RZ500 value

[mattt]

Bit of a vague question,whats a up and running RZ500 canadian import with non matching engine worth once up and running ,in stock condition

Been offered a bike in boxes ,with engine that looks possibly rebuilt,but no paperwork for engine ,not heard running ,and a import receipt but not on Nova and no v5 
Pretyy good condition all over,in need of a full repaint 
Regards 

[lcmarky]

Well you can’t have a v5 without the nova, mot, registration etc. If you have a legitimate import document you may need to pay duties to get the nova.

Vjmc can help with build date from the chassis number. If it’s jap originally there won’t be an engine number but otherwise if it’s legit USA the different numbers could be suspect unless they’re declared on the papers perhaps?

Value is almost impossible to say. Although with some serious resources you could end up with a decent bike.

How much is it up for?

[lcmarky]

To confirm this a steel frame bike?

[lcmarky]

The ally frame would be more desirable for a special, but without pictures and a breakdown of parts and condition it’s impossible to say.

Perhaps work backwards from a value of say £15+ for a mint ready to go bike. Assume the motor needs work, plus the rolling chassis and bodywork could easily see >£10k spent.

It needs doing thoroughly and properly so don’t forget the time required.

Your first step is to check it’s legit given the numbers etc.

What is the asking price?

[mattt]

Hi all
yes steel framed ,mph speedo ,the engine number is a rd500 engine ,not matching number ,looks rebuilt but not heard running.
The paperwork shows import and vat but its not nova paperwork just a receipt to the shippers

The parts are all pretty good,few bits need some work but no major damage or corrosion frame ,forks wheels, clocks and engine are good enough to use as they are

The fairing are a RD set ,all need painting and few small repairs on cracks and lugs
Its up for 7200

[midlifecrisisrd]

I'd still be wary of NOVA and VAT

That invoice showing taxes may be from the origin country, not the destination

If it's not on NOVA then it's already broke the rules

You could buy that for £7200 then get hit with another £1500 for vat or import duty

By then your at 9k with an unknown engine and needing a £2k paint job

Steve

[lcmarky]

What value is on the import paperwork?

Maybe, just maybe, if you can prove import duties have been paid you can swing the NOVA and we are all assuming here it's >14 days from the import date?

Seems odd that the NOVA wasn't done inside the time limit and just adds a bit more doubt to the authenticity given the different numbers too. Most if not all reputable importers will know the rules and will be keen to stick to them top be sure they can sell within the UK more easily.

[29davyt]

If all else fails probably worth more in spares !!

[mattt]

The importing fees were paid to parcelforce,duty and vat was just under £200,not a recentinvoice ,doesnt mention a motorbike either ,it does have the senders detials on it

[lcmarky]

Jan 20, 2021 21:28:48 GMT 1 mattt said:

The importing fees were paid to parcelforce,duty and vat was just under £200,not a recentinvoice ,doesnt mention a motorbike either ,it does have the senders detials on it

If there’s no real reference to the bike you could have a bit of a challenge. 

if it were me think I’d give it a wide berth. 

[mattt]

I started to think the same its a bit too much money with the paperwork problems ,i woukd think the engines ok looking at it to be honest ,but again its a gamble
Last 2 bikes i built I knew both engines were fine and ready to go

[JonW]

Just price the engine as needing everything (cranks from usa, pistons and bores, seals and gaskets etc) and then youve covered yourself.

Can the seller not NOVA it pre purchase? sounds like 'no nova, no sale' to me at this point.

[jackjabba]

If you have never ridden an RD500 then get a go on one before laying down lots of money and time building one. They are not the bike lots of people expect them to be.

Call DVLA and talk to them about the NOVA problem before you buy. They have always been helpful when I have called them.


Not hearing the engine run then budget for a full rebuild, if its done over 20k then it may have spun a bearing and buggered the cases and you would not know. Stan the man does a fix for this but its more money to think about. The engine can gobble up lots of money in parts alone.

Ask Chris Griffin on facebook for a paint job price as he is a lot cheaper than most and his work is good. It wont be near £2k. I paid £1300 for mine at Dream Machine but that was probably 10 years ago and I would never use them again.

Some parts are getting hard to find, silly things that go missing. Airbox long screws, heat shields etc. If your going to run the oil pump then buy a new one if you can. Genuine wind screen is going to hurt if you need one as NLA, last one I was offered was £250 probably 5 years ago.

As its in bits you wont know if anything is bent and out of shape such as the fairing stay. If its out just a bit nothing lines up when you put the panels back on. I went through three before finding a good one.

If you pay 7k for it then look at that being around 12-14k when finished, depending if you rebuild the engine yourself and the standard you want.

[mattt]

Thanks for the replies ,i will have a good think about this one
I can get it painted for 1k
All the bits i checked were good but its still the paperwork problem and engine im worried about
If its was a 350 id probably buy it

[liffy16]

Yes 350 with a big bore kit faster better handling bike !for me the rd500 is to overpriced but that's just my opinion 👍😂but if that's what you really want then expect huge bills

[lcmarky]

The RD500 motor is a peach (yes I know it's only x2 TZR/TDR motors lumped together) to ride, super smooth and goes well when wound up. I've found them to be very solid too, but as said above the 500 can be a real money pit to do right.

x4 spannies on full chat you need to experience!

[bare]

Jan 21, 2021 9:19:29 GMT 1 jackjabba said:

If you have never ridden an RD500 then get a go on one before laying down lots of money and time building one. They are not the bike lots of people expect them to be.

Good on you ! An intelligent answer.
IMO 500's were Dogs.consequently poor sellers Gasp! But then I'm a Komplete Heretic.
The sister FZ600 was simply a Better motorcycle than the 500.
Yama saw the Future and fitted the better bits to their 4 stroker.
What's an FZ600 worth ? The few that remain.. not having been stripped for their 'better' bits... dick I expect.

Future value $$ considerations.. really messed objective judgements Which 'used to be' Riding the things.