Aloha

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Dakine · #1 Post by **Dakine** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 11:13 pm

Aloha -

I just bought my first RD500. You can see images of it here http://goneill.com/rz500/. As you can see it is a bit weathered and in need of a thorough going thru. I have owned an RZ 350 so I have some experience with two strokes, but I am still very much a newbie. The reason for my post is to introduce myself and to get help on my RD/RZ. Please let me know what I should be looking for in this 20 year old bike so that it can both be safe and reliable. I know that is a tall order, but any help will be appreciated. The information I have on the bike is that it is from Italy, it has Jolly Moto expansion chambers, and a Mad Beaver air filter kit. I am going to remove the Mad Beaver air filter and place the stock air box back on because it is running too lean and needs a jet kit. It is also Pre-mix only and has a battery eliminator on it. I also have the parts manual, a manual by Ivan, and a service manual. Again any pointers, bookmarks, or reference material would be appreciated.
Mahalo for your help,
Dakine

#2 Post by **rztom** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 11:17 pm

Hey Dakine - welcome to the group!

Pretty rare to see an RD in Hawaii - how'd you come across it?

When undergoing restoration projects like yours, remember... around here, the Search tool is your friend!

Dakine · #3 Post by **Dakine** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 11:27 pm

Thanks for the welcome and I will always search first

Dakine

Shaftoflame · #4 Post by **Shaftoflame** » Thu Dec 20, 2007 6:30 am

Hi Mate and welcome to the mad world of V4 strokers.

I am sure that there are people here who can and will answer questions you may have and be happy to help.

Nice looking bike - if a little tired, like a slightly aging woman, love her, treat her well, give her some make up or a face lift and all being well she will love you back - oh and scream so delightfully for your pleasure.

Mmmm think I need a new bit of wood to chew on this one is not working

R

gpcustoms · #5 Post by **gpcustoms** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 11:00 am

Dakine · #6 Post by **Dakine** » Thu Dec 02, 2010 3:40 pm

So a long time has passed since I did an update to this thread, but here it goes...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwBBd_Cq86A
This is a slide show of the resto-mod I have done to my RZ/RD500. It has the following:

YZF 750 Forks
R1 Calipers w/ steel braided lines
R6 Radiator
FZR 1000 wheels, rotors, and rear brake
Ohlins Rear shock
A heavily modified RC30 race fairing
and a few other little pieces here and there.

I am waiting to do paint until I do a thorough shake down of the bike. Anyway I hope you like and will keep posting updates. Also I would like to Thank everyone on this website for helping with questions and suggestions.

Mahalos and A Hui Ho from Maui,

Gene

Before

After

RGVSTEVE · #7 Post by **RGVSTEVE** » Thu Dec 02, 2010 6:15 pm

Gene,

Looking good, now you just to get a decent swingarm, YZF750 would
go nicely with the front end.

Dakine · #8 Post by **Dakine** » Thu Dec 02, 2010 7:01 pm

You are so right Steve. Quick question the YZF 750 swingarms are harder to find and are more expensive, so would a newer R6 swingarm be a better choice? I know you do the mods for both.
Thanks,

Gene

RGVSTEVE · #9 Post by **RGVSTEVE** » Thu Dec 02, 2010 8:09 pm

Gene,

It is a shame that the 750 arms are getting so much harder to find, there
very nice swingarms and look very nice on the RZ, that being said the
newer R6 is also a very nice arm. Biggest issue I see is the axle on the
R6 is 28mm O.D. which might make re-fitting your 1000 rear wheel a
problem, having not do this wheel to swingarm conversion I'm just
guessing, now if the 5 spoke pattern of the R6 rear wheel is an
acceptable match with your front wheel, then the R6 arm and wheel is
something to consider. There's a fair amount on E-Bay with a wide price
range.

Dakine · #10 Post by **Dakine** » Tue Jul 26, 2011 3:50 am

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJ5uexat8e0

I now have it road worthy. I am so stoked on it and I could not have done it with out my mechanic Randy and the help from this forum. I hope you enjoy the video.

Dakine

kpke · #11 Post by **kpke** » Tue Jul 26, 2011 10:29 am

Awesome bike and great video. Really enjoyed the video because we were there in June and in 08. Great memories. When we were at that end of the island I went snorkeling at Honolua Bay 4 days in a row. Couldn't get enough. So I was driving that same route each morning for my "commute". Had I seen a rz500 ride by I think I would have flipped. Very cool!!!

Just curious if you know of any more rz500's on your island???

Honolua Bay the turnout on the other side is where you turned around.

It's a damn shame someone just got sucked down in to the blowhole, not surprisingly never to be found from what I understand.

Dakine · #12 Post by **Dakine** » Tue Jul 26, 2011 2:36 pm

Thanks for the kind words. You are right the turn around is the Honolua lookout. It's just up the street from me and makes a great quick ride after work when there is no surf. Here is another shot more towards Kahakuloa:

There is or was one more RZ500 on Maui, but he was trying to sell it.
http://www.rzrd500.com/500phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=8673
I almost bought an aluminum RZV500 frame off of him, but money was tight at the time.

Aloha and A Hui Ho

Dakine

thekelzer · #13 Post by **thekelzer** » Wed Nov 20, 2013 3:54 am

Aloha Dakine.....

Its about 2 years after your post, but I just bought said RZ500 and his aluminum frame from Maui....you still riding RZ?

KK

500 Two-Stroke Tech

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