RZ 350 Swing arm conversion clarification

[sam_e787]

Hey Guys, hope everyone is safe.

I had a question about the swing arm conversion for RZ350.

Can you guys help clarify which swing-arm its actually is that is easiest to convert onto RZ frame?

Is it the FZR, FZ or Fazer and what years?

I just went on Babbit and looked up the part numbers and the FZ are the same regardless of engine but the other 2 are not the same.

Thanks in advance

[Whymee]

Hey Guys, hope everyone is safe.

I had a question about the swing arm conversion for RZ350.

Can you guys help clarify which swing-arm its actually is that is easiest to convert onto RZ frame?

Is it the FZR, FZ or Fazer and what years?

I just went on Babbit and looked up the part numbers and the FZ are the same regardless of engine but the other 2 are not the same.

Thanks in advance

I used an 86 FZ600 arm on one of my builds. This is the most popular conversion for us here in 'Merica.

One listed on the 'bay. Buy. This. Quick. Before someone else does....

https://www.ebay.com/itm/YAMAHA-RZ350-R ... Sw0QRfBfVd

[sam_e787]

Hey Guys, hope everyone is safe.

I had a question about the swing arm conversion for RZ350.

Can you guys help clarify which swing-arm its actually is that is easiest to convert onto RZ frame?

Is it the FZR, FZ or Fazer and what years?

I just went on Babbit and looked up the part numbers and the FZ are the same regardless of engine but the other 2 are not the same.

Thanks in advance

I used an 86 FZ600 arm on one of my builds. This is the most popular conversion for us here in 'Merica.

One listed on the 'bay. Buy. This. Quick. Before someone else does....

https://www.ebay.com/itm/YAMAHA-RZ350-R ... Sw0QRfBfVd

Hey man, how are you?

Thanks. That says it's off an RZ, how can you tell it's the FZ swingarm?

[RuZty]

The easiest, and by far coolest looking swing arm swap for the RZ350 is the RGV250 VJ22. Adapter plates and dog bones cut from aluminum plate and it slots right in. Not sold in North America so you’ll likely have to import from Europe or Asia, expect to spend about $500.

[JonW]

With the RGV you can buy all the conversion parts (other than the RGV arm etc) from NK racing in the UK. Its a simple kit that means you can fit your new arm (with its new bearings of course) in an easy hour of work.

The other RGV arm (p model) also works if you dont like curved fruit.

[85RZwade]

I've done two RZs with FZ600 arms and it is straightforward, using a combination of RZ and FZ parts BUT you end with too little rear ride height (or is it too much? It's been a long time) that's solved with custom or modified dog bones or, as I used, a shock with adjustable ride height (length). You need to narrow the swingarm to fit the RZ frame, but it's aluminum and cuts easily with a hacksaw. Push in new bearings, re-use the RZ spacer and decide what wheel to use; I have one with an FZ wheel and one with a 17" Katana wheel.

[kpke]

What wade said above^^^

I have 2 fz conversions. One still has the fzr 18 rear and the pics below are with sv650 17 gs500 sprocket carrier and some other small mods required.

That ebay one looks FZ but I think the later canadian rz's had a similar looking swingarm.

Some recent "rework" pics







Max extension on the adjustable shock raises the rear about 1 1/8 inch.

[RuZty]

Further to Ken's comment, my Canadian '85 came stock with a swinger that looked like that but was silver painted steel, not aluminum.

[Questo vecchio rz]

As far as I remember.. ONKY 1986-1987 & likley the 88 have Aluminum swingers.
The FZRs went with steel.

I have a write up somewhere on a complete install to an 18 inch rear if you are still going to run bias-ply 18 it's pretty easy the 17" are a little more complicated but not too much.
I have one that use the GS500 cush/sprocket as well. And if I recall I used a 1988 89 90 GSXR rear disk?
I sold my complete fcr conversiona couple years ago to a guy in Torrance...
As I went with a Japan spec DeltaBox aluminum FZR400RR arm.

if you're doing the swingarm conversion do yourself a favor and buy an adjustable height rear shock....get one made for the RC don't complicate the thing with a 25 year old worn-out CBR or R6 shock...
Hagon, Nitron, Penske or a rebuilable Fox Twin Clicker...are a few good choices.

outside of losing some weight and the option of utilizing 17 inch rubber there is no point in doing a swingarm conversion if you're not going to set up the rear suspension correctly.
If you don't do the correct shock and setup... your bike will be worse than when you started.....
Just passing along words O' wisdom
Good luck...
if you could post exactly what you've done take all your measurements bushing and bearing numbers and post them for people all this information was lost over a decade ago on all the forums.... if you do it would be very helpful to others attempting the same conversion in the future

[sam_e787]

Thanks guys for all the advise.

I'm actually short, is there a shock that will help me get 2 feet flat on ground? Funny but true.

[Smoker]

Thanks guys for all the advise.

I'm actually short, is there a shock that will help me get 2 feet flat on ground? Funny but true.

The OEM seat foam is very thick.
The seat can be cut down quite a bit and still be comfortable.

The seat will need to be recovered, but you don't need to mess with the suspension.

[MK]

And then there's this:
https://www.mariobertulli.com/en/

Seriously: A 17 inch conversion will give you one or two inches and you could also clamp the fork stanchions at the lowest position (another inch gained).

[sam_e787]

And then there's this:
https://www.mariobertulli.com/en/

Seriously: A 17 inch conversion will give you one or two inches and you could also clamp the fork stanchions at the lowest position (another inch gained).

LOl..Das war Gut!!