Topic: Found my "Holy Grail"...OK, one of them.

[solo 2]

I was at the local new bike show 2 weeks ago and ran into a guy at the MV Agusta booth as it's the first year they've allowed them up here. We started chatting about the bikes we lusted after and found out this gentleman was not lacking in funds or motorcycles. I discovered we both had a thing for Ducatis and 2 strokes. I mentioned that I lusted after a Yamaha RZ500...he mentioned that he had 4!!, 1 pristine,1 track bike and 2 runners. Faster than I can say "Let the games begin", he sells me one at a VERY reasonable price. It's not perfect, but it runs strong and it's all there. I'm Sooooooo happy!!

[seanbarney41]

that looks really fun...jealous

[grcamna2]

solo 2,
    What model/year is she ? Is that a steel perimeter frame? or aluminum ? Could you show some more pics w/ the tank and covers removed  ...I had an RD350 and...always dreamed about "seeing" an RZ500 !!  Thanks 

[754]

  I know a guy in Cowtown that has one, he gets thru Edmonchuk pretty often..
 Think there is at least one here in town too..

[Leino]

Nice find! Do you have a RG 500 as well? 
Oh yeah, those were sold as RD 500 in Europe.

[solo 2]

solo 2,
    What model/year is she ? Is that a steel perimeter frame? or aluminum ? Could you show some more pics w/ the tank and covers removed  ...I had an RD350 and...always dreamed about "seeing" an RZ500 !!  Thanks 

It's a 1984, Canadian model(steel frame), only the Japanese RVZs had the aluminum frame. I'm looking to get one eventually. I'll post some pics later as I have too many bikes in pieces right now.

[solo 2]

  I know a guy in Cowtown that has one, he gets thru Edmonchuk pretty often..
 Think there is at least one here in town too..

They're not that rare and come up for sale quite often if you're looking, but like the sandcasts and early CBs they've become sought after and the prices are really climbing. It's funny how rarity doesn't matter as much as popularity alot of the time, my 600 Pantah only had a production run of about 1800 units, who knows how many are still around, but it's not a very covetted Ducati so the prices haven't really taken off.

[solo 2]

Nice find! Do you have a RG 500 as well? 
Oh yeah, those were sold as RD 500 in Europe.

I wish I had a RG500, passed up the only one i'm ever likely to be willing to pay for a couple of years ago. The prices on those have nearly tripled in the last 5 years.

[kirkn]

Speaking of Canadian bikes / Holy Grails....

Well, my desire is more like an ol' wooden cup, but still - a CX650E!  They never came to the US.  All we ever got was the CX650 Custom, which, by then, was almost a cartoon!  But the Canadian E - man, I'd like to find one of them here in the southern US!

All the motor and chassis improvements that came with the 650 over the 500 and swoopy bodywork that reminds of the CX650 Turbo, but without the turbo headaches.  Sweet.

[Leino]

I wish I had a RG500, passed up the only one i'm ever likely to be willing to pay for a couple of years ago. The prices on those have nearly tripled in the last 5 years.

I see your point, RG 500 is on my list too... hard to find and very expensive.
I might have to settle for some other bikes on my list, like '86 GSX-R 1100 and '83 Katana 1100 

[Sam Green Racing]

This is a SOHC forum, you shouldn't be discusing these DOHC bikes.

[solo 2]

I wish I had a RG500, passed up the only one i'm ever likely to be willing to pay for a couple of years ago. The prices on those have nearly tripled in the last 5 years.

I see your point, RG 500 is on my list too... hard to find and very expensive.
I might have to settle for some other bikes on my list, like '86 GSX-R 1100 and '83 Katana 1100 

We have similar tastes, I bought a 86 GSXR750 new, would love another one and the Kat is high on my list. The big Kats can still be had for a reasonable price over here, just hard to find in good condition. I'm lusting after a CBX too, but I promised the better half no more bikes till all my other projects are complete...could be awhile

[solo 2]

This is a SOHC forum, you shouldn't be discusing these DOHC bikes.

If more cams is bad, you should LOVE most of my bikes

[Leino]

This is a SOHC forum, you shouldn't be discusing these DOHC bikes.

My apologies oh great one 
Please take care someone removes the GPz thread as well 

[Leino]

We have similar tastes, I bought a 86 GSXR750 new, would love another one and the Kat is high on my list. The big Kats can still be had for a reasonable price over here, just hard to find in good condition. I'm lusting after a CBX too, but I promised the better half no more bikes till all my other projects are complete...could be awhile

Oh man, that's a classic for sure! I'm a bit tall to ride the 750 GSX-R but I was able to bend myself over a 1100 a couple years back when I had a chance to ride one in very nice condition.
Big Kats are quite expensive in Finland and either restored or turboed... neither suits me 
Don't get me started on the CBX  I saw one drag racing last summer, sounds awesome!!!

[grcamna2]

Speaking of Canadian bikes / Holy Grails....

