Description
Please Note: This bike has been in storage for twenty years and is being sold as-is. If the new owner wishes, Iconic’s White Glove service can make it a runner. We have access to NOS NSR500V parts and Olly used to work on these bikes for the Dutch team Dee Cee Jeans Racing in Grand Prix racing from 1998-2001 so he is very familiar with them.
In addition, we have had several requests from clients looking for a poster of this bike. Nathan May has created one in our studio and we have 2’x3′ prints available here.
Additional photos of this NSR500V are available here for your perusal.
“By selecting a HRC roadracer NSR500V as your new machine, you have placed yourself in a distinguished family of owners and riders.” That is how Honda introduced this motorcycle in the Owner’s Manual, and it was quite the understatement: the NSR500V was made for privateer race teams to compete in 500cc Grand Prix racing.
But why would Honda release a 2-cylinder version when they already competed with a 500cc V-4? Well, FIM’s rulebook allowed bikes using 500cc V-twins to weigh less than their V-four powered counterparts (220 pounds vs 286), and Honda thought that increased corner speeds of the lighter bike could keep it competitive despite the power deficit. At certain tracks, they were right: the NSR500V was so impressive that Tadayuki Okada earned pole position in its public debut – the 1996 Grand Prix at Malaysia – beating out Mick Doohan and Àlex Crivillé on the V4 NSR500!
Honda stated that the 100-degree V-Twin engine produced more than 135 horsepower, and the entire package weighed just 226 pounds. The carbon fiber tail section is self-supporting and its removal helps show how this bike managed to be so light:
In its first year of competition, the NSR500V was only campaigned by Honda’s factory Repsol team – Okada’s best finish was 2nd place at Phillip Island and ended the season in 7th place. The following year Honda offered the bike to privateer teams such as the newly-formed Gresini Racing. The final two examples were leased to the Shell Advance team to race in the 2001 season. The V4 machines were only offered to teams via lease, but the V2s (except for the Shell bikes) were sold and eventually made their way into the public.
Honda built just 22 examples between 1995 and 2001 for racing purposes – chassis number one was built for media/press duty to show at motorcycle trade shows, and that is the one we have on auction here today!
This example is VIN: NSR500VF-K001, Engine #: NSR500VE-K003.
From what we have been told, Honda used this bike for press imagery and as a display piece around the world at different GP races.
The current owner had a contact at HRC who arranged for the purchase of the bike and a large quantity of NOS parts. HRC crated the bike and parts and shipped them to Southern California. The first time the crate was opened was roughly six years ago to show Adam what was inside. The motorcycle remained in the crate until we opened it last week to prepare it for auction – we kept the crate (supplied by HRC) but please note that it is not the original crate you would have received when buying one of these bikes brand new:
You can see another video of Adam’s thoughts about the bike out of the crate here:
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The seller was told by his contact at HRC that this bike has never been started or ridden. There is no odometer, true mileage is unknown.
Our service department agrees that it has never been ridden – there is still plastic on the carb intakes.
Maintenance:
In preparation for the listing, the seller had us clean the brake lines and replace the front master cylinder. Olly did the work, his condition report is below:
Gas Tank Internal Condition: OK
Tire Year Front/ Rear: 2002 OLD SLICKS
Tire % Front/ Rear: 100%
Tire Press Front/ Rear: 25/25
Brake % Front/ Rear : 100%
Front Hydraulic Fluid: NEW
Rear Hydraulic Fluid: NEW
Clutch Hydraulic Fluid: CABLE
Oil: UNK
Coolant: DRY
Fork: OK
Shock/s: OK
Final Drive: OK
Battery Standing Voltage: DEAD
Charging Voltage @ 4k RPM: UNK
Notes:
• BIKE IS IN A STORED CONDITION FROM HRC
• DENT ON FUEL TANK TOP
• LOWER FAIRING SCRATCHED/DAMAGED (LOOKS LIKE FROM LOADING RAMP)
• FRONT AND REAR BRAKE LINES WERE BLOCKED/BLED AND FREED.
• FRESH BRAKE FLUID
• FRONT MASTER CYLINDER INTERNALLY FAILED/REPLACED WITH IDENTICAL PART
• INNER THROTTLE CABLE FRAYED AND UNUSABLE.
Recommended Work For Use:
• NEW THROTTLE CABLE
• ENGINE TEAR DOWN
• REPLACE CRANK, GEARBOX AND CLUTCH SEALS
• CONFIRM INTERNAL CONDITION (SHOULD BE OK)
• NEEDS BATTERY AND CHARGER
• NEEDS TIRES
• NEW GEARBOX FLUID
• NEW COOLANT
Modifications:
This NSR500V appears to be completely stock.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on the original Michelin Pilot 16/63-17 slicks.
The sale includes the original rear stand.
As noted up top, the seller has a large selection of spares (not included in the sale) that can be acquired if the winning bidder wants to ride it or race it (and we sure hope that’s the case)!
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Currently located in Santa Monica, California, this Honda is offered on a Bill of Sale only. Have any NSR500V stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
