The Yamaha RZ350 represents the last available road-going two stroke available in the U.S., and it brought to bear the full might of Yamaha’s research and development into oil burners up to that point. In ’85, the bikes paid tribute to King Kenny Roberts, sporting his factory bumble bee livery and his signature on the upper bikini fairing.
1985 Yamaha RZ350 for sale on eBay
The RZs reviewed well, as sharp-handling, powerful street bikes. They didn’t shine until above 6,000 RPM, but above that threshold they got down the road with aplomb.
This 1985 Yamaha RZ350 has had a recent once over, during which it got a new chain, tires, brake pads, fluids and a carb clean. The seller says his mechanic gave the top end a clean bill of health. The bike has done just 4,500 miles from new, so it should be fully ready to be an occasional summer mount.
From the eBay listing:
Really nice running low mileage Rz350. I had my mechanic who knows these well go through it last fall. He changed all the fluids, cleaned the carbs, new front brake pads, new tires, new gold 520 chain. He said the top end was like new. There are a couple of very small dings on the left side of the tank. These bikes are really fun to ride and they handle great. Bike is for sale locally and I reserve the right to end the auction early if it sells. Deposit at auction end through PayPal, balance by certified check or wire transfer. I can keep the bike for a while until shipping arrangements are made. Here’s a link to see it running.
Nice, but without documentation, one can never believe the (low) mileage in bikes.
Did anyone here notice the speedometer needle on this RZ is not as faded as the other 2 gauge needles?
Hmmmm.
I’ll eat my hat if that mileage is original. Look at the front master cylinder. That tells the real story. There are other obvious indicators as well. Buyer beware.
I have restored many RZ350 gauge sets. Changing the speedometer on early RZ350s takes just a few minutes. Altering the odometer takes only a few minutes. My rule is to never trust any odometer. Ever. After years of restoring Yamaha RZ350, RZ500 and TZR250 gauges and Suzuki RG500 and RG250 gauges I know how easy it is to make an odometer say whatever you want it to say. It is easy for a fraudster to misrepresent a bike by altering the apparent mileage. Use your eyes and common sense when buying and, as Ed notes above, never believe any low mileage claim without documentation.
eBay shows sold for $6,700
dc