Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/126078
--- tz .----Even Santa shops ~ Amateur Bill Benry:This bike is the answer By B:.1 Henry vrr h e most popular middle - displacem ent bike in the Su p erstre et and Cafe classes at local club races is the m odi fied RD3 50 Ya maha. Under experienced and determined riders, these little demons hav e done very well in races aga inst modified Z·Is , Honda fours . and some of Europe's finest. This particul ar RD . owned by Daryll Lee and prepared by Gary Shumake of Specialists II , is an example of what can be done with ingenuity and economics. Riding this bike at Willow Springs revealed the great potential this "gia nt killer" has to offer. With chassis modifications such as an early Don Vesco' sq ua re swingarm, adjustable Kawasaki steering dam p er and racing tires , this stock-framed RD gives high speed stability and absolutely no bobbling or hopping around in tighter turns. The front forks are stock, with 30W fork oil. Brake pads and the single disc up front are standard, as are the rear linings. Hand controls are on clubman bars, acc ompanied by a TZ250 ta chomete r . The stock Yamaha seat has two inches of the foam padding removed , and the stock footpegs are replaced with rearsets that retain the standard shift pattern. T he rear brake uses the conv entional rod set up - which leaves much to be des ired. (Perhaps a more progressivefeeling cable arrangement would give the rider more control of the rear wheel when applied under ha rd braking.) The engine is fitted with Specialists II expansion chambers, which provide excellent ground clearance. The stock side stand and center stand are gone. The crankshaft , rods and bearings come out of a TZ 250, as did the COl ign ition , which assures str ong spark at low rpm. (Automoti ve coils from K·Man. used with po in ts, work just as well .) T he piston s are cut and cy li n ders port ed , to secret spe cifications. Compression is 125 P.S.I. Stock -bore 28mm Mikuni SC ca r b u re tors are used with modific ations to the needle , pilot , and main jets. The stock slides make for a somewhat narrow power band, (8000-10 ,500 RPM ) with modifi cation power should com e in around 7500 RPM. A stock seven plate clutch with shimmed up sp rings drives a standard ratio transmission. Gearing is 15-teeth on the primary and 39 ·teeth at the rea r for Willow Springs, which barely allowed sixth gear down the straight. Slightly tighter gearing would be more desirable for Willow Springs. This type of bike gives the enthusiast a fighting chance at beating b ikes twice the displacement and many times the cost. It is light handling, yet solid feeling and predictable. The b rakes do not fade. The power, while it could be more tractable, is usable and is competitive with anyth ing in th e class. For an yone fro m a seasoned racer to the street rider trying to get into road racing, this machine is just th e answer . • - ~ ,..,-r- ~~~ ~~ "'\:.-... -..- -- - at C~cle Parts BILL WALTERS RIDING BELT - A FANTASTIC ' VALUE AT 516.95 DYNAMITE DEN IM MX PANTS - Ou r reg. low p ri ce 5 24 .95 NOW ONLY S19.95 mJ MX SOCKS T ub e sty le or stre tch. Sug9. re ta il p rice 53. BILL WALTERS NYLONI LEATHER MX PANTS Most sizes and colors. A SUPER CHRISTMAS BUY AT 569.95 DON VESCO SKINNY·FAT TANK - A REAL VALUE AT $49.95 - NOW YOU PAY ON L Y S39 .95 HEX GRIPS A SUPER DEAL 52.50 BOGE/MULLHOLLAND SHOCK - Reg. low p rice 549.95 SALE PRICE $42.88 VERA'S LEATHER MX PANTS - A SUPERB CHRISTMAS I DEA A ny color. any size 574 .95 INTERAM TYPE HAN DLEBARS Reg. lo w pr ice 5 14. 9 5 A GOO D IDEA FO R CHRISTMAS AT 55 .95 MX SOCKS Tube st yle o r stretch. S ugges ted re tail p rice $3.9 5 ON SALE FOR $2 .95 SCOTT GOGGLES Ou'r reg. low p rice S12.95 BELL·R ·T HELMETS WE HAVE THEM. A GREAT VALUE 539.75 Now for th e u nbe lievab le p rice o f 59 .95 CYCLE PARTS RIDING BELT DUCK BILL VISORS Reg. 51 .95 NOW 51 .59 Ou r reg. lo w p r ic e S9.95 NOW ONL Y S7.95 VIKING JERSEYS WIth bi ke names. Ou r reg . low p rice 5 1 2.9 5 NOW ON SALE FOR S9.95 SHOEI 5-20 HELMETS Whit.e . Or an ge veflow a nd black . Most si zes. Our reg. ret ai l 542.95 NOW ONL Y 534 .95 LEATHER MX PANTS Mo st colors, mos t sizes . A 570.00 VALUE . A ll brand names. THI5 IS A CLOSEOUT 544 .95 A GREAT CHRISTMAS VALUE ! BELL MAGNUM SUCH A DEAL. A ll sizes 5 58 .95 11