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Project RZ350/FZR400RR Project

Discussion in 'Other Projects - Other Bikes (non 250's)' started by Glenn22, Nov 8, 2014.

  1. Glenn22

    Glenn22 Active Member

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    83 RZ350 83 RZ250 87 TZR250 1KT RZF350 04 FZ6N 90 CBR250RR 95 TZR250SPR Sugo 12 KTM250 EXC
    Hi I thought it's about time I shared my little project, a couple of years ago I bought a pair of 1983 RZ's, a 250 & 350, the plan was to get back into racing after a long lay off.
    Yamaha RZ 250_350.jpg
    My first ever road race bike was an RD350LC so I liked the idea of getting back onto the stinkwheels!
    Foolishly, I did basic preparation and hit QR for it's 1st test, went well for about 3 sessions then the engine seized (i wasn't thrashing it I swear).
    Time to get serious, new crank, pistons, gearbox bearings, seals, powervalves, reeds, clutch, Lomas Pipes etc etc
    A few months later I had a virtually brand new 350 engine, new rubber and off to Morgan Park for first race in 17 years, bike went like stink but handling was a bit dubious, I put it down to the R1 rear shock conversion being the wrong set up.
    RZ350.jpg
    RZ350 Lomas Pipes.jpg
    Oh well just ride around it I thought, worked well for a while, first race win at the 2012 Masters of Morgan Park only gave me more confidence to push harder.
    2013 Island Classic was a blast, class win in Period 6 500 and inaugural lap record was the RZ's highlight so far.
    100_6063.jpg
    AD3_0542.jpg IMG_0820.jpg AD3_1049.jpg
    Back to Morgan Park I was up against VFR400's and CBR250RR's so it wasn't an easy task and it didn't take long to find the limit of the skinny 100/80 rear and 90/90 front tyres, after several crashes I was starting to destroy the bike so needed another plan.
    AD3_1111.jpg
    RZ350 Crashed.jpg
    I wanted to keep using the RZ engine but needed better rubber and suspension, thought about using TZR suspension and wheels but then a 1990 FZR400RR with a blown engine came up for sale, hmmm I wonder how my engine would go in that chassis??
    PA150016.jpg PA150019.jpg PA250004.jpg Fast forward a few months, some excellent work by Niccom Engineering at Loganholme and an RZF350 was born, shake down ride on the back roads of Amiens and we were ready for racing.
    PC280015.jpg PC310007.jpg
    GOPR0286.jpg

    Unfortunately the flywheel kept coming off, not sure why but gut feel tells me the engine is mounted too solidly and not allowing the torsional forces to be absorbed.
    AD3_1523.jpg AD3_2325.jpg
    Upon closer inspection the loose flywheel and freed Woodruff key had a party on the crankshaft taper, one damn near new crank is now a mega paperweight!
    Rebuilt engine, some modifications to the engine mounts and I'm ready to try again.
    Ran out of time to get it on track this year but will be back at Morgan Park in 2015.
    Stay tuned.....
     
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  2. GreyImport

    GreyImport Administrator Staff Member The Chief Contributing Member

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    Awesome! .... mate, great write up :thumb_ups:

    A 2 smokin FZR ....that will give a few blokes here a woody :D
     
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  3. Tim_

    Tim_ resident nutcase Contributing Member Dirty Wheel Club

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    can i like it more then once?
    lol
     
  4. Chuck

    Chuck Active Member

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    Nice work my friend, really like the video 10/10
     
  5. Mclaren

    Mclaren Well-Known Member Contributing Member

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    Awesome mate see u on the track I race 250 and f4 great club
     
  6. Glenn22

    Glenn22 Active Member

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    83 RZ350 83 RZ250 87 TZR250 1KT RZF350 04 FZ6N 90 CBR250RR 95 TZR250SPR Sugo 12 KTM250 EXC
    Funny you say that, saw you on track last weekend, i recognise your bike!
     
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  7. Murdo

    Murdo The Good Doctor Staff Member Contributing Member Ride and Events Crew

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    I like this, good lateral thinking. :thumb_ups:
     
  8. kiffsta

    kiffsta Senior Member

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    that's a cracking job mate, well done !!
     
  9. Mclaren

    Mclaren Well-Known Member Contributing Member

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    Can't wait to see it out there mate will get a great view of it lapping me lol!
     
  10. Moo

    Moo Plodge Racing!!!

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    WOW!!!! just WOW!!! i wonder if i can get a 2 smoker in my FZR250........ :) hummmmmm
     
  11. kiffsta

    kiffsta Senior Member

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    yep, its called a TZR250 :cool:
     
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  12. Moo

    Moo Plodge Racing!!!

