PARTS BIN PERFECT!

Andy Bolas rides a Yamaha RZ250R, which he finds shares many parts from other tiddler Yamaha models.

- ANDY BOLAS

With the classic family line of theRD350LC in focus this month, I thoughtI’d bring out a hidden gem from the family line to see what CMM readers thing.

This month, I have delved into the back of my own garage and pulled this little number: Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to introduce you to my RZ250 3HM1. This bike has been in my collection for a number of years now, been ridden on the road and on tracks all over the UK by both Ella Middleton and myself and to be fair, it could probably benefit from a minor cosmetic refresh, but isn’t she sweet?

The 3HM1 is the last of the line of the RZ250s built and designed by Yamaha Japan. At first glance many people mistake it for an RD350 N2 and up to 1987 the RZ250 did more or less mirror its larger counterpart, but if you look closer at this 1988 model there are lots of subtle differences. The rear wheel, for instane, came from the 2MA TZR. The 17-inch front wheel was specific to this model, allowing the fitment of slightly wider tyres than the 350, having a 100/80/17 front and a 120/80/17 for the rear as opposed to 90/90/18 for the front and a 110/80/18 on the 350 and previous 250 models. Yes, this is the only RZ/RD to come out of the factory with 17-inch wheels!

In typical ‘share and save’ fashion, the parts borrowing doesn’t stop there! The fork tubes are from the FZR250 (2RF); the clip-ons are also from an FZR250 2KR model; the rear caliper, caliper bracket, and front mudguard came from the 2MA TZR; and the rear disc came from the FZR400 (1WG), which also provided the speedo. The front discs came from the FZR400 (2TK), the TZR250 (2XT) provided the tacho and the TZR250 (2AW) gave up its temperature gauge for the cause.