Author Topic: RZ350 Kenny Roberts  (Read 18102 times)

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Offline harisuluv

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RZ350 Kenny Roberts
« on: March 15, 2015, 12:12:09 pm »
Picked up a new bike.  I know what it is, but not much about them, as I'm mostly just a honda four guy.

Seems like it will be really fun to ride once I fix it.  Would love to jump into it now but I have a lot of work to do at the moment.

The bike has:
- Telefix race fairings
-Tarozzi rear sets
-Toomey pipes

... and a stuck engine!  Bummer.  I'll have to do some engine work on it but can't wait to ride it, seems like it would be a blast!  Will get more pictures later but here it is.  Underneath all that dust it's great!  Tank is perfect!




Offline Stev-o

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Re: RZ350 Kenny Roberts
« Reply #1 on: March 15, 2015, 12:23:58 pm »
Congrats!   My buddy has one that is mint, but has been off the road for a few years.  It's currently in his living room, I always hound him to get it roadworthy (brakes and tires).
Let me know if you have specific questions and I can call hiim or put you in touch. 
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline grcamna2

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Re: RZ350 Kenny Roberts
« Reply #2 on: March 15, 2015, 12:26:50 pm »
Nice Bike  8) harisuluv  :)
75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts' & 81' CB125S modded to a 'CB200S'
  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.

Offline ekpent

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Re: RZ350 Kenny Roberts
« Reply #3 on: March 16, 2015, 05:24:59 am »
That will be VERY much worth the effort to get it going, very collectible and the right color scheme. I have been patiently trying to get a red/white one from a guy for a couple years now to no avail----so far  ;)
  How many miles are on the clock ?

Offline harisuluv

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Re: RZ350 Kenny Roberts
« Reply #4 on: March 16, 2015, 09:51:59 am »
Thanks ekpent!  18,6xx on the clock!

ekpent, btw I have a bunch of k0 gauges if you need any, probably around $150 each?  Good shape, one sandy speedo but that might find a better home on ebay.  Only mention it cause I think you do k0 stuff!

Offline Bankerdanny

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Re: RZ350 Kenny Roberts
« Reply #5 on: March 16, 2015, 11:55:43 am »
The nice thing about two strokes, the heads come right off, a good soak with your favorite penetrating mix, then pull the cylinders and give it a cleanup hone and fresh rings and you are probably good to go.
"The problem with quotes on the Internet is that you never know if they're true" - Abraham Lincoln

Current: '76 CB750F. Previous:  '75 CB550F, 2007 Yamaha Vino 125 Scooter, '75 Harley FXE Superglide, '77 GL1000, '77 CB550k, '68 Suzuki K10 80, '68 Yamaha YR2, '69 BMW R69S, '71 Honda SL175, '02 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, '89 Yamaha FJ1200

Offline grcamna2

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Re: RZ350 Kenny Roberts
« Reply #6 on: March 16, 2015, 12:53:19 pm »
That's a big Plus+  :) that the inside of the tank is so clean;it looks like it's been buried in a warehouse just waiting for you to 'wake'er up' after it's beauty sleep;was it a local purchase? and do you plan on enjoying a long ownership ?
75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts' & 81' CB125S modded to a 'CB200S'
  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.

Offline ekpent

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Re: RZ350 Kenny Roberts
« Reply #7 on: March 16, 2015, 06:45:29 pm »
Thanks ekpent!  18,6xx on the clock!

ekpent, btw I have a bunch of k0 gauges if you need any, probably around $150 each?  Good shape, one sandy speedo but that might find a better home on ebay.  Only mention it cause I think you do k0 stuff!
Put that stuff on the auction platform and maximize your profit to put towards good projects, but Thanks for the shout out. The RZ in Bumblebee will be a keeper hopefully if you get it working correctly or a very nice and desirable collectible to add to your inventory.

Offline scottly

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Re: RZ350 Kenny Roberts
« Reply #8 on: March 16, 2015, 09:12:12 pm »
I think the RZ's were the last of the two-stroke street bikes? I lusted for a yellow 350 when they came out, but they weren't sold in CA. >:(
Don't fix it if it ain't broke!
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Offline Stev-o

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Re: RZ350 Kenny Roberts
« Reply #9 on: March 16, 2015, 09:41:50 pm »
I think the RZ's were the last of the two-stroke street bikes?

Yes, according to Cycle World.  And a "Perfect 10".......


http://www.cycleworld.com/2014/12/17/yamaha-rz350-best-used-motorcycles-standard-streetbikes-review/
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline harisuluv

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Re: RZ350 Kenny Roberts
« Reply #10 on: March 16, 2015, 10:27:19 pm »
I think the RZ's were the last of the two-stroke street bikes? I lusted for a yellow 350 when they came out, but they weren't sold in CA. >:(

Awesome picture, thanks for that!

