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Yamaha RZ350 (RD350LCII) (liquid cooled) is a motorcycle powered by a twin-cylinder two-stroke engine, reed valved 347 cc engine. The bore and stroke are 64 mm × 54 mm (2.5 in × 2.1 in). Coming out in 1983, it was the evolution of Yamaha's popular and well known RD350 (1972–75) and RD350LC (1980–86). Production was carried on into the 1990s and a different version with no YPVS power valve in the engine was used in Yamaha's Banshee ATV until its final model year in 2006 in the United States. Yamaha Motor sold the Banshee in Canada until 2008. There were several other models, the 1985 RZ350F, 1986-92 RZ350F2,N,NF, and the 1992-5 RZ350RR was produced in Brazil. The picture shown to the right is a model with an aftermarket, "Expansion Chamber" higher flowing, high-performance exhaust system, devoid of the catalytic converter and other exhaust pollution control items.
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RZ350 is now a sought after collectors motorcycle in America, as it was sold exclusively in the USA as a signature model. It is also raced extensively in Vintage racing leagues, as well as its own racing leagues, often dubbed "RZ cups" in Europe.
Versions
Generally 4 main versions, but not all markets received all versions.
1983/4 - bikini fairing attached to the forks, separate side and tail panels, offset fuel filler and semi-italic wheels with holes.
1985 - F1 models introduced with RD/RZ500 style full fairing (frame mounted and using the same top panel as the 500) and Variable damper forks, alongside N1 (naked) models with no fairing. Seen as a halfway house between the early and late models and having styling from both. Detailed information on this model can be found here
1986-1992 - F2 and N2 models with one restyled fuel tank, seat and side/tail panels that looked '1 piece'.
1992-1995 - UK importers bring in RD350R model (made in Brazil) with FZR600 style twin light top fairing and various detail differences.
The 1983-1985 models are the most collectible.
This bike was sold in the Europe from 1983-1992, UK (1983-1995), Australia (1983-1988) and in United States 1984 / 1985, and Canada in 1983-1990.
EU/UK - All designated RD, not RZ. 1983 350 models designated 31k. 1985 F1 models introduced. New F2 and N2 models in 1986 model runs until 1992. 1992-95 UK importers bring in RD350R model (made in Brazil).
Australia - Same 83 - 85 models as UK/EU, but more 250's sold due to registration cost savings. 1986 sees the introduction F2/N2, but in 1987 a round light full fairing model appears. Discontinued in 1988.
USA - In the USA the RZ came with catalytic converters for emissions requirements, and was the first motorcycle to do so. It was only sold in California in 1985, as the RZ350NC, and a second version was sold in late 1985 and 1986 as the RZ350NC2, both of which had an EVAP canister and an additional catalytic converter in the exhaust pipe header to meet California emission regulations. Sales of the RZ350 were discontinued in the US after 1986, as Yamaha decided the two-stroke would use too much of their United States Environmental Protection Agency fleet emissions quota, and limit sales of their larger displacement bikes, which were more popular sellers.
The RZ350 was also the first Yamaha street bike sold in the USA that used a "perimeter" frame that uses rails around the underside of the fuel tank as opposed to the standard frames of the era which ran as a spine under the center of the fuel tank.
Styling
The two 1984 USA models were yellow and black (Kenny Roberts Special) and a sparkle red-white and blue model that had different graphics and no Kenny Roberts signature on the upper cowl. In 1985, the red-white-and blue versions had identical graphics to the yellow and black "bumble bee" Kenny Roberts version, complete with signature, but they had a red frame. There were also the leftover models with revised graphics that somewhat resembled the 1983 UK versions, but had gold rims and a Kenny Roberts signature, that were sold as RZ350NC2 in California only from late 1985-6. Estimated RZ350 production for the USA is about 20,000 motorcycles.
The RZ350 had a variable exhaust port valve called the Yamaha Power Valve System (YPVS) that was controlled by a basic computer. The YPVS could open and close the valve to move the height of the exhaust port and thus affect the exhaust port timing. This provided lower RPM torque while retaining high RPM power. Many of these bikes have been modified because of the interchangeability of many of the major engine components with the Yamaha Banshee ATV which has a vibrant aftermarket.
The RZ had a 500 cc stablemate called the RZ500. It came in a red-on-white color scheme. It was a twin-crank V4 (much like the GP bikes of the era) and was a quite different bike. Some distributors and dealers sold these bikes with custom paint jobs, causing confusion about OEM paint schemes.
In many countries, these bikes were known as RDs, but in North America and Australia they were called the RZs. In Australia, England, Canada, and the USA the Yamaha RD series (RD-60, RD125, RD-200, RD250, RD350, RD400) from which the later RZ/RD were descended, were first released in the 1970s as air-cooled two-strokes. In 1980 the bikes had a redesign using ideas Yamaha gained from two-stroke Grand Prix and production race experiences. They also became liquid-cooled and had an 'LC' appended to the name to designate this e.g.: RD350LC - some people referred to them as the "Elsie". The Elsie is the link between the earlier air-cooled RDs, and the later power valve (YPVS) equipped RZ series. The most common capacities sold in Australia were 250 cc (maximum capacity allowed for new road riders) and 350 cc.
The name changed to RZ (in Australia at least), with the introduction of the variable exhaust valve design in 1983 on the 'K' model. This was a whole new bike and although similar in concept, did not share any parts of the earlier LC series.