1985 Yamaha RZ-500

Original Condition And Titled RZ500 For The Taking

Ok RZ fans, this is one of those bikes.  If you have been waiting for an original condition RZ5oo to come along, take a look at this.  RZ500′s pop up for sale on a semi regular basis but ones that have not been tinkered with are a rare find indeed.  From the sound of it, this one has only had a set of aftermarket pipes installed and the jetting to go along with it.  You really have to look a the pictures.  This thing is 25 years old and look just look at those pictures with the bodywork off.  Clean as a whistle.  The bike only has 10,665 miles/kms (not sure which) as well.  The seller states that he is only the second owner of the bike and didn’t ride it much.  I believe him, the pictures don’t lie.

A thing of beauty:

Auction details:

This is the pride of my collection.  Clean Clear Legal New York state title in my name.  I have owned this RZ for a decade, and it spent most of its time just collecting dust.  This Spring I did all the service work to ride her this year but a leg operation ended that.  Service included: fork seals and carbs, air filter, brakes and fluid (front) and new tires.  Yes, the oil injection is working and other than the Spec 10 exhaust and jets, this RZ is 100% original, NOT a repaint, NOT restored!  YES, all lights and electronic work perfectly!  You can ride this bike anywhere!  Please look closely at all the pictures and watch BOTH VIDEOS to see what you are bidding on.  The TEST RIDE VIDEO demonstrates just how good (and fast) my bike runs.  I don’t need to tell you how rare this bike is and what it is worth.  I am not giving it away and you may call me  with your questions.  Shipping is at buyer’s expense.

As he states in the text be sure to link on over and see the videos he has included in the auction.  I know some clean/low mile RG’s have gone for over $10,000 lately.  I would assume this would fetch a similar price.  I would assume even with a saturated bike market this RZ will still command a high price.  You simply don’t find 25 year old bikes that have not been modified or molested.  To top it off it is a titled 4 cylinder two stroke!  Enough said.  Get the check book out, break out the credit card, sell the stock and jump on over and .

IK

Dan’s brain child, raresportbikesforsale.com, was born two years ago today!  To celebrate, Doug and I are sharing our favorite feature bike’s and what we think are the best values we’ve had!  We’ve come a long way in the past two years and we would like to thank everyone for their support. We hope our site continues to provide you with helpful information and, hopefully, the bike of your dreams!  On to the picks!

Alex’s Best Deal:

1985 Yamaha RZ500 In California For $1,800

The value of RZ500′s fluctuate with mileage, condition, and originality but, this bike was a steal no matter which category you focus on.  I have no reason to doubt this ad was genuine; the photos haven’t been seen before, the ad was up for a very short time and the ad was never seen anywhere else or at any other time.  I’ve seen a lot of stuff on Craigslist for more than $1,800 that I wouldn’t dare own or ride–this bike isn’t one of those things.  Twenty-five years later, this bike won’t be the fastest thing around the track, or the most composed, but it would be a blast and cooler than anything else with it’s asking price.  Regardless if this bike had a title or it’s actual condition, it was a steal even if you chose to part it out–a better deal than even the $900, 750 LE.  This bike is proof of why all of us scrounge Craigslist everyday looking for that elusive deal.

Alex’s Favorite Bike Overall:

2000 Cagiva Mito Evo II With Very Low Miles In California For $4,000

Now, I know, this bike isn’t the biggest, baddest, two-stroke to be produced but, the majority of the bikes we post on here are pure sex so some personal preference is the only thing that seems to separate desirable from black-market-organ-sale-worthy.  These little Cagiva’s are beat to hell in the UK/Europe but, here in America, we (I) lust over them like they were built by God’s–for surely they were.  I had an opportunity to purchase one of these in very similar condition and I still beat myself up, daily, for not going through with it.  A lightweight, 125cc two-stroke, with the looks of a Ducati but the sound of pure, you-can’t-smoke-in-here-sir, pleasure!  This looked to be a fantastic, completely original, example with less thank 1k km and was/is titled and registered in California.  I realize that both of my posts are two-strokes but realize, I’m just gearing up for this weekend!  See you at Miller!

