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.

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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