Down to nits on 1984 RZ350 restoration

Got a customizing or restoration project? Discuss it here

Moderator: rztom

Post Reply
Message
Author
garcenw
Posts: 80
Joined: Tue Nov 17, 2015 12:44 am

Down to nits on 1984 RZ350 restoration

#1 Post by garcenw » Thu Jul 13, 2017 12:06 am

I've been working here and there on this bike since November of 2015. I've posted here and there and want to thank all those that helped out with their answers.

The previous owner did a good job of cleaning up the wheels, forks, and some other parts, but also did a lot of band-aids, jury-rigging, and corner cutting elsewhere. Some were obvious when I looked at the bike (e.g. jetting, leaking water pump, CDI) and others only revealed themselves when I dug into the individual systems. I've gone thru and redone most of the systems and got the body work repainted and had water decals applied.

I’m down to the little things on the 1984 RZ350 restoration and have been commuting on it. See pics linked below. As I now gain more confidence that it runs fine, I’ll work on getting rid of those chicken stripes. A few things left to address or verify are:

1) The self-canceling turn signals don’t work. I suspect the sensor in speedo is bad as I tried a new old stock self cancelling control module. This is low priority as the signals work otherwise with the self cancelling control module disconnected.

2) I have to set the preload on the front and rear suspension.

3) Helmet lock doesn’t work (I’m pulling the lock from the bike and taking it to a locksmith next week).

4) The 2-stroke oil reservoir was weeping oil past the level sensor seal. The sensor has an integrated seal and sits on top of the reservoir. I thickened the seal up by wrapping it some electrical tape. We’ll see if that works. It’s an issue reported on here in the forum.

5) I've eventually have got find some OEM mirrors in good condition. The aftermarket ones on the bike are not correct as they are mirror images of each other and thus are at different heights (i.e. the OEM mounting points are at different heights).

Here is a video of her running that I took at work today:

https://youtu.be/aR0rxyl-fm8

https://www.dropbox.com/s/gtyh3wxsr76hh ... e.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/qss81f03zgonl ... s.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/1dpvosugnk36i ... e.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/02vhvt0n60hji ... k.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/fjgqptwe91c5c ... t.jpg?dl=0

Again - thank you to all that helped with their answers.
Last edited by garcenw on Thu Jul 13, 2017 12:24 am, edited 4 times in total.

hondaror
Posts: 2828
Joined: Mon Mar 03, 2014 8:44 pm
Location: Alberta, Canada

Re: Down to nits on 1984 RZ350 restoration

#2 Post by hondaror » Thu Jul 13, 2017 12:14 am

It looks great! Nice job.
Rory
2 1984 RZ350s
1985 RZ350
9 1986-1990 RZ350s
2000 ST2
2005 749
2005 749 with 999 engine

garcenw
Posts: 80
Joined: Tue Nov 17, 2015 12:44 am

Re: Down to nits on 1984 RZ350 restoration

#3 Post by garcenw » Thu Jul 13, 2017 12:21 am

The power band softness at low RPM when rolling into a slow corner (e.g. intersection) took some getting used to. You definitely have to manage momentum on this bike. It think it will make me a more focused rider as it’s easy to get sloppy when you can use the throttle (as on my bigger 4-strokes) to solve problems.

hondaror
Posts: 2828
Joined: Mon Mar 03, 2014 8:44 pm
Location: Alberta, Canada

Re: Down to nits on 1984 RZ350 restoration

#4 Post by hondaror » Thu Jul 13, 2017 1:26 am

The hardest bikes to ride fast are 2 strokes. Trying to master them makes you a much better rider.
Rory
2 1984 RZ350s
1985 RZ350
9 1986-1990 RZ350s
2000 ST2
2005 749
2005 749 with 999 engine

Post Reply