AG

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Doug’s point of view-

I remember the day exactly… I was using Google to search for Rare Sport Bikes For Sale and I kept changing the keywords around to locate as many FZR 400′s and Zx7r’s that I could. I started getting pissed because I kept getting the same site popping up in the search results. That site? You guessed it RareSportBikesForSale.com. I told my wife “Hey, I just found this site that looks pretty cool, but some of the posts are old and the links broken.” Her response was half baked at best and she said “Just keep looking and you’ll find one.” Do you think she heard me? So back I went to searching and I found some pretty nice ones that day. My curiosity was getting the best of me so after searching on Google I went back to RSBFS and flipped through almost every page that was available. That was August 17th, 2009 and I submitted these to Dan for consideration.

Keep in mind at that time I wasn’t sure what or if any criteria existed for your submission to make the cut. So a few days pass and I was back on the prowl again for FZR 400′s. But, instead of 400′s I found a sweet, all original FZR 1000 and I thought “What the heck, I’ll submit it to that site again.” August 25th was the day that Dan posted the FZR1000 and August 27th was the day Dan gave me “his sales pitch”

Dan,

You mentioned helping with the site the other day, but have not responded to my response.. But, my curiosity is up now. What did you have in mind?

Doug

There’s the first email – I must have taken my stupid drug that day…..

Here’s the second email.

Doug,

Long story short, would you like to become a regular contributor to the site? I had been working on a plan to add 2-3 more authors when you went on your tear this week, so it seemed like maybe my first new author might be you! I’m looking for authors who are passionate about rare sporting motorcycles who can make a commitment.

Other obligations will include helping to grow traffic to the site, joining the blogging community by monitoring other sites for opportunities, social media, etc… Time commitments will vary. For instance, I can make a post in about 20 minutes, but it will probably take you twice as long as you get started. The other obligations will probably account for about an hour a week. But the good news is that we work together and I can assist getting you up to speed where needed.

Sincerely,

Dan Crouch, owner of MotoringBlogs

Okay, let’s see
1. Passionate – Check!
2. Commitment – Check!
3. 20 minutes per post – Check!
4. 1 hour extra per week – Check!

So, from 8.27 to 8.31 I spent most of my waking hours stumbling through HTML code that I knew and still don’t know anything about My first mock up post was of a 1992 ZX7r K2, but my first real post was a Ducati 916 And as they say “The rest is history!”

As for Dan’s criteria and quoted time allotments- well…. Yes, I’m passionate, I’m definitely committed (or you wouldn’t be reading this), 20 minutes per post.. HA!, 1 hour per week is more like 10 hours per week. But, I enjoy all them all…

I’ve been trying to think of my own personal favorite post and as best that I can remember it would be this one of a 1098R or of this K1 The K1 post was especially exciting for me since these are my favorite scooter and because this one pulled such a high bid. I now own one of these and it will be a sad, sad day when I have to sell it.

I would like to say that my favorite duty working for RSBFS is being site supervisor and getting the opportunity to chat with our viewers. I’ve had the pleasure of speaking to and befriending people from all over the world. That’s right, if you were unaware or just never give it any thought, we have viewers from every continent on the planet and I now have friends in Australia, England, Hong Kong and Corvallis, OR. But the absolute best benefit from being involved with the site??? You get first dibs on the bikes we love and can’t get enough of. Below are my two favorites that I now own and found because of RSBFS

So my first 9 months authoring for RSBFS have been great and I’m glad to be a part of it. I appreciate Dan affording me the opportunity and I look forward to the future when our site can offer more information and be the only place to look for “Rare Sport Bikes For Sale”.

Cheers!

Doug

Available in California is a RZV500R; the lightweight, domestic market, version of the RZ500.  Located in Salinas, California is a 1984 Yamaha RZV500R with no mileage listed.  This bike has no paperwork and lacks any in depth description other than that it “…is near showroom condition.”

The RZV bested the standard RZ with an aluminum frame,  different forks, aluminum clip-ons and some other additional items bringing the weight down to 20lbs under a stock RZ.  However, everything wasn’t rosy with the motor also de-tuned for the Japanese market and limited to only 64hp.  The asking price for this example is $9,995: Putting it solidly in the middle of what we’ve seen for standard RZs.  However, this bike would be one very special two stroke if you could remove the limiter (new exhaust perhaps) and find the title for it, then I’d expect to see the asking price moving with a strong upward trend depending on mileage. See this bike on Craigslist here.

