Update: Sold for $12,500 to a RSBFS reader!
Received first offer on day 1, sold within a week.
Congratulations to both buyer and seller!
RSBFS reader Scott in Tucson, AZ brings us this beautiful, one-owner example of oil-injected greatness – a 1985 Yamaha RZ350 in the striking red/white livery. The U.S. faithful will know this is the last officially imported two-stroke street bike available on our shores – gracing dealership floors for a scant two years (only one year in California), even though the model had a longer lifespan outside American borders. Today, these are nostalgic machines evoking the pinnacle of two-stroke technology in the face of rising EPA mandates and evolving four-stroke competition.
A rousing evolution from the RD series of air cooled parallel twins, the RZ (also known as the RD-LC in other markets) combined the benefits of liquid cooling with oil injection for convenience, a powered exhaust power valve (YPVS) to boost low end torque, and an innovative catalytic exhaust system that allowed the 350cc screamer to temporarily duck the Feds in charge of air pollution. Most enthusiasts quickly ditched the heavy and power-robbing cats for proper expansion chambers, which immediately woke up the beast within. Offered in two liveries, the original yellow/black had the Kenny Roberts royal signature on the fairing. By the second year, both the yellow/black and the red/white paint schemes were adorned by the King.
From the seller:
Welcome to my 1985 RZ 350 N, 58 HP, water cooled two-stroke, with a 6 speed transmission.
It has 11,136 miles on it. I purchased this motorcycle new from my local YAMAHA dealer off the showroom floor in 1986. This bike has been in my possession the entire time and driven at least some of the time every year. It has always been garage stored and comes with the original owner manual, tool kit, motorcycle cover and document pouch with some of the service receipts and Bill of Sale. This bike has after market expansion chambers by DG. I do not have stock pipes. With the exclusion of the pipes, the bike is ALL Stock.
More from the seller:
The bike is in Very Good to Excellent Condition. The bike starts easily, usually with just one kick, and runs beautifully. All the fluids have been drained, flushed and refilled and maintenance completed. Checked water system, front and rear brake reservoirs, transmission, spark plugs, air system, speedometer and tachometer each with new cables, new rubber on the kick starter, gear shifter and foot pegs, gas tank flushed and free of any rust, tires and brakes in good condition.
The bike has only been driven by original owner, me, and has never been put down on the road. The mileage is accurate within 100 miles + or – (Had to wait two weeks for a new speedometer cable). I have Clean AZ Title in hand.
Asking price $12,500.00
Cash or wire transfer
Located in Tucson, AZ
Driver responsible for pick up or delivery
Thanks for looking!!
The RZ350 is one of those bikes that has shown steady interest from the market as of late. Long gone are the days where you could find a clapped out ex-racer for only a few grand, and most of what you find is nowhere near the condition of this beauty. These are great investment machines in that there is always a demand. And today’s ask – for an original, one-owner bike – is well within reason at $12,500. If you are shopping for an OEM perfection bike to park in a museum, please note the catalytic exhaust has been swapped. But if you are looking for an extremely clean rider – one that might just look like you rode it directly out of the 1980s – you would be hard pressed to find something this nice.
Check out all of the pictures and then give Scott a shout… and let ’em know you found it on RSBFS!