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    ahhhhhhh yes forgot about that haha
     
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  13. GreyImport

    GreyImport Administrator Staff Member The Chief Contributing Member

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    Don't worry mate ..... as much as I knew the TZR , FZR connection it only dawned on me the other day that F is for four stroke and the T is for two stroke

    :headbang:
     
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  14. ruckusman

    ruckusman White Mans Magic Master Premium Member Dirty Wheel Club

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    awesome transplant - plenty of room around that engine so an Rz donk should transplant into a FZR250 frame easily
     
  15. Glenn22

    Glenn22 Active Member

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    83 RZ350 83 RZ250 87 TZR250 1KT RZF350 04 FZ6N 90 CBR250RR 95 TZR250SPR Sugo 12 KTM250 EXC
    This bike was on fleabay a while ago, RD350LC engine in an FZR250 chassis, I'd been thinking about it then when I saw this it convinced me to do it.

    I went with the 400 chassis for the 17" wheels, I think the 250 runs 18" ?
     

    Attached Files:

  16. MashtX

    MashtX Well-Known Member

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    My Bike:
    1993 Kawasaki ZXR 250 C, 1989 FZR 400 R 3EN2
    The models previous to the 3TJ series run 18" wheels, so my 3EN2 is an 18"

    So yeah, you got the good frame for that setup
     
  17. Glenn22

    Glenn22 Active Member

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    83 RZ350 83 RZ250 87 TZR250 1KT RZF350 04 FZ6N 90 CBR250RR 95 TZR250SPR Sugo 12 KTM250 EXC
    Been a while but here's the latest...
    Entered the bike in F4 at Rd 4 of the SDRRC at Morgan Park, the intention was to test the modifications I've made not chase lap times. Here's what I have done;
    Engine mounting mods - Original under engine steady bars fitted, Flywheel stayed put so I'm claiming a win there.
    Exhaust mods - The expansion chambers were touching down pretty early last time out (before the flywheel parted company) so needed to modify, problem is the fat part of the chamber is right where the frame extends down low for the shock mount, not an easy fix, Mick Ricketts from Tranzac Exhausts came up with the clever idea to crossover the header pipes thus bringing the chambers forward and allowing them to be tucked under the chassis more. Mick did an awesome job and it worked a treat during the test and they never touched down once, but with the additional lean angle that brought the footpegs into play and they were digging in and grinding away rapidly. Since then new rearsets from the UK have been fitted and I'm confident that issue will be solved, just hope the pipes don't become an issue again, if they do then some "factory" dints will be the order of the day.
    Suspension mods - It was also apparent the front suspension was way to soft as it was bottoming under brakes, new Racetech springs have now been fitted.
    What needs attention now is the jetting, the exhaust mods have altered the gas flow and that has made what was spot on jetting way to rich so plenty of main jet and needle changes and I'm heading in the right direction (I hope).
    The only cosmetic change has been to fit a single seat SP race cowl, vast improvement over the stock cowl with pillion seat, once the bike is proven I will get a paint job done. At this stage I'm leaning towards a 1990 TZ250 scheme.
    All up the test was a success and without pushing hard and the pegs restricting lean angle I managed a 1.31 which is over 2 seconds quicker than I managed in it's original RZ chassis riding in anger, so pretty happy with overall package.
    Next test will be next weekend 13/12/15 at Lakeside, if all goes well I will start the 2016 SDRRC championship on this bike.
    OSE_2937 (2).JPG
    More to come, stay tuned...and GA2SUY.....
     
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    Last edited: Dec 5, 2015
  18. Linkin

    Linkin The Mechanic Premium Member Contributing Member Dirty Wheel Club

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    There's only 3 words to describe that bike... Sexy. As. ****.
     
  19. Mclaren

    Mclaren Well-Known Member Contributing Member

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    Can't wait to see this next year at mp:dance2::thumb_ups: might pop down and see this on track next weekend
     
  20. Glenn22

    Glenn22 Active Member

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    Update post Lakeside
    The goods news is neither the pipes or pegs scrapped and the handling was fine.
    The bad news is I can't get the jetting right (or at least I think it's the jetting), it doesn't pull very hard below 7K and sounded flat down the straight. I tried leaner mains but it's still doughy...Hmm could it be because of the mods to the header pipes?? or the fact that the carbs are slightly tilted forwards which will affect fuel level?? or a combo of both??
    I can jack the engine up at the front to level the carbs but that will require further mods to the exhausts, might leave that for the time being.
    First l'll try to fit a set of TZR250 carbs which are angled downwards (TZR's have the carbs feeding into the crankcase as opposed to into the cylinder on the RZ), this will have the fuel bowls positioned horizontally.
    RZ vs TZR Carb.jpg
    If this doesn't work, I'll go back to the RZ carbs, jack the engine up and get the pipes modified (again).
    Stay tuned.....
     
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