New guy, California

[QuarterTonWithCheese]

Hello friends. I recently acquired this 85 RZ350 and I want to share it with you all since I'm sure my friends and family are sick of hearing me babble about it!

I just thought I'd introduce myself, as I am sure that I will need some guidance on my two-stroke journey. I learned so much from just lurking around here, eventually I may be able to give something back. My name is J and at 24 years I have decided to go smoker. I learned to ride on an 81 suzi gs650g and I learned to wrench on an 85 vw scirocco (also my old man's 75 cutlass 455ci). But enough about me...

I picked this old girl up off craigslist from a nice gentleman outside of Los Angeles.


16k on chassis
Supposedly the motor was built by Ed Erlenbach about 200mi, but years ago.


It has some very nice paint. Seat is ripped, but it came with 2 extras. Extra body pieces and decals too.


Wheels are clean.


Old school Toomeys. The side stand hits them, so it is off. Is that normal?


Came with some nice goodies, Rebuilt fox.

PO said it was dyno tuned by Roger at wicked, who I know is a member here, at 59hp on the wheel.

It needs a clutch, which it came with. Also, fork seals, so I am not riding it hard. They are coming form the dealer tomorrow I hope.

All in all though, this thing is scary fun and I hope all the speeding tickets don't bankrupt me. I guess that's the end of my rant for now. Beers all around.

To smokey pastures,
Jacob

[steveloomis]

Welcome aboard. You can get a new seat cover from Yambits. Go to their website, not ebay to buy. Prices higher on ebay for same thing. They ship very quickly from UK. Probably available here in the states too. I bought one from them and very happy with the quality.

Steve

[slow86gn]

Welcome to the board. Looks like a nice bike. I see your not to far from me. I've spent a little time with Roger myself. If you have questions ask away, a good bunch around here. Later John

[vmxwinn]

Nice bike and some good spares to boot, especially the Fox Shox. Mind me asking what you got it for?

[This old RZ]

That is a pretty nice RZ you found there You don't find many in such original shape anymore, that's a real gem. I wouldn't go modifying it any more than it already is, as its quite a investment as she sits. Of course it is your bike do as you wish, but it if FAR more valuable as it is with the mods you have. FYI the Toomeys, I had the same pipes, and they didn't hit my side stand? The side stands do bend quite easily, check to see if that has happened, while your at it check the frame around the side stand ,even on the inside with a small mirror the RZ frames are notorious for cracking here and often break completely through, it is caused by two things, sitting on the bike while its on the side stand , and many times if the side stand sensor has been disconnected, or in a accident the side stand can hit the ground and bend /crack ,fatigue the frame. worth checking, you might have to space your pipes with some shims.

You have pretty much everything one could ask for a CLASSIC RZ, great condition, Kenny Roberts replica, the mods you have are not going to hurt the value much as Mr. earlenbach has quite a reputation, that would add to a value especially if it experienced some of his port work. Hes one of a handful of RZ /RD tuners that has a outstanding reputation
The Toomey pipes, same thing they go with a RZ like jelly on toast, in the US they are "the pipe" for classic value
The bike looks to have original mirrors and even the rear fender INTACT! that's as the 1st thing most of us did back in the day,was hacksaw it all off
That's a great investment, modified as much as it should be. You hang on to that as it will probably fetch 10k in the next decade in near original condition, who know maybe more? there already getting close to that for bikes in condition such as yours several have sold this past year for between 8-10 k!!! And frankly I like yours better than some of the ones that sold for BIG $
Not to bad considering it cost $2300.00 bucks in 85

Your the third guy here this year to show up with a immaculate ,very original ,tastefully modded RZ in great condition..you are all some luck guys to share these bikes in the condition they are in. Where in the world have these bikes been hiding...lol.

You probably already know these but I will list them for you, parts and suppliers and engine work etc..

Obviouslly you know of Roger @ Wicked
Gary @ SPEC 2
Ed E, hes also on this site , you can contact him for verification of you engine work
RZs Unlimited in Glendale
John @ Economy cycle RZ parts and accessories
HVC cycle..alot of Resto OEM replica parts

Good luck and have fun
Yambits U.K.

[QuarterTonWithCheese]

Thank you for the kind words and welcomes, everyone!

