Update 9/24 It has been brought to our attention this bike may not be an original Walter Wolf. Upon deeper research we discovered the bike has some aftermarket fairings by Body Double. The nose and tail fairings appear to be original but the instrument cluster does not have the signature Walter Wolf gauges. With this new information we are no longer calling the bike a Walter Wolf edition.
As you may have seen on our social media, Iconic recently acquired a collection of two-stroke bikes and parts from Europe, many of which came from the collection of Lance Gamma. We’re looking forward to getting these out to the Iconic community in the future and you’ll be able to see more on Moto Market soon.
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. The production model’s engine was based on the XR45’s race-bred 130 hp unit. The 498cc, rotary valve, twin crank, two stroke, square four featured Mikuni 28mm flat-side carbs, an exhaust utilizing SAEC (Suzuki Automatic Exhaust Control), a six-speed cassette-style gearbox, and thermostatically controlled liquid-cooling. Elements such as the barrels and crankcases on the RG500 were virtually identical to those on the XR45, though a few changes were obviously made for the sake of the road-going model’s longevity.
The race-derived motor put down as much as 95 hp at 9,500 rpm and 53 ft-lbs of torque at 8,000 rpm. Weighing in at just 340 lbs dry, the RG offered a top speed of over 130 mph and could fire off quarter mile runs in 11-seconds flat. The Suzuki’s 16 inch front wheel held a set of twin 260mm discs and quad-piston calipers while the 17 inch rear hoop sported a single 210 mm disc with a dual-pot caliper.
Like the powertrain, the RG500’s frame was also borrowed straight off the race bike; a lightweight box-section aluminum alloy perimeter frame with a cast steering head that funneled air toward the carbs. Tacked onto the front was a set of 38mm forks with preload adjustment and Suzuki’s “POSI DAMP” anti-dive system, while out back the square section double sided alloy swingarm was hooked up to a full floating monoshock.
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.”
Manufactured in March 1987, this example is VIN: JS1HM31A8G2100906.
The odometer shows 8,637 miles.
Maintenance:
In preparation for the listing, the seller had us perform a safety inspection, we fitted new tires, flushed and refilled the cooling system, changed the transmission oil, cleaned and synced the carbs, fitted a new air filter, cleaned and adjusted the drive chain, flushed and replaced the front and rear brake fluid, and fitted a new battery. Our service department notes the following on their condition report:
Gas Tank Internal Condition: OK DIY LINER
Engine Oil Level: GOOD
Engine Oil Quality: NEW
2T Oil Level: GOOD
Coolant Level: GOOD
Coolant Quality: NEW
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: CLEANED AND LUBED
Headlight High Beam: PASS
Headlight Low Beam: PASS
Passing Light: N/A
Parking Light: PASS
Turn Signals: PASS
Tail Light: PASS
Brake Light (Front Switch): PASS
Brake Light (Rear Switch): PASS
Plate Light: N/A
Horn: PASS
Kill Switch: PASS
Brake Pad % Remaining Front: 80
Brake Pad % Remaining Rear: 80
Forks: OK
Shock/s: OK
Tire Date Code Front: 2424
Tire Date Code Rear: 4924
Tire % Remaining Front: NEW
Tire % Remaining Rear: NEW
Tire Press. Front: 33
Tire Press. Rear: 36
Battery Standing Voltage: 12.72V
Charging Voltage @ 4k RPM: 12.75V
Running Condition: RUNS
Test Ride Completed: YES
Test Ride Distance: 2
Modifications:
Not pictured, Lance Gamma pod filters, aftermarket shock, dual petcocks.
Brembo front brake calipers and steel braided brake lines.
Dymag carbon wheels.
Larger radiator.
Braced swingarm.
Anti-dive block off plates.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Michelin Pilot Power 2CT tires with date codes of 2424 and 4924.
The sale includes one key.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album in the “Photos” tab for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Currently located in Panorama City, California, (please make an appointment for an inspection) this Suzuki is offered on a clean Tennessee title. The Minnesota plate was from a previous owner and for display purposes only. Do you have any RG500 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
