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 to be a labor of love for a western hemisphere buyer.
Significantly lighter than European and North American RZ/RD 500 models, the RZV was blessed with a trick aluminum frame and better suspension components (i.e. adjustable) than the other RZ models. The basic layout remains the same, although the RZV was de-tuned for the home market. Tinkering minds have found relatively easy ways to bring a Japanese RZV up to full power, and two stroke wizards have extracted far more power from the 500cc V4 than the OEM gods ever intended – making this the perfect platform for that next project. Got your rose-colored glasses on yet?
From the seller:
We offer from Japan, the motorcycle YAMAHA RZV500R.
Vihicle name : YAMAHA RZV500R(U.S name: RD500)
Model : 51X
Years : 1984
Frame number : 51X-0008**
Mileage : 11874km
This has a little scratches and some attacment tabs are missing in the body work.
Moreover, a little rusts are looked at by every place.
Although a front fork has a little rusts on the chrome. However no oil leaks.
The exhaust chambar has a little scratches and a little dents.
Although an engine is in a good condition.
Since it is an old motorcycle, there is a certain amount of damage.
However I think that it is a condition very very good on the whole.
With not much left to run on this auction, there have been zero takers at $6,800 opening ask. In truth, that is a bit pricey once you consider the shipping costs and importation fees – but you can’t deny it would be fun to have. Still, the RSBFS readership is a global bunch, and there might be somebody out there that can take advantage of this one and save another premix popcorn popper. Check out all of the details here. Good Luck!
MI
Looks like a nice bike, being in Japan really sucks, would cost a fortune to export it, and you may not get it! The seller is a good guy, I would trust him. Quite a few here for sale in the states, on ebay on and off. He sells other rare 2 strokes on ebay, wonder if anyone in the UK or USA are buying them? He also sells decent aftermarket fairing kits for the gamma and RZ500.