This 1985 Yamaha RZ500RN is a bread-and-butter bike for us here at RSBFS. It’s an old, rare, iconic Japanese sportbike in excellent shape topped off with a few unique touches to separate it from the rest of its thin herd. What’s not to like? It has covered fewer than 5,000 miles (just over 7,000 kilometers) in its 33 years, and sports a raft of recent, but period-correct, mods. Oh, yeah, and a front fender signed by 500cc Grand Prix World Champion Kenny Roberts.
1985 Yamaha RZ500RN for sale on eBay
In addition to a recent .030-over rebuild and those lovely JL pipes, the bike wears immaculate paint, and all the plastic, rubber and vinyl surfaces show evidence that the machine was stored indoors and extremely well looked after. Aside from the pipes, the mechanical rebuild featured a carb rejetting, which should work with the exhaust to wake the bike up from its corked stock specifications.
Despite their winning lineage, wild engines and potential for pace, these bikes weren’t bought at the same fever pitch as their four-stroke stablemates, so finding them these days, especially ones this nice, is a feat. Prices have been a little across the map, but none can be had for cheap.
From the eBay listing:
FROM MY PRIVATE COLLECTION A PRISTINE HARD TO FIND 1985 YAMAHA RZ 500RN WITH A CLEAR FLORIDA TITLE.
I HAVE OWNED SEVERAL RZ’S/RZV”s AND THIS IS THE ONE THAT I KEPT FOR MYSELF.
RUNNING OUT OF SPACE FORCES ME TO PART WITH AND SHARE THE ENJOYMENT OF A FEW OF MY PRIZED COLLECTABLES.
THIS PIECE OF YAMAHA HISTORY THAT (NOT SOLD/OFFERED IN THE UNITED STATES) FEATURES LOW MILAGE 7423 KILOMETERS/4612 MILES (MILAGE IS IN KILOMETERS) IN IMMACULATE, PRISTINE CONDITION MY RZ 500RN HAS WORLD CHAMPION KENNY ROBERTS SR AUTOGRAPH ON THE FRONT FENDER, A PERFECT NOS FUEL TANK (THE BEST PAINT THAT I HAVE EVER SEEN), AND THE REST OF THE PAINT IS MUSEUM QUALITY.
FITTED WITH A PERIOD CORRECT J L EXHAUST, THE ENGINE WAS GONE THRU A FEW YEARS/250K AGO, WIESCO .030 PISTONS, NEW BEARINGS, SEALS AND GASKETS, CARBS RE-JETTED AND JUST THOROUGHLY CLEANED AND SYNCHRONIZED, NEW TIRES, A NEW LITHIUM BATTERY, THE HARD TO FIND OWNERS MANUAL, THE SOLO SEAT WITH EXACT MATCHING PAINT (THEY NEVER MATCH), NOS ROTORS AND PADS, REBUILT MASTER CYLINDERS, NOS TAIL LENS, NOS REAR TURN SIGNALS, NOS MORRORS
THE AUTOGRAPHED HELMET IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS AUCTION, BUT IS ALSO AVAILABLE. THE HELMET WAS SIGNED BY KENNY ROBERTS, EDDIE LAWSON, WAYNE RAINEY, JORGE LORENZO, ANDREA DOVISIOSO, BEN SPIES, AND ALVARO BAUTISTA, AND WES COOLEY. THE BEST IN THE WORLD. ALSO AVAILABLE ARE 2 NOS STILL IN THE BOX MID SECTION FAIRINGS.
THE BIKE LOOKS, RUNS, AND RIDES BETTER THEN NEW! THIS IS A MULTIPLE SHOW WINNER AND A VERY FUN BIKE TO RIDE.
I HAVE BEEN RIDING, RACING, COLLECTING AND RESTORING BIKES SINCE GRADUATING FROM AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE INSTITUTE IN DAYTONA BEACH IN 1980. I TAKE MUCH PRIDE IN THE FEW BIKES THAT I OFFER FOR SALE. ONLY THE BEST WILL DO IN MY MINI MUSUEM. SO BID WITH CONFIDENCE. THIS BIKE STARTS UP ON 1 KICK IDLES BETTER THEN WHEN NEW AND RUNS/RIDES LIKE A DREAM.
SERIOUS BUYERS ONLY PLEASE. $500 IMMEDIATE DEPOSIT THRU PAY PAL. THE BALANCE DUE WITHIN 3 DAYS CASH OR A WIRE TRANSFER. I CAN HOLD THE BIKE UP TO 30 DAYS IN MY SECURE CLIMATE CONTROLLED FACILITY. I CAN ALSO ASSIST IN SHIPPING ARRANGEMENTS. THE CLEAR TITLE WILL BE SENT VIA FED EX ALONG WITH THE KEYS AFTER FULL PAYMENT.
ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE CALL OR TEXT 954-816-0806 BOB
HAPPY BIDDING:) BID HIGH SO YOU DON’T MISS OUT.
