need help identifying my newly acquired RG 500

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dougie9231
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Joined: Wed Feb 14, 2018 4:22 pm

need help identifying my newly acquired RG 500

#1 Post by dougie9231 » Thu Feb 15, 2018 2:43 pm

Hello all!

just got back from the Mecum motorcycle Auction in Las Vegas! somehow I ended up with 6 new bikes :grin: :grin:

im pretty sure i over paid for the restored Gamma, Mecum sold it as a 1987 rg400 dressed in 500 plastic, bike is from the bob weaver collection. I talk to Bob who said its a 500 and was told by a so called expert from Mecum that its a 400. Once I received the bike i could not find anything that says 400 and im hoping you guys could help me with understanding the details of this bike. I appreciate any info you could share.

vin# HK31A101535
eng.# K301-101391
85rzv500
87rg500
85rz350
79-400f
10 Ducati 848 Nicki Hayden
79sr500
71 Penton six day 125
17 six day 450
70 ossa stiletto
72 CZ 250
77 Ossa Desert Phantom
78 Maico 250
18 CTS-V 640 hp

silverstrom
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Re: need help identifying my newly acquired RG 500

#2 Post by silverstrom » Thu Feb 15, 2018 3:59 pm

6 bikes :shock: Someone had a lot of fun :mrgreen:

The VIN (HK) looks right for a 400. I think all of the 500s have HM VINs.

The best thing to do now is look at the cylinders and see what it says the displacement is.

Check the exhaust silencers. RG400 will be stamped 20A0. RG500 will be stamped 21A1

The estimate on that was $17,000 US which seems very high for a 400.

dougie9231
Posts: 8
Joined: Wed Feb 14, 2018 4:22 pm

Re: need help identifying my newly acquired RG 500

#3 Post by dougie9231 » Thu Feb 15, 2018 5:13 pm

Well Thank you! the cylinders are 100% 498cc and pipes are 21A1 , sounds like a 400 frame though? and yes it was very expensive, maybe a couple two many cocktails with a bidding paddle is to blame. anyway thank u for the info ,the bikes very clean and im going through it and very excited to ride it soon
85rzv500
87rg500
85rz350
79-400f
10 Ducati 848 Nicki Hayden
79sr500
71 Penton six day 125
17 six day 450
70 ossa stiletto
72 CZ 250
77 Ossa Desert Phantom
78 Maico 250
18 CTS-V 640 hp

silverstrom
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Posts: 3236
Joined: Sat Feb 04, 2012 7:36 am

Re: need help identifying my newly acquired RG 500

#4 Post by silverstrom » Thu Feb 15, 2018 7:13 pm

It does sound like a 400 frame, but to get 100% accurate info you should ask Rick Lance. He is the authority on the subject. http://www.rzrd500.com/500phpBB3/member ... ofile&u=44" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

begbie
Posts: 289
Joined: Fri Sep 02, 2011 7:02 pm
Location: UK

Re: need help identifying my newly acquired RG 500

#5 Post by begbie » Thu Feb 15, 2018 8:47 pm

RG500 cases will be stamped M301
400 stamped K301

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tacky1
Posts: 1248
Joined: Mon Sep 14, 2015 12:30 pm
Location: Bay Area. CA.

Re: need help identifying my newly acquired RG 500

#6 Post by tacky1 » Thu Feb 15, 2018 9:31 pm

The engine and frame are deffo 400, The exhaust might be 500.

Read here http://www.suzukicycles.org/_misc/identification.shtml" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
1985 RZv500
1984 RZ500 Hybrid
1986 RG500 Walter Wolf
1986 RG500 Skoal Bandit
1984 RZ350
1984 RZ350 Hybrid
1981 RD350LC
1981 RD350LC Hybrid
2009 CR500AF Supermoto 250X
2007 CR500AF 250X
1988 YSR50 (2)
1989 VFR750R RC30
1984 GPZ750 Turbo

dougie9231
Posts: 8
Joined: Wed Feb 14, 2018 4:22 pm

Re: need help identifying my newly acquired RG 500

#7 Post by dougie9231 » Thu Feb 15, 2018 9:45 pm

ya thats my luck, but the barrels say 498cm ? must have been a rebuild to 500 with pipes and barrels. kinda of a bummer, some one in England built/restored it per the previous owner ??
oh well!

thank you for all the input!
85rzv500
87rg500
85rz350
79-400f
10 Ducati 848 Nicki Hayden
79sr500
71 Penton six day 125
17 six day 450
70 ossa stiletto
72 CZ 250
77 Ossa Desert Phantom
78 Maico 250
18 CTS-V 640 hp

silverstrom
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Posts: 3236
Joined: Sat Feb 04, 2012 7:36 am

Re: need help identifying my newly acquired RG 500

#8 Post by silverstrom » Thu Feb 15, 2018 10:47 pm

I thought it wasn't a straight swap putting 500 barrels on 400 cases. There is a lot of work to do to make it work.

