Project ideas

Got a customizing or restoration project? Post your progress pictures and updates here

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PhilMill
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Project ideas

#1 Post by PhilMill » Mon Oct 23, 2017 5:32 am

Hi all, newbie here so I apologise if I go over old ground with my questions.

I have a 500 which I guess is a Jap import as it has the alloy frame, it is in a bad way but I have had it running, it sounds a bit rumbly like mains so I know I'll be stripping the motor as part of the rebuild. But my questions are this; (I spent hours reading the various posts here which cover a lot of my questions but Im still not clear)

I'd like to change wheels, forks, brakes and probably ultimately the swing arm too, but without making the bike too modern which is the best solution, for the forks I see many posts about using FZR600 forks but am I right in thinking these are too long, how much is above the yoke? I can only think this doesn't look good. Then the other option seems to be FZR1000 forks, I don't want upside down forks as it seems there is a lot more work with moving two stroke tank and header tank but they look so cool, also some mods to the fairing? I've been given with the bike a modified yoke that I don't know what it is, any easy way to tell if its 1000 or 600? If I use a 17" front wheel I'd obviously like to match the rear wheel and am happy for now to have a wider 18" wheel that will take decent rubber, so no mods to swing arm for now. Oh and I'd like to keep original clocks so need a speedo drive.

The other question is, has anybody used a 350 style nose fairing? the bodywork on mine isn't that great and I've seen some awesome looking 350 YPVS and can help but think the 500 might look nice in a similar style, although not how you'd fit a belly pan.

I hope these aren't too stupid of a thought, and once again apologise for going over ground that you guys must get fed up of hearing. :smt015

I'll hope to make a 500 that you guys will all be proud to having in the community and I promise to keep the pics coming with the build progress.

Phil

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2smoke
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Location: Niagara, Ontario,Canada

Re: Project ideas

#2 Post by 2smoke » Mon Oct 23, 2017 11:37 pm

Hi
Well the 500 fairing hides a lot of stuff like the oil tank, electronics boxes, wiring etc. so no a 350 nose fairing wont work without a ton of work. My advice is don't go there.
Others have tried and it just looks awkward.
Buy aftermarket replacement fairings.
Definitely upgrade the wheels brakes and suspension.
Just be honest with yourself about your budget and skillset.
If I build another 500, it will definitely have all R6 front and rear. (USD years)
FZR600 is a great stock looking upgrade though.
Colin

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Jeff B
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Re: Project ideas

#3 Post by Jeff B » Tue Oct 24, 2017 2:25 pm

The FZR600 fork worked well for me before I upgraded again. It is a direct bolt on which makes it the cheapest and easiest fork upgrade. I didn't mind the fork tubes sticking above the triple clamp which is necessary for proper ride height.

Questo vecchio rz
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Re: Project ideas

#4 Post by Questo vecchio rz » Tue Oct 24, 2017 8:46 pm

Here's my advice. DO NOT DO A YZR 500 replica, unless you gave 20k.

Look at the (out in front) section here at the RZV with the single sided swingarm, that bike looked really nice..I don't like the single sided swing arms.. but since you want conventional forks, I'd suggest you .do a complete R-6 rear and a early model R-6 front

Since yours is a RZV, It would look pretty good w a polished frame and polish the massive R-6 arm to match, combined with the stock fairings and graphics..and a solo seat! The look is hard to beat. It's the easiest and cheaper alternative keeps the basic classic original look while the drivetrain modifications really look the business.

R-6 front and rear ends are cheap as chips on E-Bay, and RGV Steve or Nigel K can do all the required modifications at reasonable rates together I think the modified swingarm to over 100 RZ and RZVs they know what there doing. Brian Turfrey also does the conversions, but not sure if he's willing to take on much more work as he's really busy.

Good luck whatever you do.
Banshee (Baja) Full Tilt desert race bike
Royal Enfield 500
96 GSXR SRAD, Future Yoshimura TT-F1 Lucky Strike rep.
85 custom Tri-Z
RZ421/YZR track bike(project)
86 VFR750 Flying Fred Merkel replica (project)

silverstrom
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Re: Project ideas

#5 Post by silverstrom » Wed Oct 25, 2017 12:25 am

Or just do something no one else has done.

