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Post by porkchopexpress on Jun 11, 2014 13:48:41 GMT 1
I am new to this website was hoping for some pointers and advice on buying a 500LC. Looking to purchase one in the near future hopefully, what sort of things should I look out for. Is a cheaper route to go for a japan import as there seems more of these about what are the pros/cons. Does anyone have any ideas about any 500'S coming up for sale and what is a fair price to pay.
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Post by LC_BOTT on Jun 11, 2014 13:56:46 GMT 1
Bodywork would be top of my list, the cleaner and original the better, also the shock is specific to the bike, so if it's damping's poor, bargain about £300-£500 for a new one, and an engine rebuild well over £1k according to some on here.
Not sure if you know of the Jap spec differences, ie alloy frame, alloy bodied rear shock, fuel gauge, adjustable damped forks, light in the speedo for 80kmh. Different clippons, think thats about it??
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begbie
Drag-strip hero
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Post by begbie on Jun 11, 2014 18:02:25 GMT 1
Forget about bodywork as long as its there it can be repaired/painted, the engine is where a lot of money can be spent
I have a restored Rzv 500 for sale in the next 4 weeks. Engine rebuilt 4000 miles ago, vac and presure test on crankcases done and all good, compression test, same as my freshly rebuilt motor on my other rd500, carbs ultrasonicly cleaned then set up properly ( the key to getting these bikes running nicley )Ill be looking for 8k
If your in the uk pm me your number and ill give you a call.
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Post by twostrokebrit on Jun 12, 2014 3:35:50 GMT 1
sounds like begbie is your man..Rzv being the ally frame (eww nice) model
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Post by bare on Jun 12, 2014 3:37:21 GMT 1
as above.. do note that their engines and transmission are Fragile! Constant repair is the drill.
Beyond the Kool factor and 2 stroke lust inherent in a 4 cyl stroker.. a Lowly FZ 600 or even 400
(If so lucky as to find an ali framed one) is simply a far better Bike.. at Everything!
Yama San fitted the 'best' parts to the FZ 4 strokers.. they were on the sales floor at the same time as the 500's
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Post by 500anorak on Jun 12, 2014 8:11:13 GMT 1
bare wrote "transmission are Fragile!" That`s the RG500 bare  |
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Post by porkchopexpress on Jun 12, 2014 11:27:51 GMT 1
Thanks for that, had a tuned 350LC in the day and always promised myself a 500 but when they came out couldnt afford one. Bike will be looked after and wont do much mileage just a toy for the simmer.
Know this sounds a bit but how do I PM someone?
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Post by midlifecrisisrd on Jun 12, 2014 11:32:39 GMT 1
Thanks for that, had a tuned 350LC in the day and always promised myself a 500 but when they came out couldnt afford one. Bike will be looked after and wont do much mileage just a toy for the simmer. Know this sounds a bit but how do I PM someone? Click on the drop down arrow beside the cog in the thread of the person you are going to message. Click member then message. Steve |
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Post by midlifecrisisrd on Jun 12, 2014 18:54:41 GMT 1
Just see a world of pain with these bikes  me too, was offered one last year in decent nick with newly painted body work but had 21k on the clock and no engine history so had to assume it had not had the obligatory 20K main bearing replacement so turned it down Steve |
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Post by sean2008 on Jun 12, 2014 20:24:27 GMT 1
Many years ago I had a 500, my advice for anyone buying one of these is to buy the best one you can find/ afford, engines are extremely costly to fix, as are genuine parts, bodywork and shock are all area's that need inspecting thoroughly.
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Post by porkchopexpress on Jun 14, 2014 14:26:59 GMT 1
Had assumed would be an expensive bike but you only live once and its a 500 LC.
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Post by griffblade on Jun 14, 2014 15:00:43 GMT 1
Had one years ago and nothing but a pile of trouble, would forget it and buy a nice 350LC instead. Always wanted one but reality was a nightmare, unreliable and never ran right.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jun 15, 2014 10:40:58 GMT 1
Had assumed would be an expensive bike but you only live once and its a 500 LC. It's the luck of the draw with what you buy, like owt else! I bought mine with 12,000 miles on the clock and owned it for 9 years, by then it had 35,000 miles on it. The gearbox or bottom end never got touched and never played up, I rebuilt the top end at 22,000 ish. What a bike! The only trouble it gave me was a petrol tap and a bad back when some c**t finally killed it when the pulled out on me in Whitby. Buy the most original you can find, but do buy one. Great bike!  |
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begbie
Drag-strip hero
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Post by begbie on Jun 21, 2014 18:57:07 GMT 1
as above.. do note that their engines and transmission are Fragile! Constant repair is the drill. Beyond the Kool factor and 2 stroke lust inherent in a 4 cyl stroker.. a Lowly FZ 600 or even 400 (If so lucky as to find an ali framed one) is simply a far better Bike.. at Everything! Yama San fitted the 'best' parts to the FZ 4 strokers.. they were on the sales floor at the same time as the 500's Nothing wrong with the RD500 engine and gearbox, lack of routine mantainance by skint owners back in the day when prices bottomed out was the main problem. A stock RD500 makes around 30 ft/lb of torque at 4,000 rpm and makes over 40 ft/lb from 6-9k, Its a very tractable engine. A stock FZ 400 will not even peak at 30 ft/lb. The FZ 600 was the jap market 400 chassis and had the commuter FJ 600 engine with smaller carbs on because they couldnt package them in the tiny FZ400 frame, It was however a great handling bike (had a new one) |
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Post by yamark on Jun 21, 2014 19:34:08 GMT 1
Had an RD500 back in the day. Remember the very tall first gear and the strange vibes at low revs[bought it with 600miles on the clock]. Great bike with real character. Had 2 RG500's - quick bike but a bit faceless/clinical. The RD never missed a beat, great fun
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begbie
Drag-strip hero
Posts: 249
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Post by begbie on Jun 29, 2014 20:52:41 GMT 1
Should have been ready for sale by now, but the painter made a mess of the decal placement on the belly pan so being done again. Just a few details left to sort now, as you can see Im very confident it's oil, water and fuel tight :-)  |
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Post by LC_BOTT on Jun 30, 2014 7:42:02 GMT 1
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Post by mikee on Jun 30, 2014 18:48:55 GMT 1
I had 2 bitd
A stock one that wasn't as fast as it might have been , and a Stan Stevens tuned one that was raced by joe toner , that was a missile
Wish I still had them
Life is full of regrets , go buy one with my blessing
Mike
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Post by blakeseven on Jun 30, 2014 19:51:09 GMT 1
My understanding is that the rz alloy framed bikes are restricted for the japanese market.I bought a Uk one about 4 months ago love it but not as quick as you would think but a good laugh.Makes a hell of a racket and when you look down your only doing 80
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