Yamaha RD500LC (1985)

The Yamaha RD500LC (RZV500/RZ 500) motorcycle was produced in 1985 with a two-stroke, 50 degrees-V4 cylinder engine and a 499cc capacity. It had a liquid-cooled cooling system, 4x 26mm Mikuni carburetors, and a digital CDI ignition. The bike had a maximum power output of 88 hp/63.9 kW at 9500 rpm and a maximum torque of 6.57 Nm/6.9 kgf-m at 8500 rpm. The transmission was a 6-speed with a wet, multiple discs, cable-operated clutch and a final drive chain. The Yamaha RD500LC had a steel twin downtube frame and front suspension consisting of 37mm air-assisted telescopic forks, which were 4-way spring preload adjustable and anti-dive variable. The rear suspension was a monoshock with spring preload and rebound damping. The rear wheel travel was 120 mm/4.7 in and the front wheel travel was 140 mm/5.5 in. The front brakes were 2x 267mm discs with 2 piston calipers and the rear had a single 245mm disc with a 2 piston caliper. The bike had a length of 2085 mm/82.1 in, a width of 705 mm/27.7 in, and height of 1145 mm/45.0 in with a wheelbase of 1375 mm/54.1 in and a seat height of 780 mm/30.7 in. The dry weight was 180 kg/437.8 lbs and the wet weight was 198.6 kg/436.5 lbs. The fuel tank held 22 litres/5.8 gal and the average fuel consumption was 27.5 mpg. The standing 1/4 mile was completed in 11.7 sec/117.7 mph with a top speed of 148 mph/238 km/h.


Technical specifications:

Make Model: Yamaha RD 500LC / RZV500 / RZ 500

Year: 1985


Engine: Two stroke, 50 degrees-V4 cylinder, reed valve, YPVS
Capacity: 499 cc / 30.3 cu-in
Bore x Stroke: 56.4 x 50 mm
Cooling System: Liquid cooled
Compression Ratio: 6.6:1
Induction: 4x 26mm Mikuni carburetors
Ignition: Digital CDI
Spark Plug: NGK, BR9HS
Starting: Kick
Max Power: 88 hp / 63.9 kW @ 9500 rpm
Max Torque: 6.57 Nm / 6.9 kgf-m @ 8500 rpm
Clutch: Wet, multiple discs, cable operated
Transmission: 6 Speed
Final Drive: Chain
Gear Ratio: 1st 2.250 2nd 1.685 3rd 1.363 4th 1.166 5th 1.043 6th 0.960

Frame: Steel twin downtube
Front Suspension: 37mm Air assisted telescopic forks, 4-way spring preload adjustable and anti-dive variable.
Front Wheel Travel: 140 mm / 5.5 in
Rear Suspension: Monoshock, spring preload and rebound damping,
Rear Wheel Travel: 120 mm / 4.7 in
Front Brakes: 2x 267mm discs 2 piston calipers
Rear Brakes: Single 245mm disc 2 piston calliper
Front Tyre: 120/80 V16 +
Rear Tyre: 130/80 V18
Dimensions: Length 2085 mm / 82.1 in Width 705 mm /27.7 in Height 1145 mm /45.0 in
Wheelbase: 1375 mm / 54.1 in
Seat Height: 780 mm / 30.7 in
Dry Weight: 180 kg / 437.8 lbs
Wet Weight: 198.6 kg / 436.5 lbs
Fuel Capacity: 22 Litres / 5.8 gal
Consumption Average: 27.5 mpg
Standing 1/4 Mile: 11.7 sec / 117.7 mph
Top Speed: 148 mph / 238 km/h

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