Well, my desire is more like an ol' wooden cup, but still - a CX650E!  They never came to the US.  All we ever got was the CX650 Custom, which, by then, was almost a cartoon!  But the Canadian E - man, I'd like to find one of them here in the southern US!

All the motor and chassis improvements that came with the 650 over the 500 and swoopy bodywork that reminds of the CX650 Turbo, but without the turbo headaches.  Sweet.

That's a nice bike kirkn ...have you had any looks at any Canadian bikes lately ?

[kirkn]

I search nationwide Craigslist every so often with no luck so far. 

I tell you what, if one of those red-white-and-blue models came up for sale anywhere within 500 miles of me, I'd be hittin' the savings account hard... 

[solo 2]

I search nationwide Craigslist every so often with no luck so far. 

I tell you what, if one of those red-white-and-blue models came up for sale anywhere within 500 miles of me, I'd be hittin' the savings account hard... 

There's one for sale in Ottawa, needs paint. In Canada you're better off looking at kijiji.ca to find stuff.

[754]

 There is a red/white/ blue one here in town, the rarer of the 2. not for sale, part of a nice collection...
 Solo take a look at BC Classic Motorcycle club, you may want to join the fun. There is a nice vintage meet and races near Vernon BC in early July at Okeefe Ranch.. lots of Alberta folks come out for that..

[solo 2]

There is a red/white/ blue one here in town, the rarer of the 2. not for sale, part of a nice collection...
 Solo take a look at BC Classic Motorcycle club, you may want to join the fun. There is a nice vintage meet and races near Vernon BC in early July at Okeefe Ranch.. lots of Alberta folks come out for that..

Sounds like something I'd like to go to eventually, busy time of year. I have a bike trip slated for end of June. We have our vintage bike meet in Ponoka July long weekend. Trying to have the CB750 and maybe a couple more ready for this years event. Alot of good people show up from all over Canada.

[my78k]

My brother had a RG500 Gamma back in the day. That thing was INSANE! quickest bike I have ridden to date.

He blew it up on the way to Kingston one day to visit my mom in the hospital. He was lucky/good enough to save himself when the engine blew and locked up solid.

I miss that bike....

Dennis

[grcamna2]

solo 2,
  Have you got into the RZ500 yet ...as far as any work ?

[solo 2]

solo 2,
  Have you got into the RZ500 yet ...as far as any work ?

It'll be awhile before I start playing with it, have a CB750 and 2 RD350LCs to get together before summer. I'll get pics up for you asap.

[faux fiddy]

There's an rz-500 in the shop here, actually in my bud's garage.  He's been in and out of the motor, reshaped the porting, added material, added a conduit for coolant where it flows through instead of just sitting by the back cylinder cooking. Then there's the whole thing with the countershafts rinning 100' apart instead of 90.
You can change that.

Lemme see if I can find some pics.



You can read his thread and poke around here for the whole How Yamaha made a 500gp replica with only 80hp  story.  There's several pages at teamsmoke.com if you look for the rz stuff.

http://teamsmoke.com/photo5_1.html

Luke's RZ500 Tune 
 
How Yamaha made a 500gp replica with only 80hp


  I'm more of a garage junkie than a writer so this story won't ever be finished. It could be called How to Derestrict Your RZ500 or What Yamaha left out of the TSI. Not that I know enough to really explain it. A better title would be What I did for 2 years when I should have been working on my house. You just want to see pictures anyway so here they are and i'll add more till its running again. If you want to comment on my work good bad or otherwise take it to http://www.rzrd500.com/ and or http://www.yamaha-rd.com/forum/  Just remember the old saying "If you layed all the 2 stroke tuners end to end they still wouldn't reach a conclusion"

  My goal is to get all the midrange torque I can with stock parts. These bikes are fast as hell at high rpm's when the resonation in the exhaust overcomes the plugged up intake and transfer ducts. I think the work i've done will help throughout the range and the stock reed cages will be the restriction. I have 28 tmx mikuni's and get 30 mpg before this work was done. Most of my riding is all day trips in the mountains with friends on big bikes and gas isn't always available at 100 miles but I want my 500 to be strong in the middle without being thirsty. Wish me luck.

  Disclaimer:  This is not a Manual!! This is the internet and its here for your entertainment!! You don't know me and I don't know sh#t from shinola!! If your foolish enough to think you know more than Yamaha about 2 strokes and want to hack on you motor thats your business don't come crying to me if you have problems. If you don't actually work on or ride but know everything and like to critize then you need to make up a stupid name, go to one of the links above and give us all a laugh!!

Luther

 

[grcamna2]

Fiddy,
  That Luther does enjoy cleaning up and matching ports in his RZ500 doesn't he?

[faux fiddy]

Yeah, some he goes for bone stock, but this one he did major mods to get performance from it.

Aftermarket carbs and stacks, he even started grinding his own needles on this one  tapered so it wouldn't have dead spots in the throttle from first cracking it open to WOT.

I remember he had carbs on and off at least a dozen times trading, tuning and machining stuff.

