Description
11/29 Update:
We have performed a compression test on this bike and the results are:
#1 – 155 psi.
#2 – 145 psi.
#3 – 145 psi.
#4 – 145psi.
Additional photos are available here for your perusal.
Derived straight from Suzuki’s half-liter RG Gamma XR45 factory Grand Prix racer, the RG500 was a road-legal replica racer produced between 1985 and 1987. From the mid-‘70s to the mid-‘80s, Suzuki was a dominant force in premier class competition. Barry Sheene achieved back-to-back 500cc championship titles in ’76 and ’77 before the Gallina Suzuki team repeated the feat half-a-decade-later with riders Marco Lucchinelli and Franco Uncini in ’81 and ’82. Suzuki also won seven consecutive 500cc Class Constructors’ titles around this same time.
To capitalize on the brand’s reputation for building high-performance race bikes, Suzuki decided to develop a slightly-tamed production version of its competition square-four machine. 7,340 examples were produced in the first year of production (1985), with another 1,412 in 1986 and a final 532 specimens in 1987, making for a total of just 9,284.
Classic Motorbikes described the Gamma’s place among its competitors by stating, “Place the RD500, NS400 and RG500 Gamma side-by-side and you would have three of the top manufacturers attempts at producing a replica of their respective GP racers, however, with all but one of those machines, all you purchased was a mere shadow of the original design. That is not to say the others were rubbish, far from it in fact, but the RG was definitely nearer the mark, and actually far closer to the race machine than you might ever imagine. The Suzuki is almost an exact replica of the race machine.”
This example is VIN: HM31A100456.
The odometer shows 18,971 kilometers (11,788 miles).
The previous owner acquired it from a Mecum auction where it was represented as a Walter Wolf bike. He asked Iconic to pick it up for him but he decided he no longer wanted it after he saw the quality of the paint, which had been redone in the past. He also determined based on the VIN that it was likely not officially a Walter Wolf. We acquired the bike and Adam thought it would be fun to turn it into a Skoal Bandit tribute – our friend and very talented painter Marc Whitney handled the respray of the bodywork and wheels:
The seats are from a true Skoal Bandit RG500.
Maintenance:
In preparation for the listing, we performed the following:
-Wheels strip and paint + new bearings install
-Sprocket carrier replaced, new carrier spacer
-Tires mount and balance
-Lance Gamma air filter frames + elements + needle and seat install
-Carb clean, service and sync
-Battery prep and install
-Fork stanchions re chromed, forks rebuild
-Replace oil injection tank
-Spark plugs replacement
-Transmission replacement
-Transmission fluid service
-Chain and sprockets
-Front calipers rebuild, new seals installed
-Replace front and rear brake pads
-Install stainless steel braided(black) brake lines
-Vapor honed front rotors, front calipers and sprocket carrier
-Decal Application
-Addition of brand new Jollymoto full exhaust system
Olly notes the following in his condition report:
Gas Tank Internal: Ok
Tire Year Front: 4922 / Rear: 3922
Tire Life Front: 100% / Rear: 100%
Tire Press Front: 36PSI / Rear: 38PSI
Brake Life Front: 100% / Rear: 100%
Hydraulic: Brake Fluid Front: New Rear: New
Gear Box Oil: New Level: Good
Coolant Quality: New Level: Good
Low Beam: Ok
High Beam: Ok
Turn: Ok
Tail Light: Ok
Brake Light: Ok
Plate Light: Ok
Kill: Ok
Horn: Ok
Battery: New 12.1V
Test Ride: 1Km
11/29 Update:
We have performed a compression test on this bike and the results are:
#1 – 155 psi.
#2 – 145 psi.
#3 – 145 psi.
#4 – 145psi.
Notes:
• Jolly Moto Exhaust
• Mirrors have scratches and sun fading
• Has aftermarket airbox
Modifications:
Skoal Bandit paint job on OEM Suzuki bodywork.
Jolly Moto exhaust.
Battery tender lead.
Not pictured: aftermarket airbox.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Metzeler Roadtec 01 tires with date codes of 3922 and 4922.
The sale includes one key and extra Skoal Bandit decals.
It also includes a paint-matched solo seat cowl.
Please note that the “butt pad” for the solo cowl is missing.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Currently located in Santa Monica, California (Please make an appointment for inspection) this Suzuki is offered on a clean Oregon title. Have any RG500 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
