Low Budget Purple Project

Got a customizing or restoration project? Discuss it here

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Off Road
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Re: Low Budget Purple Project

#1261 Post by Off Road » Tue Mar 20, 2018 12:29 am

Sorry, I have nothing important or helpful to say, and what I do have to say, is not very interesting.
But, I’m bored and need to do something RZ related, and posting useless crap on a public forum was all I could come up with.

If you have any kind of a life, then you’ll probably want to skip today’s posts.
However, if have absolutely nothing else to do, then by all means, continue on.
The best that you can expect is that it will be time well wasted.

Can’t ride my bike because Winter is hanging in there like a trooper.
We’ll need at least 3 weeks of warm weather just to melt all the snow.
Can’t work on my bike because I’m waiting on parts from the machine shop.

Last August, 7 months ago, the bike was done, finished, complete. It had oil, and coolant, and gas in the tank.
All I had to do was push it outside, kick it over until it started, and go for a ride.
Sadly, I can’t say the same thing today.

My EGT gauge arrived and after evaluating its size, shape and mounting holes, I designed a bracket to mount it to the FZR400 upper triple clamp.
The triple and mounting bracket were sent to the machine shop for final fitting / welding, and I’m still waiting to get them back.

So, at the moment, the bike’s not quite a runner.
The tank, bars, headlight, and top triple clamp are all off the bike
The forks, front brakes, and headlight bracket are all loose. They’re still on the bike, but the bolts are only finger tight.

So, that’s the latest on the project. It’s on hold, waiting for parts.

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Off Road
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Re: Low Budget Purple Project

#1262 Post by Off Road » Tue Mar 20, 2018 12:29 am

If you’re hoping that this post is better than my last post, then you’re going to be disappointed.

I bought the Purple bike with absolutely no intention of keeping it Stock.
I wanted to personalize my RZ and make it little bit different from all the others, so I changed a few parts.

- Front wheel, forks, tree’s, front brake master cylinder, lines, calipers and rotors
- Rear wheel, swing-arm, dog-bones, link, shock, rear brake master cylinder, line, caliper and rotor
- Front and rear fenders, side panels, rear cowl, seat, grab-bar, foot-pegs and foot-peg brackets
- Headlight, taillight, turn signals, gauges, and all the brackets that mount them in place
- Bars, switchgear, levers, clutch and throttle cables, shift lever, brake pedal
- Main wiring harness, CDI, coil, plug wires
- Motor, pipes, carbs, air filters, battery box
- Radiator, oil tank, overflow bottle, all the hoses
- Chain, sprockets, tires
- Gas cap, seat lock
- and Frame


I apologize for wasting so much of your time.
This post would have been a lot shorter if I just listed the parts from the original bike that I’m still using for the project bike.

- Gas tank
- Ignition switch
- Stator and rotor
- A few nuts and bolts



After I had finished personalizing my ride, I had a bunch of spare parts left over, so I turned the Purple frame back into a rolling chassis.
I put all the stock wheels, forks, brakes, swing-arm, lights, electronics, and bodywork back on the bike.
I installed the Works Performance shock, new steering bearings, fork seals, brake pads and rear tire.
I even hung the exhaust pipes in place.
It was complete; the only thing missing was the engine.

Later on I bought an RZ and a 90% complete parts bike. I kept the good running engine, and then sold the RZ with a 30% complete parts bike.
Sorry, but I don’t remember how much the engine ended up costing me. $400? $600? Not really sure.

After getting the Purple bike all back together and running, I decided that I didn’t want it anymore, so I sold it.
Pretty sure I got $2400 for it.

So, I used up my Spare Parts, and bought say $900 worth of new parts (motor, bearings, brakes, seals, gaskets, tires etc), then sold the bike for $2400.
That means I got $1500, give or take, for the spare parts left over from the project.

In an earlier post I said that I’d spent $14,500 on project bike.
But, I still had a leftover engine and set of pipes that’s worth $1500, so I’m really only into the bike for $13,000.
When I subtract the $1500 that I recovered by selling the leftover parts,
it brings the project cost down to $11,500 Can. (About $8,855 US, at today’s exchange rate).

Wow, this bike’s getting cheaper all the time. If I can rationalize a few more things, it’ll be damn near free.