The buy-it-now for this machine is set pretty close to as high as you’ll see them listed, but it does come with touches that similar machines can’t offer, and is in really nice shape.
Another seller doing his very best to oversell the bike. Pristine? No, not even close. Have we reached the point when sellers can say anything they want and buyers are supposed to believe it? Where to start with this “pristine” example…from the cheap aftermarket mirrors to the ridiculous dollar store front signals. From the bulbous aftermarket solo seat pad to the missing solo seat bobbins. From the mismatched paint to the poorly recovered seat. And on and on.
The seller claims the brake rotors are NOS. That may be true, but unfortunately, they are not RZ500 brake rotors. He makes that same NOS claim for the mirrors, which would have YAMAHA embossed on them if they were. They don’t. Cheap $20 aftermarket mirrors being passed off as very rare NOS mirrors. Perhaps someone should tell him that NOS implies New Old Stock as in Genuine Yamaha. Not new from an aftermarket source. And what’s with the black top clamp? A poor choice. A Canadian Spec bike based on what appears to be the round Transport Canada decal. If it is Canadian it is missing the rear side reflectors left and right. Incorrect fairing stay hardware, incorrect windscreen hardware, etc.
7286 KM? As has been said here many times, only a fool believes the odometer. The condition and engine description suggest that the actual kilometrage is not what is indicated and claimed. My personal belief is much more.
Nice pipes.
It is a nice bike. Showing its age, cared for to a degree, and obviously well used. It is not a pristine bike. Not close. I wish sellers would just tell the truth and let the condition speak for itself. Lately there has been a lot of overselling and bending of facts. I prefer to use lying but realize some may be offended.
I encourage all sellers to spend 2 minutes learning the definition of any word they don’t understand. Pristine: adjective; in its original condition; unspoiled. Clean and fresh as if new; spotless.
What on earth is going on with those front signals? ????
You gotta love the pipes 🙂
What JR said☝️
Cut rear fender, missing coolant bottle cap retainer, adjustment knob missing on right anti-dive unit, non-standard fairing hardware, missing rear footrests, zip ties holding fuel lines in place rather than correct metal clamps, looks like someone took a wire wheel to the VIN label, front master cylinder cap is wrong, Incorrect fuel tank front mounting hardware, the ignition switch on a 1GE bike should come to the top of the triple clamp bezel…it doesn’t, chain looks to be a few links short based on the position of the adjusters.
None of these are showstoppers, but all of these mean it isn’t what it is claimed to be. Most people looking for an RZ500 will be educated enough to see the flaws, but eBay being what it is, I expect someone is going to be a bit disappointed when this arrives at their door and isn’t what it was represented to be during the sale. On eBay…go figure.
Finding an uncut rear fender will be a chore and a costly one at that. Prices lately have been in the $400 – $500 range.
Points taken, but who says it has to be a stock bike or else it’s worthless. Mods that make the bike look better or run better are not a bad thing to many buyers who actually want to enjoy the bike by riding it rather than just collecting a stock example that never gets ridden. I’ve had a few rare bikes I’ve modified over time for better looks or performance, but I’m a rider first and foremost.
My argument was that it is not as it is claimed to be. As a rider it is fine, but don’t upsell it as pristine when clearly it is anything but pristine. Don’t claim it has NOS parts when clearly they are aftermarket. Honesty is a failing commodity these days. Point out the obvious flaws and at least give bidders a chance at seeing the bike for what it really is. At the asking price it should be much, much better than it is. Apparently honesty costs a little more.
I love reading detailed comments and observations on a specific rare model, from somebody who knows what he’s talking about. There’s so much that’s easily missed and flat out wrong, and the seller’s claims are quite misleading. I’d be hugely disappointed to have this bike delivered after what I’ve learned. And a rider’s permanent scribbled signature is not as important as the incorrect or missing parts on the bike! Much appreciated JR- thanks for taking the time for the education and insights.
Your’e all correct! We should just relegate this pile to the crusher… Sheeeesh…
I’m liking this bike, but in the $10,000 tops range.
It is a great candidate for a YZR build or a frequent track day/street rider – but certainly not collector or pristine $19,000 worth.
I am always on the prowl for potential projects… this one at a much more reasonable price could have been the one 🙂
If you feel the bike represents well at this price then pay the 19 large BIN and prove us all wrong. 🙂
Maybe if you add another $500 he’ll throw in the missing chain guard. It’s in pristine condition.
JR… you’re killin’ us ????
Excellent observations
Thank you ????
The buy-it-now was reduced to $18,500 and someone bought it. I hope the new owner didn’t buy into the flowery description and buy based on that information alone.
Lately RZ/RD/RZV500 prices have been rising, but typically for very nice factory correct bikes. Did that $18,500 price just set the new standard for a bike in that condition. If it did, everyone that owns an RZ500 just made money.