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A gigantic thank you for the help! 

So it looks like iv'e got a RZ transmission with an incorrectly pressed on bearing by the front sprocket and a broken dog gear then a good RDLC transmission.

Anyone know if the dog gear from the LC transmission can be used on the RZ transmission?

Thanks!
Evan

That would be much appreciated!  It would be entirely possible if my spare was a LC trans and would make some more sense why it doesn't all look quite right.

Would the dog gears be interchangeable?  This RZ trans that came in the bike has one of the moveable dog gear s with some major chips and my * potentially* LC trans has good dogs.

Very odd someone mounted the drive sprocket main bearing backwards.  That likely has to be pressed off?

Hi All, I know this is more typically AC focused but looking for some RZ350 specific data regarding transmissions.  Questions up front and some more background down below:

What is the clutch hub transmission output shaft thread size?  This would be the shaft the clutch outer hub is bolted directly to with the bit nut with a locker tab on it.  Is it 18mm or 20mm?

What is the total length of the 2 transmission shafts?  Looking at roughly 10mm difference so need fairly accurate specs if possible.  Even total length of banshee shafts would be helpful as they should be same as RZ?


Trying to sort out what the heck this transmission I was told was RZ350 really is.  I went to assemble a motor with what I was told was a complete parts package but i'm suspicious the transmission included is not RZ.  Its close but I don't think its correct.  Potentially from a LC?  I noticed when installing the front sprocket drive side large bearing was pressed on the shaft the wrong way compared to the RZ cases.  Can't imagine someone would make that mistake.  After comparing to some other parts that already have homes I realized the hub nut size is different, the cut outs on the shaft ends look different and the total length of the 2 shafts is different.

Given how interchangeable banshee parts are I can't imagine the banshee and RZ350 clutch nut ID would have been different but that's just a guess...

Any help would be much appreciated.

If you want more info buy and read the book Two-Stroke Performance Tuning by A. Graham Bell.  It will give you all the info you need to try and build a good amateur motor.  The standard slap on bigger parts doesn't always work for 2-strokes as you are dealing with more complex fluid dynamics.  Its a very worthwhile read and will provide lots of motivation!

Easy-outs work well on brass.  Left hand drill bits work great as well and typically bite then unscrew the stuck part. 

The paired carbs are a pain to change needles on but they're good enough.  Used a pair on hot rd200 build but what a pain to change the needle clip!

I've not ever seen a plug that fits in there from factory.  Headlight high low and below it would be for a bike with a starter.  What happens when you use same parts across many models.  FZ750 as well potentially.  Rest are correct those are not OEM RZ pieces for the brackets

Pipes have always made the biggest difference for me but i've been messing with LC stuff that likely has better ignition in place than the RD.  Get Garrett's pipes.  They're going to be better.  Not sue why you would spend on the swingarm when you can get pipes + ignition for that much?  Many pipes are going to get you better power across the band despite max power being higher (obv exceptions).

I think one of the biggest things that is missed by people out there with modern bikes looking back at the classics is how much fun it is to ride something that requires gear changes and has a powerband up to the 60mph mark.  Modern sport bikes are amazing and crazy fast but not that much fun when you can't put them to work on public roads.  The RDs are fun but like said, the RZ is a better all around package.  It is a shame they did not come out with an aluminum framed version which is a big part of why I find the TZR250 even more fun than the RZ.

Whenever I get nostalgic about the 500 I remember my talks with the old racers.  They would easily agree the 350 was a much better bike.

That 500 motor is amazing and is very neat+original but the riding setup on those bikes was terrible.  One of the few bikes out that there would feel twitchy yet refuse to go around corners.

NS400R was another dissapointment.  Had 3 and would rather have my RZs.  I ultimately found hte TZR250s were the most fun i've ridden so far.

The false advertising on ebay is horrible.  $1K in parts, maybe but how about the multiple other thousands in labor to get it running?  boring/hone and crank work typically cannot be done in a hobbiest garage.  You really need to have the crank out and the whole thing gone through.

That being said it does look like a nice original cosmetic condition survivor.

Why do we dislike Kaplan?

Any decent off-road dirt bike rider will ride standing up with the majority of their weight over the front end.  Moto has different demands but similar bar setups.

Its going to be a much different riding position than you will have on a street bike.

Most of the bars i've ridden on dirt bikes have more sweep backwards than I would think you would want on a street bike but obv up to personal preference.

Instruments came on a LC of mine.  Definitely not LC.  Assuming RD?  Haven't seen any in this brown color before.  Will be looking to sell em.

Link to pic here.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nUUznpEnL6ZAIk44sNgQ_1c4rpZHSxqI/view?usp=sharing

Fun in straight line for a mile otherwise no good bikes.  Hope you're not dissapointed.  We had one a few yrs back and couldn't wait to unload it.  I called it a freight train.  Goes straight fast for a vintage bike and well planted.  Not for corners.

Have wanted one for a while be it the CRB/FZR or the VFR style.  You are correct these are not the same as the 600's and are not related.

My little TZR250 is the most fun bike i've ridden.  Makes a RZ350 look like junk despite 100cc less displacement.

Its all about the overall packaging and small bikes are often a more entertaining ride so you get to push them harder than simply a twist-of-the-throttle 1K superbike in normal riding speeds.

ENjoy!

'will only go up in value' is unlikely.  We are in a pandemic-driven pricing spike.  You're going to lose money buying in the next couple years.