When it comes to the big, road-going two strokes, the RG500 Gamma usually tops the list as the smoker that is most like its GP counterpart. Arguably the sharpest and strongest of the two strokes offered during this era – and never officially imported into the United State – the Gamma has grown to legendary status as a rider as well as a collector. This particular example touts a nearly-impossible-to-get California title, which for the denizens of the Golden State will sell organs and first born children.
1986 Suzuki RG500 Gamma for sale in California
From the seller:
Here is the ultra rare 1986 RG500 suzuki Gamma! This bike has had a lot of money put into it! Starts first kick! Runs great! This bike has had a bunch of lance gamma work done to it, like his custom reinforced swing arm, carb check ball valve, jets and air filter kit, custom chambers as they weave between each other under the gas tank (was told they might be mark dent?) I can not confirm that as all of this work was done in the 90’s including custom battery relocation with built in oil tank with clear hose on the side to show level. Large suzuki wheels with nice big rubber, custom gsxr front end with dual disks and tokico breaks on front and stock gamma on rear with new lines. This bike was in a private collection with some really amazing bikes keeping it company when I found it. This bike comes with clean California title and non op registration as it has not seen road use since 1996!
The seller has produced a “start up” video of the bike. The video definitely shows the less than museum quality condition of the plastics & paintwork, and some of the camera angles may induce nausea for those with motion sickness. But crank up the sound and listen to the glorious soundtrack of a rotary valve, square four two stroke!
Bidding has been brisk in the auction thus far – so there is clear interest in the bike. There is a reserve in place and the current bid has just crossed over the $5k mark. The bike does not appear to be street legal currently (missing headlight and mirrors), and as such is likely more a “work in progress” for those looking to show it off on the street. Still, we don’t see many Gammas these days (there can never be enough!), and fewer still with CA plates and title. Check it out here.
MI
I was hoping you would post this RG. I believe there will be a few comments and they will be interesting!
A CA title is merely a loophole. The bike looks terrible too.
I’m always keen to jump on a comment about CA/2 stokes/loophole….so forgive me for bringing up the topic up again. I guess I remain hopeful that someone has figured out how to get around this.
Question: what did you mean by CA title is merely a loophole?
Any info is always welcome.
if the motorcycle was plated before 2001 and it has a record still in place with cali dmv it is street legal…if you try and plate any two stroke bike in cali regardless of 17 digit vin or 11 digit vin it will not pass chp inspection or dmv inspection so just forget about it ,its never gonna happean , very little chp inspectors or dmv workers are willing to risk their jobs to help strangers or aquaintances get a cali plate on a bike that will not pass inspection,,,just buy one that already has a plate and has a history of being registered
a lot of people in cali really don’t take the opportunity to buy a plated bike sometimes, wishing to plate more pristine bikes that don’t have titles or records,,a waste of money and time on something that cant be plated, atleast not here in cali
as for loopholes the only loophole is to buy a bike that already has a cali title
Which is exactly my experience, and why I check every-time someone brings the topic up as if it’s a technicality. I’ve had a couple of friends duped into buying 2 strokes on the story that there is a loophole somewhere…..and there just isn’t.
Thanks for clearing it up Smokey.
@ you guys on loophole.
http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=278149&highlight=RGV
Thanks Linny. As I understand it, if the bike was legally sold in the US and has a valid registration you are fine. If it was a grey import and somehow got a title, you could have a problem. Hence looking for 2 strokes that were both legally imported AND have a current title is the goal. Riding any other model on the road is taking a risk of impound.
It’s not quite as simple as the bike having a title. And riding hwy9 in the Bay Area is likely to bring you in contact with very knowledgeable LEO’s.
Not sure about this one, but I’m bidding anyway, could use a project. 🙂