Today on the auction site we’ve got a rare variant of the RZ500 – a JDM, aluminum-framed RZV500R!
These are apparently a bit more popular than I would have guessed, as our last similar listing (a non-running RZ500 project) sold for $11,770.
The RZV500R had a few changes versus the RZ500 – a switch that converted the water temp gauge into a fuel gauge, fork preload adjusters at the top of the forks, and deletion of the self-canceling turn signals. But the reason RZ fans covet the RZV500R is because it also came with a hand-welded aluminum frame, which helped the bike weigh 20 pounds less than its international siblings. This helped counteract a power cut – Japanese regulations required an output of no more than 64 ponies, which Yamaha enabled by restricting the exhaust and changing carb jets. Both things are easily addressed to get this bike back up to the claimed 87 horsepower.
If you want a showpiece, this bike could use some paintwork and a powdercoating of the wheels, but this is a runner that’s ready to ride right now!
Find this Yamaha RZV500R for sale here on Iconic Motorbike Auctions Powered by Bike-urious with bidding up to $11,600 and the reserve not yet met in Marina del Rey, California – but it’s very close to selling!