So I've wanted a SZR660 for ages, an odd looking bike, a parts bin special produced by the Belgarda branch of Yamaha. It never sold well and disappeared from the range pretty quick.
I think its got potential, light weight, a renowned chassis from the 250 TZR, punchy tuneable single cylinder engine - could make a great B road scratcher to embarrass bigger bikes with a surfeit of power.
An ideal basis for a project popped up on ebay, most listings are sold by people who believe that an original version is something people might want to pay a premium for.
This is the bike I bought...
looks ok... ish. The front fairing is fitted too high and at the wrong angle and looks strange, the tail section is too long and also looks wrong, but it has a new decent exhaust system and some performance carbs fitted and someone has obviously spent a lot of time on it.
So it turns up and the owner was really proud of the paintwork as I believe he paints narrow boats, but the problem is, it is brush painted, with enamel and you can tell from 20 yards. I wish I could brush paint that well but even if I could I wouldn't brush paint a vehicle.
Like I said I've been planning this project for a very long time and got stuck in, first thing was to get rid of the fairing,
So much better, it's taken all the visual clutter and weight away, I'll be going for a RD-LC / SDR/ R1-Z type look
Only now the too long rear end looks toooo looooong!
Busted out the spanners
And then the dewalt made short work of the seized engine mount bolts
The coolant flange on the engine put up a fight, had to collapse it and remove it in pieces
And there we are....
I think its got potential, light weight, a renowned chassis from the 250 TZR, punchy tuneable single cylinder engine - could make a great B road scratcher to embarrass bigger bikes with a surfeit of power.
An ideal basis for a project popped up on ebay, most listings are sold by people who believe that an original version is something people might want to pay a premium for.
This is the bike I bought...
looks ok... ish. The front fairing is fitted too high and at the wrong angle and looks strange, the tail section is too long and also looks wrong, but it has a new decent exhaust system and some performance carbs fitted and someone has obviously spent a lot of time on it.
So it turns up and the owner was really proud of the paintwork as I believe he paints narrow boats, but the problem is, it is brush painted, with enamel and you can tell from 20 yards. I wish I could brush paint that well but even if I could I wouldn't brush paint a vehicle.
Like I said I've been planning this project for a very long time and got stuck in, first thing was to get rid of the fairing,
So much better, it's taken all the visual clutter and weight away, I'll be going for a RD-LC / SDR/ R1-Z type look
Only now the too long rear end looks toooo looooong!
Busted out the spanners
And then the dewalt made short work of the seized engine mount bolts
The coolant flange on the engine put up a fight, had to collapse it and remove it in pieces
And there we are....
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