AG

1984 Yamaha RZ 350 with only 7,887 miles.

Located in Indianapolis, IN is this fine example of a cult classic. We’ve documented RZ’s several times on RSBFS and this one is a sure fit and looks great. The description says is been stored for several years, but has been started from time to time. Although, this usually helps it is by no means a replacement for real maintenance. I’ve imported a few pictures, but there are more to be had over on ebay. You can view the rest by clicking

Quotes from the listing:

This motorcycle has been sitting in storage for more than 10 years. The bike had been started and run around the neighborhood a couple of times a year. The bike has the following performance mods: 32mm carbs, Booster bottle, Aftermarket “Factory Pipe Products” exhaust sytem. Other aftermarket items: K&N air filters, steering stabilizer, low bars, mirrors, modified turn signals and a solo rear seat fairing (not attached). Motorcycle has new battery, brake pads. Front Master Cyl. rebuilt along with front calipers. Braided brake lines front and rear. Carbs cleaned and new floats, float needle and main jets. Gas tank was resealed by RZ Unlimited. This bike is a full fairing. Rear tire has about 50% tread left but front tire is cracked and needs to be replaced. Can deliver up to 100 miles at .75 per mile R/T.

I’ve never had the opportunity to ride one of these little beast, but I hear that they were ill handling at best. Maybe that is why they had such a short life cycle in the states. Whatever the case may be this one looks like it could be brought back to life with a little time and effort.

Cheers!

dd

1985 RZ500 Hybrid  Track/Street Bike In Florida

Here is a rather interesting RZ500 hybrid looking for a new home.  It’s got a little of everything on it but it has one very important thing for us two stroke fanatics: a title.  That is a tasty custom swing arm sitting there and with a nice paint scheme that YZR replica bodywork would look great.  A lot has been done do this bike so I’ll let the seller explain:

Time to settle and cash out. 1985 RZ500. ZXR750 forks,Marchasini front 3.5 rim with brembo brakes and cast iron rotors,GSXR 5.5 rear rim withm modified cush drive in a Custom swing arm. Steel re-enforced frame @ main frame. Engine has fresh top end with 32mm flat slides,Bodywork is YZR500 fairing with air tech seat assembly. Fresh slicks on her, a full un opened 55 drum of MS109 VP fuel, and here is the rather cool part…With a few zues fastners and one bracket I made for the tail assembly its street legal,….OK so its a rather odd machine but its titled and has seen some street miles. Instrumentation consists of a tach and temp gauge.
I do not care if it sells but if you wish to have it it is available. I last ran it a bit over a year ago at Jennings and while it won both classes its was not what I expected and lost interest in my vintage conquest. Right now it is collecting dust in a conditioned space waiting to be gone over or loved on.
Paint is in decent condition and spares consist of sprockets and a spare set of YZR bodywork depending on interest.

 

 

The seller is asking $7500 and he sounds pretty firm on that.  In the two stroke market I consider a title worth somewhere between $1500 and $2000.  So factor that into your equation when you consider if the price is right.  Obviously the bike is currently set up for the track.  It would take a little work getting her ready for the street but the owner has done the hard part already with the title.  This bike is probably not for the collectors out there but is for the guy who wants to wring a two strokes neck every weekend.   Tear up that Sierra Club membership and come join us on the dark, or shall I say smokey, side.  The owner sums it all up perfectly with a saying under his avatar on the WERA forum:  ”Valves are for toilets!”   The bike is listed for sale on the WERA two stroke forum.

 IK

This RZ500 isn’t perfect but, it’s available at a very good price.  Located in Chandler, Arizona is a Yamaha RZ500 with 50,000km (31,000mi).  This bike is titled and registered in Arizona.  The bike does have higher mileage, starts and runs but, has some running issues.  The side fairing and some spares are also included in the price.  This bike is for someone who can do their own work and would like a big RZ at a very good price.  Don’t think this bike is perfect though as the seller states that it is far from it however, money talks and this one speaks quite well.  If you doubt that this is a good price, see what we have posted in the past here as we see a couple of these a month.  See the bike on Craigslist here.

AG

This RZ500 has some very nice modern updates!  Located in Boynton Beach, Florida is a 1985 Yamaha RZ500.  What’s better than dropping a two-stroke motor in a modern chassis?  Well, this seller found out that it can be very nice to use modern components while maintaining the look of a classic bike.  This RZ has been fitted with modern bits in the form of a 2009 R6 front end (Blue fender is still attached), R6 rear wheel, and Aprilia rear swing arm.  Other improvements include Hyperpro rear shock and Jim Lomas SS exhaust.  All the original parts are also included with the sale.  The bike also has new paint.  Not only does this bike look like a 500GP bike with that rear swing arm, I bet it rides beautifully too.  The seller states that more than $25,000 has gone into this bike and I don’t doubt that number if this work was done in a shop.  The asking price is $14,000; about where we’ve seen low mile, completely original, bikes priced.  This bike isn’t original but it is designed for an owner who will use their RZ on back roads more than at bike nights.  If you’d like to ride a modernized big two-stroke, see this RZ on Craigslist here.

