http://www.bikebound.com/2018/05/10/yamaha-rz350-cafe-racer/?fbclid=IwAR148asUbrIqCIPNUVfX8eBrlUPuQZ7QnfHBoBgoYyKsDLxfR6R23QyYdfY
Some trick bits on there, but ....
Too much yellow.
Right side kickstand WTF?
Tiny K&N filters.
Get off my lawn!
Nice swingarm everything else fugly.
Quote from: pdxjim on January 11, 2021, 09:05:14 PM
Some trick bits on there, but ....
Too much yellow.
Right side kickstand WTF?
Tiny K&N filters.
Get off my lawn!
Ya, the right side kickstand is just weird.
Yeah... I'm just too old for all those colors. For me, it would be amazing with a more, ah, traditional? color scheme. I try not to wreck on other people's stuff, but with all the ambitious engineering on that ride, the OEM plastic coolant recovery tank stands out to me like a diamond in a goat's ass. HELL of an effort.
First thoughts on seeing that photo...
1. Ow my eyes!
2. Is there a low-rider show nearby?
3. Hey, it's the reincarnated update to those multi-colored vintage bikes that keep showing up for sale
OK seriously, I think it just needs a paint and it just might be alright.
For me the paint is ok, lose the yellow bits especially that headlight and the teal seat. Is reminiscent of those bikes.
I wonder if after all those bits and pieces it works the way it should? That would be embarrassing if a stock bike came around you on the outside and slowly disappeared in the distance. :vroom:
Yeah too many colors. Headlights are awful. Lots of other parts to love though, would love to hear a bit about performance.
"What would the Yamaha RZ350 look like if Yamaha were to build it today?"
Not that. :whatever:
gross, just another 'parts tart' show bike.
Lots of quality bits used but so wrong on all levels. :busey: Could those robot looking headlights be any more hideous? :eek:
I saw that bike at the Handbuilt show in Austin when I was at the 2018 MotoGp race. Trust me, it doesn't look any better in person. Nicely done as far as the quality of work, etc. but way wrong on all sorts of levels.
I'm really OK with the cosmetics except for the yellow paint.
I mean, the red frame and teal wheels aren't exactly my jam, but the flames are cool.
... and I can't see a single reason for moving the sidestand over to the right, but
i'm probably missing something.
... and those tiny k&n's? Just leave 'em off, anyone who's been paying attention knows it'll run shit with them on.
The seat and tail unit look way better than usual, so it's got that going for it. :metal:
7filters
I'd part that thing out just out of principle. there are nice parts but they don't flow together at all.
Mark, that made me laugh out loud; thanks!
Jim:
(https://i.postimg.cc/23pb57Xh/E742-EFE7-17-F2-4014-9127-8-A6-DD8267435.jpg)
Great parts, good effort, but not my bag.
I'm sure it'll stay an outrageous glossy show bike until someone tears it apart redoes it years from now.
It could be a nice rider with a less loud color scheme and some tweaks.
Quote from: Organicjedi on January 12, 2021, 04:51:25 PM
I'm sure it'll stay an outrageous glossy show bike until someone tears it apart redoes it years from now.
It may never get re-done. This one is equally outrageous from a different era and has stood the test of time. There were a few others from this collection that also did.
(http://www.2strokeworld.net/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2023.0;attach=5519;image;ts=1590766326)
The guy that had the whole collection broke down quite a few. I tried to buy the engines complete but he sold them in pieces too.
Former forum guy Ben Schmitt had many of them outside Kansas City.
Not sure how many he kept or sold.
Quote from: pdxjim on January 12, 2021, 09:26:55 PM
Former forum guy Ben Schmitt had many of them outside Kansas City.
Not sure how many he kept or sold.
The guy that had them all was in FL, as far as I know the builder was in FL too. I remember someone here bought 3 or 4 complete bikes that might be him.
Yup.
Ben bought them out of Florida.
(https://i.ibb.co/6y6Tb0n/bens.jpg)
"There is not much left from the original RZ aside from the engine and core section of the frame".
I once heard a restorer saying that you could build an original Bugatti 37 from a rusty spring hanger because there were really no limits on how many parts could be reproductions. As long as there was some original part that was originally a whole car. That means you can just transplant the VIN plate onto another vehicle as long as the paperwork gets fixed. I guess you could title as an R6 too.
I don't hate the bike. if it is made to ride then ride it. Trouble is that it is a object d' art. Art tastes change and the value follows. Unless a collector has a spot for it it's just parts like Mark said.
Quote from: oxford on January 12, 2021, 07:07:03 PM
Quote from: Organicjedi on January 12, 2021, 04:51:25 PM
I'm sure it'll stay an outrageous glossy show bike until someone tears it apart redoes it years from now.
It may never get re-done. This one is equally outrageous from a different era and has stood the test of time. There were a few others from this collection that also did.
(http://www.2strokeworld.net/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2023.0;attach=5519;image;ts=1590766326)
I was actually thinking of these when I wrote my original reply. :afro: (70s fro to pay homage to those stuck in the 70s RDs)
aand we have yet another pretty cool build with an interesting perspective on color choices..
http://www.bikebound.com/2021/03/18/yamaha-rz429/ (http://www.bikebound.com/2021/03/18/yamaha-rz429/)
Not as bad as some paint scheme wise, fairing looks good except for that hideous headlight setup.
super narrow powerband = no thank you.
Quote from: m in sc on March 18, 2021, 04:26:42 PM
super narrow powerband = no thank you.
Especially with that wide rear tire might end up pile driving yourself.
https://www.rideapart.com/news/445952/yamaha-rd350-cafe-racer-blechmann/
I liek a lot of that build. few details not so much but def really good.