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Smoker
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Re: Project ideas

#6 Post by Smoker » Wed Oct 25, 2017 3:29 am

silverstrom wrote:Or just do something no one else has done.
Please. Show us something different.

AHAMAYfrank
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Re: Project ideas

#7 Post by AHAMAYfrank » Wed Oct 25, 2017 11:29 am

Questo vecchio rz wrote:
Look at the (out in front) section here at the RZV with the single sided swingarm, that bike looked really nice..I don't like the single sided swing arms.. but since you want conventional forks, I'd suggest you .do a complete R-6 rear and a early model R-6 front
Questo vecchio rz

I would like to look at the bike you mentioned above, but I don't understand where this info is..

Probably the DA question of the week.

Thanks, Frank
1973 Yamaha AT3 e-start, 1977 Yamaha TY250D, 1985 RZ500, 1987 Suzuki RG500CH, 1991/2014 TZR450F Yamaha, 1991TZ250B Yamaha, 1991 Yamaha TZR250R, 2005 Scorpa SY250R, 2017 Ducati SuperSport939S (for the runners)

silverstrom
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Re: Project ideas

#8 Post by silverstrom » Wed Oct 25, 2017 12:03 pm

Smoker wrote:
silverstrom wrote:Or just do something no one else has done.
Please. Show us something different.
I get your point Pete. It seems that everything has been done, but from my narrow viewpoint they look similar in the end. I'd like to see a naked bike that looks like it came from Yamaha that way.

PhilMill
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Re: Project ideas

#9 Post by PhilMill » Wed Oct 25, 2017 12:05 pm

Thanks for the info guys. I'd love to do something different but don't have the access to much in the way of lathes etc to be able to make bespoke parts so that kind of kills that one.

I was thinking today that there must still be a few people doing this sort of thing, not wanting to go too outrageous, so on that thought was there some other front end that could be used, Im guessing it doesn't need to be Yamaha. I'm not so worried about spending the money just don't have the access to machinery or technical ability to do anything too out of the ordinary.

Sorry to disappoint :smt015

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giron
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Re: Project ideas

#10 Post by giron » Wed Oct 25, 2017 1:58 pm

you may also want to keep in mind if you like to keep your mechanical speedometer or go with electronic. Some folks don't care if the speedometer works with the later front ends
1991 3MATZR250SP
!993 3XVTZR250SP
1996 RGV250(Lucky Strike)
1994 MC28SP
1995 MC28SP
1996 MC28SP
1985 RG500(Walter Wolfe)
1984 IT490
1985 RZV500R
1985 NS400R
1985 NS400R
1997 VFR750
1992 FZR1000
RGV400
TZR500
TZR350
1990 RZ350
1971 Porsche911S

silverstrom
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Re: Project ideas

#11 Post by silverstrom » Wed Oct 25, 2017 3:41 pm

AHAMAYfrank wrote: I would like to look at the bike you mentioned above, but I don't understand where this info is..

Probably the DA question of the week.

Thanks, Frank
http://www.rzrd500.com/outfrnt.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

AHAMAYfrank
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Re: Project ideas

#12 Post by AHAMAYfrank » Wed Oct 25, 2017 8:22 pm

silverstrom wrote:
AHAMAYfrank wrote: I would like to look at the bike you mentioned above, but I don't understand where this info is..

Probably the DA question of the week.

Thanks, Frank
http://www.rzrd500.com/outfrnt.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Thanks for that silverstrom. "Out in front" is actually I page or two back from where I started looking around.

The RZV looks very nice with inverted forks and the SS Swing arm. A little too much polish for me but it does look very nice.
Questo vecchio rz wrote: Look at the (out in front) section here at the RZV with the single sided swingarm, that bike looked really nice..I don't like the single sided swing arms..
questo vecchio rz,

What don't you like about the SS Swingarms? Is it just the look, or mechanical shortcomings? Seeking information.

