kobra's 1985 RZ350NC2 basket case restoration

[kobra]

I think your experience with the pipe fitment is typical for DG.
Way back in 1981 I bought a DG Pipe and some other hi-performance parts for my dirt bike- I figured if Bob Hannah had DG decals all over his bike, well they must be good, right? Urrrrgh- The DG Pipe was a piece of crap! Poor fit, didn't perform, looked terrible. I surmised that DG was less than high-quality and stayed away ever since.
My Toomey pipes, Spec II pipes and Factory Pipes all fit-up good. I did need to make a small dent in the left Toomey to clear a bolt at the shock linkage.

I was about to dent mine, but flipped the shock bolt around instead.
It's still pretty tight between the shock linkage and the kickstand spring stub. I see a lot of RZ's with a scratch where the kickstand touches!

[kobra]

Just so you all know I'm not some kind of wizard... I will share my mistake.

I got the shift linkage installed and sat on the bike only to quickly realize I couldn't shift. Well... technically it would shift, but not without excessive force. I instantly knew it was the different detent spring I put in there. Genius me thought it would help have a more 'positive' shift. In reality, it just made it impossible to shift given the tiny RZ shift lever. The spring was designed for the Banshee which has a massive 10 inch lever.

Luckily I realized this last week and ordered the parts to fix it, so we're still on track to get it going this week!

[brrrappp]

Just so you all know I'm not some kind of wizard... I will share my mistake.
I instantly knew it was the different detent spring I put in there. Genius me thought it would help have a more 'positive' shift. In reality, it just made it impossible to shift given the tiny RZ shift lever. The spring was designed for the Banshee which has a massive 10 inch lever.

This is what happens when people fix things that aint broke.

[kobra]

Yep... The engineers did it for a reason in the first place!

[brrrappp]

with any 80's-90's Yamaha, if the transmission is "normal" by that I mean not worn out and stock, it will have a very "positive" shift feel.
If you are a late model "Honda guy" the Yamaha will feel "notchy" or hard to shift. Neutral will be easier to find and the throw from first to second will feel longer.
If you ride Kawasaki it will feel about the same but less likely to find a false neutral.

[tacky1]

The shift star can be modded to improve the shift and make it nice and smooth. I modded all my current and all my old bikes over the years. Makes it nice and smoooooth :)

Just google “banshee shift star mod” and you’ll get the idea.

[kobra]

I looked into that, as well as the ball bearing detent arm mod.

I think I will start with this as baseline and see how it feels. I was dumb for trying to change it before even having a starting point!

[kobra]

Guys, it runs.

IT FRICKEN RUNS!

Going to provide video and pics tmrw. Also I'd like to ride it this weekend before the rain so anyone in the SF bay area is welcome.

[tacky1]

Guys, it runs.

IT FRICKEN RUNS!

Going to provide video and pics tmrw. Also I'd like to ride it this weekend before the rain so anyone in the SF bay area is welcome.

Thats class, well done, I would take you up on the ride only im taking the kiddos off to Hollister Hills camping and dirtbiking. We go every second weekend...

[kpke]

Congratulations! Can't wait to see this work of art.

Care to take a spin up to the junction Saturday or Sunday, starting on the Livermore side?

I'm obligated to work on-call this weekend but can usually get a three hour window for a ride if I plan in advance.

[kobra]

I'm not sure I'm ready to f it up on Hammy yet. The rocks just chip and stick to everything. I will be doing a SC mountains ride :)

[kobra]

Startup and ride (video from ride is after about 80 miles on it.)
https://youtu.be/s8SCTviSftE

[Smoker]

Sounds great!

Nice work.

[kpke]

Sounds really good. Keep checking your DG silencers. I have never run them but read about the rivets failing and silencers falling off. They always sound great.

Let me know if you change your mind on a ride to the junction or if you are in this area. There's also Calaveras, Carnegie/Site 300 or Old Altamont to Tracy.

I hope you enjoy it enough to keep it.

Great job on this project!!!

[TwoStrokeNut]

Congrats!!! I'm sure it was a huge sense of accomplishment when she fired to life. (And I huge relief too!!)