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Showing posts from May, 2014

RZ500 Prototype #5 (plus bonus YPVS setting)

I came across a malfunctioning YPVS unit the other day, that had some bizarre settings for the exhaust valves curve. I asked the owner Ian (OZ) for some info on the bike and it seems to be a pre production prototype bike with frame-engine numbered #5. There is some very interesting history behind this bike and I have included some words from Ian himself, at the bottom of this post. Here are the YPVS settings for any RZ/RD500 owners that want to give it a try. It seem to be a little bit aggressive curve for road use with the power valves closing really early. Click on thumbnail for a larger image. A few words from Ian(OZ) about this bike : Hi Nick the bike is a pre production prototype eng no . 5 and frame no 5. It was flown into australia in march 1984 i raced along side it in the firstever time a rz 500 was raced. I think it was raced in australia as a pre cursor to the castrol 6 hour race won that year by mike dowson he beet the world champion wayne gardner who wa

Valex Lathe is now ready ...to make some chips!

I have finished the rebuild on a used lathe that I bought about a month back. It is a well used and in bad shape Valex BV20 model . Quite a few issues were repaired and it now has a new paint theme. It was a very fruitful rebuild that taught me a lot of useful stuff and somewhat expanded my knowledge on several aspects. Here are a few random pics from the rebuild. Bolting parts together again ...while taking some measurements in the process.  And the first chips! The end result now looks like this. 

CDI Rehousing

New housing for a badly damaged PGM cdi unit.