Ed Toomey Designs

Ed Toomey Designs Parts, Service and Products for vintage 2-stroke motorcycles (RZ, RD, TZ, RS, TZR, NSR, RGV, RG and more)

In the quest to get their Yamaha RD400s and RZ350s (as well as other bikes) back on the road owners are finding that th...
07/10/2026

In the quest to get their Yamaha RD400s and RZ350s (as well as other bikes) back on the road owners are finding that the brakes don’t work or the master cylinders and calipers are stuck. When installing new master cylinder parts, RD350 and RD400 owners especially are finding the master cylinder bores are pitted caused by years of moisture being absorbed by DOT3 brake fluid. Of course new master cylinders aren’t available anymore but that’s not a problem.
We can resleeve the master cylinders with a brass sleeve that will last a lot longer than we will. If any of you are in need of this service call 864-245-7044. The cost is $225 plus parts.
We also have new reservoirs, hoses, and fittings if you are going for the “new” look.

Busted! I just received this photo from a friend reminding me of when I built and raced one of those 4-stroke contrapt...
06/28/2026

Busted! I just received this photo from a friend reminding me of when I built and raced one of those 4-stroke contraptions, not a 2-stroke. This is at Laguna Seca 1986 in the Superbike class as I passed through tech inspection. My rider was my buddy and RZ Cup Champion Malcolm Hill. The engine was actually built for the GSXR stock series so it was underpowered for the Superbike class and it was Malcolm’s first race at Laguna. We still managed to get 12th place as I remember. Not bad considering the wealth of talent in the Superbike class at the time.

Had a pleasant Saturday visitor in the shop today. I think it’s a Timber Cottonmouth Copper Viper or something like th...
06/20/2026

Had a pleasant Saturday visitor in the shop today. I think it’s a Timber Cottonmouth Copper Viper or something like that (alias gorgeous Black Rat Snake). Sweet little thing. Likes to hang out on my arm. But alas, had to send him home.

Customer just brought in this original RD400 that he just went through, front to back. He said it just needs a tune-up...
06/08/2026

Customer just brought in this original RD400 that he just went through, front to back. He said it just needs a tune-up. But he wants to keep the original “patina”. He thinks it will be more valuable this way. When ready he wants $20,000 for it as is. Are there any takers out there???

Parts for the little RD125 engine are coming out nicely. Unfortunately the crankshaft is toast. So I’ll need to find a...
06/05/2026

Parts for the little RD125 engine are coming out nicely. Unfortunately the crankshaft is toast. So I’ll need to find a decent one to rebuild. Soon as I find one it won’t take long to wrap it up .

After a day and a half of cleaning and v***r blasting, the RD125 engine rebuild is shaping up nicely. Surprising the ma...
06/01/2026

After a day and a half of cleaning and v***r blasting, the RD125 engine rebuild is shaping up nicely. Surprising the majority of parts are serviceable. The tr**ny components are in the micro-finisher. They will be fine. The cylinders will clean up on a .5mm overbore. The crank being the only question mark at this point.

FOR SALE. Just finished the refurbishment of this 1984 Yamaha RZ350. It arrived as a tired and neglected motorcycle t...
05/27/2026

FOR SALE. Just finished the refurbishment of this 1984 Yamaha RZ350. It arrived as a tired and neglected motorcycle that needed the works. The owner wanted his baby to be like new.
First it was stripped to the frame and engine completely disassembled. Frame, forks and swing-arm were checked on the frame jig. Sure enough one of the seat frame rails was bent down a little. Fairly typical on RZs. They do seem to slap pavement a few times in their life. Once straightened, the frame and chassis components were off to powder coating. When these parts returned the fun started.
Front end was modified and rebuilt. Same with the rear suspension. New bearings, bushings, and seal in the swing-arm linkage and a new YSS rear shock. Wheels were recoated and new bearings and tires were installed. Most bolts and all grommets were replaced.
As for the engine, it got a complete rebuild. But one problem was the cylinders were already bored to 66mm. Way too big. So a set of 2nd over cylinders were found. The engine cases, covers and cylinders were recoated as well. To compliment the engine, our performance package was added. This includes our pipes, carb kit, CDI box and Battery Box. And finally the bodywork was repainted. The asking price for this gorgeous and fun RZ350 is $16,500. Call anytime if interested 864-245-7044.

Successful extraction of the crankshaft from the RD125 engine case. So far the engine case and all transmission compone...
05/27/2026

Successful extraction of the crankshaft from the RD125 engine case. So far the engine case and all transmission components are serviceable. But it will take putting the transmission gears, shafts and shifting mechanism into the micro-finisher to remove the surface rust. Cutting the pistons out of the cylinders was also a lot of fun (not really) but they are saved too. Cases and covers are cleaned and in the v***r blaster now. As for the crankshaft, who knows what we’ll find underneath all that crud.

As a follow-up to the previous post about the RD125 rebuild, it keeps getting better. Managed to get the left case hal...
05/26/2026

As a follow-up to the previous post about the RD125 rebuild, it keeps getting better. Managed to get the left case half off but only by using a cutting torch to cut off the connecting rod. Found some really nice goo inside of the crankshaft. The right side will be more difficult to remove because the piston will not budge in the bore and the crank won’t rotate. So I guess I’ll cut a hole in the top of the piston and try cutting off the top of the rod with the torch while trying to save the important parts like the cylinders and engine case.

Cute little Yamaha RD125 shows up for a rebuild. Should be a straight forward job. Then we pop off the clutch cover ...
05/26/2026

Cute little Yamaha RD125 shows up for a rebuild. Should be a straight forward job. Then we pop off the clutch cover . . . yikes!

Address

4798 Highway 29 S
Anderson, SC
29626

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 6pm
Tuesday 10am - 6pm
Wednesday 10am - 6pm
Thursday 10am - 6pm
Friday 10am - 6pm
Saturday 10am - 6pm

Telephone

+18645815981

Website

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