Update 12.31.2014: We first saw this GP replica in July when it failed to get any action with an opening bid of $26k. It’s back on eBay now with a buy-it-now of $24,500. Happy New Year everyone! -dc
This Yamaha YZR500 GP Replica is the rarest of the rare, a one-of-a-kind opportunity to buy a one-of-a-kind motorcycle. Meant to recreate Yamaha’s iconic year 2000 OWK6 racing machine in the classic Marlboro livery, this bike may not be the original article, but is a hugely impressive machine in terms of the enthusiasm and money invested. Powered by a tuned 500cc V4 two-stroke engine and suspended by Yamaha R6 bits, with an authentic replica frame and bodywork, this might be the closest you’ll ever get to riding an actual GP machine.
I am no expert on these bikes, so I’d love to see the peanut gallery weigh in as to the accuracy of this replica. I’ve been next to full-on WSB and Moto GP motorcycles and it’s always interesting to me how they still basically look like motorcycles. Racing cars, especially Formula 1 machines, really look nothing like actual cars, aside from the four round rubber bits. But racing motorcycles? It’s the details that really impress, since they have the same basic silhouette as their road-going counterparts, but chock-full of amazing details.
From the original eBay listing: 2000 Yamaha YZR500 GP Replica for Sale
A replica of the legendary Yamaha YZR500 from year 2000. Based on a chassi handbuilt in aluminium by Mick Costin “Costin motorcycle enginering” Sydney Australia. An exact replica but made to accept the Yamaha RD500LC 2 stroke v4 engine. Also rear sets and suspension linkages comes from Mick. This one has a 1985 1GE engine rebuilt with new bearings, oil seals, clutch, pistons, and it is tuned “TSI mods” done by Orluff racing in sweden. 1 mm overbore. Samco silicon hoses for the modified Yamaha R6 radiator, Jim lomas custom made exhausts in stainless steel with carbon silencers. New Mikuni TM28 flatslide carburettors with new K&N Filters. The bike was run in a dyno bench in may 2014 and has 99 hp on the rear wheel. Forks, triple clamps, swingarm, rims and rear brakes comes from a 2006 Yamaha R6. Rear shock and front fender in carbon comes from a Yamaha TZ250, PVM radial front brake master cylinder, goodridge steel brake hoses to tociko 4 pot calipers. Galfer wave brake discs front and rear, new galfer brake pads, Fuel tank is a heavy modified unit from a VFR400 nc30 with a Pingel dual outlet fuel tap. Fairings are copys in glasfiber made by Motoforza from a 2000 YZR500 painted in Marlboro red. Standard RD 500 tacho and temp gauge, New Regina 520 chain and Afam alu sprockets, Only scrubbed in Michelin power supersport tires, The bike has only been ridden twice since it was built. I have many more pictures taken from building this bike that i will send to seriosly intrested buyer.
I’m seriously impressed with the dedication and money that went into creating this motorcycle, but I’m not actually sure what you’d do with this thing after you buy it: it’s not the genuine article, so it’s a tough call for collectors, and it’s very, very pricey for a track day or vintage racing junky. On the plus side: you can actually ride it, without worrying you’ll crash a priceless and historic racebike.
Or maybe, if you live in a more permissive state, it can, as the seller mentions, be registered for road use… How hilarious would that be? Suction cup a little projector-beam headlamp and a bicycle taillight, a pair of LED turn signals… I’d read recently that Britain actually has a special “track bike” MOT that allows limited use of track day bikes lacking the usually required road equipment to get to and from the racecourse during daylight hours.
It’s certainly a very nice curiosity, and one I hope finds the right buyer. At $27,000 with the Reserve Not Met, that’s going to be a tall order. Please also note that the bike is currently in Sweden, if you didn’t notice the non-USA license plates on the cars in the background of the photographs. Regardless, there’s very little time left on this auction, so move quickly if you want to get your hands on this one-of-a-kind motorcycle!
-tad
What frame do you think TZR 3MA?
