Description
Click here for an VINData Motorcycle History Report on this 1985 Yamaha RZ500.
When Yamaha debuted the RZ500 (known in some other markets as the RD500) in 1984, it 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).
This particular bike has been completely restomodded by Wilson Performance in Lee’s Summit MO in November of 2024. Bill Wilson states “The engine had been rebuilt previously by me in 2010 when owned by Paul Huber. A Blueprint rebuild was performed at that time. From the looks of the pistons there had not been too many miles put on the bike since the rebuild.” Bill has graciously agreed to answer any questions about this build and is also willing to do a similar build for someone else down the road. He states “WP prides itself on offering the best performance and rebuild services for the RZ500 anywhere.” Please see the modifications section for a complete build list of all of the parts as well as the proper startup procedure.
Manufactured in November of 1984 this example is VIN: JYA52X008FA004966. The seller has owned the bike for approximately five years.
Per Wilson performance and the seller the odometer was replaced at 13,790 KM which is 8,569 miles and now shows 80.3 miles. The seller states “the bike was at Wilson Performance for about 2 years being modified.”
Maintenance:
In preparation for the listing, the seller had us perform a safety inspection, our service department notes the following on their condition report:
Gas Tank Internal Condition: GOOD
Engine Oil Level: GOOD
Engine Oil Quality: GOOD
2T Oil Level: GOOD
Coolant Level: GOOD
Coolant Quality: GOOD
Front Hydraulic Fluid Level: GOOD
Front Hydraulic Fluid Quality: GOOD LESS THAN 1.5% H2O
Rear Hydraulic Fluid Level: GOOD
Rear Hydraulic Fluid Quality: GOOD LESS THAN 1.5% H2O
Clutch Hydraulic Fluid Level: N/A
Clutch Hydraulic Fluid Quality: N/A
Final Drive Condition: GOOD
Headlight High Beam: GOOD
Headlight Low Beam: GOOD
Passing Light: N/A
Parking Light: GOOD
Turn Signals: GOOD
Tail Light: GOOD
Brake Light (Front Switch): GOOD
Brake Light (Rear Switch): GOOD
Plate Light: GOOD
Horn: GOOD
Kill Switch: GOOD
Brake Pad % Remaining Front: 95
Brake Pad % Remaining Rear: 90
Forks: GOOD
Shock/s: GOOD
Tire Date Code Front: 4021
Tire Date Code Rear: 4421
Tire % Remaining Front: 90
Tire % Remaining Rear: 90
Tire Press. Front: 33
Tire Press. Rear: 35
Battery Standing Voltage: 12.7
Charging Voltage @ 4k RPM: 13.9
Running Condition: RUNS
Test Ride Completed: YES
Test Ride Distance: 1 MILE
Modifications:
Wilson Performance has provided the following list of mods.
– NK Racing billet triple clamps for 08-15 Yamaha R6 forks.
– 08-15 Yamaha R6 front and rear wheels powdercoated mistic gold, new wheel bearings installed
– 08-15 Yamaha R6 Rear swingarm upgraded to fit the RZ500 chassis by NK Racing
– Nitron rear shock w/remote reservoir (185kg.)
– 08-15 Yamaha R6 forks fully rebuilt.
– 08-15 Yamaha R6 fork top caps replaced.
– Koso RX-2 integrated dash cluster w/2nd RZ500 OEM cluster wiring loom soldered together
– Koso GPS signal converter for speedometer.
– 520 DID X-ring gold chain and Rebel Gears sprockets (17 Front/42 Rear.)
– Custom length Spiegler brake lines and fittings.
– TZR250 3MA tail-light custom mounting and fit.
– New Yamaha petcock with complete WP 28mm carb kit.
– RZV500 shifter and rear brake levers mirror polished and shifter rubber knob replaced. New footpeg buttons.
– OEM rearset brackets highly modified and repainted. Shifter linkage rubber covers replaced.
– OEM kickstarter mirror polished.
– New aftermarket belly pan.
– New solo-seat bobbins, properly modified to use cotter pins for retention.
– Complete RZ500 decal set.
– Rear side panels and tail section cut down and custom tail fastener brackets epoxy installed, rear side panel OEM heat shielding modified to fit modified side panels and reinstalled with aluminum heat tape.
– Full body repaint.
– New old stock seat latch lock.
– New Nissin remote front brake master cylinder with custom mirror polished aluminum front master cylinder reservoir bracket.
– ASV front brake and clutch levers (Yamaha R6.)
– New R6 clutch perch with custom cable spacer for the RZ to R6 clutch perch. Domino grips.
– Aftermarket front & rear brake rotors with new front rotor bolts OEM.
– New R6 Brembo rear master cylinder with custom rear master cylinder reservoir mounting bracket.
– New aftermarket large capacity aluminum radiator.
– Flush mount front turn signals with custom pinch type mounting hardware.
– Custom mirror polished license plate bracket. Custom mirror polished aluminum trunk plate. WD Tail-light integrator kit with all soldered connectors and waterproof connectors.
– Custom fit Kawasaki Ninja 650 mirrors.
– Re-zinc plated several chassis bolts, nuts, washers and springs.
– Custom ordered set of stainless steel Jolly Moto GP style exhaust with carbon silencers (1 of 5 built to date.)
Cold start procedure.
– Installed Tony Dukas Racing single petal hypertension reeds (not pictured.)
– Maxima Racing transmission oil (not pictured.)
– AMSOIL Dominator Racing 2-Stroke racing oil (not pictured.)
– New Tygon oil line (not pictured.)
– Custom billet aluminum YPVS servo mounting bracket (not pictured.)
– RZ350 coolant reservoir w/billet custom mounting Bracket (not pictured.)
– Wilson Performance custom battery box and strap (not pictured.)
– Anti-Gravity 4 cell lithium battery (not pictured.)
– Samco silicone hose & clamp Kit installed (not pictured.)
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Pirelli Rossi Corsa II tires with date codes of 4021 and 4021.
The sale includes one key, and an original photo of a prototype RZ500 from France.
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 Texas title. Have any RZ500 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