Steve,
Thanks for the vendor tips, I will definitely have a look. Also, I have become acquainted with economy cycles. The only reason I went dealer is I wanted them asap, and I have a buddy who got me the seals at cost.

John,
Wow, we're closer than you know! I live right up the street from Trader Joe's, been here my whole life. I bet we know at least one person who knows someone else through another, haha. Questions pending. The search function has done miracles so far.

vmxwinn,
Other things it came with were progressive springs and emulators in the forks, sprockets/chain, a factory manual, extra tail piece and side panels, coils, misc gaskets and lots of dirty old stuff like petcocks, master cylinders, abucket 'o bolts, etc....etc... I paid 3500 for the lot, and have been on the market for about 6 months specifically waiting for the right RZ. I'm really happy with what I got for what I gave.

This old RZ,
It didn't take very long, even without ever having seen an RZ in person until recently, to realize just how special these bikes are. Aside from some suspension and minor revisions, to be determined, I don't plan on making much of any changes. I'll probably keep running the stock air box. I feel like my photos may make the bike out to be a little nicer than it is overall, but it is very clean still. I am not planning on letting it go, but it will be ridden probably every day. Thank you for the words and the tips, I will crawl under the bike tomorrow and poke around. Yes, I love the Toomey's! They look and sound so damn good. I was pleasantly surprised to find how much support and parts are around for these things; that is a good list. The fun will come easy, but I'll take the luck.

I'm looking forward to working with you gentlemen. Thanks again.

-Jacob

[reddog952]

Great looking bike, welcome to the asylum! Loads of info on this site and friendly folks. Thats a nice rear sprocket, do you know what brand it is?

[no1clyde]

Very nice bike, you are going to have a blast riding it for sure. I too just picked up a pretty clean 85 that is red and white with the old Toomey's on it. I have been riding it nearly ever day since I got it 3 weeks ago and love it. I was kinda looking for one and mine was just sitting on a sidewalk with a for sale sign on it right here in this little town, Elko Nv. I didn't even know there was one in town let alone with my name on it LOL. I too will keep mine the way it is and just enjoy it.

Great find and it is cool riding around on a bike different than all the rest in town. Good luck with it and enjoy yourself.

Ed

[QuarterTonWithCheese]

reddog,
You're not kidding about the asylum! I've been escalated to a whole other level above regular motorcycle sickness. The rear sprocket, as well as the front, are from Sprocket Specialists. The company appears to be in Utah. The PO couldn't quite remember if they were stock sizes, but it feels great, so I don't much care either way.

Ed,
I originally wanted the red and white, but I just couldn't seal a deal on one. I decided to stop being picky and now I love the yellow and black. But I just checked out your bike and yeah, that red and white bumble bee sure is pretty. It just goes to show that you never know where some great treasures can be found! I had to drive 90mins to get mine, but I still consider that very fortunate. Love the confused admiration that comes from folks at stoplights. Thanks and best of luck to yourself as well.

Take care,
Jacob

[QuarterTonWithCheese]

Hey so I found my first question. I'll post it here, and if no dice I'll hit the forum elsewhere.

I took off my tank and found that the airbox ain't so stock.

Is this a common mod? Should I just slap an air filter in there or look into a Y-kit?

Thanks in advance.

-Jacob

[no1clyde]

Jacob mine has the Y-kit on it with a KN so I'm not much help with that and my stock one in the box of stuff is uncut. I did want to tell you that I have both the side and center stands on my bike and neither of them hit my Toomey's.

Thanks for the kind words on my bike. Just got back from a little 40 mile ride doing nothing but killing time

Ed

[xkabooomx]

Yes, opening up the air box is a common mod, but usually only holes are drilled not the top being cut off.

[silverstrom]

Can't imagine why anyone thought that would be a good idea. It would have been much simpler to simply remove the lid.

The question now is; how much of that filter is stuffed into the carbs.

Get ready for a few more surprises. You have to assume that anyone dumb enough to do that has made similar blunders elsewhere.

[aaronmvrider]

i doubt that was advise fron Ed Erlenbach.... time for a new lid and a complete rebuild....

welcome to the forum....

Aaron

[slow86gn]

There's a air box on eBay, a little pricey but it looks in good shape. Complete with battery box. $125.00 I'm at Wendy Dr and Lynn Rd, so only a mile or two away. Did you get a manual with the bike? If not I have one you can use. Later John