Posts tagged as “Yamaha”

Rare Zoot -1985 Yamaha RZ500

Published May 16, 2023 by Mike

Originally available in Canada as one of those morsels of forbidden sport fruit taunting US riders from just over the border, this 1985 Yamaha RZ500 now resides in the US of A down Florida way and is looking for a new home. Sporting updated expansion chamber pipes, a steering damper and a few more stickers than your average display queen, this RZ looks to be largely uncut and in good shape for the approximately 18,600 miles shown on the all KM clocks. The big V4 RZ two-stroke is getting more and more rare as the years go by, so finding one to love and to hold can be a daunting task.

1985 Yamaha RZ500 for sale on eBay

From the seller:
Rare Canada model rz500 ,not rz350 rzv500 rd500 , clear title in my name ready for transfer , runs rides shift as it should has performance pipes and air filters , see stock components in pictures , comes with support products see pictures also a new body in box that i got out of florida / not china . it does have new tires ,brakes and fully serviced ready to ride . I did not think i would ever sell this bike as it always was a dream bike but ordered a new dodge demon 170

The seller has posted a video of the bike showing its condition in a walkaround format. You can watch the video on YouTube HERE

From a pricing perspective the big RZ is an ever-appreciating asset. The market has yet to top out on these, and we have seen them hovering just under – as well as over – the $20k mark for some time. This particular example is being offered in a Buy It Now only format, with the price set at $25,150. The seller is open to offers, however, so there may be room to move if you are looking to move one of these smokers into your stable. You can check out all of the details here, and Good Luck!!

Find cool RZ500 parts and spares on eBay!

3 Responses. Join the Discussion!

Parallel Universe – 1982 Yamaha RD350LC

Published April 14, 2023 by Mike

For a significant number of riders across a wide swath of age ranges, the Yamaha RD series represents the pinnacle of the adolescent hoonabike. Sporting a minimalist profile with sporting intent, the lightweight two stroke twin has been a longstanding favorite – be it the classic air cooled RD, the not-imported-into-the-US liquid cooled RD-LC, or the scant few years of the RZ. Today’s example is a beautiful Canadian RD350LC, imported, titled and ready to rip.

1982 Yamaha RD350LC for sale on eBay

Much of what makes the RD series so much fun is what isn’t there; namely weight. Just 315 pounds dry, the RD gains only a few pounds fully burdened for battle with a little bit of water and a tank of fuel on board. Those sub 330 pounds are pushed along by nearly 50 angry bees worth of ponies, all bolted to a decently stiff mild-steel frame with a single shock rear suspension adjustable for preload. From those basic bits comes a whole lot of fun. This is riding at its most basic; just you keeping the tach above 6k or so, and the RD gobbling up the corners.

From the seller:
1982 Yamaha RD350Lc numbers matching Import from Canada. Clean Florida Title.
29k speedometer is in kilometers
Runs perfect fully dialed in
Repainted tank (BD cycles)
New brakes front and rear
New brake lines
New rear bushes
New tires front and rear Avon / Bridgestone
carbs refurbished with all new jets
New intake mounts
New Dynatek Coil and leads
New seat cover
New clutch springs and bolts
New neutral switch plate
New radiator (additional capacity)
New battery
New fuse box
Powderedcoated side covers exhaust in high heat
calipers fresh rebuild new master cylinder
Complete tune up runs perfect must see very rare
clean florida title in my name

These LC models of the RD series pre-dated the RZ, and 1982 predated the use of the Yamaha Power Valve System (YPVS) which was to come one year later. This bike looks quite nice, although we would love to see more pictures of it. The seller clearly has some two-wheeled taste by the looks of some of the other iron in that garage. This bike has a starting bid of $9500. Given the prices of RZs these days, that might not be too far off the mark for a clean import. Zero bids as of yet, but you can check out all of the details here – including a walk around video. Good Luck!!

