how long has your bike been sitting due to resto or mods

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addicted to relics
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Joined: Tue Jul 24, 2018 8:45 pm

how long has your bike been sitting due to resto or mods

#1 Post by addicted to relics » Tue Aug 14, 2018 8:39 pm

I used to have an 87 rx7 T2 really nice car over engineered for the period.
and so hard to work on it that nobody would touch it so I had to learn the rotary lingo.
they say 1 year on the road, 7 in the garage...

Pretty much the same with our bikes.
So how long have you had to lay off the bike or how long did it take to find parts to restore it
and so forth.
I am curious as parts are drying up faster some being 30 plus years (RD350LC)

Cheers

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Questo vecchio rz
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Joined: Sun Aug 16, 2015 5:55 pm
Location: Reconquista of California

Re: how long has your bike been sitting due to resto or mods

#2 Post by Questo vecchio rz » Tue Aug 14, 2018 11:03 pm

Love the Mazda rotaries!!, I had Datsun 520 with a complete RX7 Turbo II swap, .. and built it for under $4, 500 including the car! hard to believe a nice 5: 10 either stock or modified is approaching 15 to 20 grand now I miss that car like no other well maybe a few others haha :smt044

I think Smoker and myself just might have the longest running, non rideable RZ project bikes...lol :smt021

I'll admit it, I bought this RZ running for $ 1100.00 and rode it home. (That should tell you how long ago) I think around 2001ish?...TOO long. I kept changing my mind too many times, over n over 3 different front/ rear conversion s, Bodywork and frame choices..
Life got in the way, bought a house,after that all time & money was spent was on my house and my lil turbo Scion XB Hot Rod .., then when my wife got sick, nothing was important, especially a motorcycle.
In the last 6 months, I've finally had my final conversion choice, machined and ready to mount/dry fit, drawn up my new subframe, and decided upon how I'm going to modify/cut/trim/ fit the Airtech YZR bodywork, to my liking. Had the TZR tank modified for fitment...but in the past 6 months Ive also been side-tracked.. I bought a GSXR, a VFR, a Banshee plus a expensive 4mil stroker motor rebuild, moved into a very very small house ,with my dog etc.. etc. ..I'm trying.. fu#k ..Times running out I gotta kick it in the ass! Cut some corners and just get on with it! I have everything, only guages and a rear shock to buy..I'd like to find a nice used or new Penske / Wiburs or FOX Twin clicker w ride height..
To feed my interest I have organized my friends RG500 and RZ500 YZR replica builds for him..
I had to buy a bike I could ride..before I lost interest in bikes altogether. But I'm back on track..just have some fabrication work on the frame mods (gusseting) and modern rearset/steering dampener/ fabbing..then it can be dry assembled. Maybe another year or so.
Banshee (Baja) race bike,+ 2 A Arms,L.E.Ds, Toomey, +4 stroker IMS tank, run flats.
96 GSXR SRAD, Future Yoshimura rep.
85 custom Tri-Z
RZ/YZR bike(project)
86 VFR750 RC24 Merkel replica (project)
Royal Enfield Bullet 500

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JonW
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Re: how long has your bike been sitting due to resto or mods

#3 Post by JonW » Tue Aug 14, 2018 11:20 pm

All the Japanese older and cooler cars are getting expensive now, especially the nice examples. I know as Ive been looking and recently bought something as a toy (not a rotary... tho a ex-specialist is a good friend of mine and im sure he wishes that I had lol).

RX7s are really on the up pricewise in Japan and for sure here with some of the low miles rarer models like the (more recent) Spirit R fetching serious money ($50k+). A friend of a friend just bought one fresh from Japan and its a mint low milage car and is amazing, but north of 50k.
For those who want to know what one is: http://www.rarecarsales.com.au/mazda-rx ... -for-sale/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Even the more normal late 80s RX7s with low miles and in fantastic condition are up there, $25k for this:
http://www.heartbeatcarsaustralia.com.a ... e/14481288" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This type of car represents a lot of cool and an almost new-car experience if low miles and mint and people want that it seems.


Ahh but, this is a bike forum... hmm... well... Ive had some of my projects the requisite 7 years as well lol
80 XT500 Supermoto!
81 RD350LC Resto
82 RD421LC Hybrid
82 RD350LC decapitation project
82 RD250LC JDM '251LC' YPVS
83 RZ350 Resto
84 RZ500 Resto
85 RZ350 F1 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Hybrid

Like Watches? www.PloProf.com & www.DeskDivers.com

evan_calgary
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Re: how long has your bike been sitting due to resto or mods

#4 Post by evan_calgary » Wed Aug 15, 2018 1:58 am

Wow! Car prices have sure climbed. Uncle had 6 or so of those AC 911 10 years ago. Selling for a lot now. I just about picked up a turbo RX7 at auction for near a grand. Again, a decade ago. Making myself feel old.

