As we came into the year 2001 the urge to get
back into biking had become an obsession,
and so a decision had to be made ? What bike would it be....
( I had managed to pass my test in the dark years )
Four Stroke/Two Stroke
Honda NC30
Suzuki GSXR 750
Yamaha RD350
Yamaha RD500 YPVS
LOOK WHAT I GOT !!!!!!
Yamaha RD 500 YPVS ( Mk II ) 1GE
The Bike was spotted on the Internet ! RD/RZ
500 Pages ( For Sale )
A few E-mails and phonecalls were made before I got my hands on the Elsie !!
My 1st few rideouts were spent getting used to that wicked POWERBAND?
before a return to the Mecca that is Matlock !!
The bike was not in a bad condition when I got it but I soon set about tarting it up,
Touched up frame, wheels, pipes and polished some of the aluminum, also gave it a
de-grease, a full engine oil change, fitted new plugs and cleaned the air filter.
Plans for the future include : Touch up the top panel, and start to think about the
motor ??
( It's on 18000 miles ) I hear they go bang at 20,000 ??
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My RD 500
Just received this photo of my bike when 3 months old from the 1'st owner
Many thanks to Paul Carter
Looks like someone has polished the spokes / rims and chrome
plated the grab rail since it was new !!!!
Who ever has done these things !!!!
I am on the case, I have made it my mission to contact all the previous owners ( 7 )
...................................................
2001
18-11-01
Over the last 8 months I have managed to put in
981 miles,
This was mostly spent in the dry !! ( not bad for good Old England ) riding to
Matlock ( Derbyshire ), The local LC Club Meeting ( Shardlow ), The Air-cooled RD Meeting
( Ashbourne ) and the odd Sunday afternoon blasts around locally.
My bike was also on the LC Club stand at the Classic Mechanic Show at Stafford.
...................................................
2002
05-05-02
Over the last few month's I have striped my
bike with the help of family & friends
Jobs undertaken include ....
Top fairing repaired & repainted , polish top yolk , powdercoat clipons &
front cradle ,
Cleaned & greased headstock bearings ,
Fitted braided brake lines ... ( Anti-Dive units & Rear )
Painted rear frame ( under seat ) Cleaned & re-painted upper exhausts
...................................................
2002
16-06-02
Below are a few pictures of a steering
damper I have fitted to my bike !
Picked it up for sale on the net ! Do you know what make it is ?
Also added a picture of my spare set of RD500 wheels !
I think they are going to be '' RED ''
...................................................
01-07-02
As you can see I had them done Red !
I am not to sure about the colour ?
It might look better when I have added the tyres and put them onto the bike.
...................................................
13-07-02
Luck was on my side ?
I saw a new set of mirrors for sale on e-bay ?
As you can see I was successful with my bid !
These are now fitted to my bike.
...................................................
19-07-02
Before fitting the new Red Wheels to my bike
!
I have purchased a new set of wheel bearings,
These are now fitted.
...................................................
23-07-02
The Greatest Gift ???
Since I started this website I have made many friends ?
In England and around the world ?
One such friend has gone to the trouble and expense of sending
A near new rear brake disc ! and a new RZV 500 R fuel cap !
As you can see the original cap is well rusted !
The new cap is now fitted to my bike !
Thank you Mitsuo !
...................................................
27-07-02
The wheels are now fitted
along with the new rear disc, caliper and polished hanger !
New tyres were also fitted after a tip-off on a set from a good friend
Thanks '' Martek ''
It has turned out better than I could have wished for and the red is perfect .
...................................................
14-09-02
At last !
The steering damper has been identified !
I am told that it is a '' Daytona '' oval bodied version and rebuild kits are still
available !
Thank you Mike Siemens for the info.
...................................................
27-12-02
I have received some cool bike art based
around my RD 500 !
The artwork has been specially done buy a friend in Japan called '' Shine ''
I would like to thank Shine for his great gift .
Please see the artwork below & Link to Shines website.
...................................................
29-12-02
I forgot to show you ???
Look what ''Santa'' got me for Christmas !
Even my good lady wife is now buying new RD 500 parts for the bike !
'' A brand new foot peg ''
...................................................
13-12-03
I have now received another fantastic gift
from Japan based around my RD 500 !
I have now been made into a '' Clay Rider '' by my good friend '' Waiwai ''
The gift now takes '' pride of place '' in a display cabinet in my home !
I would like to thank Waiwai for his fantastic gift .
Please see the model below & Link to Waiwai's website.
...................................................
18-12-03
I have now received yet another fantastic
surprise based around my RD 500 !
This time Andy Brunyee has based a bike embroidery around my 500 !
Please check the for sale button below for more details ?
...................................................
Thanks to Rodger Taylor for sending this
image of my bike !
One of many taken by Rodger for possible publication in a new RD book to be released
soon ;-)
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