How much for an RZ350? Good condition, engine locked

Too bad the RD350LC was never imported to the US. Always thought it won out on aesthetics. Plus no coked up power valves.

 

I did both for about 2 seasons. It wasn't that hard switching as the FZR had about as narrow a powerband.

 

That's one fine pair.

 

Went to look at it today and it's in generally good shape.

Mice nibbled on a few wires and on some edges of the underseat tray but nothing too crazy. The tank exterior is in excellent shape however the inside is pretty rough. Don't know if it's salvageable or not.

Fuel petcock is in poor condition.

Engine-wise, it's a crapshoot. The mice did most of their dirty work on the left side of the airbox and in the left carb and reed cage to the point that some type of fluid (pee or dead body decaying) migrated down into the engine. My biggest concern is that the cylinder walls might be pitted on that side and the jugs are getting replaced.

Pretty sure the carbs are not salvageable. They are in very rough condition.

Both brake systems need full rebuild.

Forks and shock rebuild

Factory original tires, factory exhaust....the bike is basically factory original in all regards.

A small mod was done to the shift linkage so the PO could shift with his feet on the rear pegs.

Last registered in 1995

3683 miles

I opened my offer with treefiddy but that didn't fly so, 4k?

This would ultimately be a year of disassembly and restoration

 

Is it an 84 or 85?

Price a tank, crank (mouse pee destroys stuff...rust), If 84 and 85 ECM, bearings, machine work, seal kit, carbs, tires, brake rebuild, new lines, master rebuild or replacement (brake fluid absorbs water...rust)....probably 2-3k in parts (a lot of that is tank repair or replacement...

Now if you wanted a nice restomod/built motor RZ350 then this is a good place to start vs a nice running bike. As you can replace the damaged parts with aftermarket, bored / stroked, etc. And RZ's are getting pricey...but i would try to be below 4k or really no more than that. You could easily find a budget busting suprise inside.

 

That's the one constant in every restoration ever undertaken.

 

Nothing you've listed is expensive or hard to find. Typical stuff in an RZ resto. I've seen less than what you've described go for more. I don't think it's a bad deal.

 

Seller paid 3k.
I'm generally okay offering him 4 to put 1000 in profit in his pocket for basically dusting the bike off.

There wouldn't be a budget for me to restore as I'm prepared to shell out whatever it takes to bring this bike back to life.

I'd do my best to keep it as original as possible so, engine work and the like aren't on the radar.

Anyone know about the two exhaust probes related to the mufflers/ catalytic converters? What exactly are they?

 

“Exhaust probes”, no catalyst on these. Would need a bit more information or pics to be sure but only 2 things would be the power valve control or possible EGT(exhaust gas probes). If the later you should be able to trace them to a gauge.

 

RZ350s did come from the factory with catalyst pipes. That's why everyone ditched them instantly for Spec IIs and Toomeys. The probes are catalyst overheat monitors that trigger a light on the cluster. If restoring to oem concours level, the pipes should be retained. In any other situation, ditch them for any aftermarket expansion chambers you can find. They're terrible.

 

Still in the garage.Embarrassed to say they are in need of some TLC!

 

Learn something new everyday. Never had a RZ but 20 years kicking around RD's and obviously can't recall anyone saying they originally came with an exhaust catalyst. Thanks for the correction.

 

To my knowledge, none of the prior two strokes had catalyst pipes, only the RZs. It was a dumb idea to placate the tree hugger crowd at the end of the two stroke street bike era. Most if not all ended up in the scrap pile the second the bikes got home from being purchased.

 

Seller turned down 4. He wants 6. I explained to him there's way too much going on with that bike so, no go for now.

 

When he comes back in a couple months after not selling it and says he'll take 4, tell him no , I thought about it, that's too much, I'll give you 3.

 

Meh....he's the type of guy that's kind of all over the place so I'm more relieved to not have to keep talking with him

 

He probably did you a favor. The possibility of investing $12000 in a $10000 bike was very real.

 

He obviously knows what he has except for the lack of technical ability to achieve his dream's reality.

 

Some OEM banshee parts will fit. Aftermarket too.
Never had stock two stroke except bought new.
Prices are all over the place.

 

Someone, lets call them idiot hipster, will probably give him that or close to it.

If you wanted to build an aftermarket beast...this one might be better than paying for a running bike or piecing all the parts (frame, cases, etc) together separately. But you will spend several K getting that up to a reliable runner.