If a project takes longer than 3 years, unless it was planned that way it is on the chopping block on my end. It is simply too sad to think about if it sits for longer than that!

hondaror
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Re: how long has your bike been sitting due to resto or mods

#5 Post by hondaror » Wed Aug 15, 2018 3:24 am

I put together one last year and one this year. Engines in both are leaking at the power valves and need some work.
I have 9 other RZs that I've had for up to 5 years, but the plan was to build one a year. I guess I'm a little behind, as I have to do some digging into the first 2 to get them purring.
It really depends on your available time, sourcing parts and services and the cash you're willing to throw at the project. I'm a cheap bugger. Having said that, old TZ racer and I did some RZ parts shopping today. Picked up a set of '89 wheels, fork brace, front master cylinder, 8 pieces of bodywork, and a few other pieces, for a small fortune. Stuff is going up, if you can find it.
Rory
2 1984 RZ350s
1985 RZ350
9 1986-1990 RZ350s
2000 ST2
2005 749
2005 749 with 999 engine

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Evans Ward
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Re: how long has your bike been sitting due to resto or mods

#6 Post by Evans Ward » Wed Aug 15, 2018 7:48 am

Mine was down for 2 years before a rebuild this April and I thought that was a long time! It was killing me to look at it and know it was out of commission.
84 RZ350-Toomeys,SCR milled head, stk 26 carbs,300 M, 35 P, stock regrooved needles AS 2.5 turns out,stk air box,Banshee reeds Zeel non-progr CDI,TSRL Program YPVS,alum rad,R6 shock,GV emulators w/RT springs,fork brace,Shindy steering damper.

kampinguru
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Location: Milton, Ontario

Re: how long has your bike been sitting due to resto or mods

#7 Post by kampinguru » Wed Aug 15, 2018 10:29 am

Almost finished my restoration on an 89 RZ F2. Has been sitting for 18 years but it was complete when it was parked and is still complete. Just have to finish getting the carbs set up and I can ride it.

addicted to relics
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Joined: Tue Jul 24, 2018 8:45 pm

Re: how long has your bike been sitting due to resto or mods

#8 Post by addicted to relics » Wed Aug 15, 2018 5:27 pm

Rory
how many RZ's do you actually have ?
don't get me wrong I collect bikes as well as my wife rides too
so I have a inventory of em

but seriously how many rz can u ride at once ?

I have a bone stock 87 full fairing and the other 85 project bike in the living room
wife got 1990 CB125T all beatup from her putting 20k on it last year, I got her a 83 hawk 450 that she will ride
I currently have a 2008 YZ85, 1981 rm125 (for sale), 1988 Ysr 50 (80cc kit)

where do you put them all?

Hellgate
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Location: OKC & AUSTX

Re: how long has your bike been sitting due to resto or mods

#9 Post by Hellgate » Wed Aug 15, 2018 10:54 pm

It was the Federal Safety Compliance statement, not the VIN that Customs looked for. Somehow that thought came through the fog of many years...Image
Cheers!

Pete

'12 Tuono V4R APRC, '05 R6, '88 RZ350, '82 XV920R

Hooligan
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Location: Calgary, Alberta

Re: how long has your bike been sitting due to resto or mods

#10 Post by Hooligan » Thu Aug 16, 2018 2:41 am

My hybrid LC has been in my basement since 2007.

The primary problem is I have a really nice LC to ride and 4 other bikes to take care of so no huge motivation to finish that project. :(
'82 RD350LC in '81 colours, OEM pipes, UNI filters
'85 FZ750

hondaror
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Location: Alberta, Canada

Re: how long has your bike been sitting due to resto or mods

#11 Post by hondaror » Fri Aug 17, 2018 3:28 am

addicted to relics wrote:Rory
how many RZ's do you actually have ?
don't get me wrong I collect bikes as well as my wife rides too
so I have a inventory of em

but seriously how many rz can u ride at once ?

I have a bone stock 87 full fairing and the other 85 project bike in the living room
wife got 1990 CB125T all beatup from her putting 20k on it last year, I got her a 83 hawk 450 that she will ride
I currently have a 2008 YZ85, 1981 rm125 (for sale), 1988 Ysr 50 (80cc kit)

where do you put them all?
I have 11. 2 are built, and need cash injections, power valve seals and internal inspections while I'm in there.
The other 9 are waiting for restorations/ rebuilds. I have 7 other bikes. They too are waiting for me to get on it. Currently, we have 2 800 sq ft garages.
Rory
2 1984 RZ350s
1985 RZ350
9 1986-1990 RZ350s
2000 ST2
2005 749
2005 749 with 999 engine

addicted to relics
Posts: 34
Joined: Tue Jul 24, 2018 8:45 pm

Re: how long has your bike been sitting due to resto or mods

#12 Post by addicted to relics » Fri Aug 17, 2018 5:20 pm

hondaror wrote:
addicted to relics wrote:Rory
how many RZ's do you actually have ?
don't get me wrong I collect bikes as well as my wife rides too
so I have a inventory of em

but seriously how many rz can u ride at once ?

I have a bone stock 87 full fairing and the other 85 project bike in the living room
wife got 1990 CB125T all beatup from her putting 20k on it last year, I got her a 83 hawk 450 that she will ride
I currently have a 2008 YZ85, 1981 rm125 (for sale), 1988 Ysr 50 (80cc kit)

where do you put them all?
I have 11. 2 are built, and need cash injections, power valve seals and internal inspections while I'm in there.
The other 9 are waiting for restorations/ rebuilds. I have 7 other bikes. They too are waiting for me to get on it. Currently, we have 2 800 sq ft garages.

I got a living room.. lol I stored 4 bikes in it last winter was awesome, people called me crazy. I had the 87 rz an 81 elsie, her bike and a dirtbike still room for more traded the elsie for the ysr plus cash.

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