[solo 2]

Smokers can be a bear to jet, unlike a 4 stroke even a small change can kill the performance. Your friend needs to update his site some more, more info please. I'd like to know how he grinds his own needles, they have to be SO accurate to run properly. I'm not looking forward to any motor work on this thing.

[faux fiddy]

Smokers can be a bear to jet, unlike a 4 stroke even a small change can kill the performance. Your friend needs to update his site some more, more info please. I'd like to know how he grinds his own needles, they have to be SO accurate to run properly. I'm not looking forward to any motor work on this thing.

He did them with a precision grinder it's a big abrasive ginding stone with away ti feed stock in. The whole thing is only as big as a desk, but accuate to tens of thousandths with the right operator.  He's still learning the tool himself.

I'm not sure if he started with new materials or was modifying needles he bought, but probably did both.

[grcamna2]

Fiddy,
    Do you have any youtube vids of the bike running after the mods  ...possibly some track time trials or footage.. ??

[faux fiddy]

He takes it to the pig trail and around here a bit, but no footage.  He did one track day at Hallet before  it came apart. 

I guess I should   take over the team smoke website, huh...

[solo 2]

He takes it to the pig trail and around here a bit, but no footage.  He did one track day at Hallet before  it came apart. 

I guess I should   take over the team smoke website, huh...

I've been helping a guy at work with some carb stuff, info mostly. He needs some custom needles made and has all the specs, I found him a place to do it but they only do lots of 100+, he needs 3. Any chance your buddy might be willing to help out.

[faux fiddy]

Perhaps, but the place with the real tool is where he works, and they want all  their business through the front door, and his are just home projects, which are generally allowed.

But he does have KAWI triples, if that is what is making for his own bike. Maybe he could spin up a few for his own bike, on advice of your specs and then decide he doesn't like them for his style of riding.

 Hmmm..... I will definitely ask , and he (along with his marketing people) are always looking for a niche.

I know needles are a bugger, and available ones  are in fact quite generic to a certain extent. Made to please everybody who has a certain bike or carb for all applications, etc.

I'm pretty sure his RZ is a done deal as far as what he planned on, but who knows what will trigger a new project on it. Maybe something he discovers going uphill on a 8% grade with WOT.

[grcamna2]

He takes it to the pig trail and around here a bit, but no footage.  He did one track day at Hallet before  it came apart. 

I guess I should   take over the team smoke website, huh...

Fiddy,
 Did he get it put back together and cranking after Hallet ?...wonder why it blew up ?

[faux fiddy]

He takes it to the pig trail and around here a bit, but no footage.  He did one track day at Hallet before  it came apart. 

I guess I should   take over the team smoke website, huh...

Fiddy,
 Did he get it put back together and cranking after Hallet ?...wonder why it blew up ?

Nothing ever blew up. He read up on what he had and the built in restrictions to performance.  He just takes things apart and retro engineers them t run better.

I don't think he used new pistons or rings even, no boring, just cleaning up porting.

Took it apart to do that, measure and inspect internals, add JB weld to make the inside more like a vaccum, etc. Cleaned it up to make sure the cranks clear his mods.

I'll have to get some video of the bike. It's there ready to go this spring, nice pipes on it, nice sound, a little puff of smoke and fast rap up.

[solo 2]

I'd really like to see a dyno pull on this bike just to see what cleaning up the ports will do. There's always a ton of info out there but not much real evidence of the results. 2 strokes are so finnicky to any mods that I'm not really keen to do any major porting, but if the port clean up can give some real power gains, I'm in.

As for the needles, these are for a snowmobile. Guy bought an old sled he wants to mod (sound familiar), he got an old performance pipe, but can't find the jets for it as they were proprietary from the same maker. Funny, the company won't make anymore but gave him their drawings for them, apparently there is a market for these but it is small.

[grcamna2]

He takes it to the pig trail and around here a bit, but no footage.  He did one track day at Hallet before  it came apart. 

I guess I should   take over the team smoke website, huh...

Fiddy,
 Did he get it put back together and cranking after Hallet ?...wonder why it blew up ?

Nothing ever blew up. He read up on what he had and the built in restrictions to performance.  He just takes things apart and retro engineers them t run better.

I don't think he used new pistons or rings even, no boring, just cleaning up porting.

Took it apart to do that, measure and inspect internals, add JB weld to make the inside more like a vaccum, etc. Cleaned it up to make sure the cranks clear his mods.

I'll have to get some video of the bike. It's there ready to go this spring, nice pipes on it, nice sound, a little puff of smoke and fast rap up.

Fiddy,
  OH..OK ,now I get it "he did one track day at Hallet before it "came apart" "...Got it... ; that's when he TOOK it apart to do the work and totally improve it as you showed us in the video's. I'd sure like to see it under way at speed and...hear it    !

[faux fiddy]

This is a pic of the bike at Laguna Seca in July of '05, The top of the hill across from the corkscrew. Way before any of the mods.  I guess he's had the bike about 13 years.

[grcamna2]

That V4 must pump out some nice smooth POWER...NOW  .