3 Responses.

All The Carbon: 2016 Yamaha R1M

Published April 9, 2023 by William

One could be mistaken to think that RSBFS has some kind of bias towards Italian motorcycles. Well maybe not completely wrong, but exotic bikes come from other places too. Case and point is the Yamaha R1M. Not just the basic, but also well respected R1, the M adds carbon, Ohlins and more. Think of it in terms of the Honda SP, Ducati S/R or other special editions offerings.

This example is not your factory original as it left the factory bike. It has a laundry list of expensive upgrades that really should sharpen an already sharp riding experience. No word on if the OEM parts are included in the sale, but it is a safe bet that most that would be interested in such a bike would want to ride it as intended. This bike has over 35k miles and should be viewed as a badge of honor. One can only hope that the next owner continues the trend of use and enjoyment.

From The Seller’s eBay Listing:

1. Full Carbon Fiber Fairing Body Kit ($3000)
2. BST Carbon Fiber Wheels ($3500)
3. Austin Racing Titanium Exhaust ($1200)
4. ECU Flash-Tune Performance ($800)
5. Brembo Master Cylinder / Lever ($500)
6. TransLogic Performance Shift Kit {up & down} [GP Setup] ($400)
7. Motion Pro Short Throttle ($200)
8. Attack Performance Rear Sets ($600)
9. LighTech Chain Adjuster ($300)
10. LighTeach Bar Ends ($100)
11. Stealth Mirrors / Block Off Plates ($150)
12. Wireless Tire Pressure Monitoring ($60)
13. ThreeD Chain 525 Z Series X, Ring ($300)
14. Superlite RSX Rear Sprocket (43) ($200)
15. Saddlemen Smart Comfort Foam Seat ($300)
16. Rear Eliminator Kit ($100)
17. CustomLED Rear Integrated Tail LIght ($150)
18. CustomLED Front Integrated Turn Signals ($60)
19. LED Volts Battery Meter ($25)
20. Cox Racing Radiator and Oil Cooler Guard ($100)
21. Helmet Lock ($70)
22. Pazzo Clutch Lever ($100)
23. Hotbodies GP Dark Tent Wndscreen ($100)
24. BMC High Performance Air Filter ($80)
25. Graves Block Off Plates ($60)
26. New Dunlop RoadSport II Tires ($250)
27. New Coolant Change ($60)
28. New Brake Pads ($60)
29. New Oil Change ($100)
30. New Battery ($100)

INVESTED: $10,000+

Very well maintained motorcycle.
Oil change every 3000 miles
Stock clutch
Stock motor

I am the second owner of my R1M, bought in 5/18.

My R1M has been an excellent, most exciting and powerful motorcycle to me.

I have had lots of enjoyments traveling the country on my R1M:
California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Oregon, Florida, and Arkansas.
With No issues whatsoever!!!
Hints: The mileage

I really like my R1M, but I’m planning on relocating outside the USA, so I have to let my R1M go.

The listing is devoid of a Buy It Now price, so we will have to wait a couple of days before knowing if the market and the sellers expectations can be combined. Mileage will surely scare many buyers away, but shouldn’t. These are balanced and beautiful machines that were built to be out on the road. Obviously it will be hard to value. Modifications normally do not add any value, and often from a collectable point of view reduce value, but in this case the changes feel “right”. Seller will only get pennies on the dollar spent, but the next owner will end up with an amazing and unique motorcycle.

3 Responses.

Crazy Cat Lady – 1985 Yamaha RZ350

Published March 18, 2023 by Mike

Keeping the pre-mix party going is today’s very rare, totally stock (right down to the factory catalytic converters) 1985 Yamaha RZ350 in red/white colors. Much has been said regarding these little RZs, and they are generally a much-lusted after bike despite the smaller capacity. This bike has low miles, and looks to be pretty authentic.

