When the mind turns to imported motorcycles, the smell of castor oil wafts in the air. Such is the case in the United States at least, as most smokers were phased out of EPA nomenclature by the end of the 1970s. Two strokes were still being built and sold elsewhere however, and among the Holy…
Yamaha’s two-stroke Grand Prix replica went by a few different names, depending on where it was sold: RD500LC in Europe, RZV500R for the Japanese market, and RZ500 in Canada and Australia. You’ll note that nowhere do we mention which version we got here in the USA. The reason? We didn’t: this wild, two-stroke four-cylinder was…
We generally try to post relatively stock, good-condition bikes here on CSBFS but, every once in a while, we like to throw you guys a curve ball, and this highly-modified Yamaha RZ500 certainly qualifies as that. At a glance, there’s little left of the original, two-stroke GP-replica bike but the changes should make the bike…
The two-stroke race-replicas like this Yamaha RZ500 represent a brief, very exciting time in motorcycling. The 1980s were a difficult time for bikes as well as cars: technology was leaping forward while emissions legislation stifled performance at the same time it attempted to save the planet. Eventually, manufacturers would find ways to work within or…
Here’s a great looking, unrestored, Japanese market RZV500. The biggest difference between the RZ500 and RZV500 is the aluminum frame and even smaller production numbers compared to the ROW models. Mileage is a mere 7,400 and with 5 days remaining on the auction, the current bid is a little over $10k, reserve not met. dc…
After the late 1970’s domination of the 500cc Grands Prix by Yamaha and Kenny Roberts, and the ’80s comeback and 1984 championship with Eddie Lawson aboard, Yamaha introduced a racey 500cc two-stroke for the street. Known variously as the RZ500 and the RD500LC, the bike was never available for U.S. dealers ( though many have…
RZ500’s are one of the most popular bikes sought after by our readers, but the RZV500 is even more rare in the states. The most notable difference is the use of an aluminum frame vs. a painted steel frame that reportedly saves nearly 30lbs. Other differences include a front fork that is adjustable for air…
Located in Japan is an ultra-rare (at least in the US) aluminum framed RZV500R. Like most bikes we see from this part of the world, some wear, tear and weathering are par for the course. Not listed as pristine, far from perfect and far, far away from state side smoker fans, this one will have…