this is what it started out looking like, five years ago when i bought it. the subframe was butchered, the tires were shot, the tank/petcock leaked, the forks leaked, the rear shock was junk, the seat was 90% gaffer tape, etc. i rode it for a couple months until things got really bad and decided to tear it down and update the chassis with either late-model FZR or early-model R6 parts.
inspiration:
for now i'll probably have to settle for FZR wheels/brakes/forks, but eventually i'd like to use first-generation R6 running gear, especially the front end. the swingarm would need to be carefully machined in order to accept the larger axle of the R6 wheel, and its probably too narrow to fit the right rubber, anyway.
i'm also fitting an FZR400 tail instead of the standard plastics, which i always thought were too slab-sided and ugly. Airtech makes a nice FZR400 one-piece for race bikes that i think would look good, or maybe something for a TZ...
stock FZ vs. FZR400:
Airtech FZR400, TZ250:
