Same Goal, Different Path: Heavily Modified 1985 Yamaha RZ500
Seriously kitting up an RZ500 is the goal of many a RZ500 owner. Most are after that elusive goal of turning their RZ into the YZR500 replica that Yamaha never produced. I’ve seen everything from custom frames to WSB spec suspension. It looks like this owner is a horsepower junkie and has thrown the bulk of his money at the engine.
I’m wanting more. Not more horsepower but more pictures of this engine that the seller has invested in. The seller states he has invested over $6,000 into what Yamaha started. You’ll notice below it is set up for pre mix. Be careful my friends, no one wants to grenade an engine with that much invested.
Some highlights on said engine:
Tuned engine: The Motor has been completely rebuilt and performance ported and tuned by Martin Marino of Mad Man Engineering. Dynos at 101 hp and 56 ft pounds on pump gas . ( I can’t find the Dyno sheet, … so you will have to trust me on the numbers)
28mm Mikuni flat slides with individual K&N filters, set up for pre-mix,
Transmission rebuilt and back cut gear dogs (eliminates chance of a between gear shift, total cost at $900.00. work done by Bill Wilson of Wilsonperformance.net),
Jolly Moto GP pipes with Carbon Fiber Silencers.
EGT (Exhaust Gas Temp gauge) rear cylinders to assure proper fuel / air mixture.
The chassis hasn’t been neglected. I think you can see with a quick glance that there are some tweaks here.
Chassis highlights:
Ohlin rear shock
SV wheel conversion with Pirelli Super Corsa DOTs with 95%+ tread, ,
GSXR front end with upgraded internals, 6 piston calipers with Spiegler pads and braided brake lines front and rear,
Reinforced rear swing arm, Battery eliminator (however the LED lights work better with the battery), custom Carbon Fiber dash with 2, LED tail / brake lights with integrated turn signals.
There is a little Swedish tech hiding in there.
Is there really anything more bad ass than a 500cc two stroke from the rear? Do you like the numbers: 370lbs wet and 101Hp?
It looks like the owner is ready to sell. He has set a high BIN of $14,000 but he says that is on purpose because he’d like you to contact him with offers due to the fact that there is a lot he can add or subtract from the sell. Don’t waste your time. Jump to the auction and send the man an email.
Ian
Another good looking RZ500 modder, however I feel its important to set the record straight about these awesome bikes.
I dont like how many current sellers and owners of these bike under specify the weight. No way that bike weighs 370lbs fueled up.
My YZR replica comes in at 376lbs fueled up ready to go. That includes full light weight FRP bodyork, magnesium front wheel, no sidestand, no seat, no dashboard (tach only), no front fairing bracket and stock headlight delete, Jolly Moto pipes and super lightweight Michelin Pure One tyres, cut down sprocket cover and a couple of other “item deletes” that have left the bike far less streetable than this one.
I would estimate this bike as pictured to be more like 395lbs soaking wet and that is being optimistic.
Other than that it is a great base to build your own YZR replica from, or just simply restore to factory condition.
Now that the details have been explained, head over to FleaBay and buy the damn thing, we can’t have yet ANOTHER running RZ500 bought up and parted out by a bike scrap dealer so I hope a rider buys it.
Good stuff RC. I always like to hear from actual owners.