AG

We always love a RZ500 and here is another one in California.  Located in the San Fernando Valley of California is a 1985 Yamaha RZ500 with 24,000 miles.  The seller dosen’t say much about the bike other than that it is completely original–however, it does have aftermarket turn signals–having never been raced or dropped.  The seller states that it has been in storage for 10 years.  If it just came out of storage it is obviously going to need to be gone through.  The seller is very realistic, based on the mileage and that it was recently removed from storage, as he is asking a very decent $6,500.  If you have no problem cleaning carbs, possibly some surface corrosion, and dirt; this could be a very fun bike that you’d have no fear of loosing money on.  See the bike on Craigslist here.

AG

A RZ500 in Montana that looks to be in very good condition!  Located in Missoula, Montana is a 1985 Yamaha Rz500.  This bike looks to be titled and registered.  The bike is said to have been restored in 2002 with the current owner then acquiring it in 2004.  The seller states this bike has 11,000 miles since rebuild so it may be–probably is–a high mileage bike.  The listing is sparse but as always if you’re looking for a RZ500…

Some tasty information about the RZ500:

This hot pipe dream came to life is pretty much a road-going replica of the factory Yamaha OW80 now leading the 500 road racing World Championship. Like the OW, the RZ has an aluminum chassis, a V-four, two-stroke, water-cooled, reed-valve engine, a sideloader gearbox, Power Valve cylinders, magnesium side cases, and, above all, the look of the $1000-a-pound missile which rolled so very carefully to European start grids. Pipes jutting from everywhere, aluminum mufflers, eye-trapping detail in the footpeg plates, alloy foot controls, streamlining in team paintwork.

The RZ500 is light and powerful 413 pounds dry and near 90 bhp. When the technology went in, the weight came out out of every part. Road racing over the last five years has been a hothouse of design competition, producing not only innovation but also attention to detail making earlier work look coarse. Engineers questioned every use of material in this machine. Fasteners are down-sized. Thinwall castings abound. Traditional parts have oozed into new forms just a bit lighter, easier to make accurately, and better in function. The result is a street motorcycle weighing only about 100 pounds more than its parent racer. See this forged aluminum kick-start lever folded shyly away behind the fairing? It weighs nothing in comparison to the steel part on the old RDs. And just as on the real racers, covers have the official “MAGNESIUM” cast into them for the skeptical.

Even if you cannot ride a motorcycle you should still own a RZ500 just to admire it’s beauty first-hand!  See this one on Craigslist here.

AG

1985 Yamaha RZ 350 with nice upgrades for sale in Chico California.

This RZ belongs to a reader who asked us to help him sell it. So naturally we going to do our best to accommodate the request.

From time to time we come across RZ’s that are all stock, with super low miles, and are meant to be in a museum and enjoyed by paying patrons on a Sunday afternoon. This RZ is a fine looking piece of machinery, but has been enjoyed by riding it over the years and has been loved on by its most recent owner. Check out what the owner has to say about his baby. Owner is asking $4,500.00 and it seems to be on the lower end of RZ’s we’ve posted. So, if you’re interested in a RZ that you can ride and not feel guilty about here is the Craigslist ad contact information.

The motor has been freshened and has 30mm Mikuni’s prepped by spec 2. Never been wrecked that I can see and I am an expert as far as that goes. The bike starts and runs perfectly. The paint job is not original but it was done well. It was done long before I purchased the bike and I’ve just kept it clean and waxed. There are a few chips here and there but there are no dents. The bike gets stares every time I ride it.

I enjoy posting up these older 2 strokes because it gives me a reason to dig around on youtube and find videos of these bikes on the dyno or doing high speed passes. Either one makes the hair raise on the back of my neck and really gets amp’d up.

Here’s one of an RZ at full tilt on the dyno. It’s worth a look and a listen.

This next video is worth a look as well. The rider has his RZ dialed in and takes it to red line in the lower 4 gears and it screams almost as much as Ivan from FFDP.

Cheers!

dd