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 could be easily addressed to unlock the full claimed 87 horsepower.
This example is VIN: 51X000665. The bike was sent to Iconic from Japan.
The odometer shows 20,731 kilometers (12,881 miles).
Maintenance:
In preparation for the listing, the seller had us detail the bike. Our service department notes the following on their condition report:
Gas Tank Internal Condition: OK
Engine Oil Level: OK
Engine Oil Quality: OK
2T Oil Level: OK
Coolant Level: OK
Coolant Quality: OK
Front Hydraulic Fluid Level: OK
Front Hydraulic Fluid Quality: OK
Rear Hydraulic Fluid Level: OK
Rear Hydraulic Fluid Quality: OK
Clutch Hydraulic Fluid Level: N/A
Clutch Hydraulic Fluid Quality: N/A
Final Drive Condition: Clean
Headlight High Beam: OK
Headlight Low Beam: OK
Passing Light: OK
Parking Light: OK
Turn Signals: OK
Tail Light: OK
Brake Light (Front Switch): OK
Brake Light (Rear Switch): OK
Plate Light: OK
Horn: OK
Kill Switch: OK
Brake Pad % Remaining Front: 90
Brake Pad % Remaining Rear: 95
Forks: OK
Shock/s: OK
Tire Date Code Front: 25/6
Tire Date Code Rear: 15/6
Tire % Remaining Front: 75
Tire % Remaining Rear: 80
Tire Press. Front: 32
Tire Press. Rear: 38
Battery Standing Voltage: 12.2
Charging Voltage @ 4k RPM: 14.2
Running Condition: OK
Test Ride Completed: N/A
Test Ride Distance: 0
Notes:
•Cracked dust seals on forks
Recommend:
• Tires (age)
Modifications:
Team Alpha Racing exhaust system.
ACT Sport rearsets.
Titanium nitride forks.
Brembo brake calipers on adapter plates. Sunstar brake rotors. Modified anti-dive.
Sunstar rear sprocket.
Ohlins rear shock.
Aftermarket tinted windshield with red fasteners.
Decals.
Aftermarket clip-ons.
Nissin front brake master cylinder. Steel braided brake lines.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Bridgestone Battlax BT45 tires with date codes of 1516 and 2516.
The sale includes one key.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Currently located in Santa Monica, California, 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!
