Richie Rich's Aussie RZ350K - It's Alive!

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Richie Rich · #1 Post by **Richie Rich** » Mon Mar 08, 2010 10:39 pm

Well I know I've jumped ahead from no pics to this pic but I couldn't help myself as it shows the seconds after the bike burst into life after a full engine rebuild (that took an agonising 4mths!).

I worked over the weekend to out it all back together and the first attempt at starting was disappointing as it just wasn't happening. After I determined she had great spark but no fuel I pulled the carbs out and went through them again. After installing them again the throttle felt completely different so presumably I didn't seat the slides properly the first time. She started after 3 kicks!

Sounded awesome, revved freely and idled like a brand new bike (she almost is!)

Very exciting.

ricar · #2 Post by **ricar** » Mon Mar 08, 2010 11:48 pm

NICE!! Wish I had a whole weekend. Although even if I did it still wouldn't be enough time. So nice to see a project completed! and when you do so much your self it gives you that shiny feeling!!

aaronmvrider · #3 Post by **aaronmvrider** » Tue Mar 09, 2010 2:53 am

nice one Richie... big thumbs up isnt it great to hear the running engine ??? whats left to do now ...... well done dont hold back on photos its what keeps us from talking to the wife

just joking... some close ups on different areas please

paul baritakis · #4 Post by **paul baritakis** » Tue Mar 09, 2010 5:55 am

great job richie

JonW · #5 Post by **JonW** » Tue Mar 09, 2010 11:08 am

Wahoo! how happy are you in that pic m8! Im sat here grinning with ya... wish mine was a runner, hmm... soon... maybe.... hmm... LOL

Richie Rich · #6 Post by **Richie Rich** » Wed Mar 10, 2010 3:00 am

Thanks for the comments everyone. In Sydney for work this week so hope to post some more pics of specific parts when I get back to Melbourne.

aaronmvrider · #7 Post by **aaronmvrider** » Fri Mar 12, 2010 8:23 pm

hi Richie, how did you go with routing the reservoir for shock, i have the braided line exiting behind the battery and coming back towards the 2t oil bottle and kept the braided line above the top shock mount, then threaded it under the 2t oil bottle and exited infront of the rear subframe, clamped to the same position as yours,this way if the braided line moves it cant get caught between the spring or fall into the chain, have you rotated the reservoir out so the rear tyre doesnt hit anything, not that we will have a saggy shock anymore

just a precaution...did you trim the excess of your clamps that wind through

Aaron

Richie Rich · #8 Post by **Richie Rich** » Sat Mar 13, 2010 12:11 am

aaronmvrider wrote:hi Richie, how did you go with routing the reservoir for shock, i have the braided line exiting behind the battery and coming back towards the 2t oil bottle and kept the braided line above the top shock mount, then threaded it under the 2t oil bottle and exited infront of the rear subframe, clamped to the same position as yours,this way if the braided line moves it cant get caught between the spring or fall into the chain, have you rotated the reservoir out so the rear tyre doesnt hit anything, not that we will have a saggy shock anymore just a precaution...did you trim the excess of your clamps that wind through

Aaron

Hey Aaron, that sounds the same as mine, the line heads out towards the battery box then loops anti-clockwise back around the front of the shock before heading out the back.

I've cable tied the line in a few placed so it stays above the shock spring and I removed the centre stand handle completely to give the reservoir more room and to enable it to be positioned so it doesn't foul the tyre.

Just got the front brakes working, chain & sprockets to go and then I can ride it! BTW the rear suspension feels fantastic!

aaronmvrider · #9 Post by **aaronmvrider** » Mon Mar 29, 2010 3:05 am

hows it going

any updates or been out test riding etc....

Richie Rich · #10 Post by **Richie Rich** » Mon Mar 29, 2010 3:08 am

aaronmvrider wrote:hows it going

any updates or been out test riding etc....

The rear end is out of it again getting chain runners added and the gearing changed to resolve the chain clearance issue with the new swingarm. Jus received some proper shims to space the swingarm properly.

Just need to put it all back together and then it's just a lot of little things to do including registering it.

Easter this weekend so 4 x days of RZ tinkering! Hope to have it more or less complete this weekend - very exciting!

Richie Rich · #11 Post by **Richie Rich** » Sun Apr 04, 2010 3:51 am

She's finished! (Well it's only done 45 kms so far so there's bound to be a few 'shake-down' issues...) but I'm pretty happy none the less. Have a set of original Spec II's to go on once she's run in.

Thanks to all the members here who provided such invaluable information to get me through the build. A big thanks to Aaron (mvrider) for all the initial encouragement in taking the plunge. Thank god for Steve @ TSS and Norbo @ RDLC Crazy too!

Engine is standard (aside from fibre reeds) and will likely remain that way (apart from the Spec II's when run in). I wanted the bike to look standard so wanted to keep original wheels and forks, the chasis mods run to the following:
- forks rebuilt with new bushes, seals, springs & pro-valves
- tarrozzi fork brace
- NHK steering damper
- 'petal' discs with '02 R6 front master cylinder & Hel braided lines
- Metmachex alloy swingarm (impulse buy buy looks great!)
- all bearings, bushes, seals, sleeves etc. in the suspension / wheels replaced (god how many does the rear suspension contain!)
- Full adjustable Penske rear shock

Just need to put some kms on it now, though may order a allow radiator from RG500.com as it seems to run a little hot for my comfort. Thanks again to everyone!

aaronmvrider · #12 Post by **aaronmvrider** » Sun Apr 04, 2010 4:09 am

mate..... she looks awsome..... i have an original seat and every time i see a rz pictured i just want to run out and change the seat back to original, love the swingarm, bet you cant wait to put a few miles on it and then the spec 2 pipes, i think you will have to rejet ???
the steering damper where did you get that from ??? i am thinking of a 300 mm kit from rdlc crazy anodized gold

once again great job and doesnt that rear ride feel great... have you done any sag setting yet
what were your final pistons like ??? did they end up being the same for a balanced wieght.... i have just purchased a set of pro x

Cheers for the kind words (money is in the post)

Aaron

aaronmvrider · #13 Post by **aaronmvrider** » Sun Apr 04, 2010 4:14 am

ps oversize radiator from rg500, i cant speak highly enough of that for a bolt on easy cooling fix, speak to Steve at TSS and see what a high flow impeller would do for running it with the standard radiator ??? just a thought

i am excited and its not even my bike .... is that crazy or what

kpke · #14 Post by **kpke** » Sun Apr 04, 2010 11:45 am

That bike looks beautiful RichieRich. Great job.

Can you comment on the install of the swinger? I recently got one in a lot of parts I purchased. Bolt in or was there "extra" work involved?

Thanks!!!

Enjoy the riding of that nice bike.

JonW · #15 Post by **JonW** » Sun Apr 04, 2010 12:16 pm

Superb m8! Just loving it. subtle changes and good upgrades that will be felt not seen, nice! :)