The Clean Side of Dirty: 1985 Yamaha RZ500

The legendary Yamaha RZ500 – the twin-crank, V-4, 500cc two stroke GP bike for the street – never officially came into the United States. By the late 1970s the EPA had their sooty little hands in, well, everything, and raucous power plants such as internal combustion two strokes were strictly off the list. Yamaha tried…

Winter Blues: 1984 Yamaha RZ350

As many parts of the United States are deep in the throes of falling frozen water, riding is an activity that must wait for warmer weather and more favorable road conditions. There are locales, however, where riding can commence year ’round. The southern states on both coasts serve as a great example. And it is…

Ringer: 1984 Yamaha RZ350

I know that the RSBFS reader loves a good two stroke. And what better to post than a well-kept Yamaha RZ350? The last of the true factory street bike smokers, the RZ was successfully imported into the US – and even California! – for a short while. And so while these are not grey bikes…

Minty Fresh: 1984 Yamaha RZ350

The RZ350 is a special sort of machine in the annals of RSBFS. The last of the 50-state factory two strokes, the little parallel twin that could utilized liquid cooling, a computer controlled adjustable exhaust port (YPVS), and catalytic converters. Even with all of this tech it was short lived on US shores, and even…

Featured Listing: 2Moto 2M400R-SP

If you are thinking that you haven’t heard of the 2Moto 2M400R-SP, you are probably correct. But I’m sure you have heard of Yamaha’s wildly successful two-stroke, the TZR-250. And knowing RSBFS readers, you probably wished for something like that – but with more horsepower – for your street ride. I mean, imagine the wild…

Summer Fizz – 1989 Yamaha FZR-400

Late July we should be focused on tall drinks with a lot of ice and a splash of seltzer, when a bargain-priced lightweight pops up.  This restorable rider sponsors thoughts of a ( well air conditioned ) van trip to Georgia. 1989 Yamaha FZR-400 for sale on eBay Yamaha had been pursuing separate F3 and…

Kentucky Bourbon: 1985 Yamaha RZ500RN

How is this for international intrigue? Take a smoking two stroke iconic super bike built in Japan. Export said bike outside of the home market into Europe, the Pacific Rim or Canada. Later years on, that bike finds its way into the US and now lives in the state of Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark and…