Offline Retro Rocket

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Re: RZ350 Kenny Roberts
« Reply #11 on: March 17, 2015, 01:41:13 am »
I think the RZ's were the last of the two-stroke street bikes? I lusted for a yellow 350 when they came out, but they weren't sold in CA. >:(

We got them here in Australia for quite a few more years than you guys, the TZR followed the RZ series, we also had the KR Kawasaki's, RGV Suzuki's and NSR Honda's right up until the mid  90's
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Re: RZ350 Kenny Roberts
« Reply #12 on: March 17, 2015, 07:20:47 pm »
Good score, im green with envy.     ive the one before it ,an  elcy.

Offline harisuluv

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Re: RZ350 Kenny Roberts
« Reply #13 on: March 22, 2015, 12:22:43 pm »
Good score, im green with envy.     ive the one before it ,an  elcy.
I'm dying to get into it but just have to get a little more caught up with services etc. Meanwhile I have watched quite a few YouTube vids, love that sound.

Offline grcamna2

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Re: RZ350 Kenny Roberts
« Reply #14 on: March 22, 2015, 06:40:40 pm »
Good score, im green with envy.     ive the one before it ,an  elcy.
I'm dying to get into it but just have to get a little more caught up with services etc. Meanwhile I have watched quite a few YouTube vids, love that sound.

 8)  ;D ;D  ;) :)
75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts' & 81' CB125S modded to a 'CB200S'
  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.

ken65

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Re: RZ350 Kenny Roberts
« Reply #15 on: March 22, 2015, 10:28:10 pm »
A mate bought his kawasaki h2 over the other day. I knew it was him from a street away.
All the wife said was who was revving their lawn mower. She doesnt understand but it was music to my ears..

Offline cb650

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Offline ekpent

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« Last Edit: March 23, 2015, 12:33:08 pm by ekpent »

Offline grcamna2

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Re: RZ350 Kenny Roberts
« Reply #18 on: March 23, 2015, 01:21:57 pm »
harisuluv,
Did you have a chance to spray a bit of(I like PB) penetrant into the sparkplug holes ?

with 2 strokes one or both cyls may have an open port so it's tough to really let it soak down,but you never know it may help a little  :)
« Last Edit: March 23, 2015, 01:25:14 pm by grcamna2 »
75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts' & 81' CB125S modded to a 'CB200S'
  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.

Offline harisuluv

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Re: RZ350 Kenny Roberts
« Reply #19 on: March 24, 2015, 03:24:11 pm »
harisuluv,
Did you have a chance to spray a bit of(I like PB) penetrant into the sparkplug holes ?

with 2 strokes one or both cyls may have an open port so it's tough to really let it soak down,but you never know it may help a little  :)

Previous owner said that they put marvel mystery oil in the cylinders and let that sit for months.  I think it wouldn't hurt at all to try it myself, I don't think they tried rocking it in gear or anything because it looked like it hadn't moved in awhile or was even able to.

I'll try some ATF + Acetone and see if that helps.  I had planned on getting into the engine anyways, but even that job would be easier with things moving freely, thanks for the suggestion.

Offline grcamna2

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Re: RZ350 Kenny Roberts
« Reply #20 on: March 24, 2015, 07:20:13 pm »
I mentioned it because while it's waiting for you to get to it,it could have that fresh mix just sitting in the cyls. doing it's best..  :D  I can't wait to hear it fire  ;D
75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts' & 81' CB125S modded to a 'CB200S'
  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.

Offline grcamna2

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Re: RZ350 Kenny Roberts
« Reply #21 on: March 24, 2015, 07:23:46 pm »
if I owned it,I'd label it 'the bike most likely to get a speeding ticket on'  ;D
75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts' & 81' CB125S modded to a 'CB200S'
  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.

Offline scottly

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Re: RZ350 Kenny Roberts
« Reply #22 on: March 24, 2015, 07:39:37 pm »
Was it seized from sitting, or did it seize while running? (or so the PO said  ;))
Don't fix it if it ain't broke!
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Offline harisuluv

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Re: RZ350 Kenny Roberts
« Reply #23 on: March 25, 2015, 12:14:24 am »
I mentioned it because while it's waiting for you to get to it,it could have that fresh mix just sitting in the cyls. doing it's best..  :D  I can't wait to hear it fire  ;D

exactly, even if i open up the engine, those pistons are gonna have to be set free sometime :)

Was it seized from sitting, or did it seize while running? (or so the PO said  ;))

I believe he said the spark plugs were left loose and water or moisture got into the cylinders.  :(

Offline ekpent

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Re: RZ350 Kenny Roberts
« Reply #24 on: March 25, 2015, 05:16:54 am »
Two strokes eat rings faster than 4 strokes so a good peek inside the top end will be a good idea anyways since it already has a problem. How many miles is the odometer showing ?
« Last Edit: March 25, 2015, 10:04:50 am by ekpent »