Please Note: In response to customer requests, we are implementing an automatic bid bump: if your proxy bid meets or exceeds the reserve price, bidding will jump up to meet that price and you will see “Reserve price has been met” under the price. Please contact abhi@iconicmotorbikes.com if you have any questions!
Additional photos for this 1987 Yamaha RZV500 are available here for your perusal.
The RZ was introduced in 1984 and was arguably the first production race replica. Built to emulate Kenny Roberts’ YZR500 factory racer, the RZ500 was the closest thing two-stroke enthusiasts had to a GP competitor for the road…as long as you didn’t live in the United States of America. Emissions rules put in place by the EPA prevented Yamaha from selling the RZ500 in the US, so the select few we get to enjoy had to be imported (typically from Canada). But the RZV is extra special, as it was a bike for the Japanese market that had some distinct changes.
There were minor ones – a switch that converted the water temp gauge into a fuel gauge, fork preload adjusters at the top of the forks, or the deletion of the self-canceling turn signals. But the reason RZ fans covet the RZV500R is because it also came with a hand-welded aluminum frame, which helped the bike weigh 20 pounds less than its international siblings.
This helped counteract a power cut – Japanese regulations required an output of no more than 64 ponies, which Yamaha enabled by restricting the exhaust and changing carb jets. Both things can be easily addressed and to unlock the potential full claimed 87 horsepower.
This example is VIN:51X020145.
The odometer shows 6,216 kilometers (3,862 miles).
Modifications:
Per the seller, “this bike is in all original condition except for the body work,” which has been repainted.
Recent maintenance:
“A full service was done recently and all mechanical parts that needed to be replaced and updated were replaced. New Bridgestone Battlax BT-46 tires, carburetor fully rebuilt and synchronized, brand new front and rear brake pads, front forks were fully rebuild, new chain, new air filter, new spark plugs, fresh fluids including front and rear brake fluid flush. It is a great running bike.”
Cosmetic Blemishes:
“The body work is original but all of the body work was repainted by the previous owner, it is not a perfect original paint job so it does have some flaws through out all the body work.”
Currently located in Seattle, Washington, this Yamaha is offered on a clean Washington title. Have any RZV500R stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
Please Note: In response to customer requests, we are implementing an automatic bid bump: if your proxy bid meets or exceeds the reserve price, bidding will jump up to meet that price and you will see “Reserve price has been met” under the price. Please contact abhi@iconicmotorbikes.com if you have any questions!