1985 Yamaha RZ350 for sale on eBay

From the seller:
Listed for sale is an all original 1985 Yamaha RZ350 with 5,739 miles. Other than a few cosmetic blemishes, it is an all original properly maintained vintage liquid cooled 2-stroke performance survivor. Unlike most RZ350 motorcycles, this has not had any modifications to engine, exhaust, or suspension. It also has the original tires with a new set included (see photos) with the sale. This motorcycle has catalytic converter exhaust and is California emissions compliant. The RZ350 starts on the first kick, idles, shifts, runs, and brakes properly for an original RZ350 with low miles.

Unique opportunity to buy an all original, collectible, high performance 2 stroke. Will make a nice addition to a collection or provide miles of enjoyment to the vintage motorcycle enthusiast.

Any RZ worth collecting as original needs to be original. That means the fun go-fast parts do not apply, such as replacing the factory airbox with pods, bumping compression by milling the head, porting, expansion chambers, etc. That makes this particular bike very rare, as it appears to be in factory, unmolested condition. Pretty crazy given how many modified RZs we find in these pages, although if I must pick at nits, the handgrips are clearly not OEM and there appears to be a bit of rub rash on the fairing. This is a Buy It Now format classified on eBay, with an ask of $16,500 OBO. That is not the most we have seen in terms of asking price for this model, but for sure it is a big number. Check out all of the details here, and Good Luck!!

3 Responses.

Double Header – 1992 Yamaha TZR250R 3XV

Published March 9, 2023 by Mike

If yesterday’s ’91 model year TZR250 in the muted grey colors didn’t quite get your motor running, how about a fresh-from-Japan ’92 model year in the bright and cheery white/red livery? This is a bike that looks like it is going fast even when it isn’t, and as a 250cc v-twin two stroke pushing a lightweight, aluminum-framed sport bike, it could actually back up those looks.

1992 Yamaha TZR250R 3XV for sale on eBay

The 3XV variant of the TZR converted the little 250cc two stroke from a parallel twin to a 90 degree vee – as was done by Suzuki with the RGV series. This allowed for the bike to be a bit narrower, generally improved packaging and weight distribution, and achieved perfect primary balance. While the latter is less important at the track for comfort, it does lead to higher revs and engine longevity and avoids heavy balance shafts or counterweights.

From the seller:
Recent acquisition from the Japanese market. If interested message me .New Michelin Pilots, runs amazing ,is nimble ,and unbelievably fast for a smaller displacement motorcycle. Japanese title and all paperwork included for transfer of title. 17800 kilometers. Trades for Ducati or MV’s or rare motorcycles considered. Video available upon request.

As a recently imported motorcycle (and no notes from the seller to indicate otherwise), this is a restricted home market machine. That means 45 buzzing ponies are the limit. De-restriction is possible, which generally consists of opening up the exhaust and intake. However – and RSBFS faithful help me out here – I believe that the updated 3XV platform requires ignition box changes to get beyond the government-mandated 45 HP limit.

This example looks to be very clean and quite free of corrosion or damage. There appears to be some minor scratching on the left side of the tail section, but not much else. There are some extra stickers on the bodywork, so hard to tell if those are covering up anything – but it certainly does not appear that way due to the rest of the condition of the bike. The KM clocks show just over 11,000 miles, and the bike comes with a Japanese title. Since it is over the 25 year mark, re-titling in most states (here’s NOT looking at you, California) should be possible. This looks cleaner than yesterdays example, with an opening bid of just $5k and a Buy It Now set at $11,500. Check out all of the details here, and Good Luck!!

Purchase Yamaha TZR250 Parts on eBay

One Response.

Napoleon Dynamite – 1984 Yamaha RD500LC

Published March 2, 2023 by Mike

Unlike the geeky and ungainly title character who comes good at the end (#spoileralert), the Yamaha RD500LC has never been anything but cool. The Japanese interpretation of what a street-going, 500cc two-stroke GP machine should be, today’s example appears to have played around in France before being imported into the US and going through a restoration process. The bike currently resides in Tennessee.

