CB750-1000 driver
1982 Honda GL500 easy project
markj
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Re: Picked up a 1985 RZ350

Post by markj »

Very cool. I'd say the top end has been "tweeked" just a tad. :wink:
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tz375
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Re: Picked up a 1985 RZ350

Post by tz375 »

What a POS. No bodywork, wrong exhausts and those silly large carbs. When do you want me to pick it up and take it off your hands? :oops: :roll: :wink:

I have an almost stock yellow 85 and they are amazing little bikes. Mine dies at 10,500 due to the timing curve in the ECU which drops like a stone at that point and the 84 was even earlier IIRC. Mine hits at about 7k and goes to 10,5.

Good catch
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Re: Picked up a 1985 RZ350

Post by Digger »

Great find Image
Digger

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pinwheelx
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Re: Picked up a 1985 RZ350

Post by pinwheelx »

Almost my same story, picked up a 85 Kenny Roberts RZ350. Had a lot of aftermarket work done.
Fiber reeds, stabilizer Fox suspension, Pipes. fixed her up from sitting and some bad plug wires. She comes on the pipe about 7K and sprints hard up through 11k no problems except in second were I have to short shift at 10K or she falls on her face. Will easily hit 120 on freeway on ramps...with the front wheel on the ground which is by no means guaranteed. It is like a jet ski for the pavement. Every bit as fast as my friends R1. But sounds and smells soooo much better. It is such a system shock to jump off the RZ and onto one of my GT's.
Kevin G.

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85 RZ350
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busa1300
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Re: Picked up a 1985 RZ350

Post by busa1300 »

I've had mine since 85, but hasn't been plated since 88...although plates have found their way on it a few times to blows the cobwebs out. Decided this past summer to get it going like it used to back when I rebuilt it (all spec II porting and head work) after twisting the stock crank....(I put Toomey pipes and redid carbs after first month I had it....crank went a week later)... Will repaint back to original this winter with optional single seat cowl. Just redid brakes and wheel bearings in the Dymags

Did you sell the RZ?.....

I just saw the date on this post...... :oops:
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