Ah read the whole post… Costin frame. Wonder why it’s never been ridden?
It looks like it did see some track time during the build: there are several shots in the original listing of it on-track, but unpainted. So at least it looks like it should work there.
I especially like the zip-ties holding the expansion chambers on. Ultra trick.
^^^^ Hahaha! I was thinking the same thing.
I am familiar with this bike, it was sold about 5 years ago. It was stored outside in some Island in the pacific, very neglected condition. The new owner has given it the TLC it deserves. I saw a thread where he did the rebuild. No expense was spared. A lot of new parts, nothing left undone. Look on Costin web site, the bike is featured after he built it. It was one of his first builds. If the bike was in the US I know several people who would pay 30k happily for a complete Costin YZR 500 replica.
Love the look and Costin frame, don’t love the zip ties and 99hp…
hmmm, someday when I win the lottery and money is no object, get this or the Ronax 500? decisions…decisions…
its hard to get big hp from the rz motor. I had a yzr500 replica which I built. I had the motor sent to madman engineering who did everything possible to it. It ran on race gas only with big compression, and still wasn’t as strong as my rg500. Hence, a big bore ported Rick Lance motor in the costin frame would be the ticket.
Have to agree with you Jeff. I have owned many RZ500 and RG500. For the money they want, you can make a much better bike, even with a low cost RG400 motor. Most people agree that the RG500 performance is much better. Whenever I see JL pipes on a bike I question the judgement of everything else. I have experience with the Lomas pipes on the RG and RZ and they are awful, IN MY OPINION! The Costin frame is awesome, the rest of the bike is crap.
I bought this chassi new from mick! 4 years ago. Zip ties are not there now i promise you, picture taken a long time ago. The bike is just ready and thats the problem for me. I need a new project.
//Tommy
Why all the hate? Even if it is 6 month old hate.. “rest of the bike is crap” is a pretty broad smelly brush.
LOL.
These and any replica based on the RG400/500 are always going to be expensive to build and simple money pits. The $20k or $30k purchase price is cheap if aligned with the parts list, but expensive if weighed against what is being purchased.
These GP replicas we build are like those crazy custom SS engines choppers – fun to build, but not often lived with after the build.
http://www.alienracing.net/bikes.html
Seems ATR know how to get good power from this motor; 122 should be able to get most peoples attention.
I don’t understand the hate either. Big up to the builder for putting together such a special. Bet it’s a hoot to ride. I’d be fine that it’s not the real deal 170-180 hp GP motor. That would be a nice museum piece but useless to ride. Practically non existent parts when new and a penchant for spitting and tossing far more talented riders than any bloke who would likely sling a leg over an old retired GP mule or replica like this. No this would be fun. 100hp of 2 stroke fun that will run for more than a weekend without a rebuild. I bet this is light. I wonder how light? Figuring that it’s basically an R6ish chassis in track trim with a 2 stroke motor I’m guessing maybe 300ish lbs? 300lbs/100hp? Fun. Maybe that suggestion of titling it and getting some minimal signal lights would make it a very fun back roads ride. As a track toy it might be problematic. You’d get all sorts of people saying they blew by a Yamaha 500GP bike on their cheap as chips commonplace 600’s. Then you’d have to explain that it’s not really a 500GP bike but just looks like one. Probably not a special feeling. Cool bike all the same.
I had a standard rz500 and it was a fun bike. This would be even more so as it looks bloody great.
Such a great bike. Too bad they want to sell it, with all the blood, sweat, and tears put into it
Zip ties are custom; they look to be the heat resistant speed ones.
You have to ride one of these before passing judgement. Comparing a well sorted bike like this to a modern 750/600 is like comparing a KLR650 to KTM250 two stroke. They look similar and that’s about it. Ones all about power to weight and ones basically a commuter bike. Sure the commuter bike is “faster” but who cares?
The JL pipes are a warning sign for me, they look good but are awful in my opinion, esp for the RZ500. Wonder if you replace the engine with a RG400 or RG500, even the 400 will outperform the RZ500.