1984 Yamaha RD500LC for sale on eBay

For those unfamiliar with the RD500 – also known as the RZ500 in North American markets – seriously, where have you been?? This bike was Yamaha’s interpretation of a 500cc GP bike for the street. Therefore, it has street legal amenities such as lights, turn signals, instrumentation and the like. But is also has GP-inspired elements, such as the 50 degree V-4 engine configuration, twin-cranks, two-stroke configuration with the Yamaha Power Valve System in the exhaust port to widen the power spread. It also has an air-assisted, anti-dive front fork, a 16″ front wheel and a single shock rear suspension. It has individual expansion chambers for each cylinder, offering a quadrophenia of wonderful noises. All in all, the RD/RZ500 tipped in with a sub 400 pound dry weight, pushed along by nearly 90 HP worth of very angry bees.

From the seller:
Motorcycle was recently imported from France so the speedometer is in Kilometers. US title was obtained in Tennessee.
It has been completely restored from A to Z.
– new crank
– new cylinders
– transmission has been rebuilt
– new paint
– new tires
– new chain
– new battery
This motorcycle runs perfectly and has just 300 kilometers since restoration.
A lot of invoices from France are coming with it along with the french title.

The big Yamaha two stroke is a popular gray-market stateside, as no variant of this bike was ever officially imported into the United States. This particular example spent time in France before being brought over and registered in the US. The seller has claimed this has gone through a pretty comprehensive restoration, which is backed by an impressive list of parts and services. This auction is live right now, with a growing group of watchers and a decent number of bids. We are up over the $10k mark already (reserve still in place), with a Buy It Now number listed at $22k. This is a beautiful bike and will be very interesting to watch where it ends up. You can check out all of the details here. Good Luck!!

3 Responses.

Original Middleweight – 1979 Yamaha RD400F Daytona Special

Published February 10, 2023 by Mike

The motorcycle world is currently agog with the 400cc class. Earlier this year Kawasaki announced plans to release the 2023 ZX-4RR to American buyers, and comments on these pages and on the RSBFS Facebook page lit up. And while the new ZX-RR harkens back to the gray market middleweights of the 1990s, Yamaha was way ahead of that game with the legendary RD400 two stroke. And no model of the fabled RD line was more iconic than the Daytona Special.

1979 Yamaha RD400F Daytona Special for sale on eBay

By the late 1970s the move to four stroke sport bikes was in full swing. Yet nothing else in showrooms had the hooligan factor of an RD400 lofting the front wheel in the first couple of gears. Nothing required the attention to RPM more than the air cooled parallel twin, and on the club racing scene this was the ultimate weapon. Until it wasn’t. Four strokes were getting lighter and more compact, although few could boast the 45 HP and 370-ish pound power to weight ratio advantage of the RD. Still, time marches on and the basic design firmly rooted in the end of the last decade was showing its age and buckling under the repression from Mr. EPA. But what a glorious final year it was!

From the seller:
For sale is my 1979 YAMAHA RD400F DATYTONA SPECIAL in MINT CONDITION
This bike is 100% original – This is NOT A RESTORATION PROJECT – This machine has original paint, original seat, original everything

Never been on the ground – Immaculate condition (tires have been replaced for safety reasons)
I have owned two RD350’s, one RZ 350, one RD400C and three Daytona Specials
Registered in California with a clean title – Selling my entire motorcycle collection moving to the North Shore of Oahu

I have owned this bike for 10 years it has been stored perfectly
This bike is is turn-key and in perfect running condition
30 original miles thank you for viewing – kick start your life now!
1979 Forever!

American buyers have historically dismissed smaller displacement motorcycles as starter bikes, commuter cycles and the like. Even Yamaha acknowledged that the RD 350 and 400 series sold to predominantly younger buyers (males in their early 20s), largely because they were cheaper and offered equal or better performance than anything larger in a four stroke format. Today these are largely deemed as antiques – er, sorry, “collectables” – although the love of blue smoke lives on here at RSBFS.