dougie9231
Posts: 8
Joined: Wed Feb 14, 2018 4:22 pm

Re: need help identifying my newly acquired RG 500

#9 Post by dougie9231 » Thu Feb 15, 2018 11:48 pm

Ya i'm very confused right now, case is stamped K301-101391 not sure what i got here, maybe they did a good job? but i'm going through carbs see if she runs. I'm hoping bob weaver (The Weaver Collection) the purchaser of the machine gives me the info for the guy who he got it from over seas ????

thanks again Silverstorm
85rzv500
87rg500
85rz350
79-400f
10 Ducati 848 Nicki Hayden
79sr500
71 Penton six day 125
17 six day 450
70 ossa stiletto
72 CZ 250
77 Ossa Desert Phantom
78 Maico 250
18 CTS-V 640 hp

vma500
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Re: need help identifying my newly acquired RG 500

#10 Post by vma500 » Tue Feb 20, 2018 10:07 am

I had both a While ago, but sold the 400 to a friend
500 is HM 31 vin

I seem to remember also the clutch case containing 800 cc of oil and that nr was stamped on it
it also has a lighter clutch with lesser plates
does the clocks /tank have fuelgauges?
my bikes :RD500 2X ,RD 350 F2 , RD 350 31K,RD350 4LO,RG500,RG250 WW,RGV250,TZR250 3MA,TZR250 3XV,NS400r,NSr250 mc21,KR1250S,

dougie9231
Posts: 8
Joined: Wed Feb 14, 2018 4:22 pm

Re: need help identifying my newly acquired RG 500

#11 Post by dougie9231 » Tue Mar 06, 2018 11:35 pm

case is stamped 850mi but doesn't have clocks or fuel gauges?
85rzv500
87rg500
85rz350
79-400f
10 Ducati 848 Nicki Hayden
79sr500
71 Penton six day 125
17 six day 450
70 ossa stiletto
72 CZ 250
77 Ossa Desert Phantom
78 Maico 250
18 CTS-V 640 hp

RC45
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Location: Houston, Texas.

Re: need help identifying my newly acquired RG 500

#12 Post by RC45 » Fri Mar 23, 2018 11:03 am

Lots of people selling RGs and RZs recently with "great stories" behind them, and sadly I think many sellers are really stretching the truth trying to get the most money they can.

Honestly, no one can claim with certainty 3rd and 4th owner imported 30 year old bikes.

They just can't.

Chalk it up to auction eagerness and just ride the bikes :)
CBR1000RR SP2 HRC WSBK
TZ500V/OW53 Track bike
YZR500 OW81 Clone
OW69 Daytona 200 Replica - 784cc Monster
NS400 Track Bike
RS250R NF5
TZ250T 2KM
TZ250B 3YL
TZR250 3MA Track Bike
427ci C5 Z07

silverstrom
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Re: need help identifying my newly acquired RG 500

#13 Post by silverstrom » Fri Mar 23, 2018 11:13 am

RC45 wrote: Honestly, no one can claim with certainty 3rd and 4th owner imported 30 year old bikes.
It is possible, but depends on where you live. In Ontario we have to buy a Used Vehicle Information Package when buying/selling a used vehicle, including bikes. The UVIP for my TZR shows only 2 pervious owners and goes back to the date of purchase in 1987 and the first owner's name and location at that point. Both owners account for the bike's life from 1987 to 2011, when I bought it from the second owner. Both owners are a few hours from me. I am the 3rd owner of what is essentially a local bike.

RC45
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Re: need help identifying my newly acquired RG 500

#14 Post by RC45 » Fri Mar 23, 2018 11:32 am

silverstrom wrote:
RC45 wrote: Honestly, no one can claim with certainty 3rd and 4th owner imported 30 year old bikes.
It is possible, but depends on where you live. In Ontario we have to buy a Used Vehicle Information Package when buying/selling a used vehicle, including bikes. The UVIP for my TZR shows only 2 pervious owners and goes back to the date of purchase in 1987 and the first owner's name and location at that point. Both owners account for the bike's life from 1987 to 2011, when I bought it from the second owner. Both owners are a few hours from me. I am the 3rd owner of what is essentially a local bike.
I mean imported to countries where the bikes never were regular models.

Imported bikes that have had to go through creative channels to get into a country and possibly be registered, all bets are off :)
CBR1000RR SP2 HRC WSBK
TZ500V/OW53 Track bike
YZR500 OW81 Clone
OW69 Daytona 200 Replica - 784cc Monster
NS400 Track Bike
RS250R NF5
TZ250T 2KM
TZ250B 3YL
TZR250 3MA Track Bike
427ci C5 Z07

trix
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Posts: 371
Joined: Mon Feb 25, 2008 11:44 am
Location: Northern Ireland

Re: need help identifying my newly acquired RG 500

#15 Post by trix » Fri Mar 23, 2018 5:56 pm

what were the 5 other new bikes?

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