Description
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 of this 1985 Yamaha RZ500 are available here for your perusal.
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).
Manufactured in December of 1984, this example is VIN: JYA52X00XFA005391, and it was one of the bike that was originally sold new in Canada. The seller acquired it on 2005 on eBay from a two-stroke collector in Las Vegas, Nevada.
He rode it “five times in the twisties of San Diego, California,” then put it in storage as he got a job out of town. The odometer shows 14,275 kilometers (8,870 miles).
It was sitting for years, so in preparation for the listing, the seller had Olly:
– clean and sync the carbs
– install a new battery
– flush the fork oil
– sandblast and paint the rear caliper, gas cap, and side stand.
– rebuild the master cylinder
– flush the transmission oil
– remove the front brake lines, clean them, and reinstall.
– install a new petcock
– install new spark plugs
– install new Bridgestone BT45 tires
– detail the bike
– line the gas tank (outsourced)
Modifications:
Battery tender lead.
The tank has been lined.
Cosmetic Blemishes:
The sale includes two keys.
Currently located at our facility in Santa Monica, California (please make an appointment for an inspection), this Yamaha is offered on a clean Oregon title. The photos show a California plate, however the seller lost his California title and had us source an Oregon title instead. Have any RZ500 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!
