RD500 1GE Restoration

Got a customizing or restoration project? Post your progress pictures and updates here

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rd84
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RD500 1GE Restoration

#1 Post by rd84 » Mon Jul 03, 2017 9:26 am

Hi,

My newly restored 1GE with a few subtle mods to make it more useable on modern roads.

Image

Image

Image

Cheers
Paul

MK
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Re: RD500 1GE Restoration

#2 Post by MK » Mon Jul 03, 2017 11:04 am

Very nice bike.
I like the combination of the "original" look but still maintaining rideability instead of building just another museum bike.
Bye
Martin

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jackson.40
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Re: RD500 1GE Restoration

#3 Post by jackson.40 » Mon Jul 03, 2017 11:46 am

breathtaking Paul, you must be very pleased with this bike :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool:


Steve

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Re: RD500 1GE Restoration

#4 Post by podman » Mon Jul 03, 2017 12:14 pm

Shes lovely mate....Excuse my ignorance if the detail is on another thread but did you have the frame painted and if so by whom?

rd84
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Re: RD500 1GE Restoration

#5 Post by rd84 » Mon Jul 03, 2017 1:20 pm

Thanks everyone - I'm really pleased with way the bike turned out - here is some detail for those who are interested...

Wheels 3.5 x 17 inch forged alloy Dymag front / 5.5 x 17 inch Dymag forged alloy rear
Discs Brembo 300mm front - standard size Brembo rear.
Front calipers by Pretech
Exhausts by Kenny Gubbins / TSA
Brake lines - Venhill
Engine rebuild by Daz
Frame paint and bodywork by Mark Cordwell of Derby
Bead blasting by Total Blast Services of Coalville
Vapour blasting by Vapourworx
Powder coating by Total Blast Services and J.C. Ward of Burton-on-Trent
Ceramic Powdercoat on exhausts by J.C. Ward
Final build was by Martin at M.E. Motorcycles of Burton-on-Trent
Tyres are Pirelli Supercorsas 120/70 Front and 180/60 rear fitted by The Tyre Medic of Hinkley
Plating by Derby Plating and Collins Chemical Blacking.
Rear shock - Nitron
Front master cylinder Yamaha MT-09 non ABS

I'm sure I did some of the work as well ! ??

To my surprise the handling is very light but also stable at the same time - no twitchiness or bad behaviour - much lighter handling / steering than the original and the front brakes are very progressive with lots of feel.

I'm going to get the bike dyno'd and jetted at RTR Motorcycles and I'm going to get the springs and damping uprated in the front forks to cope with the more powerful brakes.

Cheers
Paul

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1601pete
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Re: RD500 1GE Restoration

#6 Post by 1601pete » Mon Aug 14, 2017 5:17 pm

Hi Paul

Did you mod the forks in anyway. I'm struggling with my standard setup (just have progressive springs). It feel a bit twitchy / bouncy. Almost if the damping isn't working well.

Thanks.

Pete

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Re: RD500 1GE Restoration

#7 Post by vma500 » Mon Aug 14, 2017 6:45 pm

Lovely bike..... upgrades with respect for the original bike

Love it :grin:
my bikes :RD500 2X ,RD 350 F2 , RD 350 31K,RD350 4LO,RG500,RG250 WW,RGV250,TZR250 3MA,TZR250 3XV,NS400r,NSr250 mc21,KR1250S,

rd84
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Re: RD500 1GE Restoration

#8 Post by rd84 » Tue Aug 15, 2017 2:06 pm

1601pete wrote:Hi Paul

Did you mod the forks in anyway. I'm struggling with my standard setup (just have progressive springs). It feel a bit twitchy / bouncy. Almost if the damping isn't working well.

Thanks.

Pete
Hi Pete,

I agree with what you've said about the forks - I'm going to look into this problem.

Cheers
Paul

rd84
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Re: RD500 1GE Restoration

#9 Post by rd84 » Tue Aug 15, 2017 6:53 pm

vma500 wrote:Lovely bike..... upgrades with respect for the original bike

Love it :grin:
Thanks - I wanted it that when first looking at the bike it would seem standard - only a closer study would reveal the changes

Cheers
Paul

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Speed Freak
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Re: RD500 1GE Restoration

#10 Post by Speed Freak » Wed Aug 16, 2017 3:35 am

Very nice bike :cool:
My bikes:
RD500 YPVS 1GE
RD350 YPVS 31K 1985
Honda CBR 1000 RR SC57
Yamaha R1 RN04

rd84
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Re: RD500 1GE Restoration

#11 Post by rd84 » Wed Aug 16, 2017 5:01 am

rd84 wrote:
vma500 wrote:Lovely bike..... upgrades with respect for the original bike

Love it :grin:
Thanks - I wanted it that when first looking at the bike it would seem standard - only a closer study would reveal the changes

Cheers
Paul
Thanks - still a few details to complete though - are they every 100% finished ? :smile:

Cheers
Paul
Last edited by rd84 on Fri Aug 18, 2017 10:50 am, edited 1 time in total.

rd84
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Re: RD500 1GE Restoration

#12 Post by rd84 » Fri Aug 18, 2017 10:22 am

Dyno by RTR Motorcycles of Bingham, UK - highly recommended !

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_ ... =bookmarks

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Re: RD500 1GE Restoration

#13 Post by RC45 » Mon Aug 21, 2017 12:37 am

The more I look at this mildly modded stock restoration the more I love it.

Maybe I should put a stock looking RZ together using the spare steel frame and running gear I have.
CBR1000RR SP2 HRC WSBK
TZ500V/OW53 Track bike
YZR500 OW81 Clone
OW69 Daytona 200 Replica - 784cc Monster
NS400 Track Bike
RS250R NF5
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427ci C5 Z07

rd84
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Re: RD500 1GE Restoration

#14 Post by rd84 » Mon Aug 21, 2017 5:01 am

RC45 wrote:The more I look at this mildly modded stock restoration the more I love it.

Maybe I should put a stock looking RZ together using the spare steel frame and running gear I have.
I was really pleased how it turned out - I wasn't so sure until it came together- it's also easy to return to standard if I need to.

Cheers
Paul

Richie rich
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Re: RD500 1GE Restoration

#15 Post by Richie rich » Sat Jun 16, 2018 9:43 pm

Hi there, lovely RD500! Saw the pics in June issue of CMM and then came across this thread when searching for info on the Pretech calipers.

Do those calipers bolt up directly to the std fork mounts (its looks as though they do)? How did you figure they would work with the 300mm discs and different wheels?

Keen to know a little more if you’re happy to share?

Cheers, Richard

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