CAN 1983 RZ350

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tzrz350
Posts: 133
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Location: Gatineau, Québec, Canada

CAN 1983 RZ350

#1 Post by tzrz350 » Wed Mar 12, 2014 2:30 am

Performing a restoration on a 1983 RZ350. It had 19k km and was in a very descent condition other than not starting. The compression was probably the cause as it was still on the original boring measures. I am using a blasting cabinet, an ultrasonic cleaner and a powder coating gun. I decided to go replicate exact original condition but I am trying to keep it close, using phantom black and classic red color.

I had the frame and swing arm done by a "professional" powder coater since these parts didn't fit in my oven but frankly I do a much better job, probably because I take the time required to do a great job.

On the engine, I dismantled it completely, blasted part by part with glass bead cleaned and powder coated. The head was slightly shaved to remove imperfection and I had it rebored 0.25 mm over. Wiseco pistons, rings and new OEM seals. I am in the middle of its reassembly, ready to close the casings.

Some pictures will be posted.
Attachments
The powder coated engine
The powder coated engine
1402856_10151999005429853_852378838_o.jpg (249.96 KiB) Viewed 10053 times
The blasted engine
The blasted engine
964658_10151721418684853_96995435_o.jpg (83.67 KiB) Viewed 10053 times
As it was before the restoration, in a nice overall condition.
As it was before the restoration, in a nice overall condition.
966884_10151721419169853_836537143_o.jpg (107.67 KiB) Viewed 10053 times
In doubt, full throttle!

1971 Kawasaki F8
1983 RZ350
2002 BMW R1150R w/sidecar
2012 Ducati Monster 1100 EVO
2014 KTM 150SX
1994 TZR350

silverstrom
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Re: CAN 1983 RZ350

#2 Post by silverstrom » Wed Mar 12, 2014 3:12 am

Welcome to the forum. Where in Canada are you located?

Nice looking project. Always good to see one restored with care.

hondaror
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Re: CAN 1983 RZ350

#3 Post by hondaror » Wed Mar 12, 2014 3:12 am

I love the Rocket sticker. Are those guys still around? I purchased Kathleen Coburn's severely crashed RZ500. Robby and Ron let me work on it in their shop. It was 1986, I was 23. I was pondering running a TZ250 at Daytona, never happened.
Rory
2 1984 RZ350s
1985 RZ350
9 1986-1990 RZ350s
2000 ST2
2005 749
2005 749 with 999 engine

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aaronmvrider
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Re: CAN 1983 RZ350

#4 Post by aaronmvrider » Wed Mar 12, 2014 4:06 am

ooohh... nice... what a first post...

welcome

Aaron
1 x 4mm stroker rz 375cc 1983
1 x 7mm stroker rz 443cc 1984 (under construction)
1 x rz 500
1 x mv agusta 1000

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tzrz350
Posts: 133
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Location: Gatineau, Québec, Canada

Re: CAN 1983 RZ350

#5 Post by tzrz350 » Wed Mar 12, 2014 9:46 am

Thank you. I am 15 min away from the Canadian parliament in Ottawa but in the Quebec province.

For the Rocket sticker, I don't know the history, I tried to search for other RZ350 with that identification but I didn't any other one.

Also, before having the frame repainted in red, I didn't find any stamped VIN number (I have looked everywhere). The frame was on original paint unalterated other than some rust near the welding mark. Is it an early RZ frame? Don't know, but its papers says 1983.
In doubt, full throttle!

1971 Kawasaki F8
1983 RZ350
2002 BMW R1150R w/sidecar
2012 Ducati Monster 1100 EVO
2014 KTM 150SX
1994 TZR350

rd guy
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Re: CAN 1983 RZ350

#6 Post by rd guy » Wed Mar 12, 2014 11:42 am

ROCKET MOTORCYCLE, now that takes me back,in 1985 I had my 1981l/c done by ron, ported,allspeed pipes,gearing etc ron was the 2 stroke god.also to the op I have a picture of that bike w/ the rocket sticker parked outside at the Toronto bike show in 1985 might be yours? if you like pm me your address and I will mail it to you,also rutzy mags are in the mail enjoy andy.

silverstrom
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Re: CAN 1983 RZ350

#7 Post by silverstrom » Wed Mar 12, 2014 3:15 pm

tzrz350 wrote: Also, before having the frame repainted in red, I didn't find any stamped VIN number (I have looked everywhere). The frame was on original paint unalterated other than some rust near the welding mark. Is it an early RZ frame? Don't know, but its papers says 1983.
All RZ frames have the VIN stamped on the headstock (right side). Could be that yours was painted over or powder coated over and really wasn't the original paint. Maybe you can post a pic of where the VIN should be? If it isn't there and isn't under paint it would be extremely unusual and would also mean there may be legal implications with registration. Perhaps it was ground off by someone in an attempt to register it under a different VIN. Typically though, the headstock is re-stamped in those cases.

If it's an 83 the frame and engine would both be stamped 33E-000xxx

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tzrz350
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Location: Gatineau, Québec, Canada

Re: CAN 1983 RZ350

#8 Post by tzrz350 » Wed Mar 12, 2014 4:03 pm

Hi RD Guy, it might be, I bough it in 2011 in Barry, not too far from Toronto. I sent you a pm with my email address. Rocket Motorcycle, that would explain it!

