Yamaha RZ500 1984

[Dono113]

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Yamaha-RZ500-1984-/200965691243?pt=AU_Motorcycles&hash=item2eca7d176b#ht_459wt_1352
All there for a mean dirt tracker

[Lozza]

Would be a crime to turn that into a flat track bike 

[tony27]

Couldn't agree more Lozza.
The RZ500 is a pretty rare bike in the condition of the bike in the listing & is worth a pretty penny after the motor is fixed

[Dono113]

Nothing a crime when it's a Yamaha 

[popeye]

Be interesting to see what it brings.  Very rare yes, also can be very exspensive to rebuild, quite a complex motor, if its been sitting for a long period everything would need to be rebuilt...

[Tim754]

Would be a crime to turn that into a flat track bike 
  Yep agree with that, well that's what TZ700/750 engines were for!    Thanks king Kenny 

[Lozza]

Try and buy a TZ700/750 engine though Tim.

[firko]

It'd make a shit flat tracker just like the TZ750's, Kawasaki triples and Suzuki water bottles were. A lot of pretty smart folks tried to get big 2 strokes to work on the dirt but in the end the humble Harley, XS750/0W72 Yamaha and Triumph/BSA/Norton four stroke twins were all vastly superior. The TZ750 only won at Indy because King Kenny was riding it. There were two other TZs and an Erv Kanemoto Kawasaki triple there that were so uncompetitive they didn't qualify for the main. It's be a shame to turn that RZ into a road racer too. Keep it as a stock curiosity from times when the Jap factories actually built some innovative road tackle.

[Lozza]

The RG 500 is much better engine it was the engine to use in the old Formula 500 days untill they let R6 motors in. The RZ engine is 65kg or so v's 45kgs for the RG.

Shityeah Walter, 120HP is a snack out of those engines these days. There are quite a few aftermarket parts being made for them, dry clutches, individual heads with inserts , YZR copy frames etc etc. Think even Gus in the US is doing another run of cranks (think that bloke has new Gus cranks already) give you a good opportunity to sort the suspension on those Walter 

[SON]

It'd make a shit flat tracker just like the TZ750's, Kawasaki triples and Suzuki water bottles were. A lot of pretty smart folks tried to get big 2 strokes to work on the dirt but in the end the humble Harley, XS750/0W72 Yamaha and Triumph/BSA/Norton four stroke twins were all vastly superior. The TZ750 only won at Indy because King Kenny was riding it. There were two other TZs and an Erv Kanemoto Kawasaki triple there that were so uncompetitive they didn't qualify for the main. It's be a shame to turn that RZ into a road racer too. Keep it as a stock curiosity from times when the Jap factories actually built some innovative road tackle.

RZ500s were not good from brand new
RG500s were superior in every way
However if they are dragged into the 21st Century they are both brilliant, but the modernized RG is still better.
If you want a 2 stroke Flattracker or StreetTracker then the RD/RZ twin is the answer
Pete's old aircooled is an inspiration look it up

[Tim754]

 I case you don't follow the tongue in cheek King Kenny references friends watch this!
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=8k8hJWKIVNs

34 for years later he wonders if he can still ride one..................... um yes

[Slakewell]

Back in the day they ruled for half an hour until the GSXR 750 came out. They handled badly and were way to heavy and just a pain the arse to fix. Tiny inlets were the one problem that cant be fixed. Buy a TZ 500 motor and fit it to R6 600 wreck

[Vintmxman]

They are a very rare machine indeed. Very difficult to rebuild and handled poorly in my opinion. I'd stay away from it based simple on the rebuild costs alone but it's very cool....tempting , but the nightmares of rebuilds long ago on this model bring me back to reality. Complex design that sucked !

[SON]

SUZUKI RG400 bottom end out of Japan
Brand New RG500 barrels and pistons
Aprilia RS250 Chassis
Under $5,000 plus  labour

[mustanggrahame]

SUZUKI RG400 bottom end out of Japan
Brand New RG500 barrels and pistons
Aprilia RS250 Chassis
Under $5,000 plus  labour

Cheap but you end up with nothing more than a half good bitsa. No historic significance and no future resale value. I can't believe anybody is seriously thinking about buying this bike and doing anything but restore it to original, warts and all. It doesn't matter that an RG may have been better. It was from an era when bikes were interesting and varied, and this bike deserves some respect. It has lasted this long not to be dismantled or used for some other purpose now.
Cheers, Grahame