Description
12-15 Update: Peter was actually featured on a stamp in Sweden and an Iconic reader tracked down an image that we thought you would enjoy seeing:
Additional photos are available here for your perusal.
This bike is being represented by friend of Iconic and motorcycle racing legend, Doug Toland! Doug and the seller were teammates in World Endurance for several years. Here’s what he has to say about it:
“Swedish rider (and former jet fighter pilot) Peter Linden is selling his 3-cylinder, 2-stroke, RS500R since owning it for almost 40 years. This is probably the only one-owner RS500R in the world. A career jet fighter pilot, Peter always requires his equipment to be in top form and, just like his fighter jets that he flew for over 30 years, his RS500 has been meticulously maintained since new and it has the maintenance records, track results and notes to back it up this attention-to-detail care.
Peter’s 500cc Gran Prix racing started when he bought a 1984 Honda RS500R. After he began racing this 1984 machine, it quickly became apparent that many upgrades were needed for better reliability and performance; and so it began.
The bike was first fitted with the first prototype Öhlins shock for an RS500R and PVM wheels.
The next significant change was the 1986 custom-built, Nikko Bakker twin-spare aluminum frame. This frame design worked so well that Honda copied it for the 1987 RS500. An interesting feature of the Bakker frame was the adjustable steering head for different circuits, conditions and preferences.
To remain as competitive as possible, Peter next replaced the 1984 engine with the 1987, ATAC equipped engine assembly, radiator and exhaust system that further complimented the Nikko Bakker frame.
“The 1987 engine and extra bits cost more than the entire 1984 motorbike but with the addition of ATAC exhaust, the useable powerband increased 500rpm and the bike easily wheelies at 200km/h in 4th gear” says Linden.
This was to be the finished product of what Peter is selling here today and it all stems from Peter’s meticulous observations and desire to have the best possible Gran Prix bike. In all, Peter and his RS competed at 21 circuits over eight years and achieved the following:
– 1985 and 1986 Nordic Champion
– 1986, 1987, and 1988 Swedish Champion
– 1989 500cc European Championship
– 1984 – 1991 Competed in 32 rounds of 500cc Gran Prix alongside Lucchinelli, Spencer, Lawson, Rainey, Gardner, Doohan and Schwantz to name a few.
Competing at this level did incur some very minor collateral damage to the RS (fork caps and repaired exhaust) and is pictured so there’s nothing hidden.
Also, the current bodywork is what Peter used on the RS before he retired it from service in 1991 so it does have a few battle scars as evidence of the wars it endured but the machine is a very sound piece and ready to Rock & Roll.
For spares, the bike comes with a brand new complete full-fairing, windscreen and seat that are all un-drilled and never been mounted. Additional spares include internal gearing for the cassette gearbox, external gearing (sprockets), miscellaneous gaskets, exhaust and silencers, brake pads, coils, special tools, and other bits.
The RS also comes with all maintenance history documentation, track notes and Peter’s gear ratios, etc. from every circuit he has competed at with the RS.
Current engine status:
– Crankcase has 9,646km since new and every km is documented
– Crankshaft has 382km
– Pistons have 17.1km
Storage is critical and Peter always maintains his RS even today so the RS is ready to ride.”
This example is VIN: RS500R4113, Engine #: RS500RE-7108.
Inside of the tank:
Cosmetic Blemishes please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Currently located in Lidköping, Sweden this RS500R is offered on a Bill of Sale only. Have any RS500R stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