Since I started this project, I’ve bought and sold 5 or 6 other RZ’s.
I kept some parts, sold some parts, sold some bikes. Sometimes I made a little money, most of the time I didn’t.
After all the buying, and selling, and trading, and deals, I think it’s fair to say that I don’t have a really accurate cost for this bike.

Is $11,500 close? Maybe, maybe not, but it’s the best that I can come up with.

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Off Road
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Re: Low Budget Purple Project

#1263 Post by Off Road » Tue Mar 20, 2018 12:31 am

My last post for the evening.
Maybe I’ll say something that’s interesting, or attention-grabbing, or out of the ordinary in this post.
Maybe not. It's hard to say.


So now that I’ve gone to all this trouble to justify this latest figure of $11,500, it’s Wrong, :smt005
because it doesn’t include all the stuff I’ve bought this year.

- Koso EGT Gauge. $300 - $350?
I don’t know the final price because I haven’t paid for it yet

- Remote Reservoir & Braided Steel Line for the Ohlins rear shock. $10? maybe more?
I don’t know the final price because it's still being negotiated.

- EGT Gauge Bracket & Shock Reservoir Bracket - Welding & Machining. $100 - $150?
I don’t know because I haven’t paid for it yet.

- Tires. I haven’t paid for these either, but I do remember the costs
$450 for a set of Metzeler Z8’s. 110/70ZR17 front and 140/70ZR18 rear.
$100 for a new 150/70ZR18 Bridgestone BT016 Rear tire.

Yup, you’re right. That is too may tires for one motorcycle.

I bought the Metzelers because they were about the only radial tire that fit the bike.
Then I found a supplier with a few of the BT016’s, so I scooped one up.
I’m currently running the BT016’s on the bike and really like them.
My front tire is still in good shape, but the rear has got a pretty wide flat-spot down the center.
I’m still having late night conversations with myself, trying to decide which tires to use.

Me: I can save quite a bit of money by just putting the BT016 on the rear.
Me: But, I’ve read good reviews on the Metzelers, and I’d like to give them a try.
Me: Ya. That’s great. The Bridgestone is just as good and it’s a lot cheaper.
Me: Sure, but it would be nice to try something different.
Me: You don’t have any money. You can’t afford different.
Me: I could sell the BT016 and get a little money back.
Me: You could sell the Z8’s and get more money back.
Me: Ya, But…
Me: STFU and go get us a couple more beers. Please.

Coming soon, in the For Sale section of the Forum, a new add for FZR400/600 Tires or Tire. :smt003

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Re: Low Budget Purple Project

#1264 Post by hondaror » Tue Mar 20, 2018 1:52 am

I like the STFU part...
Rory
2 1984 RZ350s
1985 RZ350
9 1986-1990 RZ350s
2000 ST2
2005 749
2005 749 with 999 engine

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JonW
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Re: Low Budget Purple Project

#1265 Post by JonW » Tue Mar 20, 2018 8:27 am

Wheres the popcorn smiley when you need it lol
good posts as ever Steve!
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

hondaror
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Re: Low Budget Purple Project

#1266 Post by hondaror » Wed Mar 21, 2018 11:45 am

You guys would enjoy Steve in "real" life. He's a quiet clown. Very unsuspecting, knowledgable, entertaining, and helpful, an all round fun guy. Not to mention, he's a great friend, and coworker.
Rory
2 1984 RZ350s
1985 RZ350
9 1986-1990 RZ350s
2000 ST2
2005 749
2005 749 with 999 engine

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JonW
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Re: Low Budget Purple Project

#1267 Post by JonW » Wed Mar 21, 2018 6:32 pm

I deduced that from his posts and our convos, one day it would be good to all meet up and talk bikes f2f, but thats geographically impossible sadly.
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

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

Re: Low Budget Purple Project

#1268 Post by hondaror » Thu Mar 22, 2018 12:08 am

JonW wrote:I deduced that from his posts and our convos, one day it would be good to all meet up and talk bikes f2f, but thats geographically impossible sadly.
You never know. You and I were pretty close in the US, two years ago. Funnier things have happened.
Rory
2 1984 RZ350s
1985 RZ350
9 1986-1990 RZ350s
2000 ST2
2005 749
2005 749 with 999 engine

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Re: Low Budget Purple Project

#1269 Post by JonW » Thu Mar 22, 2018 6:09 am

I wish we had met up, would have been a giggle for sure. Im probably back in the USA next year, but mostly in the Deep South... Im hoping to meet up with Mark when i Texas, but he doesnt know that yet ;)
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

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

Re: Low Budget Purple Project

#1270 Post by hondaror » Fri Mar 23, 2018 12:28 am

He might now.

