Standard RZ - '83 no longer modified with RGV, Brembo, Zeel & other parts

[JonW]

Ahh cool. Sorry, thought Id missed an issue with the part LOL!

[TIGGER]

been reading this thread chuckling away ,now I know I,m not alone with the OCD parts collection obsession ....

[JonW]

heehee, no trust me, there are plenty more of us out there... they dont all post on the forums either, some guys have garages of cool parts and loose plans to build bikes at some point, I love it!

[winner_evo]

I recently bought a spare LC (flywheel side) engine cover.....

The reason I like these is that they are alloy and nicer quality over the nasty RZ's plastic version. Plus they fit the LC frame better than a cut down RZ one. And yes, Ive also fitted one to the LC as well. They amusingly have a seal on the outside edge for the shift shaft and offer a better mount for the shifter since they run a plain bearing like the one in the engine case there as well. Should give a better shift feel... Interesting as no one every said the LC shifted better than the RZ LOL!

Jon,
one thing I have thought about for a long time (that I've never seen anyone do or mention) and when I have time will look at properly is to c/bore the LC shift hole and fit a sealed bearing.

The bearing would obviously need the I/D of the shift shaft and preferably a small O/D and not too long. I'm sure there is a bearing that will fit.

It will give the shift shaft support like an outrigger as the Case is located by two dowels. It should give a smooth action with the bearing and zero flex. It would have been nice if the billet shift lever had a bearing too.

I also have an LC crankcase that has a phosphor bronze bush where the shift shaft passes through. Coupled with the outer case mod would be next to zero flex.

I think when these billet parts were made in the past they missed a trick when making them.

[JonW]

Thats a good idea mate!

I guess the original plain bearing bush thats in these covers could be uprated with a teflon coated version at a pinch to improve the feel, right now its the same as the one fitted to the RZ crankcase, it does have a seal, but only on the outside for some reason. LOL So even as standard they offer more support than the RZ unit, but I agree that a proper bearing would be nicer and really wouldnt be that hard to find, I may even have some here as I have some spares for my KTM brake lever which would be much the same setup i would think, I will check. hmm....

Sadly, I dont have a billet shifter for this bike.... yet. That's because I was hoping to use Peter's rearsets, but Im thinking that project is most likely stalled now :/ So I need a new rearset plan and hence the shifting part is an unknown at the moment...

[winner_evo]

Thing with the metal sleeve in the LC cover is there is still a large clearance between it and the shift shaft (and in the LC crankcases there is no bush as standard and has a large clearance). Sure you could fit a tighter clearance bush and you could just as easily do the same for the gear lever.

I was thinking of the YPVS billet covers as to why they never fitted a bearing in there, especially when you consider the cost to buy. To me there is no improvement of an area that would benefit improvement.

All of Tyga's gear levers have bearings and they really don't cost much ($38)....

[JonW]

Interesting... both the LC covers that I have here have a well sized bush and both also have a lipped seal on the outside edge. Im wondering if yours have gone missing? I just checked the parts book for the LC and it shows the seal but not the bush, but I cant believe the two I bought from very different places here just happened to have them added later? defo looks like the same bush as the shift shaft uses in the case tho and fits the shaft properly form what I can see... Strange yours isnt like that :/

Im not sure about how the LC gearlever fits, Ive got Raasks on mine, but if its the same as the RZ then it should be terrible I would think, and Norbo sells new pins for them too.

Loving that Tyga lever, I should check their site and maybe drop Paul a line and see if he has something I can use on the RZ. hmm...

[winner_evo]

All of the LC side covers I have, have a steel sleeve, quite thin wall thickness that is incorperated in the cover (not removable or a seperate part). I wouldn't really call it a bush and not really a slide fit on the shaft, there is some clearance. I have a NOS one in my stash and that is the same.

They all have the seal.

I'll dig out the NOS one and measure the I/D and take a piccy.

A bearing where the seal sits would be the ideal place as that will be at the very end of the shaft so will give the most support. The LC cover is crying out for it... LOL

[JonW]

Agreed, we just need to find a bearing and its a simple fit really :)

[winner_evo]

Measured the NOS cover I have, the I/D for the gear change shaft is up to 12.10mm (measured with digi calipers). I think it would be safe to say the gearchange shaft is a nominal 12.00mm diameter, so 0.1 clearance when new.

For a bearing or bush you'd want a lot less than 0.1.

[seahorse]

Excellent updates John Boy.
Good stuff on the spring upgrade, my rgv roller will arrive soon so good useful info I will come back to.
Excellent stuff on the Bikini, I have two Bikinis but no birdcage or horns yet. again I will come back to this thread when I build mine.
Re the covers, yep the LC cover is way better option for the RZ and supports the shift shaft really well, and they look better and are way cooler, and chicks love them and they bring you good luck. Pheww.
I have a small collection in the corner of my shed I now know where I can sell.

Back a few pages you mentioned KRI needle's, below is how I understand it, after a fair bit of research, please don't ask me what i'm running at the moment as I haven't had the carbs off for about 6 weeks, recovering from surgery, and I would have to actually research what ive written to find.
N99c followed needles N68 a and N68x for the Kawasaki Kr1 and KR1s. They were originally for the Keihin PWK28 Flat slide carb. I believe they also changed the slide cutaway between models KR1 and KR1 s, I believe the N99 was the one of choice Part number maybe 16009-1639.
I am sure that those with hands on KR1 expertise will be able to clarify any errors in my research.
Re the jetting you have, id maybe come up just 1 or two sizes on the main and do a chop, I think they are pretty close in standard format. I read Nicks thread and many others jetting specs and my own, there may have been something else involved when he had the melt down.

At any rate John, excellent stuff mate, you should write a book one day.

[aaronmvrider]

hahaha... is that a joke.... he has written a book....

[seahorse]

Yes, it was a Joke Joice.

[JonW]

too funny guys! Maybe I should write a book about a bike next time... I know a few guys who might like it! LOL!

Good PWK needle info SH, ta.

[seahorse]

I am amazed some one hasn't made a foxtell series on these things.