Silverstrom, I was expecting the VIN to be on the headstock. I looked carefully and it wasn't. The paint looked very original with rust associated with 30 years of normal inside storage and unmodified near the headstock (I was checking for alteration marks). I verified everywhere, no VIN stamped. Possible that it was a plate? When I disassembled it, I didn't notice anything unusual that would suggest its not the original frame of the bike.

Could it be a frame that was originally not intended for road?
In doubt, full throttle!

1971 Kawasaki F8
1983 RZ350
2002 BMW R1150R w/sidecar
2012 Ducati Monster 1100 EVO
2014 KTM 150SX
1994 TZR350

rd guy
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Re: CAN 1983 RZ350

#9 Post by rd guy » Wed Mar 12, 2014 4:20 pm

does the engine # match the ownership? a few years ago a bud of mine bought an 83 rz-cyclecanada race bike and the frame had no serial# on it, paid very little for it and it came w/ all brand new bodywork in boxes was the deal of a lifetime.also know of a guys that bought new frames w/ no serial # and the dealer had to stamp them in .

silverstrom
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Re: CAN 1983 RZ350

#10 Post by silverstrom » Wed Mar 12, 2014 4:46 pm

Could be a replacement frame. Some of the early bikes had issues with cracking frames. Could be a warranty replacement I suppose. Still doesn't address the issue of the frame needing a stamped VIN that matches the ownership. If the ownership is ever questioned the proof is stamped on the headstock. The legal implications are many. What happens if the bike is stolen, gets in a wreck, is checked by the police, etc? It looks suspiciously like a frame that has had the VIN removed so it could be repurposed.

Does it have Yamaha frame decal with a VIN (right side below gas tank)? If not, you should consider this option to have at least some form of proving the VIN matches the ownership http://www.rzrd500.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=9759" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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tzrz350
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Location: Gatineau, Québec, Canada

Re: CAN 1983 RZ350

#11 Post by tzrz350 » Wed Mar 12, 2014 8:51 pm

OK, check this out, the engine is stamped 33E-000XXX. I have all papers tracing all owners back to 1983. The VIN number identified on the Ontario ownership from 1983 to now in Quebec consist of only 6 digits. 000XXX and it match the engine! Nothing else, no letter, no long VIN number identifying the manufacturer and other details, just 6 digits.
In doubt, full throttle!

1971 Kawasaki F8
1983 RZ350
2002 BMW R1150R w/sidecar
2012 Ducati Monster 1100 EVO
2014 KTM 150SX
1994 TZR350

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tzrz350
Posts: 133
Joined: Mon Mar 10, 2014 4:24 pm
Location: Gatineau, Québec, Canada

Re: CAN 1983 RZ350

#12 Post by tzrz350 » Wed Mar 12, 2014 8:58 pm

Some other picture of my process...
Attachments
The assembly shop (in my basement). Blasting and powder coat is done in the garage.
The assembly shop (in my basement). Blasting and powder coat is done in the garage.
1498041_10152190104659853_225894651_o.jpg (99.09 KiB) Viewed 9924 times
Engine cover ready for coating
Engine cover ready for coating
964801_10151721407354853_1037313347_o.jpg (153.33 KiB) Viewed 9924 times
Small parts after coating.
Small parts after coating.
920907_10151721405914853_1580336825_o.jpg (101.9 KiB) Viewed 9924 times
In doubt, full throttle!

1971 Kawasaki F8
1983 RZ350
2002 BMW R1150R w/sidecar
2012 Ducati Monster 1100 EVO
2014 KTM 150SX
1994 TZR350

rd guy
Posts: 57
Joined: Thu Oct 31, 2013 10:16 pm

Re: CAN 1983 RZ350

#13 Post by rd guy » Wed Mar 12, 2014 9:19 pm

if you have a sellers package, that shows its not stolen so punch the 6 didits in the frame and ride on.

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tzrz350
Posts: 133
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Location: Gatineau, Québec, Canada

Re: CAN 1983 RZ350

#14 Post by tzrz350 » Wed Mar 12, 2014 9:58 pm

Yes I have the sellers package. I wonder why the VIN number was recorded with only those 6 digits. It probably has something to do with the frame having no stamped number. Anyway, will do as you recommend!
In doubt, full throttle!

1971 Kawasaki F8
1983 RZ350
2002 BMW R1150R w/sidecar
2012 Ducati Monster 1100 EVO
2014 KTM 150SX
1994 TZR350

User avatar
tzrz350
Posts: 133
Joined: Mon Mar 10, 2014 4:24 pm
Location: Gatineau, Québec, Canada

Re: CAN 1983 RZ350

#15 Post by tzrz350 » Wed Mar 12, 2014 10:21 pm

silverstrom wrote:Does it have Yamaha frame decal with a VIN (right side below gas tank)? If not, you should consider this option to have at least some form of proving the VIN matches the ownership http://www.rzrd500.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=9759" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Order placed! Thanks for the info.
In doubt, full throttle!

1971 Kawasaki F8
1983 RZ350
2002 BMW R1150R w/sidecar
2012 Ducati Monster 1100 EVO
2014 KTM 150SX
1994 TZR350

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