With a little more communication and for thought, things might start happening. Every guy off this forum, that I've met in person are fantastic people. I don't think anyone here would have a bad time with anyone else they met from this site. The common bond is pretty strong.
Facebook is also a good platform. I'm hoping to meet Mark Morrow, Steve Gyimesi and Pete Einsiedel of the North American RZ350 Owners Group. Same quality of people. I know Steve is here, not sure about the others. They are all in the US.
Rory
2 1984 RZ350s
1985 RZ350
9 1986-1990 RZ350s
2000 ST2
2005 749
2005 749 with 999 engine

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kpke
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Re: Low Budget Purple Project

#1271 Post by kpke » Fri Mar 23, 2018 11:42 am

Hi Rory.

What is the North American RZ350 Owners Group???

Is it a facebook thing?

hondaror
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Location: Alberta, Canada

Re: Low Budget Purple Project

#1272 Post by hondaror » Fri Mar 23, 2018 10:34 pm

It is. It's Steve Gyimesi's page. Lots of neat stuff to follow.
Rory
2 1984 RZ350s
1985 RZ350
9 1986-1990 RZ350s
2000 ST2
2005 749
2005 749 with 999 engine

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Off Road
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Location: Alberta, Canada

Re: Low Budget Purple Project

#1273 Post by Off Road » Fri Mar 30, 2018 3:27 am

There’s a saying; “Third time’s a charm.”
And according to Wiktionary.org it means; “One is sure to succeed at a task or event on the third try.”
Maybe I will. Maybe I won’t. Time will tell.



Four weeks ago, I took my FZR400 triple clamp to the machine shop so they could drill and tap 2 holes in it.
I also took in 3 pre-cut pieces of aluminum, so the shop could weld them together and make a bracket to hold the braided line for the remote reservoir on the Ohlins shock.

I’m still patiently waiting for my parts.

I can’t mount the Koso gauge, headlights, bars, forks, shift light, bodywork, etc, until I get the triple clamp back.
And I can’t finish with the Ohlins shock and remote reservoir until I get the new bracket back.

One month to drill and tap 2 holes, and lay down 40 mm (1.6”) of bead, seems like and excessively long time.

I’d like to call up the welder and say: “What the hell is taking so long? Spring is coming. I want my parts!”
But yelling and cursing at welders, and cops, and judges, has never helped me in the past
So, maybe I’ll just call him and politely ask if he’s got an ETA on when my parts will be ready.


You’ve probably seen this before, but my welder has a sign in his shop that says;

We offer 3 kinds of service: Good, Fast, and Cheap. You can only pick 2.
1 – If you want it Fast and Cheap, it won’t be Good
2 – If you want it Fast and Good, it won’t be Cheap
3 – If you want it Good and Cheap, it won’t be Fast

I must have signed up for option 3, because this is taking forever.

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Re: Low Budget Purple Project

#1274 Post by Off Road » Fri Mar 30, 2018 3:27 am

Way back in 2009, I thought I was a pretty smart fellow.
I was good at turning wrenches, and knew a couple of things about RZ350’s, so I decided to build a custom bike.
How hard could it be?


Well, I’ve been working on this bike for 8½ years and I’ve spent over $11,000 on it…and it’s still not “finished”.
If I was half as smart as I thought I was, I’d have known that projects always take longer than you thought they would,
and cost more than you thought they were going too, but that’s the way it goes with projects.

What can you do?




The good news is that after spending all that time and money, I now have this sitting in my garage.







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Re: Low Budget Purple Project

#1275 Post by Off Road » Fri Mar 30, 2018 3:27 am

I feel like I should put a smilie in this post, but I don’t know which one describes the project best.

:smt003 Happy
:smt010 Sad
:smt009 Pathetic
:smt012 Frustrating
:smt005 Too Funny


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