Thanks, Frank
1973 Yamaha AT3 e-start, 1977 Yamaha TY250D, 1985 RZ500, 1987 Suzuki RG500CH, 1991/2014 TZR450F Yamaha, 1991TZ250B Yamaha, 1991 Yamaha TZR250R, 2005 Scorpa SY250R, 2017 Ducati SuperSport939S (for the runners)

Questo vecchio rz
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Re: Project ideas

#13 Post by Questo vecchio rz » Thu Oct 26, 2017 4:31 am

quote="AHAMAYfrank"]

The RZV looks very nice with inverted forks and the SS Swing arm. A little too much polish for me but it does look very nice.
Questo vecchio rz wrote: Look at the (out in front) section here at the RZV with the single sided swingarm, that bike looked really nice..I don't like the single sided swing arms..
questo vecchio rz,

What don't you like about the SS Swingarms? Is it just the look, or mechanical shortcomings? Seeking information.

Thanks, Frank[/quote]

For no other reason, that it's so obvious it's kinda (in your face) and for me, just does not seem like it belongs on the bike. It's looks great aesthetically but just feels wrong. It's so late 90s and early 2000s...lol.
the folks in the U.K. in the same era were all building single sided naked bikes etc..you couldn't pick up a bike mag that didn't have a conversion done to something.

I've viewed that bike (Nick's)several times well over a decade ago after he 1st built it, long before he sold it. Truth be told... to this day that bike with it's simplicity and the level of detail and cleanliness has no equal. Sometimes less is more.
RGV Steve did the conversion on that bike, just so you know He's in Florida, you provide your running gear, _ he will do most anything you need. His quality of welding is quite good, so good his work was on many a space shuttle.

I'd personally go with as late model R-6 running gear front and back, add pipes solo seat or 1 oc race seat..in original RZV paint and be done with it! If all you do is that, you have a all Yamaha bike, that can go head to head with any RZ of any theme or style.
I can no longer post photos here thanks to Photobucket, but if you wish I can send you photos of a friends RZ, being constructed at Mr. Turfrey shop..You can P.M. me your E-Mail or post it here & I will be glad to send you the photos. Once you see the massive swingarm and Huge rear rim, you'll be awestruck, and the best thing is all the R-6 parts in brand new condition cost $1300.00 on E Bay!
And off the shelf production R6 componenrs are better than 80s spec GP hardware. You just can't go wrong, it's such a no brainier.

Also..I wouldn't care one but what others think of our/your bike ?All you need be concerned with is doing what (you) want..and thats all that matters. It's great to ask others for insperation and ideas...but build what makes you happy, not what others myself included think.
If your around the average RZ owners age...this is it..your only chance to build and ride your bike, as if you wait another 10 , hell even 5 years...likley it could be...TOO late,we might get...TOO old.

Do it now!..Right now.. and Enjoy!
Banshee (Baja) Full Tilt desert race bike
Royal Enfield 500
96 GSXR SRAD, Future Yoshimura TT-F1 Lucky Strike rep.
85 custom Tri-Z
RZ421/YZR track bike(project)
86 VFR750 Flying Fred Merkel replica (project)

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giron
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Re: Project ideas

#14 Post by giron » Thu Oct 26, 2017 10:08 am

I don't care for the SS swingarms. I know first hand since I had it done on my two NS400R. The SS swingarms are heavy and cumbersome to install. My thought was it would be easier when time came to take the rear wheel off. Well is not. I had to take the pipes off. Brian is doing the conversion on my NS400R. The HRC will get the MC21 swingarm while the Rothman will get the NC29.
1991 3MATZR250SP
!993 3XVTZR250SP
1996 RGV250(Lucky Strike)
1994 MC28SP
1995 MC28SP
1996 MC28SP
1985 RG500(Walter Wolfe)
1984 IT490
1985 RZV500R
1985 NS400R
1985 NS400R
1997 VFR750
1992 FZR1000
RGV400
TZR500
TZR350
1990 RZ350
1971 Porsche911S

RC45
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Re: Project ideas

#15 Post by RC45 » Thu Oct 26, 2017 5:57 pm

Reverse layout GP pipes would solve the rear wheel removal dilemma on an Elf swing arm equipped NS400 or RZ500.

Now there is a custom idea that may be worth trying as I don't think I have ever seen a reverse GP layout pipe setup on either bike.. :)
CBR1000RR SP2 HRC WSBK
TZ500V/OW53 Track bike
YZR500 OW81 Clone
OW69 Daytona 200 Replica - 784cc Monster
NS400 Track Bike
RS250R NF5
TZ250T 2KM
TZ250B 3YL
TZR250 3MA Track Bike
427ci C5 Z07

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