Claiming an original 30 miles since new (born 44 years ago!), today’s RD400F in the vaunted Daytona Special livery looks pretty much the part. It is impossibly clean for a bike of this vintage, with bright paintwork and shiny chrome. The cylinders and exhaust look devoid of any corrosion or modification, and the overall impression is that it is very original. The seller claims it has NOT been restored, and if that is the case this is probably the lowest mileage RD I have seen outside of a museum such as Barber. Pricing is….well….in line with a valuable antique. At a $19,500 buy it now classified ad, this California beauty is also probably the highest priced RD I have seen in a while. But the last year of the right bike in the right livery means something, and the condition just might support the ask. Check out all of the details here, and Good Luck!!

3 Responses.

Featured Listing – 1992 Yamaha TZR-250RS with California reg !

Published November 22, 2022 by Donn

Update 12.7.2022: This bike has SOLD! Congratulations to buyer and seller! -dc

Over its ten year lifespan, Yamaha’s TZR-250 went through lightning-quick development, starting as a parallel twin in 1986 and wresting the championship away from Honda in 1990 and 1993. RSBFS fan Tom presents his totally rare 3XV8 with lots of recent maintenance and California tags.

1992 Yamaha TZR-250RS for sale on eBay

1991 and later TZR-250’s were V-twins, with reed valves, exhaust power valves, and un-restricted claimed 60 hp, more than 200 hp per liter! 39mm upside-down forks are almost overbuilt for the weight, as are the dual disk brakes. The RS sported a light dry clutch, and all 3XV’s had 17-inch wheels. The Deltabox frame is largely hidden by the full bodywork, with color block livery identifying it as an RS.

Tom has kept his TZR ready to go, with a recent engine overhaul, new clutch, Pirelli’s and fuel petcock. Clocks indicate 12.5K miles approaching, but aside from a few fairing cracks, sure doesn’t look it. Informative notes received at RSBFS –

Coming out for auction from my private collection of 2-stroke sport bikes is this 1992 Yamaha TZR250-RS. It is 1 of 1,000 limited edition RS’s produced that year. What makes it an RS in 1992 is the dry clutch. This TZR is California registered, plated and insured in my name as a 1992 Yamaha 250.

The engine was fully rebuilt by a Yamaha technician approx. 2,400 miles ago. New crank, pistons, power valves, bearings, seals, even the dry clutch was replaced. It runs as new, starts 2nd or 3rd kick cold, 1st kick when warm, idles nice, very good throttle response, strong mid-range and revs out nicely.

New Pirelli Diablo Corsa tires approx. 300 miles ago

NOS petcock recently installed

Carbs were just balanced

New spark plugs, transmission oil and air filter

New Vesrah front brake pads, flushed and system bled. Front brakes are strong.

Known issues are only bodywork related:

Small crack on right side of upper front fairing

Large crack of left mirror mount

Small crack on left middle fairing

Small piece missing on right mid-section fairing

Paint chips on right front of nose fairing

Large crack and small piece missing from right mid section

Windshield is starting to have spiderweb cracks

Included is a Yamaha OEM used but nice condition right mid-section fairing, and also left middle fairing. Also included is best available complete reproduction decal kit from Image Works in the UK. This TZR is ready to ride and enjoy, or install replacement bodywork, get the remaining cracks repaired, new paint, install decals and you will have a cosmetically and mechanically restored, Cali plated TZR250 RS!

Bid with confidence, 18-year eBay seller. Please check out my seller feedback. I will work with your shipper, and also I can hold the bike for 30 days for you after the auction is closed. Immediate $500 deposit required after auction ends, full amount within 3 business days. Thanks for looking!

Having never been imported by the factory, the TZR-250 will always be somebody’s baby, with the real excitement found as the rev counter passes 8,000 rpm. Tom’s looks ready for a grand day out, or could be brought to the next level. Either way the next owner will be toward the center of the next Bikes and Coffee event.

-donn