Looking for all the world like Wayne Rainey’s 1990 YZR500 GP bike, this sparkling tribute is a lot more streetable than an expert-only RZ500 race replica. Based on a titled RZ350, this machine has been treated to a full race fairing from Air-tech Streamlining, as well as a comprehensive rebuild. Appearing well-sorted and immaculately finished, this street legal race replica should be fun on the street or at the track.
An AMA Hall of Fame inductee and fitting recipient for a fan’s tribute, Wayne Rainey won the 500cc GP Championships in 1990 through 1992 with the Team Roberts. His riding career was cut short by a series of accidents in 1993 leaving him a paraplegic, but he continued as a team manager and race organizer, and is still racing in a hand-controlled superkart.
1984 Yamaha RZ350 for sale on eBay
With the YPVS electronically controlled exhaust port, the little 350 put out around 50hp and 32 ft-lbs. torque, the power curve less peaky. An overall lightweight package at under 350 lbs., it has a six-speed transmission, adjustable suspension, and three 280mm disk brakes. Some of the updates to this example include expansion chambers with carbon mufflers, steering damper, and braided brake lines.
84 RZ, airtech fairing, custom paint, Suzuki Katana gauges,(and they actually all work) Jim Lomas pipes. Braided lines, fork brace, teleflex clip ons, steering damper, stock rear shock and swing arm, front forks pretty freshly rebuilt with progressive springs.
Engine has about 2,000 miles on it. Hot rod crank, trued and welded. Wiseco pistons, cylinders bored one over, milled head. Ports are stock, has TDR reeds, new clutch. Properly jetted, has a newish CDI from RZs unlimited I think.
Bike is setup with no battery, lossless, starts on 1-3 kicks, oil injection is still in place. Very well sorted and a lot of fun to ride and look at. A lot of time and money has been spent on it. Chain and sprockets in great shape, rubber is good, overall a very nice midly custom RZ, it is clean, looks great and is ready to ride.
Maybe a bit of a sheep in wolf’s clothing, but the power delivery of a 350 two-stroke is like a more modern 600, and lighter weight makes it easier to straighten out the corners. With its up-to-date maintenance and excellent cosmetics, this RZ350 looks ready to achieve lots of fun, the ultimate goal of any bike !
Can’t really say it better than the owner:
Bikes like this make most people smile; even non motorcycle people. They make politicians, bureaucrats and other authoritarians cringe…so you know it’s something Good. Honest. Righteous.
-donn
looks like a fun bike to own and ride. Parts still available for the RZ motor. I like it.
Wow, i really love this thing. What a vision. Creativity without $30,000 build cost appeal to this humble meas guy. Looks like terrific fun!
The left side peg mount does not look confidence inspiring. Looks like a cast aluminum piece chopped down. I cannot see it taking the load as I load it up while cornering. Right side looks more solid. Only other concern it the lack of a mount point for the silencers. I doubt one can use enough locktite to prevent them from going awol at some point during a ride.
I recall losing a muffler on a ride once. Knew really quick when it happened (man did the bike get loud!). After a hastened stop, inertia had already done an effective job of making that 2 pound of kerker all but impossible to locate. Slid into some thicket or creek or down an embankment or where ever.
The Rainey era was my favorite so this tribute speaks to me. I love the effort and